Discover the rich blend of ancient and modern architecture of Muscat on a half-day city tour. Learn how the city has undergone dramatic development in the past 3 decades, yet managed to preserve its age-old culture and heritage. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. Start with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and then continue through the Ministries' area to see a number of modern buildings with a touch of ancient, Islamic architecture. Go to the fish market and explore the narrow alleyways of the Muttrah souk to soak up the scent of exotic spices, coffee beans and ancient remedies. Learn more about the history of Oman at the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Take a souvenir photo at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. Itinerary: • 45 mins in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque • 15 mins in the fish market • 30 mins in the Bait Al Zubair Museum  • 10 mins for a photo stop in Al Alam Palace • 10 mins for a photo stop in Mirani & Jalali • 30 mins in Muttrah Souq

A sightseeing tour around Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a great chance to soak up the Arabic atmosphere and explore the city where the ancient architecture and monuments are combined with the modern life. The first sight on the tour is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is truly a masterpiece of the world architecture. It took 6 years to erect it and in 2001 it was successfully opened. This mosque is a traditional light Islamic building made from sandstone and marble. It has got 5 minarets – one main and 4 side minarets which create a special distinctive look. The internal design is rich in mosaics, huge handmade Persian carpets and chandeliers decorated with crystals. Our next stop is the Royal Opera House – the pearl of the Oman musical and stage art. The third sight we can’t avoid seeing is Muttrah Souq – the market located right at the banks of the Gulf of Oman. That’s an ideal place if you want to have a look at the ordinary life of Oman. Just go along the rows, look for the items, bargain and have fun as here you can find everything starting from spices finishing traditional rugs, vases or just souvenirs. Having seen the market, we should also look at the Mutrah fort. The fort leads its history at 1580s when the Portuguese had built it. It served as a military defense from the rivals in the past, but today it’s open for tourists. Next thing in Muscat to see is a well-known Al Alam Palace — the residence of Sultan Qaboos. From both sides the forts surround the palace, so you’ll likely enjoy the magnificent scenery. Located in the center of the city, it always attracts a lot of visitors and, although, people are not allowed to go in, they can easily go around and take cool photos.

Embark on a historical and cultural tour that gives an insight into Omani life. Visit the impressive Nizwa Fort, haggle a bargain at the local souq, and end the day seeing a traditional village. Start with a spectacular drive through the Hajar Mountains via Fanjah for a photo stop. Then, arrive in Nizwa City to see the Nizwa Fort — the most popular monument of Oman. Next up is a visit to Nizwa souq, the market where you can buy traditional knives, pots and other unique items. Head next to the Al Hamra and Bait Al Safah museum where you can learn about how locals lived in generations past.

Get picked up from your hotel and head to the Shatti Al-Qurum hotel where the tour begins. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary (available in five languages) that follows the tour. Travel towards to Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital and home to some of its most significant structures. Along the way, stop at a charming ancestral village called Birka Al Mawz, which sits at the base of Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain). In Nizwa, admire the central fort and its giant cannon tower; walk through the traditional souq (market); and, of course, enjoy a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, visit the unique Jabreen Castle, built in the 17th century. It has magnificent plasterwork, carved doors, and painted wooden beams. You'll also see Jebel Shams—one of the most famous mountains in Oman—and one of the oldest towns in the region, Oman Bahla, before heading back to your hotel.

In the morning you leave Muscat and we drive to Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. At Nizwa you will visit Nizwa Fort and the Traditional Souk. From there you will travel to Al Hamra one of the oldest villages in Oman at the foot of the Hajar Mountains we take a walk around the mud brick houses. After thi tour, we move on to Misfah al Abryeen, a truly pristine village that nestles at the base of Jebel Shams. Here you will get to see the large Falaj water system that supplies water to the nearby vegetation. There are numerous marked footpaths throughout the village that is recommended to take your time and explore. Before continuing our journey onwards and upward to Jebel Shams, stopping on the way for amazing views of the Hajar Mountains and Oman's highest point. Even on the hottest days, it's nice and cool up here. Jebel Shams is the highest peak of the Hajar mountain range, soaring 3,000 meters above sea level. It provides a spectacular scenery, ancient rock carvings and remote villages .Overnight in Mountains

Begin your tour driving through the Hajar Mountains to the township of Nizwa, which is the ancient capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa Fort and the traditional Souk.  Next, travel through the deep Wadi Ghul and arrive at Jebel Shams, Mountain of the Sun, which is the undisputed lord of the mountains. Jebel Shams is the highest peak of the Jebel Al Akhdar mountain range, soaring 3,000 meters above sea level. This is the Grand Canyon of Oman and provides spectacular scenery, ancient rock carvings, and remote villages.  Continue your tour to the beautiful old village of Misfah, perched on the side of a mountain where narrow ancient stone pathways lead you into the valley below. Have lunch at a restaurant where you can savor local delicacies at the top of the mountain. Afterward, explore the ancient labyrinth of the region of Al Hamra before your return trip to Muscat.

Being a rare blend of ancient and modern, Muscat is a beautiful city which lies in 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, Muscat takes pride in the fact that it has preserved its lustrous culture and heritage. Your visit starts with a tour of the grand mosque, which is an architectural marvel and perhaps the new landmark of the city. The drive continues through the ministries' area, where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of ancient, Islamic architecture. Then, visit the fish market and the folkloric Muttrah souk, with its narrow covered alleys where you can smell exotic aromas of mounds of spices, coffee beans, and ancient remedies, all enticing perfumes that fill the air. Next, engage in a visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture, encompassing all of the areas traditional values. You will also have a photo-stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali. Continue to Bait-Al-Baranda, a great museum in muscat, before finally stopping for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon , take your time to better explore this mystic city and its captivating civilization. Have a chance to explore other souks, and discover all the treasures and spices that you can find.