Oman and Sri Lanka Holiday

Discover the Omani capital of Muscat, one of the most exciting and attractive cities in the Arabian Peninsula. The privately guided tour starts with a photo stop at the Royal Opera House. Next, visit the exquisite Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, then continue to Muttrah where you will wander through the busy fish market, explore the atmospheric souq, and climb up to Muttrah fort for a view over the harbour. Your sightseeing continues in Old Muscat where you will see the twin Portuguese forts of Jalali and Merani (outside) and the Al Alam Palace (outside). This afternoon, visit the excellent National Museum, the nation’s premier cultural institution, before returning to your hotel.

Take the scenic coastal road south, breaking your journey to explore Wadi Abraeen – a stunning canyon with towering cliffs, swaying date palms and crystal-clear pools of water. Continue to Sur, where wooden dhows have been built at Sur for a thousand years, a scene that conjures up images of the legendary 1001 Arabian Nights story of Sindbad the Sailor. After visiting the dockyards, strike inland into the spectacular Wahiba Sands and watch the sunset over the dunes.

Leaving the Wahiba Sands behind you, drive the 17th-century fortress of Jabrin – one of the finest in Oman. Then, drive the short distance to the oasis of Birkat Al Mawz where you can stroll through the densely planted date palms and seek the ruins of the crumbling mudbrick village. Next, take the serpentine road into the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) and check in at your spectacularly located mountain eyrie of a hotel.

Admire the spectacular mountain views from Diana’s Point this morning, and set off on foot with a local guide along the Three Villages trail (easy – 90min) and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Jabal Akhdar with its craggy peaks, gorges, ancient villages, picturesque terraced hillsides, and orchards. Next, visit the beauty spot of Wadi Bani Habib before returning to your hotel, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Rise early this morning to witness Nizwa’s vibrant Friday cattle auction – one of the highlights of any holiday in Oman. Next, explore Nizwa’s colourful souq and visit the town’s magnificent 17th-century castle, then drive to the beautiful oasis village of Al Hamra and visit the 400-year-old living museum – Beit Al Safah, before proceeding to Muscat.

Transfer to Muscat International Airport and check in for your flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. On arrival, you will enjoy a VIP meet and greet service, then be transferred to Sigiriya, a convenient base to explore the ancient cities of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

Rise early this morning to climb the summit of the enormous 5th-century Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is spent at leisure, with free time to explore the attractive surrounding countryside independently.

Take a bicycle ride through the historic site of Polonnaruwa and explore the striking 11th-century ruins. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari inside Minneriya National Park in search of wild Asian elephants in their natural habitat.

Begin your day with a visit to the fascinating Dambulla cave temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 1st century BC. Then, a scenic drive through hills covered with lush forests will bring you to Kandy. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities at your hotel. Later, proceed to the sacred Temple of the Tooth to observe the lively evening ‘Pooja’.

Embark on a scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, in the hill country. The train journey, which passes through quaint hill-side villages, picturesque hills carpeted with lush tea estates, and cascading waterfalls, reveals the dramatic landscape of the central highlands of Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, take a tour of the tea gardens accompanied by your resident tea planter and learn about the journey of tea from leaf to cup, taste the different varieties of tea and gain an insight into the art of tea blending.

Rise early and set off to Horton Plains National Park, renowned for its diverse landscapes, which range from marshes and grasslands to misty mountains and waterfalls. At 2,100m, Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest plateau and the only Sri Lankan National Park where walking safaris are permitted. Your rewarding trek will take you to ‘World’s End’, which marks the edge of the Hill Country and where the plateau plunges almost vertically for nearly 900 metres. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Drive through the foothills of the southern highlands, navigating innumerable hairpin bends and passing stunning panoramas to Galle, a historic town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the golden sandy beaches and the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Today is at leisure to relax by the beach. Alternatively, enjoy a guided morning walking tour through the fortified town will reveal a maze of narrow streets complete with churches and a melange of architectural styles dating back through the centuries.

Transfer to Sri Lanka International Airport and check in for your onward flight.