Muscat

A wonderful opportunity to get to know the highlights of this diverse and unusual capital with its amazing combination of traditional customs and new developments.

Your excursion includes visit to the stunning Grand Mosque, which covers an area of over 1 million square feet and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.

Drive into the capital for a stop in front of the Sultan's Palace, flanked by the Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani. Next, you’ll visit the magnificent Bait Al Zubair Museum, which highlights the history of the country and its people. Exhibits consist of many fascinating artefacts including traditional costumes, jewellery, handicrafts and weapons.

For an authentic shopping experience, you’ll visit the Muttrah Souk where the stalls sell the traditional Omani items such as Dallah (bronze coffee pots), exotic spices and frankincense.

Your scenic drive will take you through the Hajar Mountains en route to Nizwa, one of the largest cities in Oman and the capital of the interior region. Nizwa has a wealth of cultural and ancient landmarks; the most prominent is Nizwa Fort built over a period of 12 years.

The Fort is located in the city centre, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore and learn of its interesting history. The Fort is surrounded by ancient traditional souks where locals trade and where you can see fabulous collections of gold and silver in the various shops.

Nizwa is a sight to behold being set in an oasis enclosed by a series of mountains, including Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the famous green mountain.

A buffet lunch will be served at a local hotel and includes water or a soft drink. Your tour is rounded off with a photo stop at the impressive Grand Mosque in Muscat on your return journey.

Heading for Nakhl, you’ll drive along Oman’s expressway and along the scenic coastal road. On the way, a stop will be made at the tranquil and picturesque Thowarah Hot Springs, charmingly set near a lush oasis framed by the majestic mountains.

Perched on a 200-foot-high hilltop, Nakhl Fort has commanding and spectacular views of the entire oasis and date plantation surrounding it. This pre-Islamic fortress used to be the stronghold of the Bhani Kharous tribe during the medieval era. Visit the ladies sitting room and the wali’s barzas and majli’s (the ruler’s court and tent where he met his citizens). You’ll also have an opportunity to visit the old prison and split-level terraces and courtyards as you gain a unique insight into times gone by.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at a resort hotel before heading back to Muscat for a photo stop at the exquisite Grand Mosque in Muscat.

This exciting excursion is for adventurous explorers, who wish to sample the thrill of driving through breathtaking desert scenery and meet the people of Bedouin on their own territory.

Your four wheel drive vehicle takes you through the fascinating and spectacular Hajar Mountains; the terrain is rugged and is a whole world away from the modern landscape of Muscat.

Get ready for the ride of your life as you enter The Wahiba Desert, where you’ll put your four wheel drive vehicles through their paces on an exciting dune drive. Crossing rolling sand dunes as far as the eye can see, you may be lucky enough to spot a herd of camels.

You’ll make a stop to meet Bedouin families who have made their homes in these harsh desert conditions and gain an insight into their way of life. A lunch will be served at a desert camp with hand washing and toilet facilities.

Do something out of the ordinary with a unique opportunity to experience cruising on a traditional dhow through the glorious scenery of Muscat.

These amazing crafts were used to sail the sea routes between Oman, India and Iran. Oman’s connection with the sea stretches back many centuries when Omani sailors, using mast and sail, pioneered sea routes to the cities of the ancient world. Favourable factors were Oman's position at the crossroads of shipping routes which linked the Arabian Gulf to India, the Red Sea and East Africa and their knowledge of shipbuilding.

Board your traditional wooden dhow and cruise along the Muscat coastline taking in the fantastic sights at leisure and with plenty of time to capture that special photo opportunity that other modes of transport do not offer.

Take in the scenery of rugged mountains and cliffs as you are served dates, Kawah (Arabic coffee) and assorted soft drinks on this memorable excursion.

Embark your speedboat at a local marina and head out to sea in search of dolphins in their natural habitat; these lively, intelligent and fascinating creatures can be spotted swimming in the warm waters off the coast.

Experience the excitement of the sea air and wind rushing past as you give chase on the speedboat to catch sightings of dolphins; then feel the adrenaline as you get closer, charged with sensation you are about to see these mammals out in the wild as nature intended.

Although sightings are not guaranteed, the experienced boatmen are in constant contact with each other and will notify other boatmen of sightings – so there is a good chance of encountering the dolphins at close hand. Many species of dolphin are spotted in the area, including common dolphins, spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins; if you are very lucky you may even see sperm and hump back whales.

Mineral water and soft drinks will be served during your boat ride.

Sun, sea and sand await at the Oman Dive Centre Beach, unwind on the beach or take a refreshing dip, during 3 hours at the seaside.

A refreshment of a soft drink will be offered to you during your stay and a local escort will be present during the excursion.

Sun beds and umbrellas are available at the beach and there are toilet facilities in the dive centre. Passengers are reminded to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen.