A WEEK IN OMAN

Day 1
Arrive Muscat in the evening and transfer to the hotel in Muscat.

Day 2
We set off down the coastal road to the stunning palm and oleander-filled Wadi Shab. En route we drive past the ancient burial site of Mariyam at Qalhat (under reconstruction) and the fishing villages of Quariyat and Finns, in time for a picnic lunch on Finns beach. At Wadi Shab it's a gentle walk through the wadi to the waterpools where we can swim and explore a hidden cave and waterfall. After lunch we drive onto the town of Sur, once a trading point with India and East Africa and now a town famous for building traditional dhows (sailing vessels). A walk in the old city reveals a labyrinth of narrow streets and fine old houses with intricately carved wooden doors and arabesque windows. We will also visit the dhow-building yard to see how the craftsmen continue to make these wonderful vessels. We continue to Ras Al Hadd where we stay overnight in barasti huts near the beach.
Late evening we will look for green turtles, as this area's warm waters are an ideal nesting point for them. There is a turtle reserve close by and the species are protected. The turtles come out of the sea to lay their eggs in July and August but sightings are possible all year-round. (Please note a sighting can never be guaranteed). At the reserve, we will join an official tour, as regulated by the reserve's authorities and guides. No photography is allowed.

Day 3
This morning we leave the coast to visit Wadi Bani Khalid, a beautiful oasis in the middle of the barren and dry mountains boasting turquoise pools of fresh water. After relaxing at the wadi we continue onto Wahiba Sands, where the golden sand stretches for 180km. This vast and beautiful area of sand dunes is split through the middle by a valley. We take an exhilarating drive over the high dunes (some of which reach 600 metres!). The views are spectacular although the going can be bumpy! We continue down through the dunes for a much-earned rest at a campsite at the northern part of the Wahiba Sands. There is time to relax before dinner

Day 4
We begin our day with a short walk with camels in the desert and meet the Bedouin people (optional). We then leave the desert behind and drive to Nizwa, the historic capital of Oman. We have a sightseeing tour here, as there are many points of interest. The town retains many examples of Omani architecture with carved wooden doorways and window frames, although the fort has recently undergone restoration and now has a modern feel. Explore the silver markets inside the old town's fort, but be prepared to haggle!

Day 5
Today we enjoy the breathtaking views of Oman's Grand Canyon with Nakhr village more than a kilometre below us. You will be able to spot today's balcony walk along the edge of the canyon. Setting off from Al Kateen village we follow the balcony trail along the mountain edge to an abandoned village, which clings to the rocks and is completely hidden from view. Just beyond the village there is traditional farm terracing and a short walk further on takes us to a small lake that feeds this terracing. The walk back along the balcony trail offers more breathtaking views of the canyon. We then drive down the mountain in 4WDs to Wadi Ghul and Nakhr village where we can view the canyon in reverse. This is an equally dramatic and stunning view, as we witness half a billion years of geological effects on the landscape and we take in these views over a picnic lunch. We drive back to our hotel in Nizwa. In the evening we will visit a local restaurant.

Day 6
An early start as we begin with a visit to Nizwa's bustling souk,where you can try your hand at haggling. All kinds of purchases can be made here; from live cattle to spices to souvenirs. We then head to the now deserted village of Bliad Sait for some photographic opportunities and a short walk before our visit to Nakhl Fort. Dramatically situated beneath the outskirts of the Jebel Akhdar mountain range, we explore the fort and gain a real insight into the historic importance of these architectural gems which are found throughout the country ( approximately 500!). Nakhl Fort is the tallest in the country and is 350 years old, a contrasting end to the day as we make our way into the modern city of Muscat

Day 7
The morning is free. Around midmorning we board a traditional wooden dhow and take to the gentle coastal waters. We head down the coast to the protected bays of Bander Khayran where we swim, snorkel, kayak or relax and then have a buffet lunch before our return journey. Once back on terra firma there is the option to visit the bustling alleyways of Mutrah Souk before returning to the hotel. This souk is the oldest and reputed to be the best in the Gulf. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in the souk compared to its counterparts in North Africa and no shortage of things to buy, especially silverware.

Day 8
We begin today with a tour of The Grand Mosque. Opened in 2001 by the Sultan of Oman this huge construction took nearly seven years to complete and is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. Containing the second largest single-piece carpet in the world, it is a colossal building. We continue on a guided tour of the old walled city of Muscat including the Bait al Zubair museum which has a fine display of Omani culture and history, and a walk round the exterior of The Al Alam Palace (where The Sultan currently resides). The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing or shopping. The trip ends in Muscat after the sightseeing. Those on the group flight back to the UK will be transferred to the airport for the flight. For those on group flights, these depart in the evening and will arrive in the UK the following day.

Day 9
Arrive London.