Tour Information
From Barka the drive continues along the famous Batinah plain, the main agricultural area of Oman. Then on to Al Hazm, where you visit the impressive fort before stopping for a photo at Rustaq Fort.
The tour passes along picturesque wadis (dry river beds) and you will reach the oasis of Nakhl, with time for a visit of Nakhl Fort. Before returning to Muscat you will visit the natural warm springs of Thowarah.
Hotel pick up and drop off
Luxury air-conditioned car or mini-bus transport
Optional gratuities
Food and drink, unless specified
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Buses used for excursions are of the highest standard available. All buses are air-conditioned and equipped with a microphone.
4x4 vehicles used for the off-road safaris are air-conditioned with a maximum capacity of 6 passengers plus driver. All drivers are qualified off-road professionals, first-aid trained and carry cell phones. All vehicles are equipped with seat-belts and passengers are required to wear them at all times.
Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Good quality sunglasses are advised, and photo-chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head are advisable when in direct sunlight. Oman has conservative dress traditions. Swimwear should 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 and villages.
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 or military installations are not allowed.
The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any part of this tour for reasons of government decisions, public holidays, weather conditions, or similar.
A current valid copy of your passport is required on the day of travel
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
We spent a very enjoyable day seeing forts and castles with Rasheed. An excellent guide. I strongly r commend this tour as a good way to see Oman's past
Oman has transformed into a very modern country with terrific infrastructure, unfortunately it has swept away all the old world charm that visitors come to see. One of the best features to us on this trip was the fish market at Barka. It is still in original form and best of all it has a tiny fish auction. Here they have a circular tiled area where the old auctioneer sits with his cane and conducts the auction. The fish are either auctioned separately if they are of a reasonable size, or in bundles strung together with string. The fish to be auctioned are place in the centre near the auctioneers feet and he conducts the auction with voice and tapping of his cane. The buyers seem to be half a dozen local housewives or a couple of guys. The success bid pays and gets the fish and the next fish is placed in the middle and auctioned immediately. A real scene from the past. Bait Na'am and Rustaq Fort are well preserved but a bit sterile, but if you imagine the past you can see how effective they must have been the countryside is nice desert country, although modernism is encroaching. You get to see oasis and where the springs burst out at the base of the mountains. A worthwhile day out.
Ok Guide good all on time but to pay over 200 to see several forts and the main one closed so all we actually saw was a small fish market a couple of houses and the hot water springs
Rustaq we only saw from the distance
Excellent trip, charming driver/tour guide, visited many forts. Lunch not the best.
It was an interesting Tour. If you love to see old castles and fortresses, the mountains and hot springs, then this tour is for you. Rasheed was our driver and tour guide and we had a good time with him. He explained everything very well.
OMG, this is a must to do, amazing route, very nice programme, and our guide was just amazing!
