Day 1: Saturday - Heathrow/Muscat Reception at airport and transfer to Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat.
Day 2: Sunday - Muscat Free morning to relax in the hotel's beautifully landscaped gardens with commanding views along miles of sandy beach below with its Hajar backdrop. An afternoon tour of Muscat includes the imposing forts of Jalali and Mirani, Natural History Museum, souq and fish market. Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Muscat
Day 3: Monday - Muscat/Musandam A fascinating flight up the coast, weaving through the volcanic mountains of the northern peninsula on the approaches to the little town of Khasab. Lunch. The afternoon excursion by landcruiser climbs to 2087m for the panoramic views over the fjords where mountains plunge dramatically into the sea. Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel
Day 4: Tuesday - 'Fjords' of Musandam A chance to explore the inlets, hidden villages and peaceful beaches of the 'fjords' on a dhow cruise, with lunch included. The boat stops for swimming and snorkelling in the calm, clear blue waters. Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel
Day 5: Wednesday - Khasab/Muscat The return flight to Muscat is followed by the drive into the interior via the Jebel Akhdar mountain range to the old town of Nizwa. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the peaceful setting of our hotel's pretty courtyard with its large, refreshing pool. Overnight: Nizwa Hotel
Day 6: Thursday - Jebel Shams A visit to the 2000m Jebel Shams for a walk above the precipitous cliffs of Oman's Grand Canyon. Later, enjoy the pretty mountain village of Misfah, with its ancient irrigation system and shady plantations, and quaintly picturesque Al Hamra. On to solitary Jabrin Fort, the most beautiful in Oman, with intricate ceiling decorations. Overnight: Nizwa Hotel.
Day 7: Friday - Nizwa A morning to explore charming Nizwa, the former cultural and political capital of Oman, where the colourful Friday goat market takes place in the shadow of the fort, its enormous tower flanked by the beautiful, blue and gold-domed Mosque. In the largely rebuilt souq locally crafted goods include traditional silver jewellery, copper ornaments and woven fabrics. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat.
Day 8: Saturday - Eastern Hajar A pleasant drive through the Hajar mountains to the coast and then, on unmade roads, to Quriyat, famous for its beaches and coastal views. After a visit to a 'sinkhole', a huge chasm where fresh and seawater meet, there's a stop for a swim followed by a picnic lunch. Still on the coast, Wadi Shaab is a narrow gorge with abundant vegetation where village houses cling to the cliff above Tiwi's shingle beach. Overnight at the Sur Plaza Hotel.
Day 9: Sunday - Sur and Turtle Beach A visit to the ancient dhow boatyards of Sur followed by an invigorating boat trip around the harbour and along the coast, past the pretty little houses of the old town. After lunch a visit to the bustling town centre precedes the off-road drive to Al Junayz, Oman's most famous 'turtle beach', a protected area where we camp simply overnight with guided walks arranged to observe nesting turtles. Overnight at camp.
Day 10: Monday - Wahiba Sands Early risers may catch the wonderful sight of turtles returning to the sea, an awe-inspiring experience. Camp breakfast is followed by a coastal drive via flat gravel plains covered in acacia trees to the 11th century fort at Jaalan Bani. After lunch it's on to the Wahiba Sands for an exciting drive across the dunes. Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat.
Day 11: Tuesday - Free Day at leisure Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat.
Day 12: Wednesday Transfer to Muscat Airport for the return flight to London.
The package price includes:
• Return flight from the UK
• Domestic flights Muscat/Khasab/Muscat
• Transport in saloon car during excursions and 4x4
vehicle during safaris
• English speaking guide throughout
• Hotel accommodation as mentioned with
American breakfast
• Picnic lunch days 4,5,6,7,9,10
• Dinner on days 5,6,9
• Towel and light holdall for overnight camp
• Transfers in Muscat and Salalah
• All entrance fees and porterage in the hotels
• Service charge and tax
• Pass for entry to Jebel Akhdar
Rolling mountains and splendid ravines separate the vast emptiness of the Rub'al Khali desert from the fertile coastal strip which, in August and September, is transformed into a sea of green following monsoon rains.
The garden city of Salalah (population 120,000), the Sultanate's summer capital, is a major tourist centre as well as the most important town of this southern region noted for its production of coconuts and fruit. Throughout Dhofar sites of historical importance abound - the remains, in a tiny oasis village, of the lost city of Ubar, mentioned in the Holy Qu'ran, the tomb of Nabi Ayoub, the prophet known as Job, and the remains of Queen Sheba's fortress, Sumhuram - all are located here.
A short drive from Salalah is Mugsayl which, apart from its fine beach and famous 'water spouts', has a small colony of flamingoes. From the corniche road above Mugsayl, reached by a series of sensational hairpin bends (a remarkable feat of engineering), the panorama extends north over the arid folds of the Qara range north to Salalah and south over the deep blue waters of the Arabian Sea.
