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Oman is becoming a popular tourist destination. It is not surprising, given the wide range of tourist attractions that the sultanate has to offer. From wadis, deserts, beaches and mountains to forts, castles and souqs make Oman a unique country among its neighbouring nations. As a tourist in Oman you’ll be overwhelmed by the variety of activities you’ll find, like sand skiing in the desert, scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking, surfing and sailing, cave exploration, bird-watching, bull fighting, and camel races. So in order to get the best out of your trip, without any time or money waste, you should contact a touristic agent to help you choose the best excursions in Oman for your adventure thirst.
If you are looking to get a taste of the rich heritage of Oman, you should take the tour to the Nakhl Oasis and its fort. This tour will take you from the impressive Fort at the Nakhl oasis through the warm springs at Thowarah, lush plantations of palm trees and small mountain villages and finally to the Bilad Sayt village. You will also get to explore Wadi Sahtan, with its famous rock paintings.
A Safari is the perfect expedition for you if you are more of an intrepid traveller. Safaris will take you through untraveled paths through sand dunes and rugged mountain areas. You’ll be meandering through the entrancing Hajar Mountains to the famous water pools in Wadi Abyad. Then you’ll enjoy a thrilling dune drive and be rewarded at the end with a scrumptious barbecue dinner.
If travelling for you is always a learning experience where you experience a place’s history first-hand then the coastal tour to Bibi Myriam is definitely for you. Like most other excursions in Oman, this expedition starts in Muscat before heading to Quriyat with the beautiful beaches that make this coastal town famous. Here you can take pictures at the Sinkhole, which is a part of a mountain that collapsed and is now filled with sea water. Then you’ll get to see the White Beach and the Wadi Shab on your way to the picturesque village of Tiwi. After a delicious picnic lunch, you’ll get to the historical site of Bibi Myriam.
For people who enjoy when visiting other countries, the shopping tour will be a delight with a mixture of old and new Muscat. You’ll find the perfect balance between fully air-conditioned malls, which are brightly lit and clean, and the colourful, busy and traditional markets. This expedition will take you to Oman’s largest indoor market, the famous Al Dhalam Souk, located along the coast at Muttrah corniche.
You will find exquisite silver jewellery, daggers with incredibly intricate hand-work, and other typical handicrafts at this Souk, which is built in a traditional style. You will also visit two shopping centres that house traditional souks. In both places you will find silver jewellery, leather goods, silk rugs, trinkets and Omani silver handicrafts, that make for excellent souvenirs. Here, trying Omani Halwa, a delicious traditional treat made from dates, rose water and cardamom, is a must. At the Amouage factory, your senses will be teased by the great variety of scents, discovering all the secrets behind the world’s most valuable perfume.
Before booking any of these expeditions in Oman, make sure you know what is included in the price and what is not. Most of them include hotel pick-ups, an experienced English speaking driver and guide and lunch or dinner. Remember that tips and gratuities, personal expenses and souvenirs are rarely included. Ask for optional activity costs. More importantly, regardless of the type of expedition you choose, be prepared to let excursions in Oman surprise you with its natural diversity, cultural richness and historical value.
While there are many of us who leave things to the last minute, a smart traveler always knows his options in advance. If you are looking for interesting excursions in Oman to make your next trip to this wonderful country more fun, read on for some options you may want to consider.
The best way to find out what types of tours are available through reliable travel and tourism companies, you can always browse online before making the required bookings. Another way is to get in touch with a well-known travel agency in Oman. Not only can the local travel agency help you tailor-design your holiday and stay, but also offer a lot more insight than you can gather through online searches. Some of the most reputable travel agencies of the country can plan your holiday to fit your needs to the T. This includes getting you to Oman by the quickest route by air, booking tickets, arranging for a rental car with or without a chauffeur for your convenience, booking tours and excursions that suit your interests and desires, and make sure that your are staying at hotels that fit your budget yet provide all luxuries you require, among others.
Oman has a lot to offer to each and every traveler. Hence, you may want to choose the excursions that include things that you enjoy or want to see. For example, the country offers activities as varied as scuba diving, boating, sailing, rock climbing, trekking, camel riding, horse riding, desert safari, camping, caving, off-road driving, dune bashing, shopping at modern malls as well as traditional Omani souqs, whale watching, turtle watching, dolphin watching, bird watching, kite surfing, etc.
Sightseeing alternatives include a large number of forts, four very renowned World Heritage Sites, beautiful beaches, exotic scenery, magnificent textured mountains, one of their kind caves, palaces, intriguing architectural marvels, ancient villages, plantations, endless deserts, reserves, valleys, Strait of Hormuz, islands, lagoons, canyons, Geosites, water springs, rock parks, etc. In addition to these, depending on the dates of your travel there are many unique and exciting festivals that take place throughout the country at certain times of each year. Some of the best known of these are the Muscat Festival, Salalah Festival, Sinbad Classic, Oman International Rally, Dubai – Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, Cultural Theatre Program organized by the Misnistry of Tourism, Oman Desert Express, Bidiyah Challenge, Tour of Oman, Oman World Fireworks Championship, etc.
A good way is to pick a few activities that interest you, a few sights that you don’t want to miss out on and aim at attending at least one festival or event that can give you a glimpse at into the Omani style and outlook. You can also share the shortlist you have created with your travel agency and see if they can plan the ultimate holiday for you. Another option is to simply go through the array of excursions they offer. Most travel agencies have private or group excursions such as Mystical Muscat showcasing the city and some adjoining sites, Fascinating Forts including a trip to the famous forts at Nizwa, Al Hoota Caves tour, Twilight Dhow Cruise, Amazing Dolphins for dolphin and whale watching, Batinah Bash to see Batinah coast and sites, Majestic Mountains, and many more.
With so many already designed excursions in Oman available for booking, even over the Internet or phone, things like planning your tours has become simple and quick. And in case these choices don’t make you jump for joy, you can have your excursions tailor-made for a few extra bucks. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tours today.
One of the most vital things to ensure that you have a fabulous holiday in Oman is to find a good local travel agency. There are many in Muscat and you can simply log onto some websites and select one that you think can help you best in making the required bookings and showing you around. If you plan on staying only in the Capital and still not miss out on the treasures this ancient Sultanate has in store, look for various excursions in Muscat available through such travel agencies. You can compare the choices online and make an informed decision and relevant bookings well in advance. Some of the more popular tours arranged by the leading travel agencies of the city are mentioned below.
A favourite is the Muscat city tour that offers a unique opportunity the glory, mystique and modernism of this city. This is a four hour tour that includes visiting the Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, the Al Alam Palace, the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali, the waterfront cornice, the fish market and the colorful Mattrah souq.
One is the Nizwa Forts tour, which aims to introduce visitors to the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. This excursion takes duration of 9 hours and covers sites like the famous Round Tower Fort and its souq, Jabrin castle, and the beautiful village of Birkat Al Mauz located at the foothills of Green Mountain of Jebel Akhdar, where visitors can enjoy a walk through its oasis and dense date plantations.
Another favourite is the Al Hoota Caves tour of 8 hours, as it covers Nizwa’s Round Tower fort and souq, the village of Birkat Al Mauz as well as the Al Hoota Caves, where visitors can see stalactites and stalagmites, and an underground lake.
For visitors that want to enjoy a special evening out, there is the Twilight Dhow Cruise that takes 3 hours. One can view the city’s coast and the change of beautiful earth colours to sparkling city lights as the sun sets, with a brief stop at a natural cove.
For marine-life lovers there is a dolphin and whale watching tour. This is an early morning tour of 3 to 4 hours, and while every trip may not have a sighting, it is a spectacular way to start your day in this country.
Other celebrated excursions in Muscat include the Batinah tour and the majestic mountains tour. Such tours are a great way to select parts of Oman. Many travel agencies even design tailor-made tours or private tours that can take you around in chauffeur driven vehicles. You can choose exactly what you wish to see and how. All you need to do is let your travel agency know of your desires and luxury requirements beforehand.
Oman is known for its culture, scenery, and tourism infrastructure all over Arabia. It is said to be the ideal holiday destination for the niche and evolved traveler. The involvement of the Sultanate’s government has helped it grow leaps and bound over the past decade. The constant popularity of Oman as a tourism haven comes from the fact that it has fairly easy accessibility from most countries, state-of-art infrastructure that helps in enjoying a relaxed vacation, and friendly visa facilities for leisure travel. Hence, it is not surprising that Oman excursions have now gained appreciation from the itinerants of the world.
 The tourism industry is witnessing a boom in Oman and travel companies of all sizes are at the tourists’ beck and call. Many tours are available to explore this beautiful country, but there are some aspects to consider. A guaranteed pleasurable vacation begins with associating with a well-known travel agency. Choose your tour operator depending on the kind of holiday you wish to embark on. Look for interest specific tours that are available. Oman is a country of immense natural beauty. If viewing this characteristic of the country is what interests you, then consider a nature’s tour that will not only cover the desert, dunes, and canyons but also wildlife, bird-watching, turtle breeds, caves, and beaches.
In case, you are an adventure buff, there are many tours offered that will give you the thrills, which add up to making your travel more exciting. Oman has a lot of water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing activities on its aquamarine shores for tourists. It also boasts of magnificent mountains that are ideal for treks, hikes and rock climbing. These mountains are home to some exotic species of birds, animals and ancient inhabitants that still preserve their way of life, and set the canvas for Oman’s natural beauty. If, you are interested in the heritage and culture of this Sultanate then you would definitely enjoy specific heritage tours. From classic architecture to ancient forts and churches that still open for touring, Oman has a cultural richness that cannot be found in many countries. The country possesses UNESCO World Heritage sites like the famous Bahla Fort, and illustrious archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn.
Any modern traveler, interested in the whole package should opt for Oman excursions such as quaint traditional souks, exclusive dhow rides, amazing caves, steering waterfalls, awe inspiring forts and monuments, and desert safaris to get the best of all.
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