Oman Self-drive
Oman Self-drive
Oman Self-drive
Oman Self-drive

Oman Self-drive

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Private Self-Drive Holiday
8 Days ex Muscat

Departs Daily

Oman is a land that has long prospered on the trade routes which converged in Muscat. Richly endowed with UNESCO listed Forts and Castles Oman is also blessed with a stunning coastline. With 4 wheel drive GPS daily breakfasts and accommodation included this is the perfect way to marvel at the contrasts this ancient civilisation has to offer on this eight day tour.

Highlights

  • Experience desert hospitality with a visit to a Bedouin house
  • Wander around the picture perfect oasis scattered throughout Wadi Bani Khalid
  • Soak in the charm of Bilad Sayt, a traditional agricultural village nestled amongst stunning mountains
     

 

Day 1: Muscat

Upon clearing customs you will be met by our local operator and transferred to your hotel. Your holiday has started so it is time to relax so take the rest of the day to gather your thoughts and get ready for what will be an experience never to be forgotten.

Overnight stay at your Muscat hotel of your choice (not included in tour price).

Day 2: Muscat (B)

This morning you will receive a briefing and delivery of your 4WD vehicle. Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour Muscat means “anchorage” and lies in a natural volcanic bowl.

Self-guided tour of Muscat today. We suggest you visit the Grand Mosque (Ladies fully covered with scarf and shorts not allowed for men) (except Friday) & the Bait Al Zubair Museum (except Friday) as a brief introduction that traces Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market.

Stop maybe for a photo of the magnificent Al Alam Palace residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali. Visit the colourful Muttrah Souq.

Overnight stay at your Muscat hotel of your choice (not included in tour price).

Day 3: Muscat – Nakhl - Al Nahda (B)

Visit the Seeb Fish Souq by the seaside. Drive through the date palms to the sparkling springs and Fort at Nakhl. Visit the beautiful Wakan Village famous for its terraced fruit farming. Your next stop is to Wadi Abhyad which when translated means white wadi due to the large patches of white sedimentation it contains. The drive winds through the mountains with small pools of water dotting the wadi bed.

Overnight stay at Al Nahda Resort.

Day 4: Al Nahda - Nizwa (B)

Depart from Al Nahda and head North towards Al Awabi. Turn towards Wadi Bani Auf. Visit the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt and soak in the beauty of the landscape. This 70 km stretch of road continues on to the village of Al Hamra famous for its date plantations. Visit the ruined village at Tanuf before checking into your hotel.

Day 5: Nizwa – Jabrin - Wadi Nakher – Nizwa (B)

Visit the famous Round Tower Fort built in the 17th century and its Souq renowned for its Friday cattle auction intricately hand-carved “Khanjars” (daggers) & ornamental silver jewellery.
Proceed 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 & beautifully executed woodcarvings. Photostop at the Bahla Fort.
Visit Misfah a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul. Drive to Wadi Nakher. In the Jebel Akhdar range Jebel Shams is the highest peak which offers a spectacular view. (335 km)

Day 6: Nizwa – Wahiba Sands - Sur (B)

Drive in an easterly direction toward Sur via Izki Sinaw souk Mudhaybi and the Wahiba Sands a vast mass of undulating red and white this sea of sand and dunes rises up to 200 metres and is host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight.

Experience the remarkable local hospitality during a visit a Bedouin house in this wilderness before seeing the stark contrast of Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water – the epitome of a desert oasis.

Overnight stay at Sur Plaza hotel.

Day 7: Sur – Muscat (B)

Visit the fish jetty and the dhow factory before exploring the Sanseela Fort. Drive via a beautiful coastal road to Muscat. Stop at Fins beach for a swim. Your next stop is the Bimah Sinkhole a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom. At Dibab take an adventurous offroad track to visit the Wadi Arbayeen characterized by date palms and deep pools of water. Proceed to Mazara before returning to Muscat.

Overnight stay at Muscat hotel of your choice (not included in tour price).

Day 8: Muscat (B)

After breakfast return your car and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

  • 4WD rental (Land Cruiser Nissan Patrol or similar) on unlimited mileage basis for 06 days from day 02 to day 08 including PAI & CDW
  • 06 Days GPS
  • Accommodation in listed Tourist Class hotels (or similar): 1 Night at Al Nahda Resort, 02 Nights at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel, and 01 Night at Sur Plaza Hotel including daily breakfast.
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private return airport transfers
  • Oman Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

  • International airfares
  • Accommodation in Muscat
  • Optional tours and excursions
  • Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
  • Porterage
  • Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Departure taxes
  • Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
  • Visas (unless specified)
  • Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Day 3: Al Nahda

Millenium Resort Mussanhah

Day 4 and Day 5: Nizwa

02 Nights at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel

Day 6: Sur

01 Night at Sur Plaza Hotel

VISAS
Effective June 2018 Oman introduced a new E-visa system. If you are travelling on the passport of any of the countries in Country List 1 - in the link below you must apply for an E - Visa as visas will not be available on arrival.
http://www.rop.gov.om/old/english/countrylist1.asp


RAMADAN ( 05 May - 06 Jun 2019)
Please find below some rules and important information for tourists during Ramadan:

During the month of Ramadan Muslims will not eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset. Although Non-Muslims are not expected to fast, they have to obey the laws regarding eating, drinking and smoking in public and should respect the local culture.

It is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours during Ramadan.

  • Cafes and restaurants are closed during the day, and hotel beaches and pools also instate the no eating, drinking, and smoking rule.
  • Some hotels have screened-off areas for Non-Muslim guests where food and beverages are served during the day. Room service will also be available in most hotels.
  • In case there are lunches included in tours and round trips, they will be mainly in form of picnic lunch boxes and guests have to eat in the vehicle.
  • If travelling with an Omani driver/guide, please avoid drinking or eating in their presence. (Breakfast and dinner at the hotels will take place normally).
  • Alcohol will only be available in 5* hotels and only in selected outlets (if any). Otherwise alcohol will not be available (guests can take from home/duty free shop and consume in the privacy of their hotel room).
  • Public life/services in hotels and elsewhere can be very slow and often patience is required even for getting simple service
  • All members of society are expected to dress modestly, women making special efforts to limit the amount of make-up worn and cover arms, legs and shoulders.
  • Working hours are reduced as a rule during this time period. The normal workday of 8am to 5pm changes to 8pm to 2pm in most companies.
  • Retail shops are usually only open in the morning hours and after 4pm, if at all.
  • Supermarkets remain open from around 10h00 – midnight and some stores will deliver also (mainly Muscat area).
  • No music or dancing is allowed during Ramadan. Please turn your car stereo down and be mindful about playing music loudly even in the comfort of your room.
  • Hotels sometimes use the quieter month of Ramadan to carry out minor repairs or maintenance work which can cause inconvenience for the guests.

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

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