Oman And It’s Religious Heritage

Arrival in MCT international Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Muscat.

Leave your hotel after breakfast and drive through the beautiful embassy quarter of Muscat en route to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Visit the grand mosque, a religious landmark of Muscat and splendor of unique Islamic architecture (Islamic dress code is compulsory). This mosque of superlatives completed in 2001, refers to be the main mosque in Oman and one of the two mosques in Sultanate, which you could visit as a non-Muslim (other one is in Salalah). Witness the world’s second largest handmade carpet and huge chandeliers in the main prayer hall.
On your way back to the city center you will visit the Royal Opera House, the Gulfs jewel of its kind. Drive to the old town thereafter.
Then visit the 16th -Century forts Jalali and Mirani. Stroll around the old city quarter and have a photo-stop at the Qasr Al Alam, the official Palace of HM Sultan Qaboos. This palace is mainly used for representative purposes of His Majesty. Visit the National Museum with its wealth of information and exhibits on the country’s culture, tradition and heritage.
Drive to Muttrah, a delightful quarter of Muscat. Muttrah souq is one of the most beautiful oriental markets in the Gulf States. Step into the fish market, stroll along the Corniche to admire the beautiful merchant houses and experience the shopping in the busy souk. The largest and oldest bazaar of Oman is traditionally divided into zones for selling a variegated array of shops with souvenirs, antiques, frankincense, gold, textiles, leather goods, jewelry, traditional sabers and many other goods.
Drive back to hotel. Overnight in Muscat.

In the morning, take the flight to the southern capital of Oman; Salalah in Dhofar region. We will welcome you at the airport and start the city tour in Salalah.
Visit “The Museum of the Frankincense Land”. Opened in July 2007 at Al Balid Archaeological Park, a UNESCO heritage site located in Salalah, the Frankincense Land Museum is the latest addition to Oman’s heritage and cultural scene.
Drive through lush green plantations of vegetables & fruits. Make a brief stop to experience the locally grown fruits and vegetables at fruits and vegetable stall. View the Official Palace of His Majesty the Sultan (Al Husn Palace) & stroll through the old Haffah souk, famous for the sale of high quality Frankincense & numerous other Dhofari traditional souvenirs.
Drive to the hotel and check in. Overnight in Salalah.

Visit the religious highlights of the Salalah city. This tour included Salalah’s well-known sights such as the tomb of Nabi Imran, Prophet Salah’s camel’s foot prints, and the most remarkable Landmark of the city; Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in city center.
Visit the west of Salalah. West of Salalah lies the Jebel al Qamar, one of the most dramatic sections of the Dhofar Mountains. On a road steadily winding up a steep incline, herds of camels & cattle are a common sight, which gives a scenic view of a traditional Dhofari rural beauty. Visit the ancient tomb of ‘Prophet Job’ situated in the scenic green mountains of the Salalah plains. Experience the legendary story of Prophet Job and his devoutness. Mughsail Beach, Blow holes, hair pin bend road and the naturally grown frankincense trees are the other highlights of the tour.

The excursion begins with a visit to the old fishing village of ‘Taqah’, famous its century old ‘Taqah Castle’.
Continue onto the ancient ruins of the once famous city of Sumharam (Khor Rohri). The city was the easternmost outpost of the Hadramawt Kingdom on the ancient incense route between the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf and India. Khor Rori was an important port on the coast of Dhofar, and one of the major trading cities with frankincense, believed to have been the hub & harbor for the shipping of Frankincense (UNESCO World Heritage site).
Then drive into the ‘ever green Wadi Darbat’ for a relaxing stroll along the Wadi bed, surrounded by herds of Camels, Goats & Cattle. In the Khareef season (monsoon period), one could also witness an almost 100m natural Water-Fall, spreading its ‘tentacles’ into numerous lakes & lush green Vegetation.
A picturesque drive then leads you to ‘Mirbat’, the ancient capital of Dhofar and the beginning of the ‘Frankincense trail’. Stroll through the streets lined with old Omani houses & visit the ‘twin-domed Bin Ali’s Tomb’ …a classic example of medieval architecture.
Overnight in Salalah.

Say good-bye to your memorable stay in Oman. Transfers are arranged to bring you to the airport for your departure flight.