Excursion Grand mosque, beaches & lunch tour at Salalah

Experience the spectacular beauty of western Salalah during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion to the Grand Mosque and inviting beaches with lunch.

Salalah City, Lush Vegetation, Desert Landscape, Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah (Grand Mosque)

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive through Salalah City and its surrounds to see the contrast between the lush vegetation of the 'Garden City' and the barren, bleak landscape of the desert. The first stop on your sightseeing tour of Salalah is at the huge Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah (Grand Mosque). Upon arrival, take a guided tour inside this beautiful house of worship.

Guided Visit, Marble, Artwork, Tiles, Huge Carpet, Swarovski Crystal Chandelier

Built between 1995-2001, the Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The entire interior is panelled with off-white and dark grey marble and features exquisite artwork and stained tiles. An approximately 20-ton (about 18,144-kilogram) handwoven carpet with 115 million individual knots covers the floors. The ceilings are inspired by those of Omani forts, and a Swarovski crystal chandelier with gold-plated metalwork hangs down approximately 46 feet (about 14 metres). Leaving the Grand Mosque, re-board your coach for the picturesque drive to Al Mughsail (Mughsail Beach).

Mughsail Beach, Off-Road Drive, Fazayah Beach, Blue Water, White Sands, Picnic Lunch

Mughsail Beach is a long stretch of inviting blue water lapping the idyllic, white-sand beach. The exquisite landscape and beach, with mountains on both sides, make for a breath-taking view. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach for the approximately 6.2-mile (about 10-kilometre), off-road journey to Fazayah Beach. One of the finest beaches in Oman, Fazayah is an approximately 3.1-mile-long (about five kilometre-long) stretch of pristine, white-sand beach with crystal-clear water and a stunning landscape in the background. Upon arrival, relax and unwind whilst enjoying a picnic lunch served on the beach. After lunch, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 2.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Salalah, Desert Landscape, Salalah Grand Mosque, Huge Carpet, Swarovski Crystal Chandelier, Mughsail & Fazayah Beaches, Blue Water, White Sands, Picnic Lunch

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of off-road driving and a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about one kilometre), at times over uneven, natural, sandy, and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the Jeep and five steps at the Salalah Grand Mosque. Walking at Fazayah Beach is at the discretion of each guest. The ride may be rough at times, and guests will experience bumpy, jerking motions. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck/back problems, guests with heart/respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, bottled water, and US Dollars, local currency, or credit cards for purchases from the ship; few shops accept credit cards. Because of the differences in temperature between the air-conditioned vehicles and outside, we recommend that you bring along a light cotton jumper (sweater or light jacket). Proper attire is required to enter the mosque; women must wear modest clothing that covers the entire body and bring a scarf that covers the head and hair. Arms and legs must be covered to the wrists and ankles. Men must wear modest clothing befitting the sanctity of the mosque. Tattoos must be completely covered before entering the mosque. Shorts, transparent, or see-through clothing, shorts and skirts, sleeveless shirts, clothing with profanity, tight clothing, swimwear, and beachwear are not permitted inside the Salalah Grand Mosque. Food, drinks, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the mosque. Slip-on shoes are recommended, as guests are required to remove their shoes before entering the Salalah Grand Mosque; we suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks, because the pavement may be hot. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old to participate on this tour. Do not take photographs of local individuals without their permission. Women do not like being photographed. Observe 'No Photography' signs The driving time between the pier and sites visited is approximately 2.5 hours in each direction. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. For calls falling within the months of Ramadan,lunch will be served inside your tour vehicle and the Grand Mosque will remain closed, guests will be able to view it only from the outside.