Oman self-drive tour

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Muscat

  

  Welcome at Muscat airport, priority passage through customs formalities and private transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, a cruise along the picturesque coasts of Muscat until sunset (subject to weather conditions). Overnight at the Royal Tulip Muscat 4* hotel.

• day 2

  Visit the city of Muscat.

  

  In the morning, departure for the discovery of the charming miniature capital of the Sultanate. The Grand Mosque will be the first site. Inaugurated in 2001, it has the second largest handmade carpet (with more than 1,700,000 knots) and the second largest chandelier in the world (note that women must cover their heads, arms, and legs during the visit). Then, a drive past the Al Alam Palace, the official residence of the Sultan, as well as the Portuguese forts Al Mirani and Al Jalali, flanking the port. On the way, you will visit the fish market. In Muttrah, you will stroll through the old traditional souq, where you can get lost, shop, and feel the oriental atmosphere. At the end of your visit, you will discover the Opera House, one of the architectural wonders of the Sultanate of Oman. Overnight at the Royal Tulip Muscat hotel. Breakfast included.

• day 3

  Bimah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab - Ras Al Hadd.

  

  Early departure for Wadi Shab. Walk in this narrow valley with fresh water pools, under the palm trees, renowned for its great beauty (possibility of swimming). On the way back, stop to admire a magnificent lake located in the Bimmah Sinkhole, a spectacular water well caused by a land collapse about 30 meters deep (depending on the water level, it will be possible to swim there). Continue to Sur, a former prosperous port located in a superb setting. Built around a lagoon, it is famous for the manufacture of teak dhows, called dhows, on which Sinbad the Sailor traveled: visit of a traditional factory. In the evening, observe the green turtles at Ras Al Jinz, a reserve for the nesting of this endangered species. Overnight at Turtle Beach Resort. Breakfast and dinner included.

• day 4

  Wadi Bani Khalid, the Wahiba desert.

  

  In the morning, after breakfast, drive through the date palm plantations towards Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most beautiful oases in the country, at the bottom of a canyon, with its natural pools of turquoise water. Continue by 4x4 towards the Wahiba desert, a sea of sand with orange hues. It is the natural habitat of the Bedouins, with their legendary hospitality, who mainly live from raising dromedaries and sheep. Climb to the top of the dunes for the unforgettable spectacle of the sunset, and spend the night in the desert. Overnight at Arabian Oryx camp. Breakfast and dinner included.

• day 5

  Birkat Al Mouz, the mountains of Jabal Akhdar.

  

  In the morning, you will head towards Jabal Akhdar. You will pass through Birkat al-Mouz, with its adobe houses and its Aflaj, a traditional irrigation system. On site, be sure to visit the fort and walk along the ramparts to admire the view of the city and the mountains. You will then take a winding road with superb panoramas to reach the Sayq plateau, rising to over 2,000 m. Preserved between villages and terraced crops, the region promises charming walks! Your hotel is ideally located to admire the sunrise and sunset over the mountains. We will discover wonderful mountain villages there, renowned for their rose gardens and palm groves, such as Al Ain, Al Shraijah, and Wadi Bani Habib. You will go trekking through these breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Overnight at the Sahab Spa and Resort hotel. Breakfast and dinner included.

• day 6

  Nizwa, Jabrine, Bahla.

  

  Departure for the discovery of Bahla Fort, which has been protected by UNESCO since 1987. The Bahla oasis owes its prosperity to the Banu Nabhan, who dominated other communities between the 12th century and the end of the 15th century. Their power is attested by the ruins of the immense fort, with its mudbrick walls and towers, as well as its stone foundations. After visiting the fort, stroll through the remains of the old houses and stop at a traditional pottery workshop, with a demonstration of this age-old technique. Continue to Jabrin, one of the most beautiful forts in Oman, also dating from the 17th century. Return to Nizwa, the former capital and a place of cultural importance, notably thanks to its fort, one of the most famous in the country. Visiting Nizwa Fort is an excellent way to learn more about the history of Oman. You can also stroll through the nearby souk, which still retains its authenticity and is mostly frequented by locals coming to bargain and shop. If you are there on a Friday, go very early in the morning to the livestock market in the souk. It is a place where farmers and merchants gather to sell or acquire all kinds of animals (cows, goats, sheep, etc.). A change of scenery is guaranteed. Overnight at Al Bustan Inn Nizwa. Breakfast included.

• day 7

  Al Hamra, Misfat Al Abryeen, Muscat

  

  On the last day of your tour, you begin your visits with Al Hamra, a small sleepy village surrounded by a horde of date palms. The pretty deserted town has no fort, but it does have buildings that are not without interest: some old towers watching over visitors and a string of traditional mud-brick houses clinging to the mountain. Abandoned and in ruins for the most part, these give the place a truly unique charm. You visit one of them, called "Bait Al Safa", to discover the art of living in the 16th century. Head towards Misfat Al Abryeen. It is a village perched on the mountainside, partly hidden in a palm grove. You have to leave the car at the entrance and continue on foot. The narrow alleys, the houses, and the structure of the village exude a charm unmatched in the country. Certainly one of the most beautiful in Oman. Its lush vegetation is conducive to a peaceful moment. In the afternoon, return to Muscat. Overnight at the Sheraton Muscat 5* hotel. Breakfast included.

• day 8

  Bandar Al Khayran

  

  In the morning, after breakfast, departure towards the Bandar Al Khayran reserve. It is located 30 to 40 minutes by boat from the Bandar al Rawdah marina, in the heart of Muscat. During the crossing, dolphins often accompany you. You can then admire the spectacle of the rocky mountains and the small white houses overlooking the sea; you also pass by the magnificent beaches of the Al Bustan Palace and Shangri-La Barr al Jissah hotels. In Bandar Al Khayran, you can observe a large number of corals that are home to many living creatures and fish of all kinds. It is a particularly popular spot for divers. Overnight at the Sheraton Muscat 5* hotel. Breakfast included.

• day 9

  Return flight

  

  Depending on your flight schedule, a transfer from the hotel to the airport is guaranteed. Breakfast included