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Day 1 – To Muscat:
Fly overnight from London
to Muscat with Oman Air. (N)
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Day 2 – Muscat:
Arrive in Muscat mid-morning and visit the Grand Mosque*, followed by a tour of the city, including a visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, the sultan’s palace and the forts of Al Jalali and Mirani. Take lunch at Muscat
Holiday Hotel and then check in. Remainder of afternoon at leisure. (L)
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Day 3 – Nakhl & Beit Al Na’man:
Full-day tour,
including Barka fish market and Nakhl Fort,
before driving to the warm springs of Nakhal,
where a picnic lunch is served. Early afternoon
visit to Rustaq Fort before returning to Muscat.
In the evening, visit the Muttrah souk. (B, L)
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Day 4 – To Sur:
Drive south by 4x4 along the
coastal road from Muscat to Sur, passing the
fishing village of Quriyat. Stops en route include
Wadi Shab, a palm-fringed lagoon, and Qalhat,
an ancient city visited by Marco Polo. Check
in at the hotel, then make an evening visit to a
green turtle nesting site at Ras Al Junaiyz beach.
Stay overnight at the Sur Plaza. (B).
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Day 5 – To Wahiba Sands:
Set off this morning
for a scenic drive through the eastern Hajar
mountains to Wahiba Sands. Stop at Wadi Bani
Khalid, a picturesque river valley, then continue
to the Wahiba Sands, home to the bedouin
people. Stay overnight at 1,000 Nights Camp. (B)
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Day 6 – To Nizwa:
After a buffet breakfast,
depart for Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak,
stopping en route at the farming village of
Wadi Ghul. Continue to Wadi Nakher, located
in Oman’s deepest canyon, before arriving in
Nizwa. Evening at leisure. Stay 2 nights at the Falaj Daris Hotel or similar (B)
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Day 7 – Nizwa:
Morning visit to the impressive
new souk, then visit the massive fort of Nizwa,
which dominates the town. Next stop is the Al
Hoota caves, followed by a drive past the date
plantations in Al Hamra village and a visit to a
traditional Omani house at Bait Al Safah. Early
evening arrival back in Niswah. (B)
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Day 8 – To London:
Leave for Muscat, en
route visit Bahla Fort, a Unesco world heritage
site, before driving through the Sumail Gap
to Muscat. Afternoon flight from Muscat to
London with Oman Air (B).
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* Grand Mosque visit:
Women visiting the
mosque must cover their head with a scarf
and not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless
outfits. Men must also be fully covered.
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Transport & accommodation:
Transport for this
tour will be by air-conditioned minibus and by
4x4 vehicle from day 4 onwards. Hotels outside
Muscat are basic, but are the best available.
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Meal Basis:
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
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