Authentic Oman with Italian speaking Guide

Muscat
Muscat

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
7 days and 6 nights
Oman (Muscat, Bahla Fort, Al Hamra, Nizwa, Wadi Bani Khalid, Sur)
Oman (Muscat)

Description

Guaranteed departure min 2 pax with italian speaking guide

Hotel or similar
MUSCAT – RAMEE GUESTLINE HOTEL or BEST WESTERN PREMIER HOTEL
JEBAL SHAMS - JEBAL SHAMS RESORT or SUNRISE RESORT OR SAMA HEIGHTS
WAHIBA - SAFARI DESERT CAMP or SAMA AL WASIL CAMP or ARABIAN
ORYX CAMP

SUR – SUR PLAZA HOTE or SUR BEACH HOTEL

For those who arrive early in the morning or depart late in the evening:
Optional excursions min 2 pax
-    Dolphin Cruise
-    Dolphin Cruise & Snorkeling
-    Crociera Lungo La Costa

- Children younger than 6 years old in room with 2 adults share the existing beds (max 1 child/room)

- Early check in and late check out available on request with supplement

Program

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL INTO OMAN (by coach)
Arrival at Muscat International airport, after visa and immigration formalities our representative will meet and escort the guests to waiting air-conditioned vehicle for transfer to hotel (hotel check-in time is 14:00hrs). Overnight in Muscat

DAY 2 : HALF DAY MUSCAT CITY TOUR (by coach)
Muscat is undoubtedly one of the most attractive (and cleanest) cities in the Gulf region and relatively small by modern standards.
Some of the buildings date back to the 16th Century when Portugal occupied this part of Arabia. Muscat is still surrounded by ancient city walls, which totally encircle the Sultan’s Palace.
This morning our first visit will be Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman's premier venue for musical arts and culture. The Royal Opera House reflects contemporary Omani architecture. Then we continue to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, that has a remarkable architectural achievement. As a contemporary place of worship it serves as a spiritual landmark for modern Oman, projecting the values and aspirations of the Omani people. As an edifice, it maintains a perfect balance between aesthetics, culture
and deeply rooted Islamic tradition.
Spent wandering the Corniche, visiting the fish souk and Muttrah souk (Arabian market place). This is a real souq with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling gold, frankincense and myrrh, and all manner of textiles, jewellery, traditional Omani perfumes (Bukhoor – made of frankincense), souvenirs and antiques. Visit Bait Al Zubair museum, the museum has Oman’s finest and most comprehensive collections of antiques from all over the Sultanate. The museum also includes traditional Omani
weaponry, jewellery, costumes, domestic utensils and recreated urban and rural environments. Alternatively the Bait Branda museum exhibits Omani heritage.
From the museum we take a walk through the old city of Muscat flanked by twin 16th century forts
“Jalali” & “Mirani”. These forts were built by Philip of Spain who launched the great Armada against England after conquering Portugal in 1580. The western fort Mirani perhaps derives its name from the Portuguese Almirante (or Admiral) and was completed in 1587. The eastern fort was completed in 1588 and is now called Jalali, probably after one of its notable commanders – it was originally known as San Jao. We also visit the Al Alam Palace for a photo stop, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos residence.
After the tour we proceed for Lunch at local restaurant…
After the lunch we continue to Shatti Al Qurum Beach is located at the heart of Muscat's beachfront tourist zone. It is perfectly suited for out-of-town visitors when staying in Muscat. Visit a fine shopping complex Jawharat Al Shatti too.
After a full day exploring the city’s unique treasures, we will return to our hotel to spend the evening relaxing and absorbing the mystical atmosphere of Muscat. Overnight in Muscat

DAY 3 : MUSCAT - JEBAL SHAMS VIA NIZWA (by coach & 4x4)
Breakfast at the hotel. We depart by coach to Dakhiliyah region, our first stop will be at the most impressive castle of Jabreen. Visit the impressive Jabrin castle where guests can see fine examples of Islamic architecture with wooden inscriptions & paintings on the ceiling. It was built in 1675 by Sultan Bila'rab bin Sultan al-Yaarubi as a summer residence. Then we drive to the ancient fort of Bahla (photo stop) with fifteen gates and 132 watchtowers. The historic town of Bahla is encircled by a winding wall, which was
originally built to guard the town - it is also famous for its pottery. Bahla is now included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.
We continue our journey to Misfah… We change the vehicle down the hill of Misfah, and board on 4x4 and continue…
4WD tour of Misfah, Al Hamra & Jebal Shams
We drive to the mountain village of Misfah… Misfah with its old buildings and fortified tower, has a splendid backdrop of near vertical cliffs and talus slopes. The mystical mountain village of Misfah is also noted for its extraordinary architecture with ancient stone houses and lime trees. You will witness the old age irrigation system “the falaj”.
Traditional Lunch at Omani House…
Continue to visit the old village of Al Hamra, is also noted for its extraordinary ancient mud houses. We will visit one of oldest house of Seikh “Bait Al Safa”, which has been restored and decorated and transform into a lively museum.
Proceed to Wadi Ghul, the graded track leads to a fascinating village surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges. The Wadi stands out against the brown mountains and the village nestles at the foot of the hills. Continue on a mountain track toward Jebal Shams, one of the highest peaks in the region also known as ‘the Mountain of the Sun’. The road, twisting and curving around the contours,
rises over 2000 meters! The uniqueness of this place is the incredible views of the mountains and rugged landscape. Dinner & Overnight in Jebal Shams

DAY 4 : JEBAL SHAMS - NIZWA - WAHIBA (by coach & 4x4)
After the breakfast at the campsite, we drive down the mountain and change the vehicle, board on the coach and continue to Nizwa… Nizwa was once the capital of Oman and retains its charm as an enduring reminder of traditional Oman. - Visit the 17th century round tower fort and the bustling souk known for its silver and copper handicrafts famous for its artistic crafting.
Then we continue to Birkat Al Mauz the pretty oasis, where you are in the shade of date palms and banana plantations, see the old
Falaj system.
Lunch at local restaurant…
We drive back to Bidiya, where the sand begins… we change our vehicle and board on 4x4
Tour by 4x4 in the Desert
Continue to Wahiba Sands - one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. The vast, ever shifting dunes support an astonishing variety of wildlife and host different kinds of flora and fauna. The quick changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba is also home to a few thousand Beduins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. Go dune bashing as our experienced drivers show their skill on the dune drive which is a thrilling
experience. And enjoy our Bedouin style camp (with toilets and showers). Our Bedouin hosts will welcome us warmly.
Dinner & Overnight in Wahiba

DAY 5 : WAHIBA SANDS - WADI BANI KHALID - SUR (by coach)
After the breakfast at the campsite, we drive to Bidiya, change the vehicle and board on coach, we continue the visit to Wadi Bani Khalid – a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains. Enjoy an incredible view and a chance to capture the scenic beauty with your camera. Investigate the surrounding area on foot.
We drive to Sur, a sea-faring town and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. Famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. After the tour we check-in at the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight in Sur

DAY 6 : SUR - WADI SHAB - MUSCAT (by coach)
Drive through one of the most thrilling sections of Oman's 1,700 KM coastline. Photo stop at Wadi Shab… one of the most popular places to visit in Oman. It is still one of the most stunning wadis in Oman. Then we continue to Wadi TIWI, a city lost under the palms, a luxuriant valley blessed with a lot of water. Wadi Tiwi retains a wild and rugged character with its tricky driving on narrow
roads.
En route lunch box will be served.
We continue driving and Stop at the famous Sinkhole, a part of a collapsed mountain filled with sea water. After the visits we drive to Muscat. Overnight in Muscat

DAY 7 : FINAL DEPARTURE (by coach)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Check-out from hotel before 12:00 (noon). 03hrs prior to schedule flight, transfer to Muscat Int’l Airport for a flight for onward or return destination.

Price includes

- Transfer from the airport by our representative (driver only)
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary (2 to 6 pax we will use minivan; 7 to 16 pax we will use 20 seater coaster bus and above 16 pax we will use 45 seater coach)
- On Day 3 & Day 4 partly tour by minivan/20seater bus/coach & partly tour by 4x4
- Service of Italian speaking guide during the tours only.
- Accommodation as mentioned above sharing in a double room:
• 02 nights in Muscat @ Ramee Guestline Hotel 4* or Best Western Premier Hotel 4* on BB basis or similar (standard room)
• 01 night in Jebal Shams @ Sunrise Resort or Jebal Shams Resort or Sama Height on HB basis (standard room)
• 01 night in Wahiba @ Safari Desert Camp or Desert Retreat Camp or Sama Al Wasil on HB basis or similar (standard room)
• 01 night in Sur @ Sur Beach Hotel 3* on HB basis or similar (standard room)
• 01 night in Muscat @ Ramee Guestline Hotel 4* or Best Western Premier Hotel 4* on BB basis or similar (standard room)
- Excursions as mentioned in the program including the entrance fees to the visited sites
- Meals: - daily buffet breakfast at hotel & normal breakfast at campsite from Day 2 until Day 7
4 lunches (from DAY 2, 3, 4 & 6) lunch box or at local restaurants with bottled water and a soft drink
3 dinners at campsite on Day 3 & Day 4 and on Day 5 in Sur at hotel (food only basis)
- All the service charges and gratuities in the hotel
- All the local taxes
- Mineral water during the tour in Oman

Price does not include

• International flights or Domestic flights
• Luggage handling at the airport & hotel
• Normal tourist visa Oman
• Insurance: assistance, cancellation, luggage…
• Beverages or meals not mentioned in the itinerary. Unless otherwise stated
• Excursions and visits not specified in our descriptions
• Personal expenses (telephones, mini-bar, etc…)

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1   Muscat - Muscat
  Sur
  Wadi Bani Khalid
  Nizwa
  Al Hamra
  Bahla Fort
  Muscat

Accommodations provided in each place

To be advised