This itinerary is subject to change.
Due to circumstances outside of our control we've had to cancel the Tour of Oman, and will no longer be offering it in the future.
The Archaeology Channel Tours: Cultural Wonders of Oman
An Educational Tour Designed for Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI)
Led by National Geographic Exporer Dr. Jeff Rose
This 10-day tour crosses Oman to seldom-seen but fascinating cultural (and natural!) wonders. Lodgings are high-end, even in the Desert Camp. The journey will begin in Salalah, the old, charming, capital of Dhofar Province, with a lecture about Oman by Dr. Rose, followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Baleed, a port once linked to the vast medieval Indian Ocean trading network.
The Land of Frankincense Museum will give a taste of the rich archaeological history of southern Arabia, lunch will be aboard an Omani dhow, and we'll visit the Souq to pick up some frankincense. Day 2 begins with natural wonders and takes us to Sumhurrum, the heart of the Iron Age frankincense trade. Then we off-road to see stone tool workshop sites tens of thousands of years old, mysterious Iron Age stone monuments, and a Mahri village to experience local cuisine, dancing, and storytelling.
After seeing the Tomb of Job, we fly to Muscat, Oman's capital and our base for more adventures and optional activities (e.g., hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin watching, opera house). Muscat stops include a fishing village, the waterfront area, the Souq, the Sultan's Palace, the National Museum, and the Grand Mosque. Then we drive into the interior, stopping in Nizwa, the old Omani capital, and off-road into breathtaking Wadi Tanuf Canyon to an enigmatic site where a mural of 5000-year-old petroglyphs lies hidden behind an ancient waterfall.
We spend two nights at a hotel nestled on the side of a mountain, overlooking the plain a thousand meters below. From here, we explore a mountain village, visit spectacular Bronze Age tombs and stop at a medieval fort with a reputation for black magic. Our path then takes us through a local market town and into sands of the Wahiba Desert, where we camp and enjoy a camel ride and dinner under the stars.
Our final day leads through the boatyard in the legendary port city of Sur, where traditional wooden vessels are still built, before our return to Muscat and a farewell dinner.
Lodgings: 4-star & 5-star hotels and 5-star Desert Camp
Meals: All breakfasts plus 16 meals included (lunches & dinners as per itinerary)
Due to circumstances outside of our control we've had to cancel the Tour of Oman, and will no longer be offering it in the future.
Fill out this form to start the reservation process: