Scent of the East + Musandam

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS - Full Board

Tour to capture the essence of the beauty of the Sultanate of Oman. Breathtaking landscapes, nature and traditions, through striking stages, with high quality professional services and maximum comfort.

First day: Muscat.

Arrival at the international airport of Muscat, meeting with the local guide and departure for the guided tour of the Great Mosque, the largest in the world, symbol of elegance and grandeur. The Mosque is built in Carrara marble, with its luxurious chandelier Swarovski crystals and its immense Iranian manufacture carpet.
Continue with a visit to the Museum (Bait al Zubair) for an introduction to Oman culture and history, and with the next stop at the AlʻAlam Royal Palace (exterior), a sumptuous building with columns inlaid with gold and ceramic mosaics blu.Il palace is surrounded by a well-kept garden of trees and flowers of rare species selected. Old town of Mutrah, in time for a sunset stroll along the promenade that encloses the port: here the sultan's yacht is anchored. enter the maze of narrow streets of the oldest market in the country, intoxicated by the scent of incense and spices, the typical fragrance (Amouge) and between bright colors of fabrics and typical products.
Continue to visit the two Twin Fortresses built for defense of the capital by the Portuguese in the 16th century (Al Gilali and Al Mirani). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Second day:

Qurayat – Bimah Sinkhole – Wadi Tiwi – Sur (290 km)

Breakfast at hotel.
Travel along the coast, admiring the beauty of the Omani landscape.
Stop in Qurayat, frontal panorama of the sea of Oman. Passage to the marine port, historically colonized by the Portuguese for about 140 years, thanks to which they were able to establish their commercial domain in the Indian Ocean.
The itinerary continues with a visit to Bimah Sinkhole: it is a crater formed following the dissolution of the calcareous rocks, which collects crystalline waters where you can give yourself a break for relaxation and bathing.
Departure for Wadi Tiwi, where you will take a short walk immersed in a breathtaking landscape, where you can photograph the rugged rocks, in contrast with the lush palms of dates and bananas. Arrival in Sur. Check in at hotel.Cena.
Evening excursion for the observation of turtles during spawning on the beach. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Third day

Wadi Bani Khaled – Wahiba Sands (190 Km)

Breakfast at hotel.
Visit of the picturesque city of Sur, an African anti-port, still today it is active for the artisanal construction of the typical Omani boat, the dhows. Visited a shipyard.
Continue to one of the most suggestive scenarios of the sultanate: Wadi Bani Khaled. The indescribable landscape with vivid color contrasts, arising from the rugged appearance of the rocks and the rich vegetation, which are reflected in the emerald waters. Time available for a swim in the wadi lagoons between the waterfalls and the natural pools.
Continue for the last stop of the day: the desert of Wahiba Sands. Immense golden dunes that stand out as far as the eye can see by 4x4. Stop on top of a dune to admire the sunset.
Check in to the tented camp. Dinner and overnight stay.

Fourth day

Jabrin, Bahla, Nizwa,

Breakfast at the tented camp.
Departure for Jabrin, the most refined of the 500 castles and fortresses of the sultanate, dating back to 1670.
Continuation to the complex of the fortified city of Bahla, among the wonders recognized by UNESCO, consisting of a wall of over 12 km. The remains of the ancient mud villages are still visible. It is possible to admire one of the most evocative landscapes of the town.
Visit of Nizwa, the pearl of Islam, ancient capital of the 9th century Oman, with the imposing fortress and adjacent castle. Market visit, where you can buy local handicrafts, spices, essences, fabrics, clay pots and silver jewelry. Every Friday the auction of sheep and cattle takes place here.
Arrival at the hotel in Muscat, check in, dinner, overnight stay.

Fifth day:

Muscat _ khasab

Departure for Muscat airport. Embarkation on the flight to Khasab. Transfer to the Atana KhasabResort. Early check in. Free day at the resort.

Sixth day

 Muscat – Khasab – Jebel Al Harim

Departure from the resort at 2pm with English speaking guide, for another 4x4 adventure to one of the most beautiful scenes in Oman, Jebel Al Harim, "the mountain of women".
This high mountain is the highest peak on the Musandam peninsula. During the trip guests can enjoy incredible views, including terraced villages, lush acacia and wadi forests. Stop off at a bedouin village at an altitude of 900 meters, the village of Sayah, surrounded by palm groves, is one of the villages most picturesque of Musandam. After a brief stop, continue to the summit of Jebel Al Harim, to admire the panorama of the summit.
On the way back you pass by Khawr Najid, an extraordinary panoramic point with a view of the Indian Ocean. Return to the Khasab Resort. Dinner, overnight.

Seventh day: dhow cruise

After breakfast, transfer to the port to embark on traditional dhows. Possibility to bathe in the dhow (bring bathing suit, towel and sun cream). Perch does not bathe, there are shaded seats on the dhow. The navigation will proceed towards the longest and most spectacular fjord of Musandam, often referred to as the norria of arabia, with turquoise waters in contrast to the white calacaree cliffs.
We will cross the small fishing villages, hoping to meet packs of dolphins. The dhow will drop anchor near Telegraph Island, where you can take a bath or enjoy the view of the 2000m high mountains.
Refreshing drinks, herbal teas, tea and coffee are included during navigation. The cruise continues with lunch on board the dhow and another stop for swimming and snorkeling.
Return to the port and return to the resort. Dinner overnight.

Eighth day:

Khasab – Muscat – Italia

Breakfast. Transfer to airport. Boarding on the flight to Muscat.
Return to Italy.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

(exchange rate applied: 2.30Rial. A change in the exchange rate of more than 3% could lead to a change in the quotas)

Hotel accommodation:

4 stars / 3 stars sup. standard rooms (in case of unavailability of rooms, guests will be accommodated in equivalent or superior facilities)

The individual participation fee (minimum 2 people) includes:

• Private transfers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa
• Tour as per itinerary, with 4x4 car transport
• Italian speaking guide for the duration of the trip
• Overnight in 4-star hotel / 3-star sup. with half board (breakfast and dinner). The lunches, included in the fee, will be served by local restaurants during the excursions, as indicated by the program.
• Entrance tickets to the sites, where provided.

The individual participation fee does not include:

• Tourist visa for stays up to 30 days, to be paid online before departure.
• Mance.
• Personal extras
• Anything not expressly indicated in the previous paragraph.

Any change with respect to the reservation request originating with regard to the number of participants or the customization of the itinerary must be notified with adequate advance notice.

Cancellations:

• Within 31 -22 days before the start of the tour - 25% penalty
• Between 21 and 15 days before the start of the 50% criminal tour
• From 14 days before the start of the 100% criminal tour

Our office is at your complete disposal for individual ad hoc quotations and group quotations.

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