Desert Discovery - Twelve Days Geology Tour

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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)
		Arabian White Oryx.
	Arrive Muscat. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel (Hotel Suites).

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

	Breakfast.

Depart on a Muscat city tour by bus.
Visit National History Museum.
Visit in Muscat the famous Forts, Mirani & Jalali and the Palace of His Majesty The Sultan - Al Alam Palace.

Lunch at a typical Omani Restaurant.

Afternoon - a trip to Bausher - a village just outside Muscat and famed for its dunes. There are some old historical forts and tombs - a trip just to "wet their feet".

		Colorful fabrics at the Mutrah Souq.
	Late afternoon a short stroll down the corniche to the Souq Aldhalam - "Market of Shades" it 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, jewelry and the rich scent of frankincense.	Colorful fabrics at the Mutrah Souq.

Return to hotel and overnight - evening at leisure.

Day 03: Muscat - Barka - Nakhl - Wadi Bani Kharus - Al Sawadi.
(Day 04 - Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Delivery of 4WD vehicles.

Depart for Barka - From Muscat the journey continues once again along the tree-lined coastal road, passing Barka, a lively fishing village with a vegetable and fish souq on the beach. You pay a brief visit to the famous "Halwa" factory, where this favorite Omani dessert is still produced in the traditional way.

	Passing huge date plantations you reach Nakhl, a pretty village with warm springs, which form a pleasant pool where the villagers collect water and socialize. The majestic old Nakhl Fort is set on a rocky marble outcrop surrounded by palm trees.	Nakhl Fort.

	Picnic lunch en-route.

From Nakhl you enter the Wadi Bani Kharus - Highlights - Geology & Scenery, pre- Permian to Cretaceous rocks, classic unconformity, a unique view in Oman of the complete Permian to Cretaceous sequence. A day trip. (If time permits penetrate Wadi Abyadh - the wadi cuts through various types of strata and there are several areas where the pools are in the process of depositing minerals in crystal laminations along the rock surface - crystal pools.)

Return to Al Sawadi Resort (nearest accommodation) and overnight.

Day 04: Al Sawadi - Rustaq - Wadi Bani Awf - Wadi Sahtan - Khaburrah - Sohar.
(Day 05 - Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Depart for Wadi Bani Awf - highlights - Unconformity, Bilad Sayt, Alpine Scenery.
Cross over the pass into Wadi Sathan. Highlights - green siltstone of the Muaydin formation - Quarts crystal hunting - Panoramic view of the Sathan bowl.

Picnic lunch en-route.

Descend into Wadi Sathan - highlights - Diamictite and Tillite rocks - dark grey to black Saiq dolomites, Jurassic Marfraq formation Habshan formation - ancient rock drawings - Ophiolite.

		Rock paintings.
	Visit Rustaq. Rustaq Fort is magnificent, encompassing an area of over one square kilometer. The town's hot water springs are reputed to have medicinal properties. If time permits visit the old Souq - a wonderful place for a stroll in romantic Arabic settings.

	Overnight at hotel in Sohar.

Day 05: Sohar - Wadi Jizzi - Sohar.
(Day 06 - Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Visit Sohar - a historic marine town linking Oman with India and the Far East. Legends abound of "Sinbad" whom it is believed to have lived here and ventured his seafaring adventures from here. There is an old souq and a white fort with five towers called "Sohar Fort" which was build during the 13^th century.

Wadi Jizzi - visit ancient copper smelters and mine.

Lunch at hotel.

Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 06: Sohar - Wadi Hawasinah Pass - Bat -Jabrin - Bahla - Nizwa.
(Day 07 - Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Depart Sohar. Continue to Wadi Hawasina Pass - highlights - pillow lavas - joints in basalt - Proximal and distal basins - folds and faults - famous 'Lee Chains' - Cretaceous sediments - Hawasina sediments - Ophiolite.

		Beehive tombs.

	Visit Bat at the foot of Jabal Misht - highlights - beehive tombs.

	Picnic lunch en-route.

The journey continues 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 Center and Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in Oman, built in the late 17^th century (UNESCO Heritage Site).

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

Depart for the oasis city of Nizwa, a major center in the Interior Region. Nizwa centers 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 for 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 irrigate a large part of the town. At the Souq, built in traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewelry, intricately hand-made "Khanjars" (daggers), copper, weaving and other handicrafts. You visit the Nizwa Fort, The Souq and Falaj Daris.

Overnight in hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 07: Nizwa - Al Hamra - Wadi Ghul - Jebel Shams - Wadi Nakhr Gorge - Nizwa.
(Day 08 - Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast.

Depart for Al Hamra - highlights - Bait Assfah, a three-storey - 400-year-old house still occupied - the road winds up the mountain to the village of Misfah, one of the most picturesque villages that ever strapped itself to the side of a mountain.

Continue to Wadi Ghul and Jebel Shams - highlights - Wadi Nakhr Gorge (Grand Canyon of Oman) - Ghul deserted villages - Exotics - Aruma sediments - Natih formation - Fiqa shale - Scenery.

Picnic lunch en-route.

Return to Nizwa. Overnight and evening at leisure. (The hotel lies on the Semail Thrust itself - highlights - Semail Ophiolite - Oman Exotics.)

Day 08: Nizwa - Sinaw - Ibra - Mudayrib - Al Areesh Camp / Wahibah Sands.
(Day 09 - Day 10 - Day 11 - Day 12)

	Breakfast.	Silver Khanjar.

	Depart for Sinaw Souq - lively and vibrant. It constitutes the main meeting place where the Bedouin meet and socialize. 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 jewelry.

After this most interesting experience, you proceed to Ibra - gateway to the Sharqiya Region. Many watchtowers sited 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 is the falaj system financed by influential merchants residing in Zanzibar and their fine houses in their hometown.This kind of prosperity is still evident in the well cared for farms and date plantations. This kind of prosperity is still evident in the well cared for farms and date plantations.

15 km from Ibra your journey takes you to 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.

The journey proceeds to the Wahibah Sands - a 'Sand Sea' desert with rolling dunes and shifting sands - magnificent with changing colors. This is the traditional home of the Bedouins, hardy spirited people knowing how to survive in these harsh desert conditions.

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

	You will visit a Bedouin family, which will give you an intimate insight to 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 over the desert from the top of a dune.	Comfortable beds inside permanent tents.

	Dinner is typical Omani style.

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

Overnight in Al Areesh camp.

Day 09 & 10: Al Areesh - Crossing the Wahibah - Ras Al Junaiz.
(Day 11 - Day 12)

Breakfast in the camp.

Depart to cross the Wahibah Sands to the coast accompanied by our Bedouin guides.
Highlights - once in a live-time experience - ('Men and their Toys - Getting bogged down').

Picnic lunch en-route.

Camping (all equipment supplied) and BBQ dinner on a desolate beach will be served.

Next morning after breakfast heading along the coast past see fishing villages in the distance towards Ras Al Junaiz, a marvelous bay with golden sand and honey-colored cliffs. The beaches are famous for its concentrations of green turtles coming ashore to nest. These are some of the world's few remaining undisturbed concentrations of green turtles and of the largest nesting populations in the Indian Ocean.

Time to settle in at Al Naseem Camp, a mere 4 minutes drive from the turtle beach reserve.

Lunch.

Later a typical Omani BBQ dinner will be served. After dinner, under supervision, time will be spend on the beach watching turtles making nests and laying their eggs.

Overnight in Al Naseem Camp.

Day 11: Ras Al Junaiz - Sur - Qalhat - Quriyat - Muscat.
(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.

Depart for Sur, an ancient port and seafaring town 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 streets reveals many fine old houses with carved doors and arabesque windows. The fishing dhows in the harbor make a splendid sight. Separated from Sur by the bay is the village of Al Ayja, which was well fortified by watchtowers and forts. Situated on the sheltered lagoon is the traditional Dhow Building Yard - today, craftsmen still building dhows following traditional designs without the aid of drawings. The Maritime Museum gives one an insight into Sur's rich seafaring history.

Close to Sur there are the remnants of the port city of 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 and famous for its exports to and imports of spices from India. We pass the enigmatic Bibi Mariam Tomb standing high on a cliff top. Passing across numerous Wadis flowing into the sea the road winds between the Eastern Jebel and the coast.

Bibi Miriam Tomb.

Picnic lunch en-route.

Wadi Shab, which means, "gorge between the cliffs" is enchanting. Its cool pools of water offers the chance to explore this lush Wadi on foot. Passing a number of fishing villages you might be fortunate to spot some Arabian gazelle grazing amongst the scattered vegetation. The wadi is entered via a small ferry and it has cool pools of water all year round. Further into the wadi is a deep pool ideal for swimming. The ravine is lush with trees, grasses and date palms. A shingle beach dotted with fishing boats at the mouth of the wadi completes the picturesque view.

The route leads via Quriyat to Muscat. 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 at the time of the Portuguese supremacy during the 16^th century. An island with a watchtower just off shore 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.

Overnight in hotel (Hotel Suites).

Day 12: Muscat.

Breakfast.

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