Itinerary 1 (Sep 18 2009)
In brief:
| Flight - 1 night. Muscat - 2 nights. Salalah - 2 nights. Nizwa - 1 night. Muscat - 1 night. |
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Muscat.
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Holiday Hotel for two nights. Afternoon orientation tour of city visiting the Natural History and Omani museums. Continue to Al Hazm fort (under restoration) for a photo stop. Back in the Old Town view the Sultan’s palace and ancient Portuguese-built forts. Free time at the Muttrah souk.
Day 3 Full-day excursion including picnic lunch. Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and historical Rustaq, Oman’s capital in the Middle Ages. Pass along picturesque wadis (dry riverbeds) to Nakhl. Return via the natural springs at Ain Thowarah. A picnic lunch is included.
Day 4 Morning flight to Salalah. Stay two nights at the 5-star Hilton Salalah. Optional tour of Salalah Museum and souks.
Day 5 Full-day tour of East and West Salalah including Taqa, Job’s Tomb, the old frankincense port of Samhuram and Khor Mughsail.
Day 6 Morning at leisure. Early afternoon flight to Muscat for the scenic drive to Nizwa through the Hajar Mountains via the oases of Fanjah and Birkat al-Muz. Late today, visit Nizwa’s 17th century fort and souk. Overnight at the 4-star Golden Tulip Nizwa.
Day 7 This morning visit the 17th century Jabreen Fort which affords a commanding view over the surrounding plain to the mountains of the Jibal Ahkdar range beyond. Early this afternoon, return to Muscat by road. Optional 4-wheel-drive soft adventure to Wadi al-Khoud (£65). Overnight at the 4-star Holiday Hotel.
Day 8 Transfer to the airport for the early.
