The pleasure of discovery in its pure state.
A route through the pink dunes of the Sharqiya Sands, on ancient tracks traced by Bedouin who still raise goats and camels, through sand cords that will test your spirit of adventure.
Our staff will lead you in search of breathtaking scenery and exciting sunsets up to the coastal desert, which seems to dive into the Indian Ocean.
Dunes wrapped in light and surreal colors, crystal clear lagoons, blinding expanses of salt: this is the Self Drive tour.
Arrival in Muscat in the evening. Welcome by Al Koor staff, transfer to hotel and overnight.
Visit of the Great Mosque completed in 2001, a magnificent construction in white marble with arches and minarets, a splendid example of modern Islamic architecture. You will be enchanted by the richness of decorations in the prayer hall and the 4,200 sq m Persian carpet.
We will then go into the Muttrah souq to experience the traditional atmosphere and discover the wonderful colors and typically oriental fragrances.
The day will continue with the external visit of the Sultan's Palace, surrounded by beautiful flower gardens and characterized by the two Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali, dated back to the 16th century.
Back to the hotel, free lunch, afternoon available and pick up of the cars.
After breakfast, departure and start of the off-road travel.
Along the asphalt road we will reach the village of Bidiya-Mintrib for lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we will enter in the Sharqiya Sands, a sandy desert from formed by orange colored dunes that occupies the eastern part of the country to the coast of the Indian Ocean. You can meet camps of nomads and Bedouin tribes that have been living in the desert for centuries.
Dinner and overnight at the tented camp.
Breakfast and start of the crossing of the charming Sharqiya Sands.
As you move into the desert, the sand takes over. The corridors along which the 4WD vehicles, flanked by red dunes and sparse bushes, can suddenly close: in this case, it is necessary to climb over the sandy crests, completely immersed in a universe of sand.
After the picnic lunch, in the afternoon we will reach imposing dunes where to set up the camp.
At sunset, walk on the dunes to admire the extraordinary panorama and admire the lights on the sand.
Dinner prepared by the Al Koor staff and overnight in a tent.
After breakfast at the camp we will spend part of the morning driving in the desert to reach the village of Mahoot, where we will buy water and fuel.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Afterwards, in the afternoon, after a short transfer on asphalt, we will resume the dirt road to reach the depression of Huqf, an evocative place where you can admire numerous fossils, the petrified forests dating back to 250 million years ago and the hill composed mainly of fossil corals, also dating back to the Cretaceous period.
Dinner and overnight in the camp.
The journey continues in the desert, in an area where we can meet camps of Wahiba nomads.
The track will then lead us to the desert coast: here we will cross wide areas of white salt, remains of ancient sea basins and, a few kilometers away, we will reach the beautiful bay of Al Khaluf, surrounded by white sand dunes that lap the waves of the sea.
Overnight in the suggestive camp in the dunes.
In the morning, after a pleasant walk along the beach, we will continue with the cars along the coast along beaches with pinkish shades given by the presence of millions of fragments of shells.
During the trip we will stop in small bays where you can swim and relax.
We will then reach the wild Bar Al Hikman peninsula, characterized by extensive plains of salt that create curious optical effects and end the day on uninhabited beaches often frequented by colonies of pink flamingos.
We will then return to the camp for overnight on the beach.
Leaving the camp, we will travel along the beach.
After the picnic we will go again in the dunes overlooking the ocean and end the day with dinner and overnight at the camp set up in the dunes.
In the morning we will travel tens of kilometers along deserted beaches that are lost in a turquoise sea, amid a myriad of birds that fly up.
After the picnic lunch on the beach, in the afternoon we will reach Ras Al Haad, the extreme promontory of the Arabian peninsula.
Here we will overnight in a resort overlooking the beach near Ras Al Haad. After dinner we will visit the Ras Al Jinz Nature Reserve to watch the turtles coming out of the sea to lay their eggs in the sand.
Return to the resort and overnight.
After a journey of about 50 km we will reach Sur, a small town surrounded by a natural bay with a port district in Arabian style. Here we will visit the characteristic shipyard of the dhows, typical wooden boats that line the seas of Arabia, still used for fishing and for small businesses with Iran and Pakistan.
We will then continue along the coast following a scenic road that runs between mountains and sea.
We will make a short stop at the ruins of Qalhat, one of the oldest cities in the country and an important port of the Sudarabic kingdoms during the medieval period; Marco Polo also stopped here during his trip to the East.
The mausoleum of Bibi Miriam, now in ruins, in ancient times was described as a magnificent construction in coral blocks rich in engravings and decorations.
Along the coast we will continue on the road that will lead us inside to Wadi Tiwi canyon, where there are terraced palm groves, imposing rock walls and typical villages. Here we will stop for a picnic lunch.
Within two hours on the asphalt road we will reach Muscat.
On the arrival at the hotel, return of the cars and accommodation in the rooms (one room every 2/4 participants).
Dinner at the restaurant and transfer to the airport for the return flight.Cena al ristorante e trasferimento in aeroporto per il volo di rientro.
Day 1: Muscat - Khasab
Transfer to the airport for morning flight Muscat - Khasab, welcome at the airport on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
As an alternative to the flight, possibility of land transfer.
Free lunch. In the early afternoon, departure with 4WD for the Jebel Harim, the chain of rugged mountains of limestone origin that occupies the entire continental area of the Musandam peninsula.
We will rise over 1,100 meters in height, in an area inhabited by the Shihuh tribe, which is supposed to have migrated from Yemen many hundreds of years ago: small settlements of stone houses, some flocks of goats and isolated tufts of palm trees characterize the environment .
The mountains are rich in fossils and prehistoric rock engravings to witness ancient human settlements. But what is most striking are the incredible views that suddenly appear in wild valleys that are lost towards the blue sea.
In the afternoon return to Khasab.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: the Musandam fjords
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the port of Khasab. Day dedicated to visiting the Musandam fjords on board of a dhow, a typical boat of the Arabian peninsula.
We will have the chance to admire beautiful natural scenery, swim and snorkel.
Lunch on board.
Return in the afternoon, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Khasab – Muscat
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for Khasab - Muscat flight.
Data sheet
- Tour of the Jebel Harim in 4WD vehicles
- Dhow tour
- Visits and meals as scheduled
Expected hotels (or others in the same category)
- Atana Khasab, 4*
DISCLAIMER
Although Al Koor Tourism is committed to ensuring maximum customer satisfaction, it may not be possible to provide part or all of the services listed in case of events or circumstances beyond our control (ex: adverse weather conditions, natural hazards, causes of force majeure etc.). Deviations and changes to the original program could also be requested in the event of road breaks. Koor Tourism can not be held responsible in any way for any material or economic damage, or any request by the customer for non-service due to events and circumstances described above.
Day 1: Muscat - Salalah
Arrival in the evening from Muscat. Transfer to the hotel and overnight.
Day 2: Salalah – Wadi Dharbat – Khor Rori – Salalah
In the morning, we head east through the cultivation of coconut palms, banana trees and papaya, then along the coast to the beach of Taqa.
After a stop at the fishing village of Mirbat, we will reach the valley of Wadi Dharbat, a small eden of trees, water and grazing animals.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Returning to Salalah, the real surprise will be Khor Rori, a large desert inlet separated from the sea by a strip of sand: in the middle, on a rocky outcrop, are the ruins of Sumhurum, the ancient Abyssopolis of the Romans. The city was the point of collecting and sorting the incense that, by sea, was sent to the Mediterranean and then to Europe; the ruins date back to 100 BC. It is here that the Queen of Sheba lived for several years. Not far away, at the edge of the bay, stands a large reed bed where herons and flamingos come to rest.
Return to Salalah where we will visit the Al Balid museum and the interesting suq, where you can buy the original Dhofar incense, considered the best in the world, and decorated features.
Return to the hotel, free dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Salalah – Mughsayl - Muscat
Visit to the beach of Mughsayl, made special by the presence of natural fumarole and the area of the incense trees, the precious resin that made important the Dhofar region and whose trade expanded to the coasts of India.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for return flight to Muscat. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Muscat.
Data sheet
- Internal flights Muscat - Salalah
- Private transfers from / to airports
- Private 4WD car tour with driver
- Visits as scheduled
- Meals as scheduled
- Water and soft drinks available on tour
Hotel provided (or others in the same category)
- Salalah: Beach Villa Hotel, 3*
Disclaimer
Although Al Koor Tourism is committed to ensuring maximum customer satisfaction, it may not be possible to provide part or all of the services listed in case of events or circumstances beyond our control (ex: adverse weather conditions, natural hazards, causes of force majeure etc.). Deviations and changes to the original program could also be requested in the event of road breaks. Al Koor Tourism cannot be held responsible in any way for any material or economic damage, or any request by the customer for non-service due to events and circumstances described above.
Included
- Guide in English on arrival, departure, during transfers and throughout the tour
- Hotel
- Meals as indicated in the day by day information
- 4WD
- Coaster/bus for the city tours and transfers
- Water and soft drinks available on tour
- Entrances to forts and museums
Not included
- International flights
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Drinks in hotels and restaurants
- Personal extra
- Porterage
- Entry visa to the country to be requested at the Muscat airport (20 Omr, about 50 €)
N.B: the technical equipment during the shipments includes GPS satellite navigation instruments and satellite phone.
Disclaimer
Although Al Koor Tourism is committed to ensuring maximum customer satisfaction, it may not be possible to provide part or all of the services listed in case of events or circumstances beyond our control (ex: adverse weather conditions, natural hazards, causes of force majeure etc.). Deviations and changes to the original program could also be requested in the event of road breaks. Al Koor Tourism cannot be held responsible in any way for any material or economic damage, or any request by the customer for non-service due to events and circumstances described above.