Day 1

Arrival at Muscat International Airport by your flight  Zahara Tours Representative will meet to the group and guide them to immigration. Guests then pass through passport control (Immigration Counter) and then collect their baggage and come out into the general arrival area to be welcomed by our English Speaking Guide. Guide will then escort the group to the vehicle parked outside.
  
Depart for half day city tour. It is a good time to give you an introduction on the destination. Thereby, a city tour on Muscat can give you knowledge of the core attractions and also what Oman has to offer. Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture.
 
We will first visit Grand Mosque the most exquisite Mosque in Oman. The developed part of the site, Including the fully consolidated areas and landscaping, covers 416,000 square metres. The Mosque complex (covering 40,000 square metres) is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques that were built elevated from street level.
It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and consists of a main prayer hall, ladies prayer hall, covered passageways, a meeting hall, and library which will eventually contain up to 20,000 books.

A major feature of the main prayer hall is the hand-made Persian carpet consisting of . 1,700 million knots, Weighing 21 tones and made in a single piece measuring 70 x 60 metres. From design stage it took 4 years to complete and 600 female weavers from province of Khurasan in Iran were involved.

We will start our tour with Muttrah Souq – one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinthine alleyways beckoning with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted artefacts. A visit to this frenetic, pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience. Here, scents of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices float through the air. Other shops specialise in famous Omani khanjars (daggers), antiques, traditional silver jewellery, and handicrafts in copper, camel bone, wood, leather and hand-made Omani costumes.
 
After Souq we then drive to Bait Al Zubair Museum. It consists of a concise collection reflecting the splendid Omani Heritage. The collection includes traditional Omani Weapons such as swords, daggers, rifles & their accessories, along with jewellery, cosmetics & costumes from various regions of Oman.

We drive to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (A brief photograph stop from outside only).After city tour transfer to local restaurant for lunch After lunch transfer to the selected hotel Arrive and check in at hotel Afternoon at leisure Dinner at hotel

Overnight at the selected hotel (L, D)

Day 2

Breakfast at leisure Dolphin watching trip by speed Boat (2 hours on SIC Basis)0730 hrs Assemble at hotel lobby and transfer to marina Bandar Arrive at Marina Bandar and board the speed boats for dolphin Watching Trip Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometers from Muscat’s rugged coast.Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature’s most fascinating marine mammals.

After watching Dolphins return back to harbour and transfer to hotel Lunch at hotel Evening we will visit Qurum shopping centre. This shopping centre is located in the heart of the City and has shopping malls and individual shops selling branded and local products. After shopping return back to hotel Dinner at hotel Overnight at the selected hotel (B, L, D) 

Day 3

Breakfast at leisure Day at leisure or tour options

Tour option 1:  Full Day Fascinating Forts (9 hours) Depart to Nizwa. We drive along the famous route once traveled by renowned travelers like Ibn Batuta and Marco Polo, to Nizwa.
 
Arrive Nizwa. It is the traditional capital of the vast interior region of Oman. As you approach Nizwa at dawn, a scene straight from the pages of ‘The Arabian Nights’ greets you. Visit Nizwa Souq. The impressive New Souq complex has been sensitively designed using Omani fort architecture and elegant Islamic arches. The air-conditioned halls of this souq are full of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, huge stacks of dates and freshly caught fish. This is still the best place to buy traditional silver “Khanjars” (hand- carved Omani daggers) and Bedouin jewellery, where silver is still sold by weight. At the far end and through the gate leads up to Nizwa Fort. The 17th century round tower fort nearby is Oman’s most impressive tower. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view gives visitors a bird’s eye view all around Nizwa and the surrounding plains – a sure delight for all avid photographers! 

We continue to Jabreen fort the finest of Oman’s castles built in the late 17th century, became a seat of Omani learning. The castle displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting & beautifully executed woodcarvings.
After visiting Jabreen Fort we arrive at Falaj Daris hotel for lunch.
 
After lunch we return back to Muscat via the lush green oasis village of Birkat-Al-Mauz, stopping for a photo stop in front of its unique two-tiered Falaj system and tiny castle. Return to the hotel in Muscat in the evening hours.After Barkatul Mauz continue to Muscat Rest of the day at leisure Dinner at hotel.

Tour option 2:  Full Day Wahiba Sands Tour (9 hours) Assemble at hotel lobby and depart for Wahiba Sands by 4WD.comfort stop at Hotel Sharqiya sands. Tea/ coffee with light snacks will be served.Leave for Wahiba sands Arrive at wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sand is a long, narrow strip of high dunes and sketchy woodland about 110 miles from north to south and about 50 miles from east to west along the unspoiled coastline of eastern Oman.

In the north of Wahiba Sands are the most incredible sand dunes, some reaching a colossal 300 feet high and separated by enormous depressions. These beautiful dunes stretch as far as the eye can see and it is a spectacular sight especially in the evening and the morning, when the warm colours of the desert become much richer and the long shadows accentuate the splendor of these giant forms.

Enjoy the Dune bashing. Drive over the dunes to experience the roller coaster like feeling with our experienced drivers. 
After dune bashing visit a Bedouin house in this wilderness. The Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouins Anybody who chooses to live in the environment of Wahiba Sands must be hardy and resilient to tolerate its potentially harsh climate – and bedu are just that. There are over 3000 Bedu of varying tribal origins who live here amongst the woodland on the fringes of the sands. 

After Bedouin house, leave for Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Sandwiched between high cliffs, this beautiful wadi is approached across stepping stones right beside the flowing water running under the shade of many palm trees. There are vantage points above the water from which to enjoy the peaceful scene and look down on the reflections of the dramatic scenery in the limpid pools The Wadi has clear deep blue water and is a perfect place for a swim. You can enjoy the swimming in this Wadi.Picnic lunch will be served in the Wadi After relaxing in this beautiful wadi, we return back to Muscat.Rest of the day at leisure Dinner at hotel Overnight at the selected hotel (B, D).

Day 4 

Breakfast at leisure After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Muscat International Airport to board your flight back home.