Oman: the Jewel of Arabia

Upon arrival at Muscat International Airport, and after completing the necessary customs procedures and collecting your luggage, you will be transferred to the hotel with a chauffeur. Dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

Visit Muscat and its magnificent Grand Mosque made of sandstone and marble (featuring the world's largest single-piece handmade carpet and 24k gold-encrusted chandelier). Next, we will continue to visit the traditional Omani fish market located in Barka, where you can discover numerous varieties of fish. We will also visit the Bait Al Ghasham Museum, a traditional 19th-century house that has been identically renovated to reflect the historical wealth of the sultanate. Lunch and continuation towards Al Wakan, a small mountain village with beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the surrounding mountains and Wadi Mistal. A trail made up of steps will take you in 30 minutes to the village's watchtower: along the stops and viewpoints of the walk, you will discover the houses of local farmers, their traditional irrigation system, and their extensive plantations of pomegranates, apricots, grapes, and berries.

Departure via the Wadi Bani Awf Trail, a spectacular mountain route that allows you to admire various villages and incredible viewpoints, including the panoramic view of the Snake Canyon. The journey continues to the village of Bilad Sayt, featuring the typical architecture of ancient Arab colonies. Next, you will visit the old village of Al Hamra, one of the best-preserved in the country, where you can wander among the ancient abandoned buildings and their mud houses. A stop in the village of Misfat will allow you to discover impressive agricultural terraces, lush valleys, as well as the traditional houses of Misfat, built of stone and with palm leaf roofs. Again, you can admire the traditional irrigation system of Oman: the falaj listed by UNESCO.

Today you will discover the village of Birkat Al Mouz which, with its vast banana plantation and picturesque setting, is one of the most famous villages in the Sultanate. Falaj, traditional houses, ruined buildings... this small stop will transport you to the past. Next, you will explore the mountains of Jebel Akhdar ("Green Mountain"), a majestic massif (over 1800 km²) dotted with villages and whose slopes are filled with small stone walls, erected by the inhabitants to practice terraced farming. Wadi Bani Habib is one of the many villages located on the vast plateau of Jebel Akhdar. In this village, local families practice rose water distillation, a specialty of the region. Rose water is obtained from the damask rose, which blooms on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. In the village's traditional distilleries, you will share a unique moment with local artisans and understand how this unique tradition is passed down from generation to generation.

Today you will explore Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman whose architecture combines tradition and modernity. From the fort's tower, you can admire the souk and the city's oasis. You can stroll through the souk, a true institution that for centuries has upheld local productions, handicrafts, Omani daggers, silverware, copper, but also livestock, fruits, and vegetables. Before reaching the Wahiba Sands, you will pass through the historic village of Al Manzifat where you can admire its traditional architecture. On the way to the Wahiba Sands, you will discover typical villages that will give you the impression that time has stood still and you will have the opportunity to discover Bedouin traditions by interacting with local families. We will arrive at the incredible Wahiba Sands, a vast expanse of orange-toned dunes that have been home to Bedouin communities for millennia, where you can venture into the high dunes and admire an unforgettable sunset, as you reach the camp where you will spend the night in the heart of the desert.

You will be able to admire the vast date plantations before reaching the magnificent wadi of Bani Khalid where you can swim in its spectacular and deep natural pools. We will continue to the city of Al Kamil, whose uniqueness compared to other cities in Oman lies in the fact that it is surrounded by trees. Its ancient architecture, fort, and watchtowers make it a charming stage of this tour. In the evening, you will visit the Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, world-renowned as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle (Chelonia Mydas).

Today you will explore the coastal city of Sur and visit the dhow factory (traditional Omani boat). Next, we will stop to enjoy the panoramic views of the Al Ayjah lighthouse. Later, we will embark on a traditional boat with a local fisherman for an unforgettable one-hour journey through the Gulf of Oman, followed by a delicious lunch of grilled fresh fish. We will continue to Wadi Tiwi, a spectacular mountain gorge that winds between high cliffs to the sea. Along the way, you can admire traditional villages and impressive date and banana plantations. Our next stop is Bimah Sinkhole, a natural pond in the heart of the arid Omani landscape. Local legend has it that it was formed by a meteorite crash, creating this unique body of water. In the afternoon we will arrive in Muscat and visit the city-palace Al Alam, the official residence of the sultan, the harbor and its two Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Al Mirani, and the Matrah souk, one of the oldest markets in Oman. Transfer to the airport.