Friday February 2-Check your documents one last time and depart your gateway city for Muscat.
Saturday February 3-Arrive at Seeb International Airport, where you will be met by a World Peace Travel representative and taken to your hotel for a few hours sleep. Plan to be surprised at a couple of things: the number of people at the airport at this late hour and impressive landscaping along the road. The Omani government spends a lot of resources on beautification and you will see the evidence in your 20 minute ride from the airport. The streets will have some special decorations for the Muscat Festival, but year around they're neat and clean. The reputation of Muscat as the cleanest city in the Middle East is never disputed by those who visit.
Sunday February 4-After breakfast and some orientation we will begin our exploration of the city of Muscat. The first stop will be the Grand Mosque, one of the most spectacular in the Muslim world, home of the world’s largest Persian run—an acre in span! We'll skirt along the coast and through the edge of the city to the stark hills above the Gulf of Oman for a spectacular view of the harbor area. We'll take a few moments in the lobby of the Al-Bustan--one of the most famous landmarks in Muscat. Perhaps we’ll take a cup of tea in the atrium lobby. From there we will drive toward the harbor area to investigate the forts and other landmarks of the twin cities of Muttrah and Muscat. (Muttrah was really a rival port for many centuries, but has been absorbed into Muscat during the last 50 years.) We’ll pass by the famous Muttrah souq…with a promise to bring you back. We’ll have a late lunch and take some afternoon rest before we go to Qurum Park for our first opportunity at the IIPT booth at the Muscat Festival.
Monday, February 5-After breakfast we will visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum to gain a better appreciation for the history and culture of Oman. Afterwards we will keep our promise take you to the intriguing Muttrah Souq, situated along the cornice running along the ancient harbor. Frankincense is indigenous to Oman and you can expect to smell the aroma of this fascinating substance wafting from the souq as you enter. Inside is a labyrinth of alley-ways covered by a palm roof and where values abound—gold, silver, silver antique handicrafts, perfumes and jewelry. After lunch we will return to our hotel in advance of returning to Qurum Park for the festival.
Tuesday, February 6-
Today we head north-west out of Muscat along the coast of the
Batinah region. We’ll first visit Nakhl, a pretty
village situated at the foot of the Jebel Nakhl Mountains.
Nakhl Fort, a pre-Islamic site, is set beside a rocky outcrop
at the edge of town. A picnic lunch will be served en-route
as we drive toward Rustaq, a village with a long history of conflict.
These days, however, everything is peaceful and we will visit
Nakhl Fort and Nakhl Souq, a good place so see Arabian antiquities.
Since it’s a full day we may get to the festival a little
later than previous days, but in a culture that appreciates relationships
more than punctuality, it’s mish mushkulsa “not
a problem”.
Wednesday, February 7- Pack the sun-tan lotion. We are going to spend the day at the beach. We'll take a short tour by boat along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world and then we'll be dropped off at a secluded beach. Snorkels and masks will be provided for those who want to explore the clear waters of the coves. All sorts of exotic brightly-colored fish inhabit the coral in the bays, so you should have a wonderful underwater experience. For those who would prefer to just laze on the beach, mish mushkili is the prevailing principle. We'll bring our own picnic lunch and then be picked up mid-afternoon to go back to the hotel prior to returning to the festival for the evening. (Wednesday starts the weekend in Oman so expect a bigger crowd tonight.)
Thursday, February 8—Today all activities are optional. Transportation will be available for anyone who wants to revisit the souq. Or perhaps you've made a friend at the festival that you would like to meet for coffee or lunch…we'll make whatever transportation arrangements you need. Or if you just want to hang around the hotel or stroll along the beach…have you learned the phrase? It’s mish mushkula. Tonight is our last night at the IIPT booth but we have more adventures planned as we begin our tour of the country.
Friday, February 9-Our
destination is the interior city of Nizwa, a fascinating site
which clusters around an imposing circular-towered fort built
during the mid-17th century. Nizwa Souq, which some travelers
prefer to Muttrah Souq, sits at the base of the fort. Shop
for khanjars (Omani daggers) and other handicrafts. After
lunch we will drive to Bahla, a delightful town and take a look
at Bahla Fort, a UNESCO Heritage Site, the oldest fort in Oman
with foundations possibly as old as 1500 years. Nearby is
Jabrin Fort, which is not properly named, for it was built primarily
as a residence, not as a fort, and is one of the best preserved
structures in Oman, is famous for its ceiling paintings and wood
carvings, the best extant examples of those ancient Omani crafts.
We’ll return to Nizwa for dinner and overnight.
Saturday, February 10—Depart for Sinaw Souq, a lively vibrant site, where the desert Bedouins gather to barter camels, goats and calves. We’ll see Bedouin women in traditional dress, resplendent in jewelry and shiny metallic face-masks. Look for old silver Bedouin jewelry in the silver shops. Then to Ibra, the gateway to the Sharqiya region. Watchtowers on the surrounding hills pay silent tribute to the days when the coastal powers were a threat to the people of the interior. Remains ofg rand fortified houses and forts abound. The falaj (irrigation canals) were financed by former residents who had grown wealthy in Zanzibar. In the afternoon we come to the Wahiba Sands and the Al Areesh permanent camp, where we will take an exciting dune drive before sunset. Dinner at the camp and then we’ll sit around the community campfire, drinking tea and enjoying the tranquility of the desert—clear skies, glittering stars and moving sands.
Sunday, February 11—Departure for Wadi Bani Khaled, one of the largest wadis in the Oman. Nestled deep in the mountains, it is a true oasis. Water cascades down the gorge forming cool blue-green pools. Our route continues toward the coast with a stop at Jami Homoda Mosque, famous for its studded wooden doors and its 52 domes supported by a network of pillars. We’ll make our way to Sur, the ancient port and seafaring town. On the sheltered lagoon is the traditional Dhow Building Yard, where we will see craftsmen still plying the ancient trade of building boats in the traditional mode—without drawings. Dinner and overnight at the Sur Mercure hotel.
Monday, February—Drive up the spectacular coast toward Qalhat, built by the Persians, a prosperous seafaring town in the 13th century. Spices and other goods flowed through here for centuries to the interior. We will stop at the enigmatic Bibi Mariam Tomb, which miraculously survived the bombardment of the Portuguese navy in the 17th century. Driving further northwest with the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Oman on our right we will come to the coastal village of Tiwi situated near Wadi Shab. Those willing to do so will wade, walk and swim up to what appears to be the end of the wadi. However, it’s said there's a magical waterfall on the other side of that boulder. Should you swim under the rock to see? It's up to you.
On the way back to Muscat we’ll stop at Bait al Afreet (“house of the demon”) near the coast. Local folks say a piece of the moon fell from the sky and made this huge water-filled hole. Geologists say it’s a sinkhole associated with the vast cave system that runs back up the Hajar mountains ascending several thousand feet behind us. Who’s right? You can decide.
Back to Muscat for overnight.
Tuesday, February 13— We’ll drive just a few miles to Barka, where we will board a boat for an excursion to the Dimaanayat Islands, just offshore. Snorkeling equipment will be available for those who want to explore the clear waters and pristine coves of the islands. We’ll return to Muscat for a grand farewell dinner.
Wednesday, February 14
Goodbyes are in order… to friends we have made and to this special destination. We are certain a portion of both will remain in your heart forever. We will transport you back to the airport for your return journey.
$2320 per person double occupancy including visa fees, all transfers, porterage, 2 meals per day in Muscat, 3 meals per day on the tour, all transportation, all entrance fees, all tour fees and all guide fees. Single supplement (if available) $300. Airfare and insurance are not included. Call 888 836-5464 for more information.