Oman Cultural and Scenic Tour Program

Day 1: Arrival in Muscat

• Arrival: Arrive in Muscat, Oman’s capital city, where you will be met by your guide.
• Half Day City Tour: Start the day with a half-day city tour exploring Old Muscat. Visit the Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, set against the backdrop of Mirani and Jalali forts.
• Bait Al Zubair Museum: Visit this museum, which exhibits the rich culture and history of Oman, including traditional Omani artifacts and displays on the country's heritage.
• Hotel Transfer: After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Muscat for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Muscat – Nizwa – Bahla

• 07:00 HRS: After breakfast, drive to Nizwa, one of Oman’s cultural capitals, located approximately 2.5 hours away from Muscat.
• Nizwa City Tour: Nizwa is famous for its history, culture, and heritage. Visit the Nizwa Fort, which offers stunning views of the city, and explore the Nizwa Souq, where you can find traditional handicrafts, silver jewelry, and Omani daggers.
• Lunch: Enjoy a delicious Omani meal at a local restaurant in Nizwa.
• Bahla Town: After lunch, visit Bahla, a town known for its rich history and its 12th-century fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit a local pottery workshop to see traditional crafts in action (please note that the fort may be closed for renovation).
• Overnight in Bahla: Check in to a Heritage Village in Bahla for a traditional Omani experience and overnight stay.

Day 3: Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani Khalid

• 07:00 HRS: After breakfast, depart for Wahiba Sands, a vast desert known for its stunning red and white sand dunes that rise up to 200 meters.
• Wadi Bani Khalid: Explore Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman’s most beautiful oases, with its crystal-clear pools surrounded by steep cliffs and lush date palms. Take a refreshing swim in the natural pools of the wadi.
• Visit Bedouin House: Visit a Bedouin house in the desert, and enjoy traditional Omani coffee while learning about the desert-dwelling culture. If you’re interested, you can even try a camel ride for an authentic desert experience.
• Return to Muscat: After this experience, drive back to Muscat, where you’ll arrive in the evening.
• Overnight in Muscat: Return to your hotel for the night.

Alternative Day 3: Jebel Shams – Oman Grand Canyon

• 07:00 HRS: After breakfast, depart for Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest mountain. The drive takes about 2.5 hours to reach the base of the mountain.
• Wadi Ghul: Begin your journey to the top of Jebel Shams. On your way, you’ll pass the abandoned village sitting on the edge of the rock face, offering a stunning view. From here, embark on a 30-minute off-road drive into Wadi Ghul, which is known as Oman’s Grand Canyon. Visit Nakhr, the carpet-weaving village at the end of the wadi, and witness the spectacular mountain views.
• Hiking or Mountain Biking: You can take a short walk or even a mountain bike ride to explore the wadi, which showcases over half a billion years of geological history.
• Oman Grand Canyon: Enjoy a two-hour hike along the rim of the Oman Grand Canyon, offering breathtaking views of the deep canyons and surrounding mountains.
• Return to Muscat: After exploring the canyon, drive back to Muscat for an overnight stay.