Off-road Jabel Akhdar (jeep tour)

DESCRIPTION

Your full day Oman tour begins from the Muscat Port gate, where you will meet your tour guide for your exciting group outing. Your first stop is the old capital of Oman, Nizwa.

This fascinating city will excite you with its grand outdoor souq, where vendors sell a variety of products including cattle, goats, vegetables, jewelry, handicrafts, and much more. Souvenirs are popular here, and you might want to do some shopping to bring a bit of Oman’s culture home with you. If you are fortunate to make it to Nizwa on a Friday, you will enjoy a circus style market in which local residents come to sell their cattle, sheep, and chickens.

Your next destination is the Birkat Al Mauz, which is known for its village ruins and plantations. Birkat Al Mauz roughly translates to “banana pool,” a suitable name to describe the plantations’ abundance of bananas and dates.

You will have a chance to purchase lunch after leaving Birkat Al Mauz. Then it’s time to venture up to Jebel Akhdar, where you will see man-made terraces in the villages of Al Ain, Al Shiraijah, and Al Aqur. The terraces are decorated in pink native roses, while the aroma of rose water from the local distilleries mixes with the mountain air. Harvesting season for the roses begins in March and continues through May.

If you are traveling during the harvesting season, you will get to see the large clay urns used to house the rose water during the distillation process. An hour and half long walk will give you the chance to really enjoy the villages thoroughly and take photos galore. The scenic walk along the mountain is definitely a highlight of this Muscat-based tour, as you get to not only view the villages but also the deep valley and garden plantations.

Shore Excursion Size:Private

Shore Excursion Type: Cultural, Active, Scenic

Shore Excursion Duration:8 Hours

Activity Level:Moderate

Shore Excursion Leaves From: Cruise Ship Pier (Full details will be provided in your electronic ticket upon confirmation.)

Food/Beverage Provided: A traditional light Picnic arabic lunch and local soft drinks, juices, and water is included.

Recommended Dress: We recommend wearing comfortable, lightweight summer clothing and walking shoes are suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Sunglasses and a hat are also advised. The United Arab Emirates has conservative dress traditions. Swimwear must be confined to the beach and hotel pools. Men and women should ensure shoulders and knees are covered when in public, especially in souks, shops, malls, and villages. If you plan on visiting a mosque, please wear loose long trousers or long skirts and long sleeves. Shorts, and tight or transparent clothing is not permitted. Women must cover their head with a scarf.

Restrictions: Guests must be able to get in and out of the vehicle. Normal tourist photography is acceptable, but it is considered offensive to photograph Arab women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. Photographs of government buildings, police, or military installations are not allowed.