The Mountain
of the Sun: Enjoy a great day out driving through
the fascinating Hajar Mountains and the oasis of Fanjah
and Birkat Al Mauz. In Nizwa we visit the famous 17th
century fort and the souk with its excellent Bedouin jewellery.
Continue on to Misfah, a village seemingly hewn out of
rock.
From Misfah the path leads to Jebel Shams, the "Mountain
of the Sun", from a height of nearly 3, 000 metres
you will have an outstanding view deep into the "Grand
Canyon of Oman". The next stop will be in the picturesque
Al Hamra, one of the last loam villages in Oman. Enjoy
a picnic lunch en-route. Return back to Muscat. |
|
| Omani Oasis : Surrounded
by the arid hills of Oman, vegetation thrives in a well-watered
oasis. People in many parts of Oman rely on oases like
this for drinking water. |
|
Sultan's Palace,
Masqat :The palace of Sultan Qaboos bin Said,
built in the 1970s, is situated at the edge of the Gulf
of Oman. Sultan Qaboos has ruled Oman since he deposed
his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, in a 1970 palace coup.
After taking power, Sultan Qaboos liberalized politics
in Oman and modernized the country’s economy, expanding
health care, education, trade, infrastructure, and communications.
Qaboos also developed Oman’s oil industry, which
has brought prosperity to what was formerly one of Arabia’s
poorest countries.
|
|
Fortress in Oman:
Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel
was Dubai's first office building. At the edge of the
Creek near the abra landing, the building has been completely
restored and now houses a museum devoted to Dubai's fishing
and maritime traditions.
|
|
Private Desert and Wadi Safari
- Wahiba and Wadi Bani Khalid: The tour begins
by driving through the fascinating Hajar Mountains and
the town of Ibra to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman's most
beautiful wadis (dry river beds), famous for its lush
green oases, water pools and deep canyons. The tour then
proceeds to the Wahiba desert for an exciting dune drive
and the opportunity to try camel riding. On the way back
to Muscat there is a final stop at the village of Mudairib
to see its historical watchtowers.
|
|
| Modern Oman :
The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the eastern edge
of the Arabian Peninsula and is bordered on the East by
the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, to the west lies
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the North- West the United
Arab Emirates (U.A.E) and to the south lies the Yemen
Republic.
The Sultanate is the second largest country in the
region and covers an area of 300,000 square kilometers
with a coastline stretching for 1700 kilometers.
|
|
Wadi Ghul:
is located approx 15 Kms from Al Hamra. Over here one
can see an abandoned persian village perched on the sides
of a steep cliff. Wadi ghul has a recharged dam built
to stop floodwaters from washing into Al Hamra and to
allow water to be stored and drained down into the Wadi
bed.
|
|
| Misfah:
located approx 10 Kms from Al Hamra is an incredible village
of ancient houses and narrow streets perched in a valley
amidst the mountains. The village abounds in greenery
and date palms. The falaj system in Misfah is fascinating
since the water weaves its way in a snakelike fashion
along the mountain side and special channels in-turn redirect
the water down to different levels of the mountain side.
|
|
| Jebel Akhdar Mountains:
A good approach to the Jebel Akhdar mountains is from
past Wadi Ghul, around 45 Kms up. Jebel Akhdar is called
"Green Mountain" due to the number of small
bushes and trees that grow along the mountain sides.The
mountain village people who live around here weave a lot
of handicrafts like rugs, slippers and belts all woven
from the hairs of the goats they look after. The road
which snakes up the side of the mountain reaching the
high plateau, rewards the traveller with a dramatic bird's-eye
view of the famous Grand Canyon of Oman.
|
|
Wadi Abyadh: Located
around 75 Kms from Barka. Wadi Abyadh means "White
valley" and is so called becuase of the formations
of calcite mineralised pools visible in the area. It has
year round flowing water and is enclosed at either ends
by mountains and skirting sand dunes. Vast date plantations
can be seen along this valley.
|
|
The Dhofar: Region
which experiences monsoon showers from June to September,
turn the slopes and plains lush green and with the mountain
tops covered with mist, make it look like a piece of heaven.
|
|
Jalali and Mirani:Which
are among Oman's most famous forts stand at the entrance
to Muscat bay. Mirani, which was built before the arrival
of the Portuguese, was originally shaped like a tower.
Then in 1588 the Portuguese rebuilt it on the ruins of
its old structure, adding templacements, stores, living
quarters for the commander and a place of worship. The
building was enlarged to its present size in the reign
of Imam Ahmed bin Said, the founder of the Al Busaidi
state in the 18th century, and his grandson Sayyid Said
bin Sultan, at the beginning of the 19th century.
|
|
Rustaq Fort:
Known as the Oasis and Green city of the Emirates, Al
Ain city is located 140Kms from Dubai at the foot of the
mountains, in this green land, Caravans have stopped to
rest since time immemorial. This full day tour offers
an opportunity to visit . The ancient oasis of Buraimi,
The archeological finds at Hili some of which date back
more than 5,000 years.
The Hili Fun City. |
|
Bahla Fort: Main feature
is its 7-mile long walls which were patrolled by sentries
night and day. The Fort's internal staircases and walls
were built of mud, coated with gypsum and sarooj (a traditional
type of mortar) which are as hard and solid as present-day
cement. UNESCO has approved Bahla Fort and Wall for inclusion
in its World Heritage List.
|
|
| Al Hazm Castle:
Located in Al Hazm town in Welayat Rustaq. It was built
by Imam Sultan bin Seif (the 2nd.) in ( 1123 A.H.–1711
A.D.) when he established Al Hazm town as a capital of
Oman instead of Rustaq. The Castle is distinctive from
other Omani Castle and forts by its magnificent shape
and massive building. It contains the tomb of its builder
/ Imam Sultan bin Seif (the 2nd.). It was restored by
the Ministry in ( 1416 A.H. - 1996 A.D. ).
|
|
Al Mintrib Castle: One
of the oldest castles in Welayat Badiya. Built during
the reign of Imam / A'zzan bin Qais Al Busaid ( 1285 A.H.
- 1868 ) and was used in the past as a center for the
Welayat. The Ministry restored it in 1989.
|
|
| Al Khandaq Castle:
Located in Hamasa town in Welayat Buraimi. It
was called ( Al Khandaq ) because of the ditch surrounding
it . It is a square shape building with four circular
towers and a main gate surrounded by high fences . The
Ministry restored it in 1994.
|
|
| Jabrin Fort:
Jabrin Fort was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'arubi
in 1670 as a defensive stronghold and as living accommodation
for the Imam. It has rooms and ceilings decorated with
fine carvings. It has two huge towers with walls two metres
thick.it was built by Bil'arab bin Sultan, an Imam of
the Ya'aruba dynasty during the 17th century. It is one
of the most impressive forts in the Sultanate and the
details and carvings in the rooms and balconies are most
elaborate. Finely painted flowers and symbols are found
on the ceilings in the 'living' rooms. The tomb of Imam
Bil'arab remains within the fort.
|
|
