Frankincense & Mirages

Arrival at Muscat International Airport. After proceeding through immigration and collecting your luggage you will be met by your driver in the arrivals hall. Transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight at Muscat.

At 09:30 depart for the city tour which begins with a visit to the magnificent Grand Mosque, built with sandstone and marble. A beautiful Swarovski chandelier and a huge handmade Persian carpet adorn the main prayer hall. Then continue to Muttrah Souk, a traditional Arabian market. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and the scent of frankincense and spices. Next, visit Bait Al Zubair museum. This privately owned museum, located in the old town of Muscat, is known for its fine collection of traditional costumes, antique jewellery and weapons. Afterwards we will have a photo stop at Al Alam Palace, the palace of the Sultan, followed by a 2-hour sunset boat ride along the coast of Muscat. On the way back to the hotel, photo stop at the Royal Opera House and drive through the ministry and embassy district (lunch included in a local restaurant during the tour). Return to the hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, leave Muscat and depart towards the interior of Oman. Visit Jabreen Castle, Oman’s most beautiful castle with its winding hallways, hidden staircases and beautifully decorated interior. Later, you will reach Al Hamra and visit the village. Afterwards switch to 4x4 vehicles and continue up to Jebel Shams, the ‘mountain of the sun’. Enjoy the spectacular view from the Grand Canyon. Lunch during the tour in a local restaurant. Afterwards, proceed to Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa Souq, which lies in the vicinity of the walls of the famous Nizwa Fort. Its building embraces both traditional and modern architectural lines through its many alleys and divisions. Nizwa Souq has remained for hundreds of years home to a number of local industries, such as daggers, copper, spinning, livestock, fish, vegetables and handicrafts. Overnight at Nizwa.

After breakfast, proceed to Sinaw Thursday Market, held every Thursday. It is a very busy market due to its proximity to the Bedouin communities, who head there to buy staples and sell their livestock and handicrafts. After the visit you proceed to a local house where you will meet the family and enjoy a homemade lunch. After lunch, see the ruins of the old mercantile community of Al Manzifah near Ibra. Later arrive in Wahiba Sands. 4x4 vehicles will take you to the camp. Dinner and overnight at the desert camp.

After breakfast, take the 4x4 vehicles and return to the bus. You proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid, which stands in strong contrast to the desert with its natural pools and greenery. Afterwards you will continue to the coastal town of Sur and visit the dhow factory. Drive to Ras Al Hadd and Check in to the hotel. After dinner, night excursion to Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve, where you can witness the nestling turtles. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight at Ras Al Hadd.

After breakfast , we will start our journey back to Muscat along the coast. We will stop at the beautiful Wadi Tiwi and have lunch in local restaurant. You then head towards Bimah Sinkhole, a geological formation of the karst topography and a scenic wonder. Continue your drive to Muscat and transfer to the Airport. Flight to Dubai (included). Arrival at Dubai International Airport. After collecting your luggage and completing the formalities, meet one of our English-speaking representatives who will meet you in the arrival hall at the airport, welcome you and then accompany you to meet your driver. Your driver will take you to your hotel (Transfers with an English-speaking driver, without a guide). Dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay at a Dubai hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Dubai is a unique and spectacular city. Start your visit with the discovery of the skyscrapers along the famous Sheikh Zayed highway which runs along the city. After a photo stop in front of the Burj Al Arab, an iconic 7-star hotel in Dubai. Continue to the Dubai Marina and stop for a moment to admire the various buildings, before heading to Palm Jumeirah for some Instagram worthy photos with the famous Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal as a backdrop. Taking the Sheikh Zayed Road back towards the city we stop in Downtown Dubai, home of the tallest building in the world. We’ll visit the highest observation deck in the world at level 124 of Burj Khalifa to take in some stunning 360-degree views of the city. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After discovering the modern part of the city, the scenery changes as we stroll through the narrow streets of the historic Bastakiya district with its Arabic wind towers. Learn more about Emirati history and traditions at the Al Shindagha Museum (including a visit to the childhood home of Sheikh Al Maktoum). Cross Dubai Creek on board an abra (local, traditional water taxi) to reach the spice and gold souks where you can show off your bargaining skills. At this point, your guide will leave in the hands of your capable driver who will accompany you until the departure of the dinner cruise. Dine aboard a traditional dhow on the waters of the creek, you can discover the "Old Dubai" from another viewpoint. Admire the district of “Bastakiya” by night as you sail past the skyline of Dubai. Dinner is an International buffet on-board a traditional Arabian trading boat – Dhow (cruise duration is 2 hours). Your driver will drop you off at the hotel after dinner. Overnight stay at a Dubai hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day at leisure. Meals are not included. Night at the hotel in Dubai.

Tour options & excursions available

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Dubai International Airport with English-speaking driver (without guide).