A unique blend of the ancient & modern, Muscat is a beautiful city, which lies in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains, lulled by the Arabian Sea. The city has undergone dramatic development in the past two or three decades, however it has never lost its pride in its heritage & culture. Your visit starts with a tour of the Grand Mosque, followed by a drive through the ministries area where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of Islamic architecture. The tour continues with a visit to the fish market and the Muttrah souq with its narrow covered alleys where the exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffees, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes fill the air. A visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum (or another prominent museum), which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture. Photo stop opportunity at the magnificent Al Aalam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali.
Note: The Grand Mosque is open Sat to Wed 0800-1100 hrs only. Ladies visiting the Grand Mosque are required to cover their head with a scarf. Visitors are asked to be fully covered and not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless outfits. Men should wear long trousers.

Forts and castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks and together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points.

Optional visit to Al Hota Cave, a magnificent underground cavern & lake system. $22 per person.

The fertile Batinah coast is dotted with beautiful beaches, forts, fishing villages and places famous for camel racing & bull fighting. Your tour includes a visit to the Seeb Fish market before continuing to the Nakhl Fort and the hot water springs, followed by the majestic fort of Rusta, one of the oldest forts in Oman. Return to Muscat by late afternoon.

A visit to the Nizwa souq and the Round Fort in Nizwa, followed by a scenic drive towards the Western Hajjar Mountains rising over 2000 metres, with a stop at Al Hamra where 400 years old mud houses are still standing and occupied. The Wadi Nakhr gorge is a one of Oman's greatest natural wonders. The mountain village of Misfah and the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul also would be visited. Jebel Shams (mountain of the Sun) is the tallest peak in Oman at a height of 3010 metres offering spectacular views of the surroundings.

The coast of Oman is blessed with a variety of Dolphins & Whales. About 21 different species of Whales & Dolphins have been identified along the coast of Oman, including the Blue Whale which is seldom seen anywhere else in the world. You would be transferred from your hotel to the jetty. While it is not guaranteed that you would spot dolphins on every trip, it would be an enjoyable experience in the sea and our onboard cetacean specialist would enlighten you with details about these fascinating marine mammals.

Musandam, separated by the United Arab Emirates, is the northern most part of Oman jutting out into the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. The mountains rise straight out of the sea giving rise to the fjord- like appearance of the coast superbly visible from air. This half-day excursion provides an introduction to parts of the Musandam Peninsula and its capital of Khasab. Visit Khasab Fort, a picturesque stronghold built in the 17th century by the Portuguese seeking domination over the maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz. The fort was erected to prevent attacks from the sea. Teak wood from India was used for its construction and the roof was fashioned from a mix of palm leaves and clay. Within its low, crenellated walls, the fort contains a large central tower which is thought to pre-date the fort itself. The structure you see today is the result of extensive restoration work carried out in the late 20th century. The fort's location offers excellent views and photo opportunities. Visit Wadi Tawi to see the pre-historical rock paintings illustrating camels, ships, warriers and many more.