Itineraries ›› Excursions

Day Tours from Muscat

Mystical Muscat
Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour, Muscat means “Anchorage” and lies in a natural volcanic bowl. The tour of the Grand Mosque and Bait Al Zubair Museum is a brief introduction that traces Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market and the colourful Muttrah Souq. Proceed for a photo stop to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali. Durati

 

Bird Watching

Oman is a strategically located bridge between Europe, Africa and Asia and consequently offers birds from three continents on one country. During the twice yearly migrations in spring and autumn, millions of birds pass through Oman and an impressive selection can be seen in the Muscat capital area.

The bird watching tour takes place once a week between October and March and includes pick up from the hotels, the services of an experienced guide and permits where required.

For details of a specialist bird watching tour please

 

Fascinating Forts

Nizwa, capital of the interior, is the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. Nizwa boasts the famous Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century, and its Souq renowned for its Friday cattle auction, intricately hand-carved “Khanjars” and ornamental silver jewellery. Jabrin, 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. En route to Muscat visit the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz situated at the foothills of Jebel Akhdar. Enjoy a walk through its oasis and dense date plantations. Duration: 10 Hours - 450 KM.

 

Twilight Dhow Cruise

Transfer from the hotel to the pier side to embark on a relaxed dhow (fishermen’s boat) cruise. See Muscat through the eyes of ancient seafarers who piled this route for centuries. Photograph the spectacular Al Bustan Palace Hotel before returning back to the pier.

(Soft drinks, tea, coffee and dates served on board)

 

Bait Musna Art Gallery

Visit an art gallery that houses traditional and modern art from around the world. Shaw Travel would be happy to arrange a private visit to the gallery to meet the owner. The gallery often hosts exhibitions for local artists.

 

Muttrah Souq

A visit to this traditional souk is a must! Spices, gold, silver and bargain pashminas are worth hunting for. Shaw Travel can arrange for a car and driver to take you to the souq for a leisurely shop!

 

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- Mountain & Desert Tours

 

Wadi Bashing (11 Hours - 580 KM BY 4WD)

This tour along the coastline to Sur offers breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. Stop off at the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom. Picnic lunch at the beautiful Fin’s beach. The pretty Tiwi village provides a surprising contrast with its lush green wadi and plantations. The ruins of Bibi Miriam’s Tomb can be seen at the village of Qalhat. Return to Muscat on the main road.

  

Batinah Bash (8 Hours - 340 KM BY 4WD)

A full day tour along the Batinah coast. Stop at the Seeb Fish Souq. Drive through the date palms to the sparkling springs and Fort at Nakhl. Visit the beautiful Wakan Village famous for its terrace farming. The next stop is Wadi Abhyad which has large patches of white sedimentation and when translated means white wadi. The drive winds through the mountains with small pools of water dotting the wadi bed.

 

Oman's Grand Canyon (11 Hours - 560 KM BY 4WD)

Drive to the foothills of the Jebel Akhdar mountain range. Stop at the Nizwa Souq famed for its antiques and silver jewellery. A brief photo stop at the Round Tower Fort before proceeding ahead. Our next stop takes us to Wadi Nakher located in the depth of our deepest canyon. Visit Misfah a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul. In the Jebel Akhdar range, Jebel Shams the highest peak, offers a spectacular view.

 

Jebel Akhdar Trail (11 Hours - 550 KM BY 4WD)

Leave Muscat and proceed to visit the Nizwa Round tower Fort and the Nizwa Souk. Drive to the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz. Enjoy a walk through the lush green date plantations. Proceed to Wadi Al Madeen, from here a 36 km stretch of winding road takes one to Jebel Al Akhdar (2000 meters above sea level) the green jewel of the Al Hajjar mountain ranges, a truly unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula. Enjoy the cool climate up in the mountains.

Jebel Al Akhdar is famed for its fruit orchards typically laid out terrace style along the slopes of mountains, which are endowed with natural springs. A large variety of fresh fruits such as peaches, apricot, fig, grapes, apple, pears, plums, almond, walnuts are grown here. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) and Al Ain dot the landscape. The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis. The roses of Jebel Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance when in full bloom (March / April). Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers. Lunch at the Jebel Akhdar hotel. (Permits are required and take a day to process).

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- Sea Based Tours
 

 Dolphin Watching

Search the seas for Dolphins and Whales. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day, with an occasional sighting of 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. Soft drinks, tea and coffee are included with an on-board breakfast. (Duration: 4½ Hours either sunrise or sunset)

 

The Damaniyat Islands

Discover this protected chain of Islands rich in marine and bird life. The Islands offer shelter to migratory birds, over a 100 species of fish as well as Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Drop anchor, and spend a relaxing day swimming and snorkeling with a picnic lunch.

 

Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

Bluzone Dive Centre in Muscat offer Beginner, Open Water and Advance diving PADI courses.

A twin centre itinerary would include diving around Muscat as well as from the As Sawadi beach resort an hour north of Muscat, with easy access to the Damaniyat Islands offering challenging diving and excellent snorkeling.

 

Deep Sea Fishing

Experience game fishing in the waters of the Arabian Sea, home to Marlin, Sailfish and Yellow Fin Tuna. The company we recommend is a member of the International Game Fishing Association who can hire out luxurious, fully equipped cruisers.
 

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Two or Three Day Tours from Muscat

 

Wahiba Wilderness

Visit the Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight.

 

 Adonis Travel  can arrange accommodation overnight in a permanent camp in the Wahiba Sands with camel rides or for those wanting more comfort, a night in a nearby hotel within reach of the Desert. Dune buggies are also available on request.

Camel Safaris can be arranged for a small group with a moveable camp and the support of an

expert guide and back up vehicles.

 

Turtle Watching

From July to December witness the spectacle of Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Green turtles arriving on the beaches to lay their eggs at Ras al Hadd and Ras al Junayz. Throughout the season the sand erupts and thousands of tiny turtles emerge and head out to sea, to begin the cycle again.

Accommodation is at the tented camp site which has very basic facilities or alternatively at the nearby Ras al Hadd hotel.

 

Discover Dhofar

After the Khareef, from June to August, the area transforms itself into a lush green landscape.

Fly down to Salalah, the southern capital of Oman. The area is steeped in myths and legends dating back to biblical times. Explore the Empty Quarter, and visit the frankincense markets in the souq!
 

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- Dive Sites

 

Bander Khyran

The Capital area's weekend get away spot. A fjord system located twenty minutes to the south of Muscat by boat. Beautiful Corals line the bays and secluded beaches as seen in the Picture.

 

Fahal Island

Plunging to depths of over 40 meters, Fahal or "Shark" Island offers some of the best Diving around the Muscat Capital area. Two wrecks are located at the North East corner of the Island and a Tunnel known as the Blu-tube runs through the centre.

 

Ras Abu Daud

A small chain of Islands with steep walls on the East and shallow Reefs on the western side. Perfect for novice and advanced divers.

Ten minutes from the Quriyat wreck, a freighter in sixteen meters of water probably Oman’s most popular wreck dived on a regular basis.

 

Daymaniyat Islands Marine Park

A chain of Islands to the North of Muscat. A nature reserve offering Reefs from five meters to thirty and a lot of life to go with them. Special trips are regularly arranged here as access is limited.

 

The Al-Munassir (lima One)

On the 21st April the Royal Navy of Oman successfully sank the Al-Munassir off the coast line in the Baner Khyran area in Oman. Donated to the Oman by the Royal Navy, the Al-Munassir was the first of its kind to be sunk to create artificial reef in Omani waters. The Wreck is easily accessible. From the upper deck there are two vertical lift shafts down to the lower deck where most of the rooms to port and starboard are open. The bridge including the wheel house, ops room and communications room can be explored. Because of the abundant marine life in Oman waters the Al-Munassir will create a spectacular artificial reef which will encourage and initiate an integrated marine eco-system second to none.

  

Dive Trips and destinations vary on any given day and are subject to sea conditions and the experience of the Diving group. Attempts will be made to give all divers varied and as good a destination as possible on each outing, however, guarantees cannot be given for visits to specific areas.

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 - Honeymoons in Oman

Oman is becoming increasingly popular as a honeymoon destination.

clients who have requested a taste of adventure to include camping and camel riding in the Wahiba and Turtle watching, to clients who have simply wanted to unwind and be pampered in luxurious surroundings at the Al Bustan Palace or the Chedi, with spa treatments, a romantic sunset cruise, or snorkeling with a picnic on a secluded beach.
 

- Spa

The Chedi is the only Muscat hotel that has a Spa. It is open daily and offers a range of treatments from, Beauty and Bathing Rituals to Balinese Massage or Body Elixir Rituals. We would be happy to provide a comprehensive Spa menu for clients .

 

We invite you to take a look at these fantastic places when you join us on this great journey. Using 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, join us on a panoramic journey into the barren interior; we drive to Jebel Harim, translated as the Mountain of Women (2087 meters), the highest mountain in Musandam. This tour will give you an opportunity to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Musandam’s mountains, speckled with fossils dating back several million years.

On the way we pass the Bedouin village of Sayh situated at 1100 meters above sea level. This is a calm and peaceful village where one can cherish the beauty of Musandam in the plateau of the village. Drive to Rowdah village where one can see the pre Islamic graveyard. Drive to Khawr Najid, a stunning view overlooking to Indian Ocean side, you will be surprised at the scenery here
 

- City Tour
 

City Tour of Khasab

his tour takes us on an adventurous and exciting tour to the Capital of Musandam, Khasab, calm, fishing village and oasis, which overlooks the Gulf of Arabia and the Straits of Hormuz. Watch the traditional lifestyle of the fisherman and the Bedouins. Visit to the restored Portuguese Fort of Khasab, this fort has a Museum where many Omani handicrafts items are displayed. We will also pass by the prehistoric rock cravings depicting camels

 

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