Due to safety risks in parts of this area, travelers should review the latest guidance and information from government agencies.

Muscat Shore Excursion: Private Nizwa Day Trip

Muscat, Oman

8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

When your ship arrives in Muscat, explore some of Oman’s most beautiful forts and old-world towns on this full-day private shore excursion. With personalized commentary from your guide, follow the rocky Hajar Mountains to the old town of Nizwa to visit picturesque Nizwa Fort. Browse Nizwa souk, and after free time for lunch, travel through time-warp villages to 17th-century Jabrin Fort, perched on a hilltop overlooking palms and mountains. Learn about its history as you view its famous murals, wooden doors and hidden rooms and return to Muscat port.

Full-day Nizwa shore excursion from Muscat with a private guide
Travel southwest through the impressive Hajar Mountains
Admire 17th-century Nizwa Fort and learn about Sultan bin Saif al-Yaruba
Walk around Nizwa Souk and browse Bedouin silverware and antiques
Pass an enchanting fortresses at Bahla and visit Jabrin Castle
Enjoy personalized attention from a private guide
Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship

What's Included

Port pick-up and drop off
Private 08 hours tour with Professional English speaking guide
Visit ancient Nizwa Souq
Visit Nizwa Fort and Jabreen Fort, photostop at Bahla

Food and drink
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

• Your centrally located Muscat Hotels and Muscat Cruise Terminal. • For guests staying in any Private Residence or Villa in Muscat , the pick-up can be arranged(Location link mandatory). • Pick-up service from others locations ( which is not in the City limit) are available only at the additional cost upon request based on your location.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

While your ship is docked at Muscat, meet your private guide at the port and settle into your comfortable, air-conditioned minibus for your day trip.

Then, admire the views as you travel south through rural Oman, following the line of the craggy Hajar Mountains past sleepy villages and agricultural plots.

Pass the palm oases of Fanjah and Birkat Al Mauz, and after roughly two hours, arrive in Nizwa. Hear how the town was once Oman’s capital and enjoyed historical importance for its location on the main route between Muscat and Dhofar to the south.

Head for Nizwa Fort, the splendidly restored, 17th-century fort that looms over the town. Go inside to explore the towers and courtyards, and take in the far-reaching views of palm groves from the battlements as your guide explains how the fort was built for Sultan bin Saif al-Yaruba of the Ya’aruba dynasty.

Having explored here, delve into Nizwa souk, where the vendors sell a dizzying array of rugs, pottery, silver and antique jewelry.

Browse for souvenirs (own expense) and, after free time to stroll around and have lunch (own expense), reconvene with your guide.

Continue via the oasis village of Tanuf and pottery town of Bahla to Jabrin, home to one of Oman’s most beautiful forts.

Take a tour with your guide to see the famous ceiling paintings, and with luck, stumble across the fort’s secret rooms.

Absorb the stunning mountain views from the turrets and then finish your tour at Muscat cruise port.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:

We will ensure your timely return to Muscat port on this activity. In the very rare event your ship has left, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed on arrival in Muscat and you are unable to join your tour, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Nizwa

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

What to Bring: Sunscreen, Steady shoes, Hat Please pay attention to the local customs when taking photographs
What to Wear: Please ensure you dress respectfully. Knees and shoulders should be covered at all times. Please pay attention to the specified dress code by visiting Sultan Qaboos Mosque from inside.
This tour involves walking over rough and inclined ground. There are many steps at Nizwa fort, Jabreen Fort.
This tour is not suitable for those with injuries or conditions, which may not be able to climb the steps or walk through rough and inclined terrain. Pregnant women may not participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

4.0

based on 4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

What a fun day! We were met at the...

Susan G, Aug 2017

What a fun day! We were met at the port entrance, not the ship, which is what we were told. We had an amazing day, with lots of sightseeing and information. We had a leisurely, yet action packed day, and we got back to the ship with plenty of time. We could have used more time, but the schedule wouldn't allow it. Well worth the journey, and to have a private guide, so that we could take as much time in the places we wanted within our schedule or skip the places that weren't so interesting was wonderful. I can't recommend this too much! The guide was wonderful, friendly and a great driver.

Our tour was on 02/03/2017...

WAISIN_C, Mar 2017

Our tour was on 02/03/2017, according to the itinerary the tour duration is around 9 hours and pick up time 8.00am, and our ship will be depart at 18.00pm and we have to abroad at 17.30pm, therefore I thought this tour is perfect for us. But on 02/03/2017, we have been waited at the port gate at 8.00am and there was no one show up, so with the help by a local people we managed to call the emergency number and we have been told that the tour start should at 9.00am instead of 8.00am. When our ship docked at Abu Dhabi port on 04/03/2017 where have free wifi and I have got chance to check my email then I noticed that they actually sent an email on 27/02/2017 the day we broad our ship and told us about change of pick up time. Anyway, our tour guide arrived at 8.30am. The tour guide is not a guide, he is just a driver. There is no introduction / information whatsoever from our guide about the places that we visited. He just took us to the entrance and wait at the exist. Let us wondered around by ourselves and himself went for social with the local people.

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Dear WAI SI, Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback about our Muscat City Tour you have recently joined with us. We apologize for not having fully met your expectation. We have taken up your matter with our Muscat office and were informed that they have tried to reach your on your international number to advise the pick-up time changes. We do fully agree that, after not being able to reach you, we should have not reported as per our updated but the to you informed pick-up time. We regret this failure. Please let us know when you will be in our destination the next time so that we can prove our multi-awarded services to you. We would love to see you soon on one of our tours/safaris. Thank you for choosing ORIENT TOURS and taking the time to review us! Best Regards, Sarah P. Dubke Manager Guest Services ORIENT TOURS LLC

Excellent tour and a "must do" while...

Selinda_E, Mar 2014

Excellent tour and a "must do" while in Muscat. The drive alone to Nizwa is outstanding; huge mountains and hidden villages. Our guide/driver accommodated our requests to stop at some locations for photos. Guide was very knowledgable and answered all our questions easily. Jabrin Castle (the last stop) is outstanding!!! My only caution: our guide ate lunch with us, and we were tricked into paying for his lunch. If you want to avoid this situation, don't ask the guide to take you to a local restaurant -- go on your own.