Treasure of Oman & Persia

Sightseeing in the capital city:

Breakfast at hotel / 0900 Hrs check out

Stop for a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, modern and elegant, it has become one of the symbols of the city, built from 1995 to 2001, famous for its beautiful Persian carpet and the incredible chandelier with 1122 bulbs, 8 tons of weight, the largest in the world.

Then proceed to the Fish Market located by the seaside.  Visit the Bait Naman fort. Bait Na’aman Castle lies in the coastal city of the same name, in the Al Batinah South Governorate in Oman. Bait roughly translates back to ‘house’. Bait Na’aman Castle was built around 1691-92, probably by Imam Saif bin Sultan Al Ya’ruba. It is said that in this castle Saif bin Sultan murdered his unpopular predecessor Badr bin Saif in 1806, with a single blow from his khanjar (a traditional dagger).

Then proceed to visit the Nakhal hot springs known as Ain Al Thawarah hot springs, which are situated close to Nakhal fort, and one of the most popular tourist sites in Al Batinah South Governorate. Locals and tourists alike visit the region to enjoy a relaxed day in the area where fresh mineral water always flows from the wadi and is channeled into the falaj systems for irrigation of the surrounding areas. Many choose to swim in its pools here or enjoy a picnic when visiting this beautiful spring.

Photo stop at Nakhal fort (the fort is currently closed for renovation and hence cannot be visited from inside).

Then while driving back to Muscat visit Amouage Perfume Visitor Centre and discover how their amazing fragrances are created from their inception to the final product. Amouage, an international luxury brand is best known for its signature fragrance offerings that incorporate local Frankincense. At the center, visitors can experience the whole process right from sourcing ingredients from their in-house facilities to distilling, filtering, and packaging. A visit to this center offers an in-depth view of the history and art of perfuming in the Middle East.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel / 0900 Hrs check out

After breakfast, drive along the quaint fishing village of Quriyat. The drive along the coast offers tantalizing glimpses of the sea.

Turning southeast this morning, your journey takes you towards the turtle nesting grounds of Raz Al Jinz, passing by the Bimmah Sinkhole and the popular setting of Finn Beach. A stop amongst the beautiful landscapes of Wadi Tiwi provides a chance for a walk through one of Oman’s most spectacular wadis, before continuing past the historic old port town of Sur.

From here we proceed to Wadi Shab surrounded by picturesque hills, and date palms, this narrow canyon is home to crystal clear blue water pools and also a secret waterfall inside a cave. You can enjoy many activities in Wadi Ash Shab like hiking, swimming in the freshwater pools and boating. There are three natural pools in the area to explore. (Guests can enjoy the walk inside Wadi but not recommended during the summer season – it takes approx. 3 hours to walk inside the wadi – both ways).

Continue your drive to Sur & visit the Dhow factory At the Dhow factory in Sur, artisans still continue to hand-craft various types of dhows at the factory in Sur, using centuries-old techniques.

Continue to Ras Al Khabbah and check in at Al Asala Resort

2030 hrs.: We will drive to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Oman’s turtle reserve at Ras Al Jinz, is famous not just Oman’s leading conservation project for the hatching and protection of endangered turtles but also offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to observe thousands of turtles laying their eggs here at night. The reserve with 45 km of protected coastline was created in 1986 for the protection of these shelled creatures, and to spread awareness about them.

Note: Please note that the main nesting season is Jun-Aug, at other times of the year, there may or not be turtles every night.

Overnight stay 

Breakfast at hotel /0900 Hrs: Check out.

Proceed towards Wadi Bani Khalid via Jalan Bani Bu Ali. Photo stop at Hamouda Mosque.

Continue to Wadi Bani Khalid, which is popular all year round as it doesn’t dry up even during summer and one can visit it to enjoy the large pools of emerald, green water surrounded by tall palm trees here. The rocky canyon and cliffs of the Hajar Mountains make it breathtakingly beautiful and an amazing place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature.

Change the vehicle to 4WD (maximum 04 pax/vehicle) for your trip to Wahiba sands

The Wahiba Sands or Sharqiya Sands, known locally as the Wahiba Sands, the endless desert dunes are a must-visit. The landscapes here with miles of shifting sands are a sight like no other and the night skies offer an amazing star-gazing experience. The area is home to the nomadic Bedouin tribes and visiting their settlements offer visitors the opportunity to interact and learn about the traditional desert life that is fast disappearing as modern conveniences limit the need for a nomadic existence.

Enjoy dune driving and sunset in the desert.

Overnight stay 

Breakfast at hotel / 0900 Hrs: Check out

Check out from the camp and proceed towards Nizwa.

Change the 4WD vehicle to Coaster/Van for your trip to Nizwa.

En route stop at the Sinaw Thursday market, held every Thursday in A’Sharqiyah North Governorate and is most famously known due to the camel trading that takes place here. It is a very busy market where one can find practically anything they want. The souq (marketplace) has a long history and remains one of the best-preserved in the country. It is roughly divided into two sections, the inner livestock auction pit, and the surrounding stalls selling everything else.

We continue our journey to the oasis village of Bahla, the center of pottery art in northern Oman. The village is surrounded by a 12 km mud wall that protects the palms and the fort (UNESCO world heritage site – photo stop from outside).

Lunch at a local restaurant

Afterward, we visit the village Al Hamra, a historic settlement situated at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, the town of Al Hamra has survived for more than four hundred years and is one of the oldest villages in Oman. It attracts visitors due to its well-preserved row of two and three-story mud-brick houses built by using traditional methods dating back centuries. Visit Bait Al Safah, a traditional house turned into a living history museum that offers an insight into the lives of the people who settled and continue to live in the area.

Later in the afternoon drive to Nizwa and check in at the hotel

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel / 0730 Hrs: Check out.

Group departs to visit the Nizwa cattle market (only on Fridays).  Every Friday morning (only), the paved area in front of the souq is a bustle with people and activity. Reluctant goats, sheep, and pale brown cows brought to the market by their owners; impromptu stalls piled high with Kaleidoscopic colors of dresses, toys, pots and pans.

Visit Nizwa Fort, this ancient fort with sections dating back to the ninth century is an amazing example of historic Omani architecture. Nizwa Fort has not just the biggest tower in Oman, but it is also the only fort in the region to have a cylindrical main tower. The fort also contains many exhibits and artifacts including the fort’s defense mechanisms that help one understand the history of the Nizwa fort and region.

Then visit Nizwa Souq Oman’s oldest Souq(marketplace) and a bustling center of activity Nizwa Souq is completely surrounded by a wall and clearly separated from the rest of the city. A visit to the Souq is a great way to interact with the locals, experience life in Oman, and pick up some fun souvenirs.

Proceed to visit the castle of Jabrin Built in 1675, the Jabreen fort is one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. It has served historically as an important centre of learning and remains famous for its battlements. This three-story tall castle features two towers, and numerous halls and rooms.

We’ll continue our drive to Muscat via Birkat al Mouj. We’ll walk through its oasis and date plantations before continuing to Nizwa. With the 2 sets of ruins, a large banana plantation and scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old Falaj irrigation system listed as UNESCO World heritage.

Later in the afternoon drive back to Muscat

Upon arrival in Muscat proceed to the Mutrah. Drive along the waterfront corniche and take our first stop at the bustling Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. A traditional Arab market housed under a modern setup, it attracts endless visitors looking to soak in the feel of ancient Arabia. You will find shops selling Omani artifacts along with others selling more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores and produce. The market starts from the gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche and ends at another gate in the city’s old quarters that was built to receive visitors coming from other Omani towns and villages.

Note: The market is open from 9am to 1pm, and 4pm to 10pm daily

We proceed for a photo stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16^th-century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel /  Check out.

Transfer back to the airport to fly Shiraz, Iran.

A half-day city tour by visiting  the Nassir-ol-Molk Mosque (colorful/pink mosque), Botanical Eram Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site), free time to walk and visit the Historical Vakil Bazaar.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel /  Check out.

Depart Shiraz to Isfahan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Persepolis.

Keep driving to Isfahan and visit Historical bridges in Isfahan at night.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel

This day is the discovery day of Isfahan, the pearl of Iran.

A full-day tour to visit:

• Naghsh-e-Jahan square
• Sheikh Lotfolah & Imam Mosque
• Aliqapu Palace
• Historical Bazaar
• Shops of authentic Persian rug, Safron…

Overnight Stay