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Day
01: Muscat - Sinaw - Ibra - Mudayrib - Wadi Bani Khaled
- Jalaan Bu Hassan & Ali - Asylah - Ras Al Junaiz. (Day
02) |
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 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Lunch
at Al Qabil Rest House. |
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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. |
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Wadi
Bani Khaled.  |
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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 11th century A.H. It has 52 domes supported
by a network of pillars and a main entrance with studded wooden
doors. |
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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. |
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Our
permanent camp Al Naseem is
situated here. |
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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. |
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Overnight
in Al Naseem Camp. |
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Day
02: Ras Al Junaiz - Ras Al Hadd - Sur - Qalhat - Wadi Shab
- Dibab - Quriyat - Muscat. |
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At
sunrise an opportunity to photograph and watch turtles laying
eggs and hatchlings emerging from the nests and heading for
the sea. |
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Breakfast
in the camp. |
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Then
into 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 6th 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. |
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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 13th 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. |
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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. |
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The
river crossing to Wadi Shab. |
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Picnic
lunch will be served en-route. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Bait
Al Afreet sinkhole. |
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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 16th 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. |
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Oman