Desert Discovery - Twelve Days Programme

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	Day 01: Muscat. (Day 02 - Day 03 - Day 04 - Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)
		One of the ornate bridges leading into Muscat.
	Arrive Muscat. Meet and transfer to a five/four star hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

	Day 02: Muscat. (Day 03 - Day 04 - Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

	Breakfast.

		A Dhow in Muttrah harbour.
	Muscat city tour. The walled city of Muscat lies in a small bay, guarded by the spectacular twin forts of Mirani & Jalali. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos's Palace - Al Alam - is an admirable sight. The tour of the National and Natural History Museums is an introduction to Oman's history, fauna and flora. Muttrah, part of the capital area, is the lively, busy trading port of the area.	A Dhow in Muttrah harbour.

	Its main attraction, Souq Al Dhalam - "Market of Shades" - is a labyrinth of alleyways covered by a palm roof and lit by lanterns, leading to the delights of antiques, gold, old silver, traditional handicrafts, jewellery and the rich scent of frankincense.

	Lunch at a typical Middle Eastern Restaurant is optional. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 03: Muscat - Nizwa - Bahla - Jabrin - Al Hamra - Misfah Al Abreen - Nizwa.
(Day 04 - Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Nizwa, a major centre in the Interior Region. Nizwa clusters around its historical buildings, traditional Souq and the imposing circular-towered fort built during the mid 17^th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Yar'ubi. The town is a lush palm oasis stretching foe 8km along two wadis. Water canals run through all parts of Nizwa area. The most important one is Falaj Daris, formed by two streams, which irrigates a large part of the town. At the Souq, built in traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewellery, intricately hand-made "Khanjars" (daggers), copper, weaving and other handicrafts. You visit the Nizwa Fort, The Souq and Falaj Daris.

Lunch optional.

To Bahla - a delightful town - having retained its traditional characteristics, and surrounded by a 12km long protective wall, much of which still stands. You visit the famous Pottery Centre and Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in Oman, built in the late 17^th century (UNESCO Heritage Site) on much earlier Persian foundations.

Jabrin Fort, designed as a residence, was built in the late 17^th century. It displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings.

You visit the picturesque mountain village of Misfah Al Abreen perched against steep cliffs halfway up the mountain.

Return to Nizwa.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Nizwa - Sinaw - Ibra - Al Mudayrib - Wahibah Sands.
(Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

		Livestock for sale at Sinaw Souq.
	Depart for Sinaw Souq - lively and vibrant. It constitutes the main meeting place for the Bedouin. Here camels, goats and calves are auctioned and bartered. Bedouin women in traditional dress, complete with shiny metallic face-mask (burqa) trade side by side with the men. In some of the silver shops you can still find the traditional old silver Bedouin jewellery.	Livestock for sale at Sinaw Souq.

To Ibra - gateway to the Sharqiya Region. Many watchtowers on the surrounding hills pay silent tribute to its past strategic importance. Remains of grand fortified houses and forts abound. A testimony to its past close trading links with East Africa are the falaj system, financed by influential merchants residing in Zanzibar, and their fine houses built on returning to their hometown.

Not far away is Al Mudayrib, where the surrounding hills are dotted with watchtowers. Fine old buildings with beautifully carved doors, painted ceilings and arches show the influence of contact with Africa.

Into the Wahibah Sands - a desert with rolling dunes and shifting sands - magnificent with changing colours. This is the traditional home of the Bedouin, hardy, spirited people who know how to survive in these harsh desert conditions.

This is where our permanent camp Al Areesh is situated. Settle in and enjoy lunch.

		Camel rides at Al Areesh camp.
	A visit to a Bedouin family, which will give you an intimate insight into their traditional lifestyle. An optional camel ride with a Bedouin guide is a thrilling experience. At sunset an exciting dune drive - and the opportunity to watch the sun set from the top of a dune.

	Dinner is typically Omani.

Relax and enjoy the tranquility of the desert - clear skies, glittering stars and moving sands.

Overnight in Al Areesh camp.

Day 05: Wahibah Sands - Wadi Bani Khaled - Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan & Ali - Asylah - Ras Al Junaiz. (Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast in the camp.

Departure for Wadi Bani Khaled, one of the largest wadis in Oman. Nestled deep in the mountains, it is a true oasis. Water cascades down the gorge forming cool blue-green pools, fed by underground streams flowing from within the surrounding limestone hills. Perennial flowing streams of spring water carried in aflaj (man-made channels) cling precariously to the rugged terrain and supports villages in the area.

The route continues through the villages of Al Kamil and Al Wafi to Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan & Ali. These two villages are named after two tribes who were fiercely competitive in the past. Many forts and fortified houses tell the story of past conflict. The main feature is the Jami Hamoda Mosque built in the 11^th century A.H. It has 52 domes supported by a network of pillars and a main entrance with studded wooden doors.

Picnic lunch.

	To the coastal village of Asylan and the scenic rocky coastline to Ras Al Junaiz near Ras Al Hadd. Ras Al Junaiz is a marvellous bay with golden sand and honey-coloured cliffs, and beaches famous for their turtle nesting sites. These are some of the world's few remaining undisturbed concentrations of green turtles and of the largest nesting populations in the Indian Ocean.	Green Turtle.
		Green Turtle.

Our permanent camp Al Naseem is situated here.

A typical Omani dinner will be served. After dinner, under supervision, time will be spent on the beach watching turtles making nests and laying their eggs.

Overnight in Al Naseem Camp.

Day 06: Ras Al Junaiz - Ras Al Hadd - Sur - Qalhat - Wadi Shab - Dibab - Quriyat - Muscat. (Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

At sunrise an opportunity to photograph and watch turtles laying eggs and hatchlings emerging from the nests and heading for the sea.

Breakfast in the camp.

To Ras Al Hadd, located at the point where Oman's coastline turns south. At this strategic point, overlooking the town, sea and lagoons (once a haven for pirates), a fort was built. The lagoons and the surrounding mudflats support a large range of indigenous and migratory bird life.

Sur, an ancient port and seafaring town which once played a major part in the trade between Oman, East Africa and India. It started its trading activities with the African coast as early as the 6^th century. A walk through its labyrinth of streets reveals many fine old houses with carved doors and arabesque windows. The fishing dhows in the harbour make a splendid sight. Separated from Sur by the bay is the village of Al Ayja, well fortified by watchtowers and forts. On the sheltered lagoon is the traditional Dhow Building Yard - today, craftsmen still build dhows following traditional designs without the aid of drawings.

		Bibi Mariam Tomb.
	Along the coast to Qalhat - one of the oldest towns and seaports of Oman. Built by the Persians, it was a major and prosperous city during the 13^th century and the main port of trade with the Interior, famous for its exports to and imports of spices from India. Stop at the enigmatic Bibi Mariam Tomb standing high on the cliff top.

Along the coast and through the coastal village of Tiwi to Wadi Shab, which means, "gorge between the cliffs". The wadi is entered via a small ferry and it has cool pools of water all year round. Further into the enchanting wadi is a deep pool ideal for swimming. The ravine is lush with trees, grasses and date palms. A single beach dotted with fishing boats at the mouth of the wadi completes the picturesque view.

Picnic lunch will be served en-route.

Along the coastline, passing Fins and Bimah with many tiny coves tucked beneath the cliffs and stretches of white sandy beaches lapped by an incredible turquoise sea.

Near Dibab is a huge sinkhole known as Bait Al Afreet - "house of the demon" - with its clear green water. Concrete steps lead down the sides making swimming possible.

Inland for a while and then head for Quriyat, which lies on the east coast at the end of a sandy plain overlooked by the Eastern Hajar Mountains. Like other ports it suffered under Portuguese supremacy during the 16^th century. An island with a watchtower just offshore can be reached on foot during low tide. Along the beach is an inlet lined with dense mangrove forest - home to marine and bird life.

The journey continues to Muscat.

Overnight hotel.

Day 07: Muscat - Salalah. (Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

	Breakfast.	Frankincense tree.

	Transfer to airport and depart on a scheduled flight from Muscat to Salalah, the administrative capital of the Dhofar Region, which lies in the extreme south of Oman. It is climatically different from the rest of Oman due to effects of the monsoon rains, which occur from June to September. This is the area where the famous frankincense tree (Boswellia sacra) grows.

Transfer to hotel on the beach.

Lunch optional.

An afternoon excursion to Ayn Razat Gardens or the Ayn Jarziz. The mountains behind Salalah are the Jebel Qara. There are several routes into the Jebel. Both places are pleasant spots with lush green vegetation and a lot of flowing water during the monsoon season.

Later a visit to the old Souq.

Dinner.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: West of Salalah. (Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Departure for an excursion to the west. The route passes the port of Raysut to the southern-most point, known as Donkey's Head. Beyond it there are bluffs that extend to Mugsayl. Perched on the cliffs are several thundering blowholes that give out a deafening roar and spew sea foam metres into the air.

A spectacular mountain drive up to the Jebel Qamr Plateau and on to Rakhyut. It is a small village at the end of a steep forested gorge with a beautiful beach. Here you spend a relaxing day at the beach.

Picnic lunch on the beach.

Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 09: East of Salalah. (Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Depart for an excursion to the east and along the coast. Where mountain wadis reach the sea, there are many splendid lagoons, known as khawrs.

Visit the site of the ruins popularly known as "the Queen of Sheba's Palace" at Khawr Rawri. The Queen of Sheba used to travel to Dhofar to collect frankincense, which was stored here before shipment.

	The route continues to the picturesque harbour town of Marbat. Visit Bin Ali's Tomb and the cemetery. The twin onion-shaped domes are typical of the region. The headstones in the cemetery appear similar to Christian design.	Bin Ali's Tomb.

	Picnic lunch en-route.

The journey continues to Sadh and the remote village of Hadbin. Here we erect our tented camp. (Alternatively: Set up camp on Jebel Saham Plateau - 1 500 m above sea level.)

BBQ Dinner and overnight in tented camp.

Day 10 : East of Salalah. (Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast in camp.

Break camp early morning and return to Marbat. The route continues via the prehistoric Baobab Forest to the Tawi Atayr Sinkhole - "the well of birds". At this expansive sinkhole (one of the largest in the world) one can climb down some way to experience the tranquility and presence of many singing birds.

Continue to Wadi Darbat, a magnificent "hanging valley", with waterfalls, lakes, mountains, caves and wildlife.

		Waterfalls near Salalah.
	Picnic lunch en-route.

	Return to Salalah and overnight in hotel.

	Day 11: Salalah - Muscat. (Day 12)

	Breakfast.