Self Drive – Northern Oman 4WD Programme

Day 1
Arrival transfer to Muscat hotel.

Day 2
0900 hrs Briefing and delivery of 4WD. Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour, Muscat means “Anchorage” & lies in a natural volcanic bowl. Our tour of the Grand Mosque (Ladies fully covered with scarf and shorts not allowed for men) (except Friday) & the Bait Al Zubair Museum (Except Friday) is a brief introduction that traces Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market.

1600 hrs We proceed for a photostop of the magnificent Al Alam Palace, residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali. Visit the colourful Muttrah Souq. Overnight stay at Muscat hotel of your choice. 100 kms.

Day 3
0800 hrs Visit the Seeb Fish Souq by the seaside. Drive through the date palms to the sparkling springs and Fort at Nakhl. Visit the beautiful Wakan village famous for its fruit terrace farming. Our next stop is to Wadi Abhyad which has large patches of white sedimentation and when translated means white wadi. The drive winds through the mountains with small pools of water dotting the wadi bed.
Overnight stay at Al Sawadi Beach Resort / Al Nahda Resort 350 kms.

Day 4
Breakfast 0800 hrs Depart from the Al Sawadi Beach Resort / Al Nahda and head North towards Al Awabi. Turn towards Wadi Bani Auf . This stretch of graded road is very adventurous & for the physically fit only as it involves steep bends and bumpy roads. Visit the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt where one is awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. This 70 km stretch of road continues unto the village of Al Hamra famous for its date plantations. Visit the ruined village at Tanuf before checking into the hotel. Overnight stay at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel. 280 kms.

Day 5
Breakfast 0800 hrs
Visit the famous Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century, and its Souq renowned for its Friday cattle auction, intricately hand-carved “Khanjars”(daggers)& ornamental silver jewellery. Proceed to visit Jabrin, the finest of Oman’s Castles built in the late 17th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. The Castle displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting & beautifully executed woodcarvings. Photostop at the Bahla Fort. Visit Misfah a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul. Drive to Wadi Nakher. In the Jebel Akhdar range Jebel Shams is the highest peak, which offers a spectacular view. Overnight stay at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.. 335 kms.

Day 6
Breakfast 0730 hrs Proceed in an easterly direction for Sur, via Izki, Sinaw souk and Mudhaybi, The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising upto 200 metres are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographers delight. Visit a Bedouin house in this wilderness. In stark contrast to this is Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water.
Overnight stay at Sur Plaza hotel. 460 kms.

Day 7
Breakfast 0800 hrs Visit the fish jetty and dhow factory. Visit the Sanseela Fort. The ruins of Bibi Miriam’s Tomb can be seen at the village of Qalhat on coastal road to Muscat . Stop at Fins beach for a swim . Our next stop is the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom. At Dibab take an adventurous offroad track to visit the Wadi Arbayeen, characterized by date palms and deep pools of water. Proceed to Mazara before returning to Muscat.
Overnight stay at Muscat hotel of your choice 300 kms

Day 8
Return of the 4wd at 0900 hrs.
Departure transfer from Muscat hotel.

A. 4 Wheel drive rental (Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol or similar)

On unlimited mileage basis for 6 days from day 02 to day 08, including PAI & CDW.
Accommodating upto 4 passengers per 4wd.