Compare Discover Oman by Bunnik Tours vs A Week in Oman by Exodus Travels
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,095 | $ 2,850 |
| Price Per Day | $ 299 | $ 407 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 2 Dinners |
All breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners are included. Omani cuisine is influenced by Arab, Persian, Indian, Asian, Eastern Mediterranean and African cuisine. Rice is a staple and often includes a variety of flavours and ingredients, while fish and meat, such as chicken and lamb, feature prominently. Dishes are full of rich mixtures of spices, herbs and marinades. Dates are much loved and are an essential part of the Omani diet. Curry, soups, fresh salads and vegetable dishes are all very common. Coffee is the national beverage but tea is also drunk. Yoghurt drinks and soft drinks are also popular. Alcohol is not readily available but can be purchased in some hotels and likely to be quite expensive. During the tour, you have the opportunity to taste and experience a variety of dishes and eat in local restaurants. Included lunches will be picnic lunches and other meals will be eaten in cafes/eateries. The night spent at the desert camp includes a barbecue with traditional dishes. Non-Muslims are permitted to bring in two litres of alcohol by air only. Alcohol may be purchased at Muscat airport after having cleared immigration. Care must be taken not to cause offence through the use of alcohol and should not be consumed in public places apart from licensed premises, such as hotels and restaurants. It is generally not a problem to bring your own alcohol into hotels but please always ask the hotel first out of courtesy. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements. |
| Description |
Discover the many sides to fascinating Oman. Wonder at the dramatic mountain scenery contrasted with pure white sand beaches. Experience the warmth of traditional eastern hospitality, ancient ruins and bustling markets, where life has remained unchanged for centuries. |
Oman, the most beautiful of the Gulf States, has a rich culture and ancient heritage waiting to be discovered during this one-week cultural adventure. Starting in the capital of Muscat, we gaze in awe at the Grand Mosque, wander through the colourful Mutrah Souq and see the Omani capital and coastline through seafarers’ eyes on a traditional dhow cruise. We spend a night deep in the desert in very comfortable accommodation and navigate the dunes of the Wahiba Sands in 4x4s; marvel at stunning views over the Grand Canyon of Arabia from Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman; wade in the cooling, turquoise waters of an idyllic desert oasis and uncover historic forts before witnessing the weekly live auction cattle market in Nizwa, an event not to be missed!Explore ancient and natural wonders in the Pearl of Arabia |
Day 1: Muscat
Welcome to Muscat, a vibrant port city and capital of the Sultanate of Oman. After being met and transferred to your hotel enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Muscat
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Muscat on a city tour this morning, starting at the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Then visit the lively Muttrah Souq, thought to be one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. See the Sultan’s Palace and finish at the Bait Al Zubair Museum, home to a beautifully curated display of Omani culture and history.
Day 3: Muscat - Ras Al Hadd
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Travelling by 4WD along the spectacular coastline, stop to visit the fishing village of Qurayyat. In Wadi Shab enjoy a short hike to discover the beautiful waterfalls and turquoise pools nestled between stone cliffs. Reach the Ras al Jinz Scientific Research Centre this afternoon, on the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula. An important nesting site for the green sea turtle, each year 30,000 turtles come here to lay their eggs. Venture down to the beach to see the nesting area tonight.
Day 4: Ras Al Hadd - Wahiba Sands
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Discover enchanting Wadi Bani Khalid today, where you’ll be able to swim in the incredible emerald pools. In the afternoon head inland to the vast desert of Wahiba Sands. Travelling off-road by 4WD, explore the mesmerising landscape of endless dunes and witness a breathtaking sunset. Spend the night under a blanket of stars in a typical desert campsite.
Day 5: Wahiba Sands – Nizwa
Meals: Breakfast
Waking to the sun rising over the desert, visit a Bedouin house to experience the warm Omani hospitality with a cup of kahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates. Sightseeing today also includes a visit to the old abandoned mercantile village of Al Mansfah and the town of Nizwa. Here you’ll visit its round fort and the Silver Souq, renowned for its handcrafted jewellery.
Day 6: Nizwa – Muscat
Meals: Breakfast
On the way back to Muscat, stop for a photo at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mudbrick fort of Bahla, the beautifully decorated Jabrin Fort, and explore the picturesque village of Misfat Al Abrein, where time seems to have stood still. This afternoon visit the oasis village of Birkat Al Mauz.
Day 7: Muscat
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Day 1 Start Muscat; afternoon dhow cruise and visit Mutrah Souq
Arrive at the start hotel before midday to ensure you can join the main group briefing and the dhow cruise in the afternoon. After the briefing, we are picked up from our hotel and travel through the old part of Muscat to visit the Sidab Women's Association where we can interact with the local women and enjoy a coffee together. Next, we pay a short visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum before a photo stop outside the gates of the Sultan’s palace. After a short transfer to the marina, we embark on a relaxed dhow cruise (traditional fisherman’s boat) to see the Muscat coast through the eyes of the ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries. During the cruise, soft drinks, tea, coffee and dates will be served. In the evening, we stop at a restaurant for dinner and will be transported back through the centuries on a visit to the bustling, colourful Mutrah Souq. Here there will be lots of photo opportunities and the chance to observe the local way of life while wandering around this traditional Arab market. Note: On some departures, some of the sightseeing detailed above will be done on Day 2 instead. Your leader will advise of your exact schedule locally. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat (or similar)
Day 2 Visit Muscat's Grand Mosque; onto Sur via beautiful Wadi Shab. Evening visit to turtle reserve
After a hotel breakfast, we check out and visit the Grand Mosque, the highlight of the Omani capital. The handmade carpets, chandeliers and the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are must-sees. Please note: Women should be fully covered and carry a headscarf; men should wear trousers. We then drive (approximately 1hr 30min) to the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom, and Wadi Tiwi where we enjoy a walk and picnic lunch before transferring (approximately one hour) to our hotel in Sur, where we spend the night. After an early dinner, we drive (approximately one hour) to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Oman is an important area for green turtles in the Indian Ocean and the green back turtles are heavily protected by the government of Oman. In fact, more than 275 of the Sultanate's beaches double as nesting grounds for five of the seven recognised sea turtle species, the most common being the green back. Here we are led to the beach by an ecologist to see turtles return to their beach to lay eggs. (Please note, the main nesting season is June to August; at other times of the year, there may or not be turtles every night but a visit to the reserve is still worthwhile). Accommodation: Sur Plaza (or similar)
Day 3 Drive to Wadi Bani Khalid, swim in the turquoise pools and enjoy a picnic lunch. Continue to Wahiba Sands and explore the spectacular dunes. Overnight in the desert.
This morning after breakfast, we transfer (approximately 1hr 45min) to the desert oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid to relax and enjoy a swim in the beautiful turquoise pools. We also have a picnic lunch before continuing (approximately 60 to 90 minutes) to the Wahiba Desert. Please note, occasionally wild swimming in the wadi may not be possible due to safety reasons if, for example, water levels are high following rainfall or if it is raining at the time of your visit as the rocks can be slippery – your leader will inform you if swimming is not advisable. Here, on the edge of the desert, we change vehicles from the minibus to 4WDs to begin our desert experience. The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sands and dunes rising up to 655ft (200m) are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. We drive towards the dunes and our desert accommodation (approximately one hour) to check-in for the evening. During our time at the camp, there is the chance to take a camel ride (optional – extra cost). Accommodation: Arabian Nights Resort (or similar)
Day 4 Morning visit to a Bedouin family and enjoy Omani coffee; visit Birkat al Mouz and walk through its oasis and date plantations; onto Nizwa
We have breakfast at our desert accommodation before checking out and driving towards the ancient city of Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. En route, we visit a Bedouin family and enjoy kahwa (Omani coffee) and spend time with them learning about their customs and traditional way of life. We continue our drive via Birkat al Mouz, one of the best-known village ruins in the region. We walk through its oasis and date plantations before continuing to Nizwa. With the two sets of ruins, a large banana plantation and the scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old Falaj irrigation system listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Upon arrival in Nizwa, we check into our hotel where we spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Al Diyar Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 Transfer to Jabrin, one of the finest castles in Oman; stop at historic Bahla Fort; enjoy a walk and picnic lunch in Wadi Nakhr. Visit Jebel Shams for amazing views
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive (approximately 30 minutes) to visit Jabrin, the finest of Oman’s castles built in the late 17th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. The castle displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings. We also pause at Bahla Fort for a photo, the only Unesco-listed fort in the country and lovingly restored over many years before transferring (approximately 1hr 30min) to Wadi Nakhr for a short walk. We have lunch in a restaurant before proceeding to Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman, and where we can enjoy spectacular views of the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’. Later in the afternoon, we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to the village of Misfat Al Arbayeen, passing the ruins of an old fort on the way. We continue through narrow alleys between old stone houses and take a short walk in Al Hamra village before returning (approximately 30 minutes) to Nizwa for the evening. Accommodation: Al Diyar Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 See the Nizwa cattle auction, fort and souq; continue to Nakhal Fort and hot spring; back to Muscat for final evening
Today is a long day and we start our morning with a visit to the live cattle auction market in Nizwa, the one day of the week where this ancient city truly comes alive with farmers and traders arriving from near and far to barter and trade in one of the most renowned markets in the Middle East. We visit the impressive Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century to defend the natural wealth and strategic location of the city. Later we visit the renowned souq, famous for intricately handcarved khanjars (traditional curved daggers), silver jewellery and livestock trading. Departing Nizwa, we continue to Wadi Bani Auf; this stretch of graded road is very adventurous as it involves steep bends and bumpy roads. In wet conditions, it may not be possible to drive this section of road due to safety. If this occurs, we take an alternative route. We then stop at the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt, where one is struck by the beauty of the landscape. Lunch today will be a packed lunch. This afternoon, we have a photo stop at Nakhal Fort and hot spring. The exact date on which this ancient fort was built is unknown, but many believe it was constructed in pre-Islamic times, more than 1,500 years ago. We then transfer back to Muscat for our final evening in the capital city of Oman. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat (or similar)
Day 7 End Muscat
The tour ends this morning and it’s time to begin our return journey home. If you’d like a bit more time to explore Oman, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
