Jewels of Dhofar

Day 1: Salalah

Muscat - Salalah
Depart to Muscat Airport in an air-conditioned vehicle and take a 1Hr 30 Minutes flight to the Garden city Oman. In contrast, Muscat Salalah welcomes you with large coconut, papaya, and Banana plantations. Salalah caters to most of the daily needs of Oman.
On arrival, meet your guide for hotel, check-in and overnight

Day 2: Salalah

Salalah
We first drive to the grand mosque of Salalah. Visit the beautiful Grand Mosque with its exquisite artwork and stained tiles.
(To visit the Mosque, one has to be dressed in a conservative manner. One should not wear revealing or transparent clothes and should be covered from head to toe. Ladies have to cover their heads with a scarf. Grand Mosque is open for tourists from Saturday to Thursday from 08:00 hrs to 11:00 hrs.)
Visit the Al Husn souq, where frankincense crystals of Dhofar and typical Dhofari frankincense burners are sold. Walk along the city’s promenade (waterfront corniche) where single-story houses are dwarfed by tall swaying palms. Photo stop at (view from outside) Al Husn Palace, the summer residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, stands at one end of the promenade. Visit the Al Balid Museum, which is famous for the Dhofari costumes in the south (Sunday - Thursday only).
Visit one of the farms where coconut, Banana, and vegetables are cultivated. Short Walk in the farm to understand the cultivation. (our guide will explain)
The excursion begins with a visit to the old fishing village of ‘Taqa’. Visit the century-old ‘Taqa Castle, the former official residence of the ‘Wali’ (Governor) of the region & obtain a glimpse into the rich history of the region.
Continue onto the ancient ruins of the once-famous city of Sumharam (Khor Rohri). The city was the easternmost outpost of the Hadramawt Kingdom on the ancient incense route between the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and India. Khor Rori was an important port on the coast of Dhofar, and one of the major trading cities with frankincense, believed to have been the hub & harbor for the shipping of Frankincense (UNESCO World Heritage site).
A picturesque drive then leads you to ‘Mirbat’, the ancient capital of Dhofar and the beginning of the ‘Frankincense trail. Stroll through the streets lined with old Omani houses & visit the ‘twin-domed Bin Ali’s Tomb’ as a photo stop, a classic example of medieval architecture.

Day 3:

Salalah
Start the half-day exploration of Dhofar by driving towards the ‘Qara’ mountains. On a road steadily winding up a steep incline, herds of camels & cattle are a common sight, which gives a scenic view of a traditional Dhofari rural beauty.
Visit the ancient tomb of ‘Prophet Job’ situated in the scenic green mountains of the Salalah plains. Experience the legendary story of Prophet Job and his devoutness.
Proceed to the beach of Mughsail where the white sand touches the deep blue of the ocean & at high tide, where waves burst through the natural titanic ‘Blow Holes’, at the far end of the ‘Rocky beach’ with a cave-like entrance.
Continue along the ‘Hair-pin-bend’ road towards Western Border of Oman, with its breathtaking cliffs on either side, to see the historical ‘Frankincense trees’ growing in their natural habitat, deep down in the valleys, dotting the dry & craggy countryside. Take a short walk into the valleys to smell the ‘Holy Incense’ amidst the scenic view of the region.
Departure transfer to the airport.