MUSCAT IMPRESSIONS

---

• You will visit Grand Mosque
• You will visit the old town of Muscat, shop at Traditional Souq, visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and photo stop at Al Alam Palace

You will be met by our guide at the hotel for a half day tour of Muscat City. The tour begins with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. Visit the Bait Zubair Museum, exhibiting the wealth of Oman’s Cultural history and thus imparting knowledge about the country’s rich culture and traditions to the visitor. Later you drive along the picturesque Corniche to the once walled district of Old Muscat. You will have photo stops at the palace of his Majesty Sultan Haitham, the Al Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali. You will be strolling through Muttrah Souq, where you will be bargaining for handicrafts and silver items.  

Whether you are in Oman for one day, two days, or a whole week, we have the best Oman holiday package for you. With Sands Dream Tours, you will explore and enjoy Wahiba Sands in Oman and visit a range of attraction spots that tell the tales of rich Omani culture and its historic past and showcase its beauty, religion, architectural wonders, and grandeur. 

Since Oman is a Middle Eastern country, you might think that it is similar to the UAE and KSA; however, you will be amazed to see that Oman is entirely different and unique. Oman is a whole different world and has a greater and longer history than its neighboring countries. Oman has an Arabian Sea coast, as well as Gulf Coast, giving more opportunities to try water activities.

The Wahiba Sands in Oman is one of the most favorite tourist destinations for its native flora and fauna and is often included in the best Oman holiday packages. The place got its name after the Wahiba tribe, an ancient Bedouin society, who call this moving land their home. The Wahiba Sands also goes by other names, such as Ramlat al Wahiba and Sharqiya Sands. 

To get a glimpse of the traditional way of life, you can visit the tribal settlement of fishermen who live in the coastal region that lies further along the edges of the Wahiba Sands in Oman. No matter if you are looking for a full desert experience or options with day excursions or overnight stay and safaris, you will get it all there. Other popular attractions in Oman include the Grand Mosque, the old town of Muscat, the Traditional Souq, Al Alam Palace, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Barkha Fish Market, Nakhal Springs, Nakhal Fort, Al Hoota Cave, and a lot more. 

Whether you love to visit natural scenic places, religious spots, archaeological and historical sites, desert land, picturesque landscapes, or go on a dolphin- watching cruise, Oman has something for everyone and people of all ages. So, contact Sands Dream Tours, tell us what you want to see, do, and visit, and we will prepare the best Oman holiday package for you. 

• You will visit Grand Mosque, Al Amin Mosque
• You will visit the old town of Muscat, shop at Traditional Souq, visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and photo stop at Al Alam Palace

You will be met by our guide at the hotel for a full day tour of Muscat City. The tour begins with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. Visit the beautiful Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque located in the valley of Boushar Sands. After visits, drive to Old Muscat. Have lunch from a local restaurant. Continue to Bait Zubair Museum, exhibiting the wealth of Oman’s Cultural history and thus imparting knowledge about the country’s rich culture and traditions to the visitor. Later you drive along the picturesque Corniche to the once walled district of Old Muscat. You will have photo stops at the palace of his Majesty Sultan Haitham, the Al Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali. You will be strolling through Muttrah Souq, where you will be bargaining for handicrafts and silver items.  

• You will visit Barkha Fish Market
• You will visit Nakhal Springs and Nakhal Fort

Start from Muscat and drive to Nakhl, en route visit Barka fish market and reach Nakhal which has a 350 years old magnificent fort and is dramatically located at the top of rocky mountain cliff. The area is surrounded with date plantations. The narrow road through the town winds up to the Hot Springs of Ayn Al Thuwarah, which is a popular picnic spot. After spending some time at Nakhl we will drive to the remote village of Wakan, set inside Wadi Mistal. A mild off-road drive will take us to the entrance of the village from where one can explore the various terrace plantations and farms of the village. Explore the beauty of the village life and drive back to Muscat.  

• You will visit ancient Nizwa Souq
• You will visit Nizwa Fort and Jabreen Fort, photostop at Bahla

Drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. You visit the beautiful Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman and walk through the traditional Nizwa Souq.  Then you 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. 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. The monumental fort is open for public after a long restoration activity. Bahla is also famous for its pottery and you will visit a potter’s workshop (not possible on Fridays and Public Holidays)  

• You will visit ancient Nizwa Souq
• You will visit Al Hoota Cave

Drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. You visit the beautiful Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman and walk through the traditional Nizwa Souq. Then you proceed to the famous Al Hoota Cave which is recently open after a long renovation. Estimated to be over 2 million years old, Al Hoota Cave is located at the foot of Jabal Shams, Oman’s epic mountain. It is the first and only show cave in the Arabian Peninsula with a total length of around 4.5 kilometres, of which just 500 metres is accessible to the general public. Al Hoota Cave contains a rich ecosystem that includes four lakes. It is here that one can see the rare blind fish – Garra Barreimiae or more commonly known to us as Bu Naseh. And there are many other animal species living in the cave including bats (Rhinopoma Muscatellum), arthropods, mollusks, spiders, snails and water beetles. After visits, drive back to Muscat.  

• You will visit Bedouin house and enjoy Dune bashing in the desert.

Drive to Wahiba sands, via traditional Old Omani village of Ibra & Mudayrib. You will stop at each place for photo sessions. Your first destination today is Wadi Bani Khalid– an oasis in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. It is one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman and its pools with clear deep blue water give you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. Then proceed to Wahiba sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. After some exciting sand dune driving which offers excellent thrills and chills for all, you will arrive at the home of a Bedouin Family in the desert, maybe you even feel like going on a short camel ride. By evening, drive back to Muscat and drop off to hotel.  

• You will visit ancient Nizwa Souq
• You will visit 400-Year-old village of Al Hamra
• You will enjoy the view of Grand Canyon at 3000 meters altitude

Morning drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. You visit the beautiful Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman and walk through the traditional Nizwa Souq. There after drive to Al Hamra & Misfah, to see one of the oldest villages of this region.  The traditional mud houses dated back from 400 years are still occupied.  You also stop at Wadi Ghul– the farming village in the mountains before we reach Jebel Shams, the Great canyon of Oman. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the great Canyon.  

• You will visit ancient Nizwa Souq and Fort
• You will visit town of Jebel Akhdar, walk along the terrace gardens
• You will enjoy the view of Diana point at 2000 meters altitude

0830hrs: Morning drive to Jabal Akhdar. In Arabic, Jebel Akhdar means green mountains. Jebel Akhdar is famous for its gardens, farms and terrace plantations. Visit Wadi Habib to see one of the remote villages and fruit plantations. Also visit one of the private terrace rose plantations. (Jan – Feb is the season every year). After visits, drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. You visit the beautiful Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman and walk through the traditional Nizwa Souq.  

• You will visit fishing village of Quriyat
• Swimming at Wadi Arbayeen
• You will visit Wadi Daikah Dam

You start your fascinating coastal trip with the first leg taking you in south eastern direction along the coast to Sur. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains to the small fishing town of Quriyat. You drive further to Wadi Arbaeen, en route you see lush village surrounded with dates, lemon, mango plantations. You will have photo stop at each place. You finally will reach Wadi Arbaeen – an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. It is one of the most beautiful wadis and its pools with clear deep blue water give you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. On the coastal road you stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimah and then continue to Fins. Later drive back to Muscat.  

• You will enjoy wild dolphins on the high seas.

Transfer from your hotel to the pier side to embark on a fiber boat for a cruise through the Muscat coast to watch wild dolphins. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometers from Muscat’s rugged coast. Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature’s most fascinating marine mammals.

Soft drinks, tea and coffee will be served on board.