destinations UNLIMITED promotes DMCs worldwide to Conference and Incentive Planners

Oman

Proven Oman Destination Management Company: DMC and Planner for Specialist Incentive, Conference, Event and Convention Travel Organisers Worldwide

KURBAN TOURS

(SITE / HRG / IATA )
Contacts

P.O.Box 1684
PC 130
Muscat
Oman

Main Office Tel: + 968 24 699 886
Fax: + 968 24 699 667
E-Mail: oman@dudmc.com
Web Site: www.kurbangroup.com
Contacts: Mitri H. Kurban
General Manager

Raja H. Kurban
Managing Director
Links

COUNTRY MAP



(Map by kind permission of the CIA Official Website)


General Information

Government Federation of the seven Emirates, each with its own ruler. The Emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
Capital Abu Dhabi
GMT + 4 hours
Online Weekly Weather www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day/oman
Yearly Weather Climate www.weather.uk.msn.com/oman
From the months of November to May, the temperature ranges from 18º to 25º Celsius, with occasional rainfall during the winter months. Hot temperatures and high humidity increase between the months of June and August. The average temperature in the summer is 35º Celsius.
Airport Dubai International Airport, 5 km (Total Airports 6)
Average Flying Time from London 7 hours
Passport & Visa Requirements www.worldtravelguide.net/country/213/passport_visa/Middle-East/Oman.html
Health and Medical information www.worldtravelguide.net/country/213/health/Middle-East/Oman.html
Public Holidays www.worldtravelguide.net/country/213/public_holidays/Middle-East/Oman.html
Currency Emirati Dirham (AED)
Currency Converter www.oanda.com/convert/classic
Language Arabic is the official language, although English is widely used and is the language of commerce.
Electricity

The supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US made appliances may need a transformer

Population 3,311,640
Total Land Area 212,460 sq km
Coastline 2,092 km
Driving On the right
Transportation A cross section of road / rail / domestic air as well as rental cars and taxis readily available.


Go Top Company

KURBAN TOURS

Established in 1952 KURBAN Tours is continuously contributing in the development of tourism as a Destination Management Company, it does so by offering a quality service to its clients, through:

Incentives & Events Organisation
Whether to motivate a sales team, host a client, brighten the corporate image of a company or perhaps launch a new product, KURBAN's team of professionals is ready to organise the event.

Congresses & Seminars coordination
Our destinations are more and more adapted to international congresses. KURBAN Tours strongly believes that the success of a congress depends largely on the quality and precision of organization and coordination.

Trips and Tours
In addition, KURBAN's experience in tourism and tour organisation is the ideal background to offer its clients the most exciting pre and post tours.

Daily Tours
Daily tours are a must to any visitor. KURBAN Tours is contributing highly in the promotion of regions through the daily excursions it organises.

KURBAN Tours promotes Lebanon, UAE, & Oman in more than 40 countries offering them complete programs & packages.

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Destination

OMAN THE LAND OF SINDBAD
Situated on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the West, and the Republic of Yemen to the South. The United Arab Emirates lies on the North West and to the East lies the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman is a country with an enormous wealth of natural attractions, fascinating culture, stunning landscape and a warm welcoming people who take pride in showing off their country to visitors. Recent advances to the tourist infrastructure has made Oman a top destination for those who relish the pristine waters, glorious mountain ranges and fascinating forts and souks of this ancient land.

Home to a wide range of award-winning five-star hotels, Oman is the perfect destination for incentive who wish to offer a truly unique service with all the comforts of luxurious accommodation. From desert safaris, diving, snorkeling and taking boat trips to see dolphins, close encounters with nesting turtles or browsing the souks for gold and frankincense, Oman truly offers a variety of activities for every visitor, whatever their interest is.

State-of-the-art conference, convention facilities and dedicated professionals, plus first-class air, road and telecommunications networks ensure that any incentive trip to Oman runs as smoothly as possible, and becomes the success it deserves.

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Example Programme

(5 days / 4 nights)

DAY 1
Arrival to Seeb International Airport.
Meet and assist at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel by a deluxe motor coach with accompanying guide.
Welcome Cocktail.
Welcome Buffet Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 2
Breakfast at the hotel.

Muscat city tour featuring: the embassy quarter, Sultan Qaboos Great Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Omani Museum, the old market of Muttrah and the old town of Muscat.

Lunch at a private club by the beach.

Guided Shopping Tour.

Dinner at Sablat Al Bustan: a traditional 4* tents set up complete with tents, swaying palms, the fragrance of frankincense and sweet smell of rose water.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 3
Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit Nizwa: Nizwa fort, continue on to the cattle market and the souk.

Head off to Jebel el hams and the great Canyon Spectacular: breath-taking scenery, ancient rock carvings and remote villages.

Picnic lunch and light refreshment.

Dinner art the hotel.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 4
Breakfast at the hotel.

Discovery of Sur the old East Africa Port: constructed around winding streets, full of carved wooden doors and old Arabesque buildings.

Take a look around the dhow yards, visit the maritime museum and a typical Omani Village.

Lunch.

Visit Bimah sinkhole a geological formation of the karst topography and a scenic wonder.

A fabulous One thousand and One night theme dinner and evening.

Overnight at your selected hotel.

DAY 5
Breakfast at the hotel.

Dolphin Watch Tour: a relaxing short boat trip out of Muscat, will give the chance to see different species of whales dolphins.

Lunch at the hotel.

Dinner at Karjeen restaurant serving traditional oriental food.

Transfer to Seeb International Airport 3 hours before departure and assistance for departure.

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Suggested Sightseeing

Discover Muscat: A unique blend of the ancient & the modern, Muscat is a beautiful clean city, which lies in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains, lulled by the Arabian sea. The city has undergone dramatic development in the past two or three decades, however it has never lost its pride in its heritage & culture. Our visit would start with a tour of the Grand Mosque, which is an architectural marvel and is perhaps the new landmark of the city. We would continue our drive through the ministries area where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of Islamic architecture.

We would then visit the fish market and the Muttrah souk with its narrow covered alleys where the exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffees, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes fill the air. We would visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture. You would have a photo stop at the magnificent Al Aalam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali.

Dolphin Cruise: The coast of Oman is blessed with a variety of Dolphins & Whales. About 21 different species of Whales & Dolphins have been identified along the coast of Oman, including the Blue Whale which is seldom seen anywhere else in the world. You would be transferred from your hotel to the jetty. While it is not guaranteed that you would spot dolphins on every trip, it would be an enjoyable experience in the sea and our onboard cetacean specialist would enlighten you with quite a lot of information about these interesting marine mammals.

Evening Cruise: No other trip would offer you such panoramic view of the coast of Muscat. This short trip would take you all along the beautiful promenade of Muscat and would provide you with ample opportunities to film some of the landmarks of the city going past the port, Al Bustan Palace Hotel and the Al Aalam Palace with its twin Portuguese forts.

Discover Nizwa and its Forts: Forts and castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks and together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points. It is estimated that there are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman. Our visit today would include a few of them, which are more remarkable & striking in their architecture & style. The ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa was a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. The 17th century round fort and the souk famous for silver jewellery are the major attractions of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place on every Friday. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. We move on to Bahla famous for its handmade pottery. Bahla is listed in UNESCOS world heritage sites, however the fort here is now under renovation and is not open to public. Built as a defensive stronghold,the Jabreen is perhaps the finest of Omani castles. The castle has dungeons, passages, rooms and ceilings decorated with fine carvings & paintings.

Discover the North and Batinah Area: The fertile Batinah coast is dotted with beautiful beaches, forts, fishing villages and places famous for camel racing & bull fighting. We would have a short stop at the Seeb Fish market before continuing to the Nakhl Fort and the hot water springs, followed by the majestic fort of Rustaq, which is one of the oldest forts in Oman and is surrounded by watch towers. Before returning to Muscat we would visit the Al Hazm Fort, which has been restored by the government.

Wahiba Sands by 4 x4: Running south from the Eastern Hajjar Mountains to Arabian Sea, the Wahiba Sands, described a Sand sea, stretches almost 200 kms in length and about 100 kms in width. The dunes rise above 100-150 metres in different shades of colour and shifting sands, is the perfect place for both the romantic and the adventurous. There are still Bedouin families living in this vast expanse of sands. A roller-coaster ride over the dunes would be a thrilling fun especially for those who are first time visitors to the desert. The trip also includes a refreshing visit to the lush pools of Wadi Bani Khalid.

Hajjar Mountains by 4 x 4: Having finished a quick visit to the Nizwa souq and the Round Fort in Nizwa, we drive towards the Western Hajjar Mountains rising over 2000 metres, which can be seen from far away as we approach them. We would stop at Al Hamra where 400 years old mud houses are still standing and occupied. The Wadi Nakhr gorge is one of Oman's greatest natural wonders. The mountain village of Misfah and the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul also would be visited. Jebel Shams (mountain of the Sun) is the tallest peak in Oman at a height of 3010 meters offering spectacular views of the surroundings.

Coastal Escapade by 4 x 4: With stunning views of the waters of the Arabian Sea on one side and the rocky cliffs on the other, this is an exciting drive along the coast road. The first stop on this drive is at Bimah Sinkhole a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom. Stop at the white sandy Fins beach for a swim and continue to Wadi Shaab & Tiwi Village. A walk through the narrow roads leads you to lush plantations and pools with clear water. Further ahead are the ruins at of Qalhat, one of the oldest towns and seaports in Oman, however only the remnants of the city walls remain. Visit the tomb of the holy lady, Bibi Miriam, which stands high up on the cliff top. We would now drive back to Muscat on the tarmac road.

Discover Wadi el Abyadh by 4 x4: Departs by 4WD to Wadi Al Abyadh (White Wadi), pass through the lush farm land, watch the roaming camels as you travel towards the distant peaks of the Hajar range which rise to more than 1000 metres. After rough riding enter the outskirts of the village of Al Abyadh, slip through the village and catch a glimpse of ancient cliff side houses. Soon you will reach Wadi Al ABYADH, spring filled shallows, fringed by sand dunes on one end and massive mountain ranges on the other, the essential criterion of a perfect tour. After the Wadi, we will stop at the Nakhl to see its highlight the FORT.

Multiple Day Tours:

Discover Salalah: Depart to explore East Salalah, pass by the Royal Farm and the Mamura Palace to Ayn Razat - a beautiful area surrounded by green hills, complimented by well-manoeuvred gardens. Then drive through Qara Mountains to the ruins of Sumhuram at Khowr Rawri - this was a site of the Queen of Sheba's legendary palace and an ancient port once served as the gateway to Arabia's exotic frankincense in heydays. Continue to Mirbat - one of Salalah's best-known historic sites, Bin Ali's Mosque and Taqa villages. In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing tour of Salalah passing Al-Balid archeological dig, and drive through the scenic corniche that leads to old Salalah, the Sultan's summer palace and the Haffa souk, where typical Dhofari items & modern imported goods are on display. Then continue to gold souk, Haffa Souk and to Dhofar museum. Back to your hotel. Overnight in Salalah.

Day 2: Continue the tour and visit the site of the famous Frankincense trees - which has many legends history one of them is the three Biblical kings or the Wise Men met in this parts some 2,000 years ago, taking with them precious gifts of frankincense and myrrh for their Star-guided rendezvous at Bethlehem. Then drive to splendid Mughsail Bay, the mountains rise straight up from the beach - a very popular area and famous for its blow-holes. Proceed to visit the Prophet Job's tomb, perched high up in the jebels overlooking the city of Salalah. After the tour we drive back to your hotel.

Evening - Free or wander through the colourful streets of Salalah. (4 Days – 3 Nights and internal flight MCT – Salalah)

Desert Adventure by 4 x 4: Depart by four-wheel-drive to experience a Dune adventure. The first stop will be Mudairib, a pretty village of the Interior, dominated by its rectangular fort. Shaded arched colonnades, a flowing flaj and some magnificently carved, ancient wooden doors - are testimony to the age of this ancient town. Then drive up to Al Wasil, the beginning of Wahiba Sands for overnight camping. Wahiba Sands - is one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. Wahiba is also home to a few thousand Bedouins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. On arrival at the campsite the guests will be welcomed by the Bedouins and they will serve the guests - Omani coffee, fresh fruits and mineral water. After light refreshment our skilled driver will take the guests for a dune drive. After an hour or two return to the campsite - relax under the tent while the Bedouins prepare the BBQ dinner. In the night enjoy moonlit dinner at your camp under millions of stars… Overnight Camping at Wahiba Sands in a traditional bedouin camp.

Day 2: After breakfast, enjoy the sunrise on the desert and capture the scenic beauty of the desert in your camera - One of the stunning features of Wahiba Sands is the quick changing of its colours at different times of the day. After breakfast in the camp, depart by 4x4 to SUR, visit the shipyard where the traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay and enjoy a boat trip to Ayega to witness the fascinating architecture of the old town. We continue our drive through the coastal area to Qalhat - Qalhat, one of the oldest towns and seaports in Oman, was famous for exporting horses and importing spices from India in the 13th century. Also see the ruins of Bibi Mariam Mausolem. On the way enjoy a picnic lunch at Wadi Shab and swim at the beautiful white beach of Fins. Transfer at 18:00hrs back to Muscat.

Turtle Watching: Morning departure by saloon car to Mudairib, a pretty village of the Interior, dominated by its rectangular fort. Shaded arched colonnades, a flowing falaj and some magnificently carved, ancient wooden doors - are testimony to the age of this ancient town. Then continue to Jalan Bani Bu Ali. Dating back to the 3rd century AH. Jalan Bani Bu Ali's location on the South-Eastern coast of the Sultanate led to the emergence of the wilayat as a confluence of religious and trading activities. Visit the 52 domed, Jamee Al Hamoda mosque, built in the 11th Century AH, which is indeed unique in the Sultanate. Then proceed to Al Hamoda fort the most significant symbol of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali's architectural legacy dating back 300 years. Before dark drive to Turtle Beach Resort for the overnight. After dinner at the resort, our driver will take the guests to Ras Al Junayz, the unique turtle reserve. Possibility of watching the turtles laying their eggs at night. Overnight Turtle Beach Resort.

Day 2: Early morning, enjoy your breakfast at the resort, then continue the tour to Sur, sea-faring town and a trading port bustles with activity throughout the year. It is famed for its fascinating architecture of the old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. On the way back to Muscat, stop at Wadi Bani Khalid - a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains presents an incredible view, a chance to capture the scenic beauty in your camera. Enjoy your picnic lunch and investigate the surrounding area on foot. Then drive back to Muscat.

Mountain Thrill by 4 x 4: Drive through the spectacular Western Hajar mountains to Nizwa. Once the capital of Oman it retains its charm as an enduring reminder of traditional Oman. Continue to Al Hotta cave, located on Al Hotta Plateau on the southern slopes of Jabal Akhdar, at the foot of Jabal Shams, Sun mountain. It is more than 5km long traversed by underground river. The first entrance to the cave is located in the vicinity of Al-Hotta village at 1040 metres above sea level and the second one named Al Fallah is located in the vicinity of Tanuf valley and Al Hamra town at 810 metres above sea level. Presence of blind transparent fish in the underground lake is a rare phenomenon. After the visit, continue to Al Hamra village to see the remains of old style mud brick houses. Some of the houses along with a traditional castle called "Bait Al Safah", which was built during the Al Yaaribah era, hundreds of years old. Proceed to Wadi Ghul, the graded track leads to a fascinating village surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges. The wadi stands out against the brown mountains and the village nestles at the foot of the hills. Continue on a mountain track toward Jebal Shams, the second highest peak in the region also known as 'the Mountain of the Sun', the road twists and curves around the contours, rising to over 2000 metres! Enjoy its picturesque walks. The uniqueness of this place is that, it provides incredible views of the mountains and rugged landscape. Overnight Camping.

Day 2: After breakfast, visit the mountain village of Misfah noted for its extraordinary architecture with ancient stone houses and lime trees. Continue the tour, visit the ancient fort of Bahla with fifteen gates and 132 watchtowers. The historic town of Bahla is encircled by a winding wall, which was originally built to guard the town, also famous for its pottery. It is now included in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. On the way back, visit the 17th century round tower fort and the bustling souk known for its silver and copper handicraft famous for their artistic crafting.

Go TopTheme Party Ideas for Incentives

One Tale of the One Thousand and One Nights
A living dream & experience… An Invitation to the desert life of Princes!

Spend an enchanting evening in Sinbad land full of mystery & tradition: a place of history & tales. Since many generations, habitants of the desert, living in their tents or there palaces knew how to please themselves… A civilization where all pleasures are permitted in a mystical way.

You are invited by a Prince to pass a unique evening at his palace. On your arrival Dates & Arabic sweets will be served by the Prince personal servants…. The mansion is splendid; you will feel like you’re in a dream. Lights…oriental smells… and decoration: a perfect ambiance…

The Prince’s Harem is attending the evening and the Prince favourite will tell you one of these famous oriental tales while you enjoy the varieties of mezze….

The evening continues and the charming hostesses of the Harem will know how to entertain us, each one having its own specialty: The dancer, The musician, The singer… until dawn.

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Welcome Gifts

  • Omani Frankincense
  • Typical Omani incense burner
  • Frankincense Soap
  • Perfume or Essential Oils bottle
  • Bedouin pure silver hand made Khanjar (Omani Dagger)
  • Silver Coffee Pot
  • Packages of dried dates
  • Omani Traditional Cane
  • Omani local dress Dishdasha and Scarves
  • Mandoos: Traditional wooden storage box
  • Little silver boxes decorated with coloured stones
  • Aromatherapy hand crafted candles with luxurious Frankincense and Myrrh scent

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Convention Centres

Oman International Exhibition Centre

S.A.O.C. is the sole state owned organisation that is equipped to hold large-scale exhibitions and trade fairs in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Exhibitions Centre is situated in close proximity to the Seeb International Airport, which is 35 km from the city centre (Muscat). The facility is provided with a large parking area and easy access to, from both sides of the building. It is conveniently co-located with the spacious Golden Tulip hotel.

Since the inception in 1985 the centre has been the main venue in the Sultanate for various events such as exhibitions, fairs and variety shows. These events have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. We are also the Sultanates major provider of facilities for off-site exhibitions.

We have embarked on a mission that is expected ‘to elevate the Exhibition Centre to an unparalleled status within the region’.

OIEC has pledged to accomplish this mission by providing world-class facilities for exhibitions and other related events.

In the quest to expand our horizons, we are continuously enhancing the infrastructure and upgrading the resources that are available to the organisers, exhibitors and visitors. We are also looking at affiliation with other world-class organisations that are in the same arena.

We are seriously looking at employing Internet technology to speed up and improve the efficiency of business transactions we do with organisers and the exhibitors.

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A Few Extra Touches

World Heritage Sites:
The impressive status of Oman's natural and cultural sites has helped The Sultanate to gain special attention and interest of the UNESCO, through its International Heritage Preserve Programme Administration, which by its turn aim to categorise and name all significant heritage sites worldwide, both cultural and/or natural.

To date, UNESCO has classified three major localities in the Sultanate: Castle of Bahla, its perimetre and adjoining oasis in A'Dakhiliyah Region, listed in 1987.

The Third Millennium (BC) Settlement and Tombs in Bat. Additionally, the Al-Khatm and Al-Ain locations in Adh-Dhahira Region, all listed in 1988.

The Luban (Frankincense) Route in the Governorate of Dhofar which was listed in 2000. The Route comprises the ancient cities of Al-Blaid and Shasr, Khuwr Rori, and Wadi Dooka. These locations collectively contributed to the flourishing of Frankincense trade for many centuries throughout the Middle Ages.

In July 2006 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the inscription of five Aflaj irrigation system of Oman on the World Heritage List. The origin of this system of irrigation may date back two thousand years. Aflaj, the plural of Falj which, in Arabic means equitable sharing of a scarce resource to ensure sustainability, remain the landmark of this ancient irrigation system. Using gravity, water is channeled from underground sources, or springs to support agriculture and domestic use, often over many kilometres. The fair and effective management and sharing of water in villages and towns is still underpinned by mutual dependence and communal values and guided by astronomical observations.

Water sports Activities
With 3,165 Km of coastline and clean unpolluted waters, Oman is one of the best kept secrets in the diving world.

The diving available in Oman provides adventure and enjoyment with dramatic wall drop-offs to scenic coral lined fjords, ranging in depth from 6-40 metres. Oman enjoys good sea conditions with an average visibility of 20-30 meters. Several superb dive sites encircle the Capital Area, including Fahal Island, Dimaniyyat Islands and Cemetery Bay.

Night dives are popular and divers are often astounded by the amount of phosphorescence found in Oman's night-time waters. During winter months, the sea temperature drops to 20-25 C° and one may require a 5mm wetsuit. In summer, as the sea temperature rises, a 3 mm wetsuit will suffice.

Sea-life is abundant regardless of chosen site, with a variety of hard and soft corals present, and shoals of fish every where. The diving is easy diving with good intact corals and a spectacular range of fish, with a possibility to see dolphins on the way to the dive sites.

Surfing
One of the great places to surf in the Sultanate is Masirah Island. The size of the surf depends on the time of the year, but 4-6 feet is normal.

Masirah is also an ideal spot for Windsurfing, particularly during the Khareef (monsoon season; June to September). Visitors can camp on the clean, unpolluted beaches and purchase essential provisions from local shops.

The Island is reached only by ferry from the village of Shanna on the mainland; a trip taking roughly one hour. Ferry times depend on tides, but there are usually four trips each day. Once docked, it is a 15-minute drive eastbound to where the surf breaks.

Kayaking
Kayaking is a recent introduction into Oman and is currently limited to the Capital Area. Kayaking experience in the warm waters of Oman is indeed ideal. Kayaking tours are available among the fjords of Bander Al-Kheran in Muscat.

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing enthusiasts of all levels will find plenty to keep them busy throughout Oman, with its towering mountains, steep cliffs and rouged paths, all overlooking breathtaking sceneries of nature and history.

Trekking
The trekking season is generally from September to May, but the best period is October to April. Above 1,900 metre altitude trekking is possible all year round. The countryside is mostly rugged and the trails are loose, but trekking is by far the best way to enjoy Oman’s spectacular landscape.

Cave Exploration
The Sultanate offers some of the most audacious and exhilarating cave adventures in the world, most of which should only be attempted by experienced and fit cavers, preferably accompanied by someone who has traversed the caves before.

Desert Safari
The Omani desert is a large expanse of sand dunes extending 200 Km from the mountains of Eastern Hajar towards the Arabian Sea. The most renowned of which is Sharqiyah Sands (formerly Wahiba Sands); with its dunes rising to a daunting 200 metres. Desert adventures in Oman may take more than one form; be it by camelback, four-wheel drives, or in the traditional Bedouin style, thrill seekers will not be wanting for choice. Witnessing the sun setting in one of the purest settings on Earth is an awe-inspiring event in itself, but once the sun has drifted below the dunes and the desert skies have darkened, a blanket of stars is revealed unlike anything most city dwellers have ever seen before; truly spectacular. No desert tour would be complete without jumping on-board a sand board. As with snow boarding, sand boarding is becoming a loved sport and a favorite with extreme sports fans.

Horse Racing
Between the months of September and June, equestrian races are held in various Wilayats throughout the Sultanate, organised by Oman Equestrian Federation. Horse Races, usually coinciding with camel races, are often opened by the art of Al-Taghrood (chanting) enticing riders and horses alike. This act signifies both courage and chivalry, and lauds the virtues of the horses.

Bird Watching
Oman is increasingly becoming a significant destination for bird watching, attracting avid bird watchers and ornithologists the world over. According to Oman Bird Records Committee more than 460 different bird species have been recorded in Oman, out of which, 80 species have been classified as resident, while the rest are migrant and seasonal species.

Dolphin and Whale Watching
Dolphins frequent the seas of the Sultanate on a regular basis and can be seen in close proximity to the coast from Musandam in the North all the way down to Dhofar in the South. Whales can also be found swimming in the waters of Oman. Tourists as well as local residents can experience the fascinating trips organised by many diving agents to watch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Trips are normally carried out using traditional Omani fishing boats fully equipped with all necessary safety equipment.

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Banqueting Venues with a difference

SHANGRI-LA’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
With an inviting setting beside the Gulf of Oman, state-of-the-art facilities and attentive, professional Shangri-La service, the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa offers a premier location for your event or special occasion.

The conference and meeting facilities at the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa feature audiovisual equipment and lighting support. With the pillar less Barr Al Jissah Ballroom that seats 700 guests banquet style, plus the pre-function area, up to 850 guests can be accommodated. Seven additional meeting rooms offer many options.

Grand Hyatt Muscat
Grand Hyatt Muscat offers a range of versatile and contemporary meeting rooms totaling 1000 square metres of floor area, ideal for a variety of meetings and events from conferences and seminars to large seated banquets and intimate boardroom meetings or dinner parties.

The hotel's Afrah Ballroom can seat up to 500 guests for a lavish banquet and is divisible into three separate rooms to host smaller meetings or events. A pre-function area, accommodating up to 200 people for cocktails, is conveniently located adjacent to the Ballroom.

Three further meeting rooms, Habrout, Lubaan and Yashbum, cater for groups from 8 to 50, ideal for breakout and brainstorming sessions for large seminars and workshops, or boardroom meetings. The hotel's team of highly trained and experienced banqueting staff together with on-site audio-visual technicians is at hand to ensure your event is a resounding success.

A choice of meeting packages that include coffee breaks, lunch and audio-visual equipment rental is also available at Grand Hyatt Muscat.

Grand Hyatt Muscat is the perfect venue for your unique wedding. The hotel's elegant Afrah Ballroom can be adapted to suit any size of celebration and we can tailor your day to your specific needs, ensuring your special day lingers in the memories of you and your guests.

Add the unique Hyatt touch to your meeting or event at Grand Hyatt Muscat!

Go Top Specialist Groups

All types of Special Interest and FIT's handled.

  • Conference and Event organisation
  • Incentives: Team building and adventure safaris
  • Multicentre: U.A.E. and Oman