New Year In Oman
On the deserted shores of south-eastern Arabia lies the oldest independent state in the Arab world, the Sultanate of Oman. A source of precious frankincense since biblical times, Oman is a land of enthralling natural beauty, majestic forts and a hospitable, charming people.
From the legendary abode of Sinbad the Sailor to the stunning 21st century Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, our New Year's tour will embrace the old and the modern, the man-made and the natural. We will navigate sandy deserts, range over a palm-fringed coastline that stretches to tropical Salalah, and investigate wadis replete with caves, waterfalls and wildlife.
Monuments to Omani - and foreign - architectural ingenuity are in bountiful supply, from the kingdom's indigenous and Portuguese forts to the excavations of the Frankincense harbour of Sumhuram. The tower fortification at Nakhl is surrounded by a lush oasis and hot water springs, whilst Jabrin, once a seat of Omani learning, boasts fine Islamic ceiling paintings and beautifully executed woodcarvings.
We will visit the site of Job's tomb with its striking views of the Salalah Plain, and the proto-historic village of Bat, a necropolis of beehive-shaped tombs which forms one of the world's most complete settlements from the 3rd millennium BC. A second UNESCO World Heritage site awaits discovery in Oman's interior: the falaj, an ancient system for tapping underground water whose origins date back to 500 AD.
All hotels offer comfortable accommodation in contrasting locations: the Haffa House Hotel is situated near the centre of Muscat; the Desert Resort Hotel, located between Muscat and Nizwa, is surrounded by golden sand dunes; the Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa is set amidst the rugged Hajar Mountains; and the four-star Crown Plaza Hotel in Salalah is situated on a beach.
Some dinners will be taken at local restaurants of interest.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Heathrow 0925 on British Airways, arriving Muscat 2215. Transfer to Haffa House Hotel, Muscat, for three nights.
Day 2Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Bait al Zubair Museum (Omani heritage and culture), walk through palace area followed by dhow cruise to Muttrah Souq.
Day 3New Year's Eve: Whole-day excursion to Sassanid forts at Nakhl and Rustaq (situated in date oases) with picnic lunch. Evening: celebratory New Year's Eve meal at local restaurant.
Day 4By four-wheel drive vehicles from Quriyat along scenic coastal track to Qalhat, Sur (local museum, dhow area, old town) and wadi set deep in mountains. Continue for overnight at Desert Resort Hotel, near Nizwa.
Day 5Mudarib (oasis village with substantial mud brick mansions), ancient falaj irrigation system (UNESCO World Heritage site), then continue to Golden Tulip Hotel, Nizwa, for two nights.
Day 6Jabrin (17th century fortified palace), Bat (proto-historic necropolis with tombs dating to 2600 BC), town of Al Hamra (mud-brick mansions).
Day 7Nizwa (17th century fort, souq), then depart Muscat on internal flight to Salalah and transfer via Haffa Souq (incense market) to Crown Plaza Hotel for two nights.
Day 8Whole-day excursion to West Salalah: Al Balid Museum, souq, Mughsayl (beach), superb Frankincense trees, then on to Nabi Ayoub (Job's tomb).
Day 9Taqah, Tawi Attair (well of the birds), Mirbat (former centre of Arabian horse and slave trade), Frankincense port of Sumhuram. Transfer on internal flight to Muscat for late evening departure.
Day 10Depart Muscat 0015, arriving Heathrow 0625.
Cost includes: return airfare, full-board (including picnic lunches on some days), excursions & admissions.
Not included: visa, travel insurance, single room supplement £290.
