ROUGH OMAN (TENTED 4x4 SELF DRIVE PROGRAM)

You will arrive at the Muscat International Airport. Upon your arrival you proceed straight to the Immigration. Immigration & customs are quick & simple. Upon arrival at the General arrival lounge, you will be met by our representative who will assist you to our vehicle to drive you the hotel. 

Arrive and check in at hotel (standard check in time 1400 hrs).

Overnight at hotel in Muscat.

Breakfast at hotel. Your self drive 4x4 will be delivered at your hotel in the morning. This morning you are off to a wonderful tour of Muscat. We will start our tour with a visit to Grand Mosque the most exquisite Mosque in Oman. The developed part of the site, Grand Mosque Including the fully consolidated areas and landscaping, covers 416,000 square metres. The Mosque complex (covering 40,000 square metres) is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques that were built elevated from street level. It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and consists of a main prayer hall, ladies prayer hall, covered passageways, a meeting hall, and library which will eventually contain up to 20,000 books. A major feature of the main prayer hall is the hand-made Persian carpet consisting of 1,700 million knots, weighing 21 tones and made in a single piece measuring 70 x 60 metres. From design stage it took 4 years complete and 600 female weavers from province of Khurasan in Iran were involved.

Notes: Grand Mosque is open from Saturday to Thursday from 0800 – 1100 hrs only. Ladies visiting the mosque are required to cover their head with scarf and do not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless outfits as they are to be fully covered. Men are also to be full covered. Slip on shoes recommended. 

There after drive to Natural History Museum, exhibiting the wealth of Oman’s history and thus imparting knowledge about the country’s rich culture and traditions to the visitor. Later visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. It consists of a concise collection reflecting the splendid Omani Heritage. The collection includes traditional Omani Weapons such as swords, daggers, rifles & their accessories, along with jewellery, cosmetics & costumes from various regions of Oman. We drive towards Muttrah Souq – one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinthine alleyways beckoning with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted artifacts. A visit to this frenetic, pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience. Here, scents of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices float through the air. Other shops specialize in famous Omani khanjars (daggers), antiques, traditional silver jewellery, and handicrafts in copper, camel bone, wood, leather and hand-made Omani costumes. After shopping at Muttrah Souq we visit to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (A brief photograph stop from outside only).

Overnight in Muscat.

Today you will start your fascinating round trip. Your first stop will be at Barkha Fish Market. Watch the local fishermen bring in their early morning catch to the shores then have a stroll through this seaside market to explore the variety of fish from the Omani seas and other vegetables and fruits produced nearby. 

Later we continue our drive to Wadi Bani Auf. The route down Wadi Bani Auf is one of the Arabia’s great 4WD adventures and includes a visit to the village of Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village in the heart of the mountain range. Drive to the village of Al Hamra, characterized by its mud houses and date plantations. The Continue to Jebel Shams. Arrive at Jebel Shams and check in at hotel. Dinner at hotel. 

Overnight in Jebel Shams.

Morning, we start the day with the famous Balcony Walk, a 4km hike through the rim of the Wadi Ghul canyon. Although generally classified as ‘moderate’ in intensity, the drops can be sheer so hikers should be comfortable with heights. Later we drive to Misfah. A walk through the village takes you back in time and you'll be glad to witness the culture which is alive and followed in these modern times. Explore the agricultural, irrigation and the water distribution system in the village wherein you'll also meet the locals who wouldn't mind giving you an interesting insight into their traditional daily works. Thereafter continue to Bahla, one of the oldest small towns of Oman and in the 12th century the capital of the tribe living in the region. Proceed to Jabrin castle, built in 17th century and one of the finest of its kind. Its magnificent plasterwork, the carved doors and the painted wooden beams of the ceilings makes this castle amazingly different. Later proceed towards Tanuf. Visit the ruins of Old Tanuf, a relic from bombings during the Jabal War. 

Overnight in Nizwa.

Check out from the resort and Visit Nizwa souq. The impressive New Souq complex has been sensitively designed using Omani fort architecture and elegant Islamic arches. The air-conditioned halls of this souq are full of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, huge stacks of dates and freshly caught fish. This is still the best place to buy traditional silver “Khanjars” (hand- carved Omani daggers) and Bedouin jewellery, where silver is still sold by weight. Then you visit Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view gives visitors a bird’s eye view all around Nizwa and the surrounding plains – a sure delight for all avid photographers!

Later drive to Jebel Akhder. Explore the mountain villages of Jebel Akhder. In Arabic Jabel Akdhar means green mountains. Jabel Akdher is famous for gardens, farms and terrace plantations. Take the Three villages walk. Follow your guide as they take you through the terrace gardens to view this intriguing location. The villages of Sayq & Al Ain dot the landscape. The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis. The roses of Jabal Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance when in full bloom (March / April). Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers. Later Camp on one of the mountain side in Jebel Akhder. 

Overnight in Jabel Akhder.

This day drive to Wahiba Sands. Visit Wadi Bani Khalid, this is considered one of the most beautiful wadi’s in Oman. The drive to Wadi Bani Khalid is through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, which offers a panoramic view of landscape below. We pass many pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Here the road winds down to the wadi alongside a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation and ends at a villag e. We park our vehicles at this point and continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. Enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature. 

(Please note it is approx 500 meter walk from the parking area to the pool). As per the recent guidelines form Ministry of Heritage & Tourism, ladies who wish to swim in the wadi have to wear shorts and t shirt to cover their body. Swimming in bikinis is not permitted. This is to respect the local culture of the villagers.

After relaxing time at Wadi, drive to the Desert. A night in the desert under the stars is an amazing experience. One would like to be awake to experience the calmness of the desert. 

Overnight in the Desert.

Drive to Sur, a city which a long history in trading and maritime and renowned for its dhow shipyards. 

Continue to Ras Al Hadd, the most eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Camp on the beach in Ras Al Hadd away from the turtle reserves. 

Option: You can visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz, where at night green turtles, after a journey of thousands of kilometres will come ashore to lay their eggs. 

Overnight in Ras Al Hadd.

Please note: Turtle watching starts at 2100 hrs. Reporting time is 2030 hrs. Preference is given to in-house guests. Outsiders will have to wait for their turn. During the rush days, the waiting time may be longer than expected. Prior reservation is required.

Start the tour by going towards Al Ayja Village in Sur then tour will continue to Qalhat famous for its history of exports to and imports of spices from India. Looking over at Qalhat is the Bibi Mariam Tomb stop for photo (closed for archaeological searches). We then stop at Wadi Tiwi, another spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. It compensates with its old traditional villages, surrounded by lush plantations of date and banana, and crisscrossed with a network of gurgling aflaj. After around 5km you’ll reach the picturesque village of Harat Bidah, where the road narrows dramatically, squeezing its way between old houses and high stone walls. Stop here to capture some stunning pictures of the Wadi. Later Camp at Fins Beach. 

Overnight on Fins Beach.

After breakfast check out from the hotel. We drive to Wadi Shab, which means a “wadi between the cliffs”, we will par our vehicles and board the fishermen boat to cross the back water . From here we continue our trek to Wadi Shab (approx 45 minutes trek) a gorgeous oasis with inviting pools where you can take a dip. Picnic lunch will be served in the wadi. After spending time in the wadi, we trek back to the bottom. Note: It is 45 minutes trek from main road to the Pool of Wadi Shab. Good fitness level is required for trekking. You will cross the back waters by fishermen boat, before continuing your trek. 

Next is to stop at the unique Bimah Sinkhole, a limestone crater with inviting cool blue-green waters. Created by erosion, or perhaps even a meteorite, this sinkhole is thought to be one of the most beautiful sinkholes on the planet. Drive to Muscat. Arrive in Muscat and check in at the Muscat hotel. 

The vehicle will be collected upon your arrival at the hotel.

Overnight at Muscat hotel.

Breakfast at leisure. Morning at Leisure. Later check out from the hotel (standard Check out time 12:00 PM) and transfer to Muscat International Airport to board your flight back home.