Compare 5 Days Oman Adventure from Muscat by Tourboks vs Argentina Travel Highlights by Say Hueque

DAY 1: SATURDAY – MUSCAT - ARRIVAL

Arrival at Muscat International airport, after visa (55$ payable on arrival for most nationalities) and immigration formalities our representative will meet and escort the guests to waiting air-conditioned vehicle for transfer to hotel. Overnight in Muscat. Dinner is free.



DAY 2: SUNDAY – MUSCAT (70KM)

Breakfast at your hotel. Join at 09.30 am to start the tour of Muscat. Drive through the beautiful embassy quarter, to reach the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that has a remarkable architectural achievement. As a contemporary place of worship, it serves as a spiritual landmark for modern Oman, projecting the values and aspirations of the Omani people. As an edifice, it maintains a perfect balance between aesthetics, culture and deeply rooted Islamic tradition. After the visit to the mosque we continue to Bait Baranda museum, which showcase the history of Muscat. Lunch will be served in the city. After lunch, we will visit Old Muscat, surrounded by steep mountains and flanked by twin 16thcentury forts ‘Jalali’ & ‘Mirani’, also see the Al Alam Palace, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ residence. We will then proceed to Bait Al Zubair Museum. Bait Al Zubair is itself a part of Muscat heritage. Sheikh Al Zubair who served three former Sultans, founded the house in 1914 and his son Mohammad Al Zubair opened it as a museum in 1998. Its carved doors open into a fortress style reception. The museum includes traditional Omani weaponry, jewelry, costumes, domestic utensils and recreated urban and rural environments. Then drive through the scenic beauty of the corniche, stop at Muttrah - the main port & commercial center, and explore the colorful historic souk. This is a real souk with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling all manner of textiles, jewelry, traditional Omani perfumes (bukhoor - made of frankincense), souvenirs and antiques… After that long tour, we will drive back to the hotel. Dinner is at a traditional oriental restaurant, where the smells of grilled meats and of burned apples and roses going out from the “shisha’s” will only confirm the relaxing atmosphere that the OMANI people enjoy. Overnight in Muscat.



DAY 3: MONDAY -MUSCAT -SUR- WAHIBA (340KM)

After breakfast depart for a great adventure trip. Our first stop will be Quriyat, a small fishing village, we will proceed for a real fun – drive through one of the most thrilling sections of Oman's 1,700 KM coastline. Visit the famous Sinkhole, a part of a collapsed mountain filled with sea water then continue driving on the graded road via Fins. Continue your journey and photo stop at TIWI and Wadi Shab. We will continue to Sur, a sea-faring town and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. Famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. Lunch upon arrival in Sur. After a quick tour of Sur, we will continue the coastal road passing through high cliffs and small fishing villages. We will reach at the end of the afternoon the desert of Wahiba Sands – one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. We will board 4x4 vehicles and start the adventure in the desert. The vast, ever shifting dunes support an astonishing variety of wildlife and host different kinds of flora and fauna. The quick changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba is also home to a few thousand Bedouins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. We will do some dunes bashing as our experienced drivers show their skill on the dune drive which is a thrilling experience. Dinner in the camp with a real desert atmosphere & Overnight in Wahiba Sands.



DAY 4: TUESDAY- WAHIBA SANDS – NIZWA (200KM)

After breakfast, we will enjoy for the last time the desert and its secrets, before we board our 4x4 to return to normal civilization. We will then depart to Wadi Bani Khalid – a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains. We will enjoy an incredible view and a chance to capture the scenic beauty with the cameras. We will walk in the wadi to investigate the surrounding area on foot. Departure to NIZWA around noon, we will stop on our way for lunch. After lunch, we will continue to Nizwa, a great city with a great history. On arrival in NIZWA after approximately 2-3 hours, we will start our exploration of Nizwa area by proceeding to the palm groves of Al Hamra. Al Hamra, is also noted for its extraordinary ancient mud houses. We will visit one of oldest house of Sheikh “Bait Al Safa”, which has been restored, decorated and transformed into a lively museum. Check in the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in NIZWA.



DAY 5: WEDNESDAY - NIZWA- MUSCAT– DEPARTURE (250KM)

After breakfast, we will continue the visit of Nizwa. Castles are Oman’s most striking cultural landmarks and together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastion look-out points. It is estimated that there are over 500 Castles and towers in Oman, our visit today will 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 souq famous for the silver jewelry are the major attraction of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place on every Friday. Built on a scold base of rock, the huge tower was designed to with stand the vibration of 24 cannons Lunch in Nizwa before we move on to Bahla famous for its handmade pottery. Bahla is listed in UNESCO world heritage sites & visit Bahla Fort. We will continue to visit the famous Jabreen Castle, 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. After the visit, we will proceed to MUSCAT, the Capital. Evening transfer to Muscat Airport for the departure flight.



Your Hotel accommodation planned for this trip:

* Muscat: City Seasons 4* (excellent value or similar)

* Nizwa: Golden Tulip 4* (excellent value or similar)

* Wahiba: Arabian Oryx 4* (excellent value or similar)

Day 1:  Welcome to Your Travel Itinerary to Argentina - Buenos Aires

Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon arrival, we will drive you to the city and you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy Buenos Aires at your own pace. Buenos Aires is a marvelous, energetic, cosmopolitan city, full of color and different styles of architecture.

The capital of Argentina, and described as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires proudly embraces its title, and also shows off plenty of its own culture! Argentinians are usually eager to host visitors; if you walk the streets with a map, someone will surely stop and ask if you need directions…that’s just our spirit!

Day 2:  Continue Your Travel Itinerary to Argentina - Ushuaia

Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport

Continue your 12-day travel itinerary to Argentina visiting legendary Patagonia! We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport to take your flight to Ushuaia.

Transfer from Ushuaia airport to your hotel in the city – Day at leisure

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, we will drive you to your hotel in the city. Enjoy your free day to wander the streets of the southernmost city in the world.

Ushuaia is a small town, really easy to get around on foot. The Yamanas, its first inhabitants, called it Ushuaia which means “protected bay” in their language. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.

Day 3:  Trekking & Paddling in the National Park - Ushuaia

Discover Tierra del Fuego National Park wildlands

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel to start a 10-hour, moderate-difficulty, adventure in Tierra del Fuego National Park, just 7.4 miles away from the city and bordering the shore of the famous Beagle Channel.

Upon arrival at Ensenada Bay, you will have time to enjoy the view over the Beagle Channel before you start hiking along the coast. Four miles of trail await you, where you’ll discover native flora, wild fauna, and the remains left by the Yamanas, the native inhabitants of the area. After this 3-hour hike, you will reach Lake Roca, where lunch will be served.

After a full homemade picnic, you will start the second part of this adventure. Take your oar and plunge into a 1hr 30 min paddling trip along the Lapataia River (only available for children over 5 years old). Make it all the way to Lapataia Bay, where the Panamerican Highway and National Route 3 ends at an awe-inspiring landscape.

After discovering the unique vastness of this stunning setting, we’ll take you back to your hotel to rest and enjoy another Patagonian evening.

Day 4:  Beagle Channel Cruise - Ushuaia

Tour Ushuaia’s famous islands while sailing the Beagle Channel

In 1833 Charles Darwin sailed the Beagle Channel and found something great. Today it’s your turn: become another explorer of this channel, primitively named Onashaga Channel since the Onas were its first discoverers.

Make your way to the tourist pier (located downtown) to embark on a 4-hour Beagle Channel navigation in a fully equipped boat with a capacity for up to 26 people. With Argentina on your left and Chile on your right, you’ll sail this natural border until reaching the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which is still in operation.

On the way, enjoy uplifting panoramic views of Ushuaia Bay, crowned by the Martial Glacier’s diverse marine wildlife, such as cormorants (flying birds, closely related to penguins) and fur seals. Hop off on Bridges Island to explore its vegetation, and visit the archeological remains of the Yamanas (the native inhabitants) accompanied by a specialized bilingual guide.

During the trip, enjoy bottomless hot cocoa and cookies, or try the maté (loose herbal tea), which is every Argentinian’s favorite drink. Once we get back to the port, you can make your way back to your hotel or stop in a local cafe or brewery to enjoy an amber craft beer paired with a traditional Patagonian appetizer.

Day 5:  Continue Your Argentina Travel itinerary - El Calafate

Transfer from your hotel to Ushuaia airport

Time to leave Ushuaia and continue to travel through Patagonia. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Ushuaia Airport to take your flight to El Calafate.

Transfer from El Calafate airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon arrival, we will bring you to your hotel and have the remainder of your day to relax or explore the surroundings.

El Calafate is a starting point for adventure-seeking travelers who are looking to unearth the most spellbinding natural wonders of Patagonia, like the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the only glaciers in the world that’s still advancing. Though it’s not the only glacier in the area, it’s the one that made the city of El Calafate famous worldwide. For many years now, El Calafate has been considered the capital of the glaciers. Located at the shore of Lago Argentino (the southernmost, largest Patagonian lake) it’s also home to the Spegazzini glacier, which forms the natural border between Argentina and Chile, and the Upsala Glacier, named Glaciar del Gigante (Giant’s glacier) It’s the biggest glacier that sits at the mouth of Lake Argentino.

But there is much more to see in El Calafate than glaciers. Make the most of your free day and discover other secret gems of the region.

Day 6:  Perito Moreno Glacier - El Calafate

Full-day Mayo Trek and Perito Moreno Glacier

Start the day with a pick-up at your hotel, travel to Puerto Bandera, and embark on an 8-hour nautical safari to discover secluded glaciers and waterfalls of Glacier National Park that can be only reached by boat!

Sail Mayo Channel and disembark on Toro Bay to hike through the Patagonian forest; your specialized guide will tell you about the vegetation of this area (very different from other kinds inside the park) and show you the millenary cherry tree and its 3-meter-in diameter trunk.

Set sail again to reach the Cerro Negro (Black Hill) and make a half-mile soft hike to the base of the hill to admire the hanging Black Glacier. Enjoy your free time in this place that not many travelers have seen, before departing for our third stop, the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Our boat will pass by the immense icy wall -take your beanie and grab your camera, you may see a piece of ice breaking!- before stopping at Puerto Moreno. Enjoy your free time, wander the traditional catwalk circuit that surrounds the glacier before sailing back to Puerto Bandera, and be driven back to El Calafate.

Day 7:  Optional Tours - El Calafate

Day at leisure in El Calafate – Optional tour to Estancia Cristina

“If we’ve got this far, why stop now?”, that’s what most travelers say, who want to make the best of their time in Patagonia, and they are absolutely right! Our advice: get to explore the rural culture of Patagonia venturing into a day tour (not included) to the ever-impressive Estancia Cristina. Sail the turquoise water of Lake Argentino to reach the estancia, deeply rooted in the Glaciers National Park. Enjoy the vastness of the setting, a 4×4 ride to get stunning views of Upsala Glacier, and taste a juicy Argentine steak cooked in its natural and ideal environment.

Day 8:  Continue Your Travel Itinerary to Argentina - Iguazú Falls

Transfer from your hotel to El Calafate airport

Today you will leave the freezing weather and fly to the jungle. At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport to take your flight to Puerto Iguazú.

Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Puerto Iguazú – Day at leisure

Upon arrival, we will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Puerto Iguazú. The small border town of Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to visit the impressive Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Argentina.

Day 9:  Iguazú Falls - Argentinian Side

Wander Iguazú Falls National Park and meet The Devil’s Throat

Today our driver and bilingual guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the National Park, on the Argentinian side. Enjoy a 7-hour tour wandering through the rainforest!

The falls are surrounded by a humid subtropical forest where the exuberant vegetation is home to many different animals and birds. Our guide will help you spot some of them: antbirds, toucans, manakins, parrots, and coatis, just to name a few of the most common birds. Lower and upper walkways weave in and around falls permitting up close and personal experiences with this magnificent spectacle of nature.

The Argentine side of the falls is filled with a myriad of paths and walkways and stairways which allow you to have an experience from many different perspectives. You will have the chance to meet “The Devil’s Throat”: the largest of the falls and for many the most spellbinding. To get to the “Devil’s throat” you take the ecological train and then walk out along boardwalks. After walking and taking pictures of animals and plants, you will have some free time to eat lunch in this amazing environment. At the end of the experience, we will drive you back to your hotel.

Day 10:  Iguazú Falls, Brazilian Side - Back to Buenos Aires

Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazú National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a 4-hour excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls. While Argentina has 80% of the falls on its side, Brazil has the best panoramic view. On the Argentinian side, you will have the sensation of being right inside the falls, but only by visiting the Brazilian side, you will fully appreciate the immensity of Iguazú Falls. Take your time to enjoy it and feel it, to stroll the different walkways and feel the spray of water on your face. Take the boardwalk over the Salto Santa María, it feels like walking on the water. Get closer to the “Devil’s Throat” and feel the power of water! We are sure this is a day you will never forget. At the end of the day, we will drive you back to your hotel.

Transfer from your hotel to Puerto Iguazú airport

At the appropriate time, we will drive you to the airport to take your flight back to Buenos Aires.

Transfer from Buenos Aires airport to your hotel in the city – Free evening

Upon landing in Buenos Aires, we’ll be waiting to bring you to your hotel. Enjoy your last night in the city in one of the trendy restaurants and bars of Palermo Soho neighborhood.

Day 11:  The End of Your Travel Itinerary to Argentina - Buenos Aires

Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport

At the appropriate time, we’ll drive you to the international airport where you’ll take your flight back home, ¡buen viaje! (good trip!).