Day Tour To The Enchanting Forts Of Nizwa

Our tour guide was excellent and the old forts were amazing. The guide was very friendly and polite and he provided excellent commentary along the way. We were given ample time to walk around the sites and take photographs. We were offered to go into some shops for local souvenirs and produce, including free coffee, but no pushy sales pitch to buy anything. The vehicle we travelled in was comfortable and overall it was a very enjoyable trip.

Mr Rasheed Mohammed Albanushi was the driver and guide to the Nizwa area. He was an excellent driver, a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Mr Rasheed addressed our questions, patiently waited for us to explore the forts and souks. He stopped at the requested sites and enriched our understanding about Oman, its past, present and offered thoughts for Oman in the future. Both my wife and I without condition recommend Mr Albanushi as a guide.

<p>Excellent trip which was very informative. Rasheed was a fantastic guide and he was very patient with our many questions about the history of -and life in- Oman. A great way to see a different part of the country from the coastal resort we were staying in.</p>

A very nice outing and good value for money. I did this trip with my daughter and she explored every little corner in the Souk! The dates was the surely her favoutite and all the lovely pictures will bring back our memories for years to come. This tour should be on everyone's short list.

Pros: our guide, Rashid, was affable, patient and sympathetic, and the driver was excellent. Overall this was a relaxing and interesting day out, provided one had a guide book, and plenty of water. Cons: this was not really a tour, more a 'guided drive'. There was no tour inside any of the forts; the entrance fee for Nizwa was (surprisingly) not included (resulting in one family opting not to go in); and communication was an issue, with guests often left with unanswered questions about the itinerary and timings. This resulted in the group frequently splintering off, often in crowded areas, causing confusion and delays. Based on the reviews, perhaps the private tours are more coordinated affairs, with better commentary?

<p>We expected a minibus but were picked up by a limousine with a very competent omani driver and guide, who gave all the information about wonderful Oman in very good english. We saw Nizwa Fort, the new and the old town of Nizwa, Bahla and Jabreen castle. </p> <p>After coming from the Emirates it is amazing to see Muscat with also perfect infrastructure but without any high rise buildings.</p> <p>Thank you and our driver for this tour.</p> <p>Friedrich</p>

<p>Great tour, competitively priced compared to other tours in Muscat. Guide Rashid was excellent, very knowledgeable and created a relaxed and enjoyable experience for us. Did not feel under pressure to buy in the souks, a good day out.</p>

<p>A really different Oman to Muscat and very informative guide.</p>

<p>Rasheed was a fabulous guide! Well organized, well informed about his country, pleasant, and catered to the clients...in other words a seasoned guide. We can't say enough about Rasheed.</p>

<p>Despite the 40°C heat, we had a great trip to Nizwa. Our dour guide and driver, Raheed, was very knowledgeable, personable, and professional. We were a small group - just two couples, and Rasheed stopped at several additional interesting sites. We enjoyed his knowledge and his company.</p>

<p>Having sunned on a beach it was good to see more of the interior of Oman. Early pick up and drop off at hotel. l We had a very enthusiastic driver/guide who took us to all the places on the prospectus and some that were not, which made a very full day of 3 big forts, some ancient mud built villages and a Unesco World Heritage site waterway some 2000 yrs old! Camera nearly worn out! There were some obligatory 'commercial' opportunities, part of the whole experience. The only potential downside was a 10 hr day in the heat with 5 km of walking and climbing, fine for me, not so for some others. Our driver, Rashid was well organized with water ad lib. Recommend</p>

<p>Rashid was an excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable guide. Good and interesting content and decent value. Overall an enjoyable day.</p>

<p>A two hour drive to see the fort and castle via a freeway. The driver was very nice and answered any questions we had though he was not a tour guide and did not go with us into either the fort or castle. There was ample time to check out some shops if you wanted to and lunch was on our own, the guide did take us to a small restaurant that he said was good. It was a basic small restaurant and the food was ok. We also stopped at an old uninhabited village to look around and for those who wanted to we did a short visit to Bahla Fort</p>

<p>Fantastic tour. Hasheem, our guide, was awesome. Would 100 reccommend</p>

<p>This was a great tour! I really enjoyed our time with Rashid, a real gentleman. The sites were very beautiful and the tour was well-organized and timed so we could see a lot. It was a good, full day.</p>

<p>To be honest rather disappointing and not we expected after reading other reviews. Oman has become a very modern country, but in doing so has swept away all its old world charm. Nizwa Fort has been maintained, but looks sterile. The Nizwa soup has been completely rehoused in a modern building and could be a modern market anywhere in the world. Very little to recommend.</p>

<p>Our day out was very good, we got to see many places and try food in a restaurant that we would not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. Our guide was very good and knoweldgeable. The only drawback of the whole day was that we were sitting in the very back of the car that was very cramped. This was not so much of a problem on the way to our destinations as we were not in the car very long, but the journey home was very uncomfortable as we had to sit cramped up in the back of the car for over 2 hours. we were in the extra seats in the boot area of the car</p>

<p>The guide Rasheed was very good, patient and we saw and learnt a lot. It was very good value and packed in a lot of sights. An excellent day</p>

<p>Though the travelling time is quite long, the end result to see the forts, castle and other sites is well worth it. Plus the air-conditioning was very efficient and welcome.<br/> Rasheed our guide was very knowledgeable and made the visit all the more memorable.<br/> An excellent trip and very good value.</p>

<p>The guide, Rasheed, was wonderful. Very informative, nice, and a good driver. Loved seeing the forts and learning more about Oman. Definitely recommend!</p>

<p>Excellent value for money with a guide who took plenty of time to talk about the history of his country and the places he took me to. The only disappointment was the closure of Niswa Fort until later in September, but I saw and experienced so many other things that I really can't complain.</p> <p>I'd booked the coach tour but as i was the only passenger, had a car and driver to myself. Rasheed was courteous and knowledgeable and made sure that I was comfortable at every step of the way. An excellent and instructive guide - thank you.</p>

<p>Great day out: very informative, excellent guide and fascinating countryside and history</p>

<p>We were picked up on time by a car. The driver was very nice and well informed. We thought we were going on bus. But this was a private tour in a car which made it very pleasant. The driver was giving us information about every place we passed. We stopped at many places on route for a look around or refreshments. Nissan fort and the surrounding areas are interesting.<br/> Very enjoyable day and highly recommend it.</p>

<p>There were 6 of us on this tour. Rasheed was our knowledgeable and gentlemanly guide. I have been to Oman many times but had not been to some of the places where there were old ruins. The highlights were Bahla Fort, which l had waited 20 years to see on opening after restoration, and Jabreen Castle, as we had time to see both, as well as Nizwa fort and Tanuf ruins. A great bunch of people, from US, Australia and UK and all interested in history. Recommended.</p>

<p>I do not recommend Orient Travel. They have no respect for their customers. I was the last to be picked up in a car with seven seats plus a driver and I took the remaining seat in the back row (3rd) middle. I'm a short guy and there was absolutely no leg room. My knees were bent at a 45 degree angle pressed into the seat in front of me. My right foot was immobilized and my left foot had an inch of wiggle room. After half an hour we stopped and my right leg was cramping. I discussed the problem with the driver who called his boss and had me speak to him. The boss, a shouting bully, maintained the car could comfortably seat 7 passengers and they would only use a larger car if they had 8 or more. Really, only children under age 12 could be comfortable in back. I was prepared to find a taxi back to Muscat as I could not continue. The driver solved the dilemma by having a very gracious and small young lady swap with me. Plenty of legroom in the front and middle row.<br/> The tour itself was pretty good. Nizwa fort was good but the souk was empty and disappointing. The driver stopped at a couple of interesting deserted villages. The stand out of the trip was the final stop, Jabreen castle which was excellent. <br/> Don't do the tour if you are not willing to chance being very uncomfortable. I give the tour itself 3 stars and Orient Travel ZERO stars</p>

<p>great trip, tour guide/ driver very informative, loved the Nizwa Souq.</p>

<p>Our guide came to pick us up on time with a car (Lexus), because our party was small, only 3 people. He sent us to Nizwa market, Nizwa fort, Bahla fort, and Jabreen castle. He is a good driver but not a good guide. He always waited us at the entrance or an outside cafe and said "Watch and read explanatory notes on the wall."<br/> He wanted to go back to Muscat early time but we requested the "Falaj Daris (famous national heritage)" and so on. He did not know them exactly, asked the residents and arrived there. I estimated his efforts but it was so strange for the fixed tour.<br/> It was like chartering a taxi or renting a car by myself.<br/> I understood it is difficult to get high class guides in Muscat, but I expected a better one at this tour.</p>

<p>Very informative. The forts were gorgeous. Wish we got to see more of Bahla. The lot of us were tired; it was an extensive and tiring day.</p>

<p>Okay, though little bit complicated in reconfirmation process (I wonder why the Orient agent doen´t simply sent an mail to reconfirm... it costs a fortune for clients to phone from mobiles phones or hotels being in holidays to reconfirm... ). Not much substantial information about historic context, really just a drive and some little introduction as to where to go etc. ) The guide could´nt even tell me which year the fort of Nizwa was build and he did´nt know about East and West Souk.</p>

<p>The driver/guide was so flexible to change the itinerary in response to our requests and the changes in the circumstance such as hitting Dates Festival, which I was satisfied with. He was also helpful to learn the reasonable prices of goods at the souk. He did not, however, seem to be a professional guide in explaining the historical stories.</p>

<p>Nizwa is very attractive and historical place.<br/> Nizwa Fort and Falaji are worth to see.<br/> Local people are very friendly and kind.I also enjoyed shopping at the souq.<br/> I totally enjoyed this tour.</p>

<p>Rasheed is a great tour guide, he really knows his stuff. Nizwa is a charming old town.</p>

<p>Good car, HORRIBLE and LAZY "guide", he always stayed in the car, never joined with us. There are much nicer sights in Oman, than this tour.</p>

<p>The pick up was prompt and the guide/driver very pleasant and eager to please. We visited all attractions as advertised. The only negative in my opinion was that we did not have a guide to accompany us through the forts and castles. Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable day.</p>

<p>Nice trip, good value for money. Good guide. The only thing what I did not like so much was, sometimes I would have had a bit more time (we were visiting some old towns and it was only 5 or 10 minutes time). But maybe that's because I'm usually traveling by myself and can take as much time as I want. All in all, it was a great trip, do not miss it!!</p>

<p>Excellent but this due to the Tour Operator not to Viator - we have used Viator in different countries with great satisfaction however this tour operator was the exception - your local management was both rude and totally unhelpful.</p>

<p>Due to a lack of other takers this tour turned into a private tour ! Everyone else probably wisely chose not to travel to Oman in the HOT season. Rasheed, my driver and guide, was excellent in both roles and a nice man to boot. Unfortunately the aforementioned 48 degree heat made everything - apart from sitting in the aircon in the car - difficult if not impossible. Bahla Fort was certainly of interest and also the old village of ??? <br/> This tour is definitely recommended but just do not do it in June, July or August.</p>

<p>Excellent tour! Our Omani driver was very polite, full of knowledge and drove safely. The day was full and exciting, the dune bashing and beauty of the wadi oasis was unparalleled. Would recommend, and is worth the price. Thank you</p>

<p>Our guide was in every aspect the best one we ever had. It was a great trip: guide, Nizwa, lunch (the restaurant was recommended by our tour guide), very comfortable car. Coulden't have been better.</p>

<p>This was an affordable informative day tour of forts located in the interior of Oman. The guide picked us up in a comfortable van in the morning and dropped us off at Nizwa and Jabrin Forts as well as the ruins of an old village. Additionally, we walked through the Nizwa old city and tasted local food. The guide who took us around was very friendly and described life in modern Oman. We stopped to look at a few other historic and scenic sites along the way. An Audio guide was very informative at Jabrin fort. The scenery was a desert landscape spotted with date trees and black mountains. This tour gave me a vivid mental image of what arabian desert life was like 400 years ago.</p>

<p>Very nice tour, we made quite a number of photo stops and saw the forts at Nizwa, Bahla and Jabreen. It was a clear day and from Jabreen Fort we could see the peak of Jebel Shams, highest mountain in Oman. Guide and driver were very good, although lunchtime was a little long, 1 hour, and then toilet stops as well, so I think a bit of time was wasted. But I enjoyed it very much and thought it was good value for money.</p>

<p>Great tour, great guide. Very interesting site seeing.</p>

<p>There were six members of the group in the land cruiser so it was a little tight. However out guide spoke excellent English. It is a long day but well worth the journey. I expected the forts to be in little villages and wasnt expecting the large towns that surrounded most of the forts. Make sure you take your own water and money to buy lunch as this isnt provided. A very informative day though.</p>

<p>Nice day out, to see the sights around Nizwa. Jabreen Castle was the highlight of the tour. Also stopped by a couple of abandoned villages which were also nice. Scenery of the mountains was nice and felt like it saved on doing another trip. The stop for lunch was poor however, very cheap and you got what you paid for could have been better. Nothing groundbreaking in the trip but well worth it especially when compared to the 'sights' on offer in Muscat itself which was very disappointing.</p>

<p>Nice tour, interesting sights like the old town of Nizwa, the Jabreen Fort and some old villages with their typical irrigation system. We've been only 2 persons on our group tour and have been transported in a comfortable, normal car. The driver was a nice elderly Omani who explained a lot about his country. He was not a guide though, so we had to experience some sights on our own - but they are well explained or with (exeptionally good!) AudioGuides. The tour is really worth the money.</p>

<p>This was an excellent day tour. The service from Orient Tours was very good and although I was being picked up from the car park of a large shopping mall, they rang me and we found each other. The tour was interesting and the guide was informed and happy to vary things at the request of the group. I thought it was very well done and was happy with my choice. An easy and relaxed way to see some of the sights outside Muscat. My only disappointment was the short time we had at Nizwa Fort. Another 30 minutes would have allowed more time to explore but this is just a small preference for an otherwise great day.</p>

<p>The tour was easy and comfortable as the car comes to pick you up and drives you around to different locations. However, the sites all have recently been refurbished and look brand new which takes away the character of what the forts originally were. It can be quite a dull experience since it lacks inspiration for imagination. Either way, the drive out from Muscat through the desert and mountains makes it worthwhile.</p>

<p>A good tour - driver who was also the tour guide mostly very knowledgeable about his country although sometimes only said what he thought we wanted to hear ie no snakes in Oman. Delicious clean and freshly cooked Indian lunch. A long day but god value and well worth the cost.</p>

<p>It was a long and perfect day. Our driver, Rasheed from Orient tours, was very polite, extremely knowledgeable and interesting, and a good driver. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive to Nizwah, past beautiful mountains with interesting geology dotted with numerous watch towers from bygone times. Nizwah was fascinating with all the markets, souks and the fort, which was not only imposing but provided a terrific view from the tower of the surrounding city covered with palm trees. We really enjoyed driving though the interior, with great vistas all around. The stop at the Jabreen Castle was also fascinating, very worthwhile. We could take only one day tour from Muscat and we picked the right one. Highly recommended!</p>