Muscat means ‘safe anchorage’, and the sea continues to constitute a major part of the city: it brings people on cruise ships and goods in containers to the historic ports of Old Muscat and Mutrah
On arrival at Muscat International Airport, you will be met and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at Leisure and overnight at your hotel in Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy your Muscat City Tour – Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour, Muscat means “Anchorage” & lies in a natural volcanic bowl. Our tour of the Grand Mosque (except Friday) & Bait Al Zubair Museum (except Friday) is a brief introduction that traces Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting colourful Muttrah Souq. (Option to visit to the Fish Market, if guests are interested). We proceed for a photo stop to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th century Portugese forts Mirani & Jalali. (Ladies fully covered and to carry a head scarf and men in trousers). Afternoon at Leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel. Today transfer from the hotel to the Marina to embark on a boat as we search the seas for Dolphins and Whales. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometers from Muscat’s rugged coast. Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature’s most fascinating marine mammals. (Water and Soft drinks). Afternoon at Leisure for Shopping. Overnight at your hotel in Muscat.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Later today, proceed to the Airport in your Seat-in-Coach vehicle as this fantastic tour comes to an end. Return home with wonderful memories of your tour with Orbit.
Oman, a nation on the Arabian Peninsula, has terrain encompassing desert, riverbed oases and long coastlines on the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Wahiba Sands is a region of dunes inhabited by Bedouins. The port capital, Muscat, is home to the massive, contemporary Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and the old waterfront Muttrah quarter, with its labyrinthine souk and busy fish market.
During 9th century BC, Arabs migrated to Oman and the conversion to Islam started in 7th century AD. The earlier Imamate in Oman had the vision to make it a true Muslim state. Muscat, the capital of Oman was occupied by Portuguese from 1508 to 1648. After the Portuguese invasion, no other significant foreign power reined the state. In 1650, they were driven out by Sultan bin Saif al-Yarubi. Ya'aruba Imams were responsible in bringing prosperity to the state. The Ya’aruba rule started in the year 1624 with the succession of Imam Nasser bin Murshid. Restoration of buildings and castles including Nizwa and the Palace at Jabrin, were done during the Ya'aruba dynasty. The death of Sultan bin Saif II and the election of his successor resulted in the civil war. By then, Muttrah and Muscat was taken over by the Persian troops. However, they couldn’t seize Sohar as it was guarded by Ahmad bin Said. The efforts of Ahmad bin Said freed Oman from the seizure of foreigners. Even, today Oman is ruled by the descendants of Sultan Ahmad. Ahmad bin Said who was elected Imam in 1744, took great effort to reunite the rival parties of Civil war
He also made efforts to set up Omani Navy, led battles against pirates and threw Persian forces out of Basra. Though his Son, Hamad replaced him after his death in 1783 and was the de facto ruler in Muscat, sudden death of Hamad in 1792, gave Sayyid Sultan Bin Ahmed, his uncle, the power till 1804. Due to his tight control over Oman and trade in the Gulf, he was considered as an effective ruler by the Europeans. His son Sayyid Said bin Sultan was the next successor and he ruled during the period of 1804-1856. During his reign, the economy and commerce of Oman reached its peak. He made agreements with the European powers and his special envoy to the United States made Oman the first Arab state to set up diplomatic relations with the US. In 1798, Britain established a treaty relationship with the sultanate, after winning a contest with France for authority. Though Oman was accepted as fully independent in 1951, the close rapport sustained and British help was very important in holding back recurring revolts by Moslem fundamentalists in the interior. Sayyid Said bin stayed in Zanzibar, a valuable property of the east African coast. After his death, Majid one of his two sons, took over Zanzibar while the other son Thuwaini inherited Muscat and Oman. However, after that, there was a time of declination for Oman and during the First World War, things were running low and Oman was isolated from the rest of the world. The rule of Imam Sultan Qaboos in 1970 marked the beginning of a new era.
His reign opened a new chapter of growth and opulence along with social and financial progress and the historic glories were also rehabilitated. Throughout the 20th century Oman’s sultans and imams were battling against each other. When, last Ibadi Imam was expelled from the country, the conflict came to an end. Said bin Taimur ruled Oman during the period of 1932 to 1970. His son Qaboos Bin Said who overthrew Said bin Taimur decided to bring modern government to Oman. Another important step which he took was to use oil reserve to bring wealth and prosperity to Oman. In 1971, Oman joined the Arab League and the United Nations. Border dispute between Oman and Yemen came to an end in 1992 and the countries decided to have new maps. Women were granted rights to be nominated in the country's consultative body the Shura Council (Majlis al-Shura). Earlier only elite users were allowed to vote which included only quarter of the population. In 2003, Sultan gave rights to for everyone over 21 to vote.
Said bin Sultan (November 20, 1804 – June 4, 1856) Thuwaini bin Said (October 19, 1856 – February 11, 1866) Salim bin Thuwaini (February 11, 1866 – October 1868) Azzan bin Qais (October 1868 – January 30, 1871) Turki bin Said (January 30, 1871 – June 4, 1888) Faisal bin Turki (June 4, 1888 – October 15, 1913) Taimur bin Faisal (October 15, 1913 – February 10, 1932) Said bin Taimur (February 10, 1932 – July 23, 1970) Qaboos Bin Said (July 23, 1970 to present)
Oman maintained relations with other civilizations and retains strong bond with other nations of the world. The year 1996 saw significant developments in the state. Sultan Qaboos gave Oman first written "constitution” and "Basic Statutes of the State". Within the framework of Qur’anic and customary law, it provided various rights to its people. Oman occupied Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf as a strategic location. Threat of political Islam and the closeness of Iran and Iraq have stirred up tensions in Oman. All through the Gulf War, it has maintained a diplomatic relations with Iraq. By sending troops to join coalition forces and offering chance to pre-positioning of weapons, it has supported United Nations Allies. In September 2000, 83 candidates including two women were selected in Majlis Al-Shur. To Majlis Al Dowla, or State Council, Sultan Qaboos elected 48 members including five women. Al Said's efforts have opened Oman which was once an isolated nation to the world. It has been able to maintain strong military and political relationship too. Oman will always be known as a state that stood for its national unity. Contributions made by Oman to the human civilizations and world are phenomenal.
Muscat is the capital city of Oman lies sparkling white, topped with golden minarets in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains reaching down to the Arabian Sea. Described as "Arabia's jewel”, this city is a blend of the old and the new. Muscat is green as green can be, and defies being classified as part of a desert country. The roads are lined with well-manicured green lawns and trees. During winter this is interspersed with a profusion of multicolored flowers. The city has steadfastly retained its old-world character. Muscat has a quaint charm about it with many forts, castles, mosques and towers dotting the landscape.
The Oasis city of Nizwa, the largest in the interior province, was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries. Today it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings and imposing fort built in the mid 17th century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'ribi. The town's immense palm oasis stretches for eight kilometers along the course of two wadis. It is famous for its bustling souq where tourists can buy exquisite copper and silver jewelry and other craft items. Not too far from Nizwa, Bahla is another small town worth the visit. Bahla Fort was listed among the World Heritage List for its unique design and age.
Distance from Muscat 335 km (interior paved road) and 240 km (coastal track Road). Average drive time 04 hours by paved road and 3.5 hours by coastal track road. Sur, a placid sea coast town with its striking traditional dwellings is a pleasant getaway and one of the most important towns in the Eastern region. The drive from Muscat via the interior cuts through wadis and passes through the Hajar Mountains. An alternate route down the coast through the village of Quriyat is adventurous and offers fabulous views of sparkling white beaches covered with multi colored shells, deep ravines & cliffs that fall dangerously into azure seas.
Sohar, a seaside city, was the capital of Oman many centuries ago and legend has it that it was named after the great grandson of Noah (of the Bibical flood). Originally known as Majan (Persian-Mazoun), the city's name alludes from early ship building activity. The word "ma-gan" means ship's skeleton or chassis stemmed from its copper deposits in the mountains of Majan. The Sohar Fort built around the 1st century AD is one of the major landmarks of this city. Built on a hilltop this fort has five impressive towers and is the only Omani fort that is whitewashed.
The largest city in southern Oman, Salalah has a unique charm with its coconut groves and banana plantations growing right to the water's edge. Its beautiful beaches of white sand are a haven for swimmers ad sea lovers. The rugged beauty of its fertile plains, its freshwater springs, its bustling souq and tropical landscape leave a lasting impression on the visitor's mind.
Oman’s population is about 2 million. Though most Omanis are Arabs, the long trading history of Oman has led to an intermingling and intermarriages of Omani Arabs with other ethnic groups. There is an Indian merchant community in Muscat since 200 years. There about 300,000 expatriate workers from the Indian sub continent who comprise 50% of the total work force in Oman. There is a sizeable Indian and Pakistani population in the north coastal areas. In the north, Omani people with Persian and Baluchi ancestry are common.
The best time to visit Oman is between November and mid-March, when the cooler air brings the mountain scenery sharply into focus and daytime temperatures average 25°C. For the rest of the year, much of Oman is oppressively hot and hazy, particularly between May and August. The redeeming summertime feature is the khareef, the mid-June to late-August rainy season in southern Oman. Many Gulf visitors flock to this area to picnic under the drizzle on Dhofar’s grassy hills. The rain (and the green) vanishes by mid-September. The peak tourist season in the north is from November to mid-March.
The currency of Oman is "Omani rials" (RO, OR, OMR) and baizas (bz). Notes feature "the image of Sultan Qaboos bin Said on one side and different cultural images on the reverse". The notes come in the following denominations: 50 (violet) 20 (dark green) 10 (brown) 5 (red) 1 (purple) ½ rial (brown/purple) 100 baiza (light green). Both Arabic and English, numerals and text appear on the notes. In the 1980s notes included an additional 200 baiza note denomination (blue/green) which is rarely seen these days. Coins appear in 50, 25, 10 and 5 baiza denominations. There are 1000 baiza to the rial. 1 rial 500 baiza is written as RO 1.500. The Rial is pegged to the US dollar ($) at an average rate of US$1-RO 0.385 approximately.
Description: Striptease , disco , resturant , bar , Shisha smoking , girls Entrance ticket - 14$ USD Per Person Dress Code - No Sportwear , cannot be drunk before entering the night club.
Description : erotic dancing , disco , restaurant , girls Entrance ticket - 14 $ USD per 1 Person. Dress code - no sportswears , cannot be drunk before entering the night club
Desription: striptease, disco, restaurant, bar, shisha smoking girls. Entrance ticket - 68 $ USD Per 1 Person (if there is a group of minimum 5 Persons) This price includes: Entrance Ticket, Dinner, Striptease Dancing. Dress code - no sportwear, cannot be drunk before entering the night club.
The official language of Oman is Arabic but English is widely spoken in large cities and business circles. You will find street signs, and restaurant menus in both Arabic and English. Expatriate workers speak in Urdu, Hindi and Farsi. Though Arabic is used for education, official purposes and the media, there are several regional dialects. The ethnic Baluchi population in Mutrah (Muscat) speaks Baluchi, derived from ancient Indo Iranian language. Many locals in Salalah and other southern coastal towns in Oman speak a Dhofari dialect; some residents of the isolated peninsula of Musandem speak Kumzari, a Creole mixture of Hindi, Farsi and Portuguese.
Oman
Oman,Muscat
Muscat, Oman
At the Radisson Blu, a part of our 100% Guest Satisfaction guarantee includes a variety of added services for our visitors. At our on-site Fontana Health Club, guests can pamper themselves with a visit to the sauna or steam room. Our free and abundant parking facilities make visiting the surrounding area a breeze. In addition to our Business Class Lounge (for Business Class Room and Suite guests), we also offer our unique Grab & Run breakfast each morning. Designed as a part of a more personalized and convenient service, we also offer Express and Late Check-out, One Touch Service and Express Laundry.
Oman
Muscat, Oman
The Ruwi Hotel, Muscat is located in the heart of the city centre overlooking the capital’s main business and banking district and within close proximity to Ministries, Oman’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) as well as some of the popular tourist attractions. 30 km of scenic drive from the Muscat International Airport brings you to the hotel. Renowned as one of the best 3-star hotels in Muscat, Ruwi Hotel is ideally the best place to stay for business travellers or tourists alike.