Experience Oman's unique blend of historic and contemporary sites when you visit Nakhl Fort and Springs, the Bait Al Zubair Museum, as well as other city highlights.

A drive along the Batinah Coast takes you to the centuries-old Nakhl Fort, perched on a 200-foot high hilltop with spectacular views of the surrounding oasis. This impressive pre-Islamic fortress was the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during Medieval times, and offers a unique look into Oman's past. You'll then visit Nakhl Springs, a tranquil and picturesque area framed by majestic mountains and a dense green oasis.

Stop for photos at the Zawawi Mosque, Oman's most exquisite mosque and at the splendid Al Alam Palace, which offers scenic vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items and more. You’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel during the day.

A day in Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Discover the historic and religious sites of Muscat, Oman's political, economic and commercial hub, during this half-day tour. A scenic drive takes you through the exclusive Omani residential district of Shati Al Qurum. You’ll visit the Grand Mosque, the largest and most exclusive mosque in Oman, before stopping at the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Continue to Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items, books, photographs, paintings, and maps. Take a drive along Muscat's scenic coastal road, through the charming fishing village of Sidab and on to Muscat's Old Town for a great photo opportunity at the impressive Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. The palace, adorned with Oriental-styled architecture, and strategically positioned between, two Medieval fortresses offers picturesque vistas overlooking Muscat Bay.

Discover Muscat’s exotic souq, palace, mosque and museum, during this scenic half-day tour of the city. Your drive takes you to Muscat's Old Town for a great photo opportunity at the impressive Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. The palace, adorned with Oriental-styled architecture, and strategically positioned between, two Medieval fortresses offers picturesque vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Another photo stop is made the Zawawi Mosque; built by Sheik Zawawi, it is one of Oman's finest.

You’ll visit the Bait Adam Museum, located on the ground-floor of a private home, to view a unique collection of currency, paintings, photographs, guns, and more. Upon arrival, you will be warmly greeted by your host, and offered Arabic coffee and dates. A visit to Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Get face-to-face with Oman's abundant marine life during this dolphin watching and snorkeling expedition in Muscat. Drive to the marina and board your boat. Set out in search of dolphins and whales about a mile off the rugged coast. Although sightings are not guaranteed, it is not unusual to spot three or four different varieties of dolphin or toothed whales during this relaxing trip out to sea.

If you're lucky, you might even encounter some of the larger species of filter-feeding or baleen whales. Continue cruising to Bander Khiran, where you’ll have an opportunity to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters and explore the coral beds that abound with a variety of exotic fish.

See Muscat from a different perspective on this exclusive dhow boat cruise. Dhows are built in the town of Sur and crafted with traditional Omani techniques that have been passed on for centuries from generation to generation; modern features and safety aspects are then added in Muscat.

Transfer to the marina where you’ll board your private dhow boat for an approximately 1 1/2 hour cruise. The route you’ll take has been carefully mapped out along the waters of Muscat's Old Town. Enjoy soft drinks and water as you take in scenic vistas reflecting Oman's history, from Portuguese architecture at the Corniche to the modern wonders of the Al Alam Palace.

Hop on Hop Off! Your open-top Double Decker is a sightseeing experience designed to captivate you with a unique perspective of a city rich in old Arabian charm.

Dominated by dramatic mountains, enjoy the fascinating history of Oman’s capital city as the recorded commentary is available in 6 different languages including English, Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish. With 8 stops to choose from, you will be able to explore at your leisure as you are free to hop on and off the bus for the entire day. Frequency of the buses is every 30 minutes with the last bus departing from stop #1 at 5:00 pm. The loop begins and ends at the cruise ship pier.

Your tour ticket also includes complimentary headphones and map.

Highlights of the tour include Muttrah Souk, Royal Opera House, Natural Mangroves, Qurum Beach, Qurum Park, Mountain Pass, Parliament, Marina Views, Sultan Palace, The Old Quarter, Museums, Kalbu Corniche, Dolphin Fountain and Al Muttrah Corniche.

OVERVIEW

Hike through the stunning gorge Wadi Shab to swim in its natural pools before traveling to the coast for a private buffet lunch. During the two hours it takes to reach the wadi – an Arabic term for a valley that is dry except in the rainy season – you will pass through several wonderfully atmospheric seaside villages before turning inland. A short boat ride will then bring you to the trailhead for a three-mile hike through the incredibly picturesque wadi. The trail winds through a collection of date palms, into a rocky boulder-strewn landscape and on into a steep-walled canyon. Ahead lies a series of interconnected emerald-green pools where you can swim before entering a hidden cave with a gorgeous waterfall inside. The scenery throughout will be jaw-droppingly beautiful as will be the setting at Fins Beach. Feel free to swim before dining on a buffet lunch of traditional Omani dishes under a shaded canopy.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely hike through the incredibly photogenic rocky gorge Wadi Shab.
• Swim in the emerald-green pools in the river that flows through the gorge.
• Behold a beautiful waterfall inside a cave that you will enter through a narrow slit.
• Relax, swim and savor a private buffet lunch at pebbly Fins Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Be awed by the beauty of the water-filled Bimmah Sinkhole and the natural pools at the bottom of the rocky gorge where you will dine. You will get a true feel for this magical landscape on the initial drive, with the sea on one side and limestone cliffs on the other. Upon reaching Hawiyat Najm Park, you will pause to behold the 65-foot-deep sinkhole, which backfilled with turquoise water long ago. For a closer look at this phenomenon, you can walk down the staircase to the water’s edge. An immensely scenic off-road drive through mountain passes and river gorges will bring you to Wadi Al Arbeieen, a lush oasis known for its crystal-clear natural pool. Waterfalls may be gently cascading in the background creating an absolutely serene setting that invites you to thoroughly relax. You might swim, explore the surroundings or just linger over lunch while comfortably seated in the shade on cushions and handwoven rugs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the Bimmah Sinkhole from above or descend the stairs to the water’s edge.
• Drive off-road through the rugged and mountainous Hawiyat Najm Park.
• Swim in the natural pools at Wadi Al Arbeieen, a green oasis in a mountain gorge.
• Dine on a buffet lunch of traditional Omani dishes in a comfortable shaded setting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.