splendours of oman

SPLENDORS OF OMAN 2013

Splendours of Oman 2013

Welcome to Sultanate of Oman

South East of the Arabian Peninsula

Omani borders Saudi Arabia in the West,

Yemen in the South, the UAE in the North-

East and the streets of Hormuz in the North

and the Arabian Sea in the Southeast and

the Gulf of Oman on the northeast

It overlooks three seas: The Arabian Gulf,

the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea

Rugged mountains and deep water fjords in

the North

Spectacular dunes of Sharqiya sands and

two large salt flats in the centre

Lush green hills of Dhofar in the South.

Rugged coasts and peaceful beaches

stretching along the 1,700km coastline

• Predominantly arid

• Summer with temperatures reaching 40 °C

in the hot season, from May to September.

• Winter, December- March, the climate is

pleasant with temperatures ranging from

16°C to 30°C

• Lightmonsoon rains December- June

Climate

• The official estimate in 2012 was 3,346,145

• Arabic is the official language.

• English is widenly spoken

• Swahili is also spoken from the population of

East Africa

• French and German also spoken by hotel staff

Population and Language

Religion, Culture and National Dress

Predominantly Ibadi Muslims,

Shi’ite Muslims, Sunni Muslims

The national symbol employs a

pair of crossed Khanjars, the

traditional daggers. This symbol

is integrated into the national flag

and appears in nearly all

government logos

Religion, culture and national dress

Tourism Information

The number of tourist arrivals over the first five months of 2012 rose by 19.5% year-on-year

(y-o-y) and revenues rose by 5.9%.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirms 2011 was a record year for

visitor arrivals to Muscat International Airport with 2.2 million arrivals representing with

Year-on-Year growth of 14%.

Oman was considered to be the second best destination worldwide at the Wanderlust

Annual Travel Awards ceremony at the Destinations Holiday and Travel Show, after

a t the Namibia, based on an overall satisfaction rating from readers’ travels in 2009.

Why Oman?

Infrastructure

Why Oman?

Architecture

Why Oman?

Safety

Why Oman?

Heritage

Why Oman?

Arab Tradition

Why Oman?

All-year round sunshine guaranteed

Why Oman?

White and clean beaches

Why Oman?

Mysterious seaside

Why Oman?

Wadis

Why Oman?

Friendly People

Why Oman?

Art

Hotels: Muscat and Salalah

Hotels

8000 HOTELS ROOMS …

3344 HOTELS ROOMS IN 5-STAR HOTELS…

1988 HOTELS ROOMS IN 4-STAR HOTELS…

5* Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz Carlton Hotel, Muscat

250 rooms (Incl. 32 suites)

8 outlets

1 km private beach

200 Acres of landscaped gardens

3 hotels 640 room

Al Waha, 249 rooms + 13 Suites (5*)

Al Bandar, 184 room + 14 Suites (5*)

Al Husn, 164 room + 16 Suites (6*)

19 food & beverages outlets

6 Main restaurants,7 casual dining outlets &

pool bar,3 lobby lounges,2 bars/night club

5* Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat

280 rooms

12 outlets

2 swimming pools

5* Grand Hyatt, Muscat

158 rooms

7 outlets

700 M private beach

3 swimming pools

5* The Chedi, Muscat

266 Rooms

7 outlets

3 Swimming pools

First 5* hotel in Oman, opened in 1976

5* Intercontinental, Muscat

200 Rooms (Incl. 10 suites)

5 outlets

Private Beach

2 swimming pools, kids club

4* Crowne Plaza, Muscat

156 Rooms

4 outlets

Swimming pool

Shuttle bus to beach

4* Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat

175 Rooms

3 outlets

Swimming pool

Meeting room facilities

4* Park Inn Hotel, Muscat

149 Rooms (Studio room, studio villa & 2 bed room villa)

24 treatment room

4 outlets and restaurants

Huge swimming pool

Gym

4* Al Nahda Resort & Spa, Muscat

147 Rooms (incl. 16 suites)

5 outlets

Private Beach

Kids Swimming pool

Diving center

5* Hilton Hotel, Salalah

153 Rooms

5 outlets

Private Beach

45 acres of landscaped gardens

Dive Center

9-hole pitch & putt green grass golf course

5* Crowne Plaza, Salalah

3 floors, 170 rooms, 67 suites

3 meeting rooms, 6,405 sq ft of total meeting space

Onsite Dive Center

5* Marriot Resort, Salalah

21 Spacious Marina Suites

44 Juweira Rooms

Each room has access to a private Terrace overlooking the ocean surrounding Oman

5* Juweira Boutique Hotel, Salalah

Things to do

Magical Muscat and Dhow Cruise

• Photo stop at the Grand Mosque. Drive through the Embassy road,

which is likewise a lovely sight with the tress flanking the

pavements on both sides and forming dancing shadows on the

lovely Embassy buildings built like typical Arabic villas. From here

you will drive to the Corniche via the beach road.

• Corniche is near the main Mina Al Sultan Qaboos port of Oman and

the Muttrah souk. Visit the souk and stock up on all the typical

Oman souvenirs that are sold in almost every shop! At night all the

ships in the harbor are also illuminated, especially His Majesty the

Sultan’s personal yacht.

• Dhow cruise followed by dinner at the dhow from 17:30 – 19:30

Duration 5-6 hours

Locations Muttrah, Muscat

Inclusions sight seeing, photo stop, return

transfers, dhow trip and dinner at the dhow

Price USD 120 (per person, SIC)

Island Fun

A fascinating boat trip from one small alcove of beach to another along

the coastline of Muscat until you find the perfect “Robinson Crusoe”

hideaway that appeals to you the best! The possibility of snorkeling is

also available ( equipment provided). Drop off in the morning and pick

up again early evening. Enjoy making your own rules on your chosen

very own secluded island.

Duration Full day

Locations Marina Bandar, Khiran

Inclusions

Cruise, Dolphin watching,

snorkelling, Barbecue buffet with

set up, guide and return transfers

Price USD 298 (per person)

Dolphin Watch and Snorkelling

Dolphins in Oman are familiar sights; they will entice your attention

through intelligent techniques. Watching dolphins is one of the major sea

sports. Oman is home to a variety of dolphins and whale species: the

spinner and bottle nose dolphin being the most common. Almost all year

round, dolphins can be found within close proximity of the coast. Of course

since these are wild creatures in their natural habitat, it may sometimes be

the case that no sightings can be made. However, the trip onto the untamed

ocean is a treat in itself!

Double the pleasure of dolphin watching by combining it with a snorkeling

trip. Coral beds provide homes to an exotic variety of fish that are a pleasure

to behold. Catch the timeless magic of tropical fish in their own habitat!

Price USD 53 (per person, SIC)

USD 93 (per person, private car)

Desert Trip

Desert Night Camp

Arabian Oryx Camp

Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani Khalid

Inclusions

Dune bashing by 4WD, visit to

bedouin home, sightseeing and

picnic lunch in the desert

Price USD 144 (per person)

Nizwa – Jabal Akhdar

• Visit Nizwa souq and fort which has been strategically built atop a hill overlooking the ancient with its colorful domes and bustling

market below.

• Drive to visit the Jabal Akhdar, or Green Mountain in Arabic (2800 M above sea level). The trip is a 4 WD ride up the precarious

mountain side. A picnic lunch will be provided, which you can enjoy at the Wadi Bani Habib.

• A most beautiful dried up river bed which stretches about 20-30km. The wadi skirts beautiful villages with their terrace farming

fields. After lunch proceed on to the peak of the green mountain, where you may enjoy the breathtaking view from the top. We will

also stop at the Jabal Akhdar hotel for tea or Omani coffee and some light refreshments (optional). Return to Muscat at 1600hrs

Price USD 159 (per person)

Nizwa – Jabal Shams / Grand Canyon

Visit the Nizwa souq and fort which has been strategically built atop a

hill overlooking the ancient villages with its colorful domes and

bustling market below.

The trip will be with a 4WD. Here one can see the ancient rock

carvings and paintings which are said to be more than 2,000 years

old. There is also a pre historic hut. The Jabal Shams is the highest

peak in the 700 km long Hajar mountain range.

You might even be pleasantly surprised to see a few shepherds

accompanying their grazing sheep! Experience an untamed and

rugged countryside, a pristine world interrupted here and there by

tiny settlements. Return to Muscat via Birkat al Mauz, the deserted

village of clay.

Price USD 160 (per person)

Nizwa – Bahla - Jabreen

Visit the Nizwa fort which has been strategically built atop a hill overlooking the ancient village with its colorful domes and bustling

market below. From here, proceed on to the Jabreen castle (45 km from Nizwa), the finest of Oman’s castles built during the late 17th

century, which became a seat for Omani education and learning. The castle displays beautiful ceiling paintings and intricate wood

carvings. On the way back to Nizwa, halt at the Bahla fort (photo stop), the oldest and first Omani fort to be built in the Islamic style.

Then proceed on to the Oasis of Tanuf springs (where the mineral water “Tanuf” is also bottled). Return to Nizwa for lunch at a

traditional local restaurant or picnic lunch depending on the group size and day of the week. Return to Muscat.

Visit to Al Hoota caves – The Hoota Caves is one of the most accessible caves in Oman and there are many such caves. It is situated

close to Al Hamra. The Hoota caves system was formed by the dissolution of limestone by acidic water. The caves appear in the

cretaceous “Natih” formation. It is a breathtaking sight to see the stalagmite and stalactites in the caves – a desert “grotto” experience!

Price USD 95 (per person)

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions

High End Corporate Meeting Set-up at the Desert

Team Building Activities

Lunch Set-up at Wadi Bani Khalid

Dinning options – Dinner on a secluded island

Why Desert Adventures?

15 years in the business

Multi-lingual staff

Modern fleet

Excellent cooperation with all hotels

Instant response

Innovative program ideas, perfect planning, good performance & exceed

expectations

Cooperation with professional team building companies

Quality service

MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY…

Destination Oman

See you there!

Thank you and see you there!