Travel to Oman where you will be welcomed with great warmth and genuine hospitality by locals and invited to delve into the country&#8217;s exotic wonders, flavorful food, and splendid culture on this fascinating trip to Oman with Central Holidays. Embark on an insightful city tour of Muscat, including an enchanting sunset sailing along the coast. Visit imposing mosques and shop in traditional souks for unique gifts and mementos. Share in the serene and spectacular ambiance of the desert with a stay in an authentic desert camp. Embark on 4x4 Safari adventures throughout your journey. See nesting turtles at Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve in Sur. Visit the Bimah sinkhole, a lake of turquoise waters formed in limestone by the collapse of a large cave chamber. It&#8217;s an unforgettable Oman vacation for you to share.

Upon arrival in Muscat, transfer from the airport to your hotel for check-in and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in this fascinating city.

MUSCAT

After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a city tour beginning with a visit to the magnificent Grand Mosque. Then continue to the Muttrah Souk, a traditional oriental market where a lively atmosphere and the scent of frankincense and spices fill the air. Next you will visit Bait Al Zubair museum, known for its fine collection of traditional costumes, antique jewelry, and weapons. Enjoy a photo stop at Al Alam Palace, the palace of the Sultan, and then embark on a sunset sailing along the coast of Muscat. See the Royal Opera House on the way back to the hotel, and drive through the ministries and embassies area. Overnight in Muscat. (B,L)

Rise and shine with breakfast at your hotel before leaving Muscat and heading towards the interior of Oman. You will visit Jabrin Castle with its winding hallways, hidden staircases and beautifully decorated interior. Later, you will reach Al Hamra and visit the village. The adventure continues as you switch to 4x4 vehicles and drive up to Jebel Shams, known as the &#8220;mountain of the sun.&#8221; Enjoy a delightful lunch at a local restaurant. Next, visit Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. Here you will have the chance to explore the Nizwa Souq situated within the walls of the famous Nizwa Fort. Overnight in Nizwa. (B,L)

MUSCAT I JABRIN I AL HAMRA I JEBEL SHAMS I NIZWA

Have breakfast and then proceed to the famed &#8220;Sinaw Market.&#8221; It is a very busy market due to its proximity to the Bedouin communities who head there to buy necessities, and sell their livestock and handicrafts. Head to a local home where you will share a traditional lunch and cultural exchange with the family. After lunch, discover the ruins of the old mercantile community of Al Mansfah near Ibra before heading to Wahiba Sands via 4x4 vehicles. Arrive at your desert camp for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

NIZWA I SINAW I AL MANSFAH I WAHIBA SANDS

Power up with breakfast and then board your 4x4 vehicle and return to the bus. The next stop on this fascinating journey is Wadi Bani Khaled, standing in strong contrast to the desert with its natural pools and greenery. Next, continue to the coastal town of Sur and visit the Dhow factory. Tonight, join in an excursion to Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve, where you may have the chance to witness nestling turtles. Head to your hotel in Sur for an overnight stay. (B,D)

WAHIBA SANDS I WADI BANI KHALED I SUR

After breakfast, you will enjoy a short city tour of Sur before heading back to Muscat along the coast. Along the way, stop at beautiful Wadi Tiwi and savor lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort. Then visit the Bimah sinkhole, a lake of turquoise waters formed in limestone by the collapse of a large cave chamber. Continue your drive to Muscat to board your return flight home or extend your stay. (B,L)

SUR I WADI TIWI I BIMAH I MUSCAT TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)

DISCOVER OMAN

You'll enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on this Oman vacation and in the United Arab Emirates with stays in Muscat, Nizwa, Wahiba, Sur, and Dubai. Embark on an insightful city tour of Muscat on your trip to Oman, including an enchanting sunset sailing along the coast. Visit imposing mosques and shop in traditional souks for unique gifts and mementos. See nesting turtles at Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve in Sur and visit the Bimah sinkhole on this amazing &#8220;Between Ocean and Desert&#8221; Oman travel package. Delve into the amazing city of Dubai and experience a splendid dinner cruise onboard a traditional Arabian dhow boat. Stay in an authentic desert camp and embark on 4x4 Safari adventures in both Oman and UAE. Discover Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and UAE&#8217;s East Coast on full day excursions. Unforgettable moments await you at every turn.

Upon arrival in Muscat, transfer from the airport to your hotel for check-in and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a short city tour of Sur before heading back to Muscat along the coast. Along the way, stop at beautiful Wadi Tiwi and savor lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort. Then visit the Bimah sinkhole, a lake of turquoise waters formed in limestone by the collapse of a large cave chamber. Continue your drive to Muscat and transfer to the airport for your flight to Dubai. After proceeding through immigration and collecting your luggage, you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. Overnight in the hotel. (B,L)

SUR I WADI TIWI I BIMAH I MUSCAT I DUBAI

After breakfast, you will start your tour of Dubai in the Bastakyia district. At the Dubai Museum situated in the Al-Fahidi fortress, learn about the city&#8217;s past as a small fishing village. Cross the Dubai Creek in a water taxi to Deira to shop for exotic spices and unique souvenirs. In Jumeirah, approach the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque, built in the medieval Fatimid tradition. Then look up at Burj Khalifa, the world&#8217;s tallest tower and the centerpiece of the region&#8217;s prestigious urban development. Upon your return to Dubai, enjoy a relaxing cruise long the Dubai Creek on a traditional Arabian dhow, and savor a sumptuous feast of Arabic and international cuisine. (B,D)

DUBAI

Take time to revel in a morning at leisure. This afternoon, enjoy traveling across the deserts of Dubai in a 4x4 vehicle. This exciting dune drive has many photo stops, but the highlight of this trip may well be the pristine sunset. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Arabian barbeque dinner featuring professional dancers that will demonstrate the ancient art of belly dancing. Return to the hotel and overnight. (B,D)&#160;&#160;

Today you will tour the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Visit the intricately decorated Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque that can accommodate 30,000 worshipers and is one of the largest mosques in the world. In downtown Abu Dhabi, stop at the Heritage Village, which houses a small museum and depicts Arab life prior to the discovery of oil. Then, drive to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the skyline. Next, you will tour Saadiyat Island where the Louvre and Guggenheim Museum annexes are being constructed. Finally on Yas Island, see Formula 1 racing on the Formula Yas 3000 circuit and explore Ferrari World, the first Ferrari-branded amusement park in the world. Overnight in Dubai. (B)

DUBAI I ABU DHABI I DUBAI

Today you will head out towards the Eastern Emirates and Al Ain, situated in an opulent terrain and dotted with abundant underground water springs. The former seat of the Sheikhs, here you will find a wealth of desert culture in this formerly vital trading center, including an 18th century bazaar, a camel race track, and a livestock market. Visit the Al Ain National Museum and Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum before ascending Jebel Hafeet. At the base of the mountain, soak in the healing hot springs so abundant in this area. Return to Dubai. (B)

DUBAI I AL AIN I DUBAI

Transfer to Dubai airport for your departure flight home with treasured memories to share of your exotic adventure. (B)

DUBAI TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)

BETWEEN OCEAN AND DESERT

<span>Travel to Oman, a lesser known gem in Western Asia where welcoming locals, a captivating culture, flavorful food scene, desert and coastal experiences, and great shopping opportunities await you. Muscat greets you with superb sunset sailing options, fun 4x4 desert safaris, grand mosques, and traditional souks &#8211; ideal for finding unique gifts and mementos of your time on this fascinating trip to Oman. Don your bargaining shoes and head to the souk at Mutrah Corniche to find Omani and Indian items</span><span class="morecontent">&#160;and even distinctive antiques. Check out the elaborately painted ceilings and date fruit store at Jabrin Castle, built in 1675 by Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan. Have a truly unique experience staying at an authentic Bedouin-style desert camp in Wahiba Sands. At every turn, your Oman vacation will take you to uncover spectacular natural wonders, from desert wildlife and oceans of sand dunes, to high mountain peaks, and the exotic Arabian Sea. Along these spice routes that date back centuries, you will also find a burgeoning food scene that simply cannot be ignored. Get ready to savor fragrant spices, soft rice varieties, layered dishes, date-clad desserts, and delicious teas to wash down each meal &#8211; all this and more is sure to indulge the foodie in you. This captivating country beckons the exotic explorer in you.</span>

Natural wonders, captivating culture, burgeoning food scene…enjoy it all on an Oman vacation

Africa & West Asia