Self Drive Oman

Day 1: Arrival Muscat

Arrival at Muscat airport. As per the present rule by the Oman government allows, nationalities from European/ American / certain Asian countries can get a free tourist visa for Oman for 14 days stay but non-extendable. You will enter at the general arrival hall and will be met by rent a car representative; he will assist you to take over your car and continue to the hotel. You may need to provide your passport copies and credit card copies in order to charge any incidental charges like traffic fines, insurance excess for accident if any . Normal check-in time 1400Hrs. Early check in will be subject to availability of rooms.

Day 2: Grand Mosque , Royal Opera House Muttrah, Museums, Sultan Palace

Muscat, the capital city and most populated city in Oman. This city was one of the important trading hubs from 6th century. Explore the modern and traditional part of the city. Suggested places of interests Grand Mosque is one of the largest Mosques in the world and at one time, it can accommodate 20,000 worshippers. Grand Mosque has beautiful art work, chandeliers and one piece carpet covering entire prayer hall. (To visit Mosque, one has to be dressed in conservative manner. One should not wear revealing or transparent clothes and should be covered from head to toe. Ladies have to cover their head with a scarf. Grand Mosque is open for the tourists from Saturday to Thursday from 08:00 hrs to 11:00 hrs. Children below the age of 10 years are not allowed to visit Mosque) Opera house: Royal Opera House Muscat is the leading arts and culture organization in the Sultanate of Oman. The multidisciplinary work of Royal Opera House Muscat showcases rich and diverse artistic creations from Oman, the region, and the world. Visiting Hrs : 830 AM to 1600 Hrs from Saturday to Thursdays . The Entrance fees : USD 10 per person Old Muscat Museums; You will find few musuems in this area illustrates the developments of oman , culture etc. National Museum, Bait Zubair Museum, Bait Baranda Museum etsc are amoung ones that can be recommended . The entrance fees varied from USD6 to 13 Visiting hours : Staurday to Thursday 0800 to 1800Hrs Museum is closed on Fridays. Except National museum opens on Friday at 2PM. Marina Bandar:You will find many luxury yacts and sailing boats docked here. Those who are intrested to explore sea trips, dolphin watching , Snorkelling, sunsetdhow cruises are available on sharing basis. Photo stops: At the official palace of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos. Al Alam Palace is flanked by two Portuguese fort Jalali and Mirani. Jalali Fort has been completely refurbished and now used as a museum for guests of State and Royal Family. This will be an outside photo stop only as visit to Palace and Fort is not possible due to security reasons. Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest souq in Oman and the narrow alleys of souq with mystic smell of sandel wood make a great atmosphere. It is a place where you can communicate with local people and can buy souveniors for friends and family.

Day 3: Wadi Abryeen , Bimahsinkhole, Wadishab , Greenturtles

Start an exploration trip to interior partof Oman. You will be driving a road connceting Muscat city and Sur. The road passes through the strip between Eastern Hajar mountains and Arabian sea. You will drive pass many small villages Suggested places of interests Quriyat Village, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea. The fisherman goes every morning in sea to catch fishes and then they sell in the market (located at the beach). The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower. Wadi Arbyeen: You will be driving for some time on black top road and then enter in Wadi Arbayeen. ‘Wadi’ in Arabic means dead river bed. This is one of the interesting off-road drives in this region and after enjoying the off-road drives Bima Sink hole: You will exit from Wadi drive towards Sink hole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom and this stop will also be a rest stop. Fins beach: A White sandy beach few meters away from Sinkhole. Wadishab:. Cross the shore by small boat (USD3pp for boat) to start a beautiful hike, requires good physical conditions and good shoes, as slippery rocks) in the heart of the river between beautiful mountains. A spectacular view awaits you at the end of the trail (after about 45 minutes’ walk) and you will not be able to resist swimming in this natural pool. Wadi Tiwi. This wadi has old village with many farms of banana, papaya, etc. Enjoy a short walk in this old village / farms Dhow building yard: You will find the traditional wooden ship (dhow) are being built or repaired. Entrance: USD3 per person Turtle watching: Drive around 60Kms (1 ½Hrs) towards Ras Al Jinz Turtle reserve to visit. Green turtles travel 100s of kilometer every year for nestling. It is a unique opportunity to sight turtles in their natural inhabitant. The turtle watching tours are lead in various groups by local naturalists. By 2100Hrs join one of the groups. Sighting of turtles are not guaranteed, the entry is subject to availability of tickets. Entrance: USD21 per person

Day 4: Wadibanikhalid ,Wahiba

Drive towards sharqiya region, the house of beduion tribes You will be driving on a asphalt road connecting Sur and dhakiylia region. Suggested places of interests Wadi bani Khaled’ in arabic means natural oasis. Arrive Wadi Bani Khaled and visit. Wadi Bani Khaled stands a complete contrast to Wahiba Sands. It is like an oasis in the desert with clear green natural spring water pools. Enjoy a walk in the Wadi or swim in wadi . [It is not allowed to swim in this wadi in short swimming costumes.if someone would like to swim, a long swimming costumes are recommended] Wahiba Sands , often described as a perfect example of Sand Sea consists of large ranges of dunes running from North to South, some attaining a height of about 100 mts and orange in color. visit Bedouin house and meet Bedouin ladies to know more about their life in desert. Enjoy Omani coffee and dates at their house and what ladies do to survive in desert. Evening watch the spectacular sunset from top of Sand dunes.

Day 5: Birkat Al Mauz , Jabelakdher

Breakfast at the camp and check-out You will exit from desert and continue drive on highway connecting Sharqiya region and Dakhilya region. Nizwa known as cultural and heritage capital of Oman. The region was one of the center for early settelement of Oman. Suggested places of interests Ibra : One of the small town close to Wahiba sands, beduion tribes largely depend this town for buying and selling necessary needs. Birkat Al mauz is a place where locals grow date palm trees. Pass through the old village and the farms of date palm trees. Your guide will explain the complete cultivation process as well as old irrigation system in Oman – Falaj System. Jabelakdher : Climb on stretch of 36 kms winding road for, the green mountain of Western Hajar mountains at an altitude of 2000mtrs above sea level. At Jabelakdher locals grow fruits and vegetable at terrace of the mountain. A short walk at Siq Plateau to see terrace plantations and to abandon village.

Day 6: Jabreen Bahla Nizwa Fort Nizwa Souk

Breakfast and check out. Drive down the Jabelakdher mountains and drive for explore rest of the visit rest of Dakhilya region. Suggested places of interests Jabrin is the finest of Oman`s castle built in the late 17th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. This castle has extremely well-planned layouts with room for the wali, the ladies room, the kitchen, the majlis etc. Most of the ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings with Islamic motifs. The view from the top of the castle is really mesmerizing. Entrance fees : USD8 per person Bahla is known as mystical village and famous for Arabian potteries. Vist the mangificient mud fort from 12th century is now listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. The Bahla fort represents the typical Omani military fortress the area was fenced with 12 kms radius fort walls. Nizwa fort with its enormous round tower built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya’ aruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area, with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is only by means of a narrow twisting staircase barred by heavy wooden doors, studded with metal. From the top of the tower one can get a bird’s eye view of the Nizwa city.: Entrance Fees : USD13 per person {Nizwa Souq closes by 09:30 hrs and Nizwa Fort and Jabrin Castle closes by 11:00 hrs on Fridays.} Nizwa Souq. On all days normal souq activities perform . There are various buildings allocated for Vegetables, meat, Souvenirs and Spices. Stroll around the souq.

Day 7: Al Hamra , Misfah Al Abyreen , Oman Across Ages Museum

Breakfast at hotel. Suggested places of interests Al Hamra. Arrive at the old village of Al Hamra and walk through this village to arrive Bait Al Safa. Bait Al Safa is a local Museum, made by villagers showcasing Omani house. Visit this Museum and enjoy Omani Coffee and dates (Entry fee @ OMR 5/ USD 15 PP). Misfah Al Abryeen: one of the mountainous villages on the foot of western hajar mountains. The architectural marvel of mud houses built on the top of Rocky Mountain cliffs is amazing. Short walk through the alleys of villages. Oman across the ages Museum, the largest museum in Oman. The journey starts from stone age and travel through various stages of human development until modern world. The incredible renaissance Gallery marks the culmination of this long national story. It follows the countryʼs remarkable economic, technological, political and social modernization under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said..it is a journey through Oman's past, a celebration of its present and an insight into its future. (Entry fee @ OMR 5/ USD 15 PP). Continue your drive Muscat. De hire your car at the hotel lobby.