Cox and Kings Oman: An Arabian Odyssey

– International flights
– UK departure and overseas airport taxes
– 4-star accommodation
– Selected meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
– Local Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
– Experienced local tour guide
– Guided sightseeing and entrance fees
– Small group size – average 14 people (maximum 18)

– Enjoy a night under the desert sky in Sharqiya Sands
– Travel in 4×4 vehicles
– Watch endangered green turtles nesting on the beach at the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve
– Visit a traditional Omani home and watch local artisans at work

Day 1: Fly to Muscat
Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Muscat
(No meals)

Day 2: Muscat
Transfer to your hotel on arrival and enjoy a welcome lunch to meet your group and guide.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 3: Muscat
Morning visit to the Grand Mosque, followed by a tour of the city, including a visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, the sultan’s palace and the forts of Al Jalali and Mirani. Continue to the Royal Opera House, the largest in the Middle East. Remainder of afternoon at leisure.(Breakfast)

Day 4: Muscat & surrounds
Full-day tour, including Barka fish market and Bait Al Ghasham House, where a picnic lunch is served. Early afternoon visit to Bait Al Ghasham House before returning to Muscat. Optional twilight dhow cruise.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 5: Wadi Shab • Qalhat • Ras Al Jinz
Drive south by 4×4 along the coast from Muscat to Sur, passing the fishing village of Quriyat. Stops en route include Wadi Shab, a palm-fringed lagoon. Check in at your hotel, then make an evening visit to the green turtle nesting site at Ras Al Jinz beach. Stay overnight at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Hotel (or similar)
(Breakfast)

Day 6: Sharqiya Sands
Set off this morning for a scenic drive through the eastern Hajar mountains to Sharqiya Sands. Stop at Wadi Bani Khalid, a picturesque river valley, before continuing to Sharqiya Sands, home to the Bedouin people.
(Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 7: Jabal Akhdar
Early departure for the Jabal Akhdar, stopping en route at the Oman Across the Ages Museum and the Wadi Al Madeen checkpoint.(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 8: Nizwa & surrounds
Drive to Jabal Shams, the country’s highest peak. En route, visit farming villages and visit a traditional house at Bait Al Safah. After lunch, continue to Bahla to enjoy a pottery demonstration.
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 9: Nizwa • Muscat
In the morning, visit the new souk in Nizwa and the Nizwa Fort. Then, drive through the Sumail Gap to Muscat.(Breakfast)

Day 10: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport for a flight from Muscat to London
(Breakfast)

The Ras Al-Jinz Scientific and Visitors Centre, Ras Al-Jinz
Ras Al-Jinz Scientific and Visitors Centre is located on the eastern shores of the Arabian peninsula in the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, approximately 1 hour’s drive from Sur. The area is world renowned for the nesting endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas), probably the most important nesting concentration in the Indian Ocean.

Sama Hotel, Nizwa
The Sama Hotel is situated in Nizwa. It is 21km from Nizwa souk and about 85km from Muscat Airport. Rooms are spacious with simple décor and soft furnishings. Some rooms have seating areas and mountain views. The hotel’s outdoor terrace offers wonderful views of the Jabal Akhdar mountains.

Accommodation
This tour is based in 4-star accommodation, with the exception of Sharqiya Sands and Nizwa, where the accommodation should be considered more basic. Transport is by air-conditioned minibus and by 4×4 vehicle from Day 4 onwards.

Grand Mosque Visit
Both men and women visiting the mosque must be fully covered. Women must also cover their head with a scarf.