Mountains, fortresses and deserts of Oman

Guests arrive at Muscat International Airport, where they will be greeted by our guide and transferred to the hotel.

After breakfast, guests will briefly visit the Amouage perfume factory founded over a quarter of a century ago. Amouge is a niche, luxurious perfume house, encapsulating the rich and colorful heritage of the Sultanate of Oman in its fragrances. Then, participants will visit Nakhl Fort. It is 350 years old and lies in a gorge surrounded by high mountains. Its carved main gate dates back to the 30s, during the reign of Sa'id ibn Sultan, the first ruler of Oman. Travelers will stop in Wadi Bani Auf, the main attraction of which are the old houses located on the slopes of the mountain. This ued (wadi) is also known as the "snake gorge" due to the variety of desert snakes that live here. Then, guests will go to the Bilad Sayt oasis, famous for its clay houses. Overnight at Nizwa Hotel.

After breakfast served at the hotel, guests will set off to the springs of the Oasis of Tanuf. During the 1953 civil war between Muscat and Oman, rebels took refuge in Jebel Akhdar. Sultan Sa'id ibn Taimur, the father of the current Sultan, requested British military assistance. The village was bombed in 1957. There are still houses ruined during the bombing. 40 km further west, guests will reach the small town of Bahla, known for its massive clay fort and distinctive pottery. This place is also famous for the appearance of mischievous jinn and other supernatural phenomena. From here, travelers will go to Jabrin Castle, the most perfect of the forts in Oman, built in the 2th century. In the castle you can admire beautiful paintings on the ceilings and intricate wood carvings. Fort Jabrin was built by Bil'arab bin Sultan of the Ja'aribi dynasty. It is defended by two massive towers with 400 m thick walls. Guests will continue their exclusive journey to Al-Hamra, a XNUMX-year-old city in the Dakhiliyah region. Some of the oldest surviving houses in Oman can be found in this city, built on a tilted slab of rock. Guests will then go to the village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, which is one of the most beautiful traditional villages in Oman. From here, participants will continue to climb Mount Jabal Shams, the highest mountain in Oman. From there you can admire the natural beauty of Jebel Mosht and Wadi Ghul, not without reason called the Grand Canyon of Arabia. After checking in at Jebel Shams Mountain, guests have free time for the rest of the day to relax or explore the rim of the Grand Canyon of Arabia. Overnight at Jebel Shams Mountain Resort.

In the morning, guests will depart for Nizwa. In addition to the fort, participants will visit a museum and a traditional souq. The Nizwa Fortress rises above the souk, offering a stunning view of the ancient city, with its colorful domes and bustling market square below. The fortress is now a museum - visitors can wander around this impressive fortress and explore its rooms, corridors and towers. The fort is an architectural testimony to the economic and military achievements of the early Ja'aribi dynasty in the mid-17th century.

Next, travelers will go to Birkat al Mauz - an oasis where ancient clay houses have been preserved, still partially inhabited. You can also see a traditional irrigation system here that was used centuries ago and is still in operation, supplying the oasis with water. Guests will then arrive at the Wahiba Sands Desert. The desert scenery highlights the beauty of the pristine, golden sand dunes surrounding the camp. The charming environment and simplicity of the camp is a wonderful experience after everyday life in the city. The desert surprises with its diversity of flora and fauna and constantly changing patterns of dunes and light. In the middle of the desert, guests will stop to visit a Bedouin house. Participants will spend the night in a nomad's tent in a Bedouin camp under a roof covered with a starry sky. They will also be invited to a traditional Arabic meal, Omani coffee and dates.

Wadi Bani Khalid seems to be the complete opposite of a desert. Its clear, deep blue waters under palm trees invite you to take a relaxing siesta! Visitors will spot quaint villages scattered along the uedu of Wadi Bani Khalid, perched on the rugged mountain slopes. After resting at Wadi Bani Khalid, participants will begin their journey back to Muscat, visiting Sur and the fishing port along the way, where they will be able to see fishermen at work. They will stop at a shipyard where traditional boats are hand-built lasting. The exclusive expedition leads through the ruins of the ancient city of Qalhat, described, among others, by Marco Polo, which was an important port of the kingdom of Hormuz in the 14th century. One of the few remains of the city is the tomb of Bibi Miriam. From here, guests go to Wadi Tiwi - another spectacularly deep and narrow gorge. After visiting the wadi, participants will stop at the white beaches of Fins. Later, there will be a stop to look into the beautiful Bimah sinkhole, filled with blue-green water. Finally, driving through Quriyat village, guests will return to Muscat. Overnight at Muscat hotel.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the guide will take guests on a city tour at 8:30. The first stop will be the Grand Mosque of Qaboos ibn Sa'id, built over a 6-year period from 1995 to 2001. The main chandelier, considered the largest in the world, is made of Swarovski crystals. The silk Persian carpet decorating the large prayer hall was woven by experts. The walls of the mosque are made of high-quality Rajasthani sandstone, and the prayer rooms are decorated with the best Italian marble. From the mosque, guests will go to the old part of Muscat. Here they will visit the Muttrah souk. This traditional souq offers a wide range of goods, including typical Omani souvenirs, such as olibanum resin (incense), handjars - traditional Omani daggers, beautiful silver handicrafts and scarves made of fine pashmina wool. The next stop is the Bait al Zubair museum. The museum is housed in a small tenement house that has been transformed to showcase ancient archaeological discoveries and Omani traditions, such as national costume and jewelry. The museum also has an interesting exhibition of old photos of Muscat, documenting the times before the city's current renaissance began under the rule of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos ibn Sa'id. From there, participants will proceed to the Sultan's palace, surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali forts. After returning to the hotel, guests can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing or exploring the city at their leisure. Overnight at Muscat hotel.

After breakfast, at noon, guests will leave the hotel. Our team will take them to Muscat International Airport where we will say goodbye.