SISTERHOOD IN OMAN: WOMEN’S CULTURAL TOUR

DAY 01 (Sat): ARRIVE MUSCAT Arrive at Muscat airport, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight stay at Muscat. No Meals DAY 02 (Sun): FULL DAY CITY TOUR OF MUSCAT Early in the morning, you will be met at the hotel for a half day city orientation tour. You visit the Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. Drive along the picturesque Corniche and visit Mutrah Soq, then h a photo stop at Al Alam Palace, the residence of his Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The palace is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts- Mirani and Jalali. Visit The Sidab Women's Group is one of the unique models in empowering women through establishing a project that benefits the participants. It is an environment-friendly project that is based on the manufacturing of environmentally friendly bags that replace plastic bags. We learn about the center and Enjoy lunch cooked by the women Later visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. Later you will be given time to stroll through the famous Mutrah Souq. Later return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Muscat Meals: Breakfast and Lunch DAY 03 (Mon): MUSCAT- SUR After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. You start your fascinating roundtrip with the first leg taking you in south eastern direction along the coast to Sur. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains. Stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimah and then continue to Fins. Enjoy the white sandy beach at Fins proceed to visit Wadi Tiwi, an oasis well known for its lemon and date plantations. Then proceed to the coastal town of Sur which was renowned in former times for its shipyard, where the dhows, the traditional wooden Omani boats were built. Continue to Ras Al Hadd. After an early dinner at the hotel, you will visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz. Overnight stay at hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner DAY 04 (Tue): RAS AL HADD – WADI BANI KHALID – SHARQIYA SANDS This morning, proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid – an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. The afternoon is reserved for your desert experience. You drive into the Sharqiya Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand. After some exciting sand dune driving with your experienced driver, visit the home of a Bedouin Family in the desert where you will have a traditional Omani lunch. You will experience the real, traditional Arabic hospitality. Later arrive and check-in at the desert camp. Enjoy a BBQ dinner with Omani music and a dance show (seasonal). Overnight stay at desert camp. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner DAY 05 (Wed): SHARQIYA SANDS – IBRA – JABRIN – MISFAH After breakfast, check-out and proceed to the village of Ibra for a special shopping experience. Once a week this Souq (on Wednesdays), opposite the main market, attracts women-only buyers and sellers from all over the region, selling a variety of handicrafts such as baskets, woven cushions and camel bags. Men are usually not welcome, and photographs are prohibited here in the only Souq in the country dedicated to female shoppers. Then proceed to Jabrin castle and to Al Hamra, one of the oldest villages in Oman. Overnight stay at Misfah. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner DAY 06 (Thu): MISFAH – JEBEL SHAMS – NIZWA After leisurely breakfast, drive up to Jabel Shams, which literally means Mountain of the Sun. Experience an untamed and rugged countryside at Oman's highest peak at 3000m, often hailed as the Sultanate's own version of the Grand Canyon. Visit the hidden and remote village of Misfat Al Abriyeen. Embark on a heritage walk through the many plantations in the village to learn about the Falaj system. Continue to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. Overnight stay at Nizwa. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner DAY 07 (Fri): NIZWA – MUSCAT Nizwa’s main places of interest are the Souq and the Nizwa Fort. Visit the famous livestock market in Nizwa Souq which happens once a week (on Fridays) and the round tower fort of Nizwa, one of the most impressive forts in Oman. After visits, drive back to Muscat. Upon arrival at Muscat, check-in to your hotel. In the evening, proceed to Marina Bandar for a beautiful sunset cruise along the Muscat coastline on a Traditional Omani Dhow. After the cruise, have a delicious farewell dinner on board. Overnight stay at Muscat. Meals: Breakfast DAY 08 (Sat): DEPARTURE MUSCAT In time, transfer to Muscat International Airport for departure. It’s time to say Good Bye to Oman!