Start your exploration of the southern tip of Oman with a city tour of Salalah. Visit the Musuem and experience the history of Dhofar. Drive through the surrounding planatations on the way to Al Hafa, passing the Sultan's residential palace Al Husn en route to the Old Souk. Visit the ancient city of Zufar and the ruins of Al Balid before returning to your hotel (Lunch included with half day tour). The following day, your East/West tour includes the Royal Farm, Marmura Palace, Taqa (the ruins od Sumhurum), Bin Ali Mosque, Jebalis, the natural spring of Ain Razat, Job's tomb, Qara and Dhofar mountains (Lunch included). Then head inland to the vast "Empty Quarter" desert, empty of human existence and stretching for thousands of kilometers. Spend two days on camel back experiencing the vastness and solitude of Rub al Khali. Return to Salalah for a final night of relaxation on the balmy ocean coast.

Day 1
Muscat - Salalah
Take your flight from Muscat to Salalah. Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a half day private city tour which will give you a variety of old and modern culture of the region. Drive through the greenery of coconuts, Banana and Papaya plantations. A visit to the Museum will give an introduction to the history and culture of Dhofar. In the Heritage Souk, you can find different types of Omani crafts and incense burners. A visit of the New Souk will give you an exact view of the Arabian market. Drive to the Gold souk which offers modern and traditional style Dhofari ornaments. On the way to Al Hafa, you can see some typical Dhofari houses with caravan windows and doors. Walking past the Sultan’s residential palace Al Husn, you'll reach the Old Souk where Frankincense, Dhofari traditional clothes and cosmetics are available. Before returning to the hotel, visit the ancient city of Zufar, the ruins of Al Balid, which was visited by Ibn Batuta and Marco Polo, describing it as a ‘beautiful, large and noble city’. The Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah is situated in 45 acres of lush tropical garden, overlooking the Indian Ocean and on a long stretch of pristine white sandy beach. The resort enjoys an ideal location being just 10 minutes drive from the Salalah International Airport, 8 minutes from the city center and 15 minutes from the Port of Salalah. All 153 rooms including 9 suites and the 19 three-bedroom family villas are stylishly appointed and equipped with private bathroom, radio, International direct dial telephone, voice mail, interactive television including satellite channels, and mini-fridge. The Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah boasts of the only 'Green' 9 hole Par 3 Golf Course in Oman. Muscat is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was about 1 Million. The metropolitan area spans approximately 1500 km² and includes six wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians and the Portuguese Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians, the Balochis and Gujaratis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society. The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting.

Day 2
Salalah
Enjoy a guided day trip of the surroundings of Salalah. After being picked up from your hotel you will pass the Royal Farm and Marmura Palace on the way to Taqa, a village famed for sardines and fertilizers. Here you can see an interesting castle. East of Taqa lies the ruins of Sumhurum (Khor Rori), where the legendary palace of Queen Sheba is believed to have been. Khor Rori was also a port for Frankincense trade. A drive along the coastal road takes you to the old city of Arabian horses and Slave trade, Mirbat. After a photo stop at Bin Ali Mosque, built in the 14th century, visit Mirbat Castle and the Old Merchant Houses, which is similar to Yemeni architecture with its carved doors and windows. Returning to Salalah, continue to the home of Jebalis with their camel and cattle herds. At the foot of the Qara mountains, you will reach a natural spring of Ain Razat which is a beautiful park surrounded by hills. On the drive across the Qara mountains, you can appreciate the beauty of Dhofar mountains. At Job’s tomb, where the remains of the Islamic prophet, identified as job of the Old Testament can be found. Enjoy lunch en route. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Crowne Plaza. Salalah is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. Salalah is a city of antiquity, boasting both the ruins of the fortified town Sumharam, an important port from 100 BC – AD 400, and the alleged resting place of Job in nearby Jabal Gadu. The city is a popular destination for tourism due to the natural attractions of the nearby mountains and abundant stands of frankincense trees lining mountain wadi courses. Around the city and into the mountains the countryside is lush and green during the monsoon period with the vegetation supporting herds of cattle. The climate supports wildlife often more commonly associated with East Africa, such as leopards and hyenas.

Day 3
Salalah - Rub Al Khali Desert
Drive in 4WD airconditioned vehicle. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Explore the alien landscape of Rub al Khali as the ancient nomadic traders and herders used to do – on the back of a camel. Built for the harsh realities of the desert environment, these gangly creatures actually provide a comfortable ride across the endless sands and arching blue skies. Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Spend the night in your private desert camp. Guests are treated to traditional Arabian hospitality, with typical, home-cooked Omani food, Arabic coffee and dates. In the evening the colours of the desert landscape are particularly beautiful, and guests sleep out under the stars on mattresses among the dunes, or in tents if it is cold. An al fresco breakfast is served at first light. The Rub' al Khali, which translates as Empty Quarter in English, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert is 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long, and 500 kilometres (310 mi) wide, and is neither inhabited nor traversed by the Bedouins. Between 1946 and 1950 Wilfred Thesiger crossed the area several times and mapped large parts including the mountains of Oman. Summer temperatures of nearly 55 °C (131 °F) and dunes over 330 metres (1,100 ft) make Rub' al Kali one of the most forbidding environments on Earth.

Day 4
Rub Al Khali Desert - Salalah
Explore the alien landscape of Rub al Khali as the ancient nomadic traders and herders used to do – on the back of a camel. Built for the harsh realities of the desert environment, these gangly creatures actually provide a comfortable ride across the endless sands and arching blue skies. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Drive in 4WD airconditioned vehicle. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Crowne Plaza.

Day 5
Salalah - Muscat
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Take your flight from Salalah to Muscat. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.