Day 1: ARRIVAL TO MUSCAT
Arrive in Muscat where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day free time exploring the city. Perhaps head to the souk and wander along narrow pedestrianised streets packed with gold, antiques, colourful textiles and spices. The Grand Mosque is also well worth a visit (although closed to children under 10), with its richly decorated interior and vast marble courtyards.
Day 2: MUSCAT FULL DAY CITY TOUR
1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: After having an architectural competition to select the best design for Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
2. Mutrah Souq: Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic and allure. When passing through this souq, your senses are tantalized by the aromatic smells of frankincense, incense and Arabian perfumes. Mutrah Souq is known for its handicrafts like silverware, daggers, traditional cloth, new apparel and shoes, in addition to the famous Omani sweets (Halwa), spices and braziers (receptacles in which incense or frankincense is burned).
3. Bait Az-Zubair Museum: Opened in 1998, Bait Al Zubair Museum is located in the old city of Muscat. It displays Omani artefacts and collectables, including a group of conventional weapons, jewelry, clothing, household items and some old models representing Omani rural and urban environments. Entrance Fees: RO 2/- per adult, RO 1/- per child.
4. Al-Alam Palace: "Al Alam" means "The Flag" in Arabic. The palace, one of six royal residences of the ruling monarch, Sultan Qaboos, has a history of over 200 years, built by Imam Sultan bin Ahmed the 7th direct grandfather of the current Sultan. The existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972. The inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits but visitors are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs. Al Alam Palace is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The Palace is used for official functions and receiving distinguished visitors.
Day 3: JEBEL SHAMS - MISFAH
This morning you head high into the mountains to Jebel Shams. Known as Oman’s Grand Canyon, the scenery in this area is stunning, the huge canyon stretching for miles through a dramatic and barren landscape. You will follow the Balcony Walk through the canyon which leads to a deserted village. The children will love wandering through the village, exploring deserted houses which offer a glimpse of the old way of life. You will end the day in a simple lodge in a traditional Omani mountain village.
Day 4: MISFAH
full day to explore the area. The scenery is stunning as the village is located on a steep mountainside irrigated by a stream from a natural spring on the mountain top. There are endless irrigation channels that the children will love following through the date and banana palm groves, and you can stop to chat with villagers, perhaps take a ride on a donkey and following narrow winding streets to see where they lead.
Day 5: NIZWA - JABRIN
Head to Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman’s interior region. You will visit the impressive Jabrin Fort, in a stunning location in the heart of the date palms. The children will love exploring the labyrinth of corridors and courtyards inside the fort and the views from the walls are stunning. You will also visit Nizwa fort, in the heart of the city, and will have time to wander through the souk. The children will enjoy watching the silver and coppersmiths at work, admiring the displays of battered old rifles, daggers and swords that are on display and rummaging through trays of old silver jewellery.
Day 6: WAHIBA SANDS
An exciting day today as you head into the desert by 4WD jeep. The Wahiba Sands are a huge sand sea, a vast area of immense sand-dunes that reach more than 100m high and are constantly shifting with the winds. You will make your way to a small desert camp where you will spend the night in traditional goat hair Bedouin tents. At night you will have a Bedouin barbeque and will sit around the camp fire with nothing above you but a blanket of stars.
Day 7: WAHIBA SANDS – SUR – RAS AL JINZ
Rise early to climb one of the dunes that soar above the camp for sunrise over the desert. Later you will take a camel ride across the dunes before transferring to Sur. This is an attractive seaside town that is famous for its many shipyards that still make traditional Omani sailing boats called Dhows. You will have time to explore the town before continuing to Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve. The beach here is renowned as a place where the endandgered green turtle comes ashore to lay eggs. You will spend the night at the reserve and will be able to watch as these huge creatures come ashore in the evening and lay their eggs in holes that they dig in the beach.
Day 8: BIMMAH SINKHOLE - WADI SHAB
Today you drive along the coast stopping at the Bimmah Sinkhole. This is a circular limestone hollow about 500m in from the coast that boasts the most incredibly clear turquoise waters. You swim in the refreshingly cool pool or relax on the rocks around the edge, dipping your toes in the water and feeling little fish come to nibble on them! From here continue to the Wadi shab to explore the Area and hiking untill you reach a numerous natural pools and waterfalls weather you continue and swim to reach a cave and pool and a hidden waterfall inside the cave , after the wadi shab trip you will go to small village of Fins. Here there are numerous small coves with steep cliffs that drop to idyllic white beaches and beautiful turquoise sea. You will spend the night camping on one of the beaches.
Day 9: BEACH
You will drive north to your hotel on the coast outside Muscat. There are many different hotels varying from simple village accommodation, to comfortable 4 star to top of the range 5 star luxury resorts. All of them offer fabulous white sandy beaches and generally a good pool. We will suggest a property that we think will suit your family and budget.
Day 10-11: BEACH
Two wonderful days to relax and enjoy the beach.
Day 12: MUSCAT
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.