The Sultanate of Oman on the Gulf of Arabia, is a country of dramatic landscapes, with rugged mountains, arid deserts, lush green plains, and beautiful beaches. It is a land steeped in history with a fascinating culture that the whole family will enjoy! Our Oman family adventure begins in the historic city of Muscat and takes us to explore ancient forts and castles, desert oases and colourful souqs. We watch for turtles nesting and laying their eggs, and stay overnight at a desert camp, with a visit to a Bedouin house, “Desert Bashing” across the stunning dunes of Wahiba Sands, and also the chance to ride a camel. We explore Nizwa Fort, the old village of Misfah with its old mud houses, Al Hoota Caves with their beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and Jabal Al Akhdar high in the mountains. Next stop Barka, with time to relax on the coast before we return to Muscat for a final night and the end of our family adventure.

Muscat.  Arrive at Muscat Airport. You will be met on arrival, and transferred to the joining hotel.

Please ensure that you have provided us with your flight details to enable us to organise this transfer. 

The pre departure meeting is at 6pm today to meet your Local Guide and fellow travellers. The remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or explore a little.

Muscat - Sur - Turtle Watching. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart by 0830 hrs by 4WD to Sur via the scenic and rugged coastal route. This tour offers breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. After we drive past the fishing village of Quriyat, our first stop is the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom, where you may like to take a dip. We then stop at Fins Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of the area, another swimming opportunity

We continue to Wadi Tiwi. The road to Tiwi winds between houses. The sight is remarkable with its lush green plantations with water flowing all year around. A picnic lunch will be served at a convenient place.

On reaching Sur, we check into our hotel. In the evening, usually around 8pm, we proceed to Ras Al Jinz to watch the Green Turtles nesting. Later we drive back to Sur.

Wahiba Sands - Nizwa. Breakfast is taken at the camp and then we depart from the camp for the drive via Ibra to Nizwa, the cultural capital of Oman.  

If open, we will visit the Al Hoota Cave, one of the largest natural caves, more than 5kms long. You will see beautiful natural formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and crystals. The main cave has an underground lake, with rare blind fish.

We overnight in Nizwa.

Nizwa – Wadi Bani Awf – Barka. After breakfast we check out of the hotel and drive to Barka.  En route we drive past the mountain village of Bilat Sait and Wadi Bani Awf. We stop in Nakhl where we visit the fort.

Whenever possible we will be staying at the Al Sawadi Beach Resort. This resort is set on one of the most tranquil beaches in Oman, overlooking the Sawadi Isles. There are plenty of watersports available, as well as boat trips.

Barka - Muscat.   After breakfast we check out of the hotel and transfer to Muscat. En route we will visit Barka fish market and Bait Na'man.

On arrival at our hotel, the remainder of the day is free to enjoy the hotel facilities.

Shangri-La's Jissah Resort & Spa 

PO Box 644, PC113

Muscat

Sultanate of Oman

Tel: +968 2477 6666

Fax: +968 2477 6677

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers. In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel.

PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:

1. Passport.

2. Vaccination Certificate.

3. Travel Voucher.

4. Travel Insurance Policy.

In many of the hotels you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are compulsory in the countries we visit in the Middle East however we do advise that you are up-to-date with your diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, polio, and tetanus vaccines. You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.

- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com  for further details.

Medical Supplies: We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$30-45 per day (not including optional excursions) for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc.

Currency: The Omani currency is the Rial Omani (RO).

Credit cards: All major credit cards are readily accepted in the main shops and hotels, as well as by an increasing number of traders in the souq. American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely used but some of the smaller card operators, like Diners and Discover, are not accepted.

ATM / Auto bank cards: Most of the banks in the main urban areas have ATM/Auto banks that accept US/UK cards ('Cirrus' or 'More'). Local currency can be withdrawn

Travellers Cheques: These are easily exchanged at banks, forex establishments and at the airport.

Hotels also have the facility to change money for their guests at the current exchange rate. Outside banking hours, moneychangers operate during the evenings (4pm - 7pm) and at weekends. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

How much should I take?

• Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

During the holy month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset daily. The fixed hours of prayer are observed and during daylight no Muslims will eat, drink or smoke. All tourists are requested to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the presence or sight of a Muslim. Eating, drinking or smoking in public places during daylight is forbidden. Hotel coffee shops remain open. Bars / Mini bars do not serve alcohol, although it can be ordered through room service after sunset only. During the Ramadan fasting period, lunch with Omani families and coffee with Omani families is not feasible. The picnic lunch will be served but will be eaten out of view of the public. Our guides/drivers will help on this.

Approximate Ramadan dates:

2008 : 02 Sept - 02 Oct

2009 : 22 Aug - 20 Sept

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

Omani cuisine is a tasty blend of flavours due to its location at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. Culinary influences have been brought to the Sultanate from all around the world. The diverse terrain of the country has created styles of cooking that vary from region to region.

Aroma is intrinsic to the cuisine and comes from the variety of spices that are liberally used, cinnamon, cardamom,cloves,black pepper, onion ,ginger, garlic and lime.

Food and festivity go together and festivals are celebrated with special dishes that are a gourmet's delight. The two main religious festivals - Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha feature specially prepared dishes. The principal dish is Shuwa, the preparation of which sometimes whole villages participate. An entire cow or goat is marinated in a mix of dried spices, wrapped in banana leaves and then roasted for over 48 hours in a special underground pit oven.

Eid al Fitr is celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Dhofar and Wusta, the festivities commence with ruz al mudhroub, a dish of rice is served with fried fish and maqdeed (specially dried meat). In Muscat, Al Batinah, Dahira and the Sharqiya muqalab is included in the menu. This dish made of tripe and duck flavoured with ground and crushed spices. Other dishes include arisia, lamb cooked with rice and mishkak, chargrilled, skewered meats (kebabs).

During Ramadan, when breakfast occurs only after sunset, the two popular dishes served during this time are sakhanka, a thick sweet soup made of wheat, date molasses and milk and fatta, a meat and vegetable dish mixed with Omani unleavened bread, khubz rakhal. This breaking of the fast, known as Iftar, is celebrated in every Omani home as well as in major hotels and restaurants.

A wide variety of soups can be found in the daily cuisine, made from lentils,vegetable, lamb or chicken. Omanis are also fond of salads made from fresh vegetables, smoked eggplant, tuna, dried fish and watercress. Main course dishes are many ranging from Marak, a vegetable curry, to smoked kebabs, barbecued, grilled, curried meats, chicken and fish. Rice is used extensively from plain steamed to biryanis. An array of breads can also be savoured from plain, unflavoured, to those flavoured with dates, sesame, thyme and garlic.

Omani coffee (kahwa) is rich and aromatic. It is served from the typical metallic or ceramic jug called 'Dallah' into tiny cups. Kahwa is made from fresh coffee beans that are roasted and ground to a fine powdery consistency. This is then brewed with water and spices, notably cardamom and is served without sugar. The traditional accompaniments to Kahwa are dates and 'Halwa'. You will find fresh and dried dates at most supermarkets. Halwa is a confection made from sugar and spices and flavoured with sesame seeds or almonds. This rich flavourful dish is a local favourite.

We choose our hotels for their location, comfort, security and hygiene standards. Wherever possible they will be located near the city centre usually within easy walking distance of services and facilities.

Pre & Post accommodation can be booked through Kumuka if you would like to extend your stay in Oman.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park 3000
Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782

Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492
Email: sales@kumuka.com.au
www.kumuka.com.au