Full Day East and West Tour in Salalah

The excursion begins in the morning with a visit to the old fishing village of ‘Taqah’, famous for the manufacture of ‘Dried Sardines’ & its traditional & old ‘Dhofari Houses’. Visit the century old ‘Taqah Castle’, the former official residence of the ‘Wali’ (Governor) of the region & obtain a glimpse into the rich history of the region. Continue onto the ancient ruins of the once famous city of Sumharam (Khor Rohri). The city was the easternmost outpost of the Hadramawt Kingdom on theancient incense route between the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf and India. Khor Rori was an important port on the coast of Dhofar, and one of the major trading cities with frankincense, believed to have beent he hub & harbour for the shipping of Frankincense (UNESCO World Heritage site).

These terms and conditions form the legal basis for Next Holidays' international visa services. By submitting your visa application through www.nextholidays.com, you give your irrevocable consent to access our website and book our visa packages in line with and as per the following terms, which comprise the entire agreement between you (customer, client or applicant) and Next Holidays. So, we request you to read and carefully comprehend all the requirements and restraints stipulated herein, before you choose Next Holidays for international visa services.  

1. Scope & Procedures 

Next Holidays provides all individuals (mainly UAE residents), except for Qatar & Azerbaijan nationals, who wish to travel to a foreign country with professional visa services. In this capacity, our specialist visa consultants accurately help clients to choose the most appropriate visa package, handle all documentation, and submit application on their behalf at the respective country's consulate, thus ensuring the approval of visa in a timely manner. 

However, Next Holidays shall not be held liable if a consulate or embassy makes a delay or fail to approve the visa for any reason that includes but not limited to: 

• Incomplete application forms 
• Error or omission of information  
• Missing or ambiguity of valid supporting documents 
• Non-booking of airline tickets 

All or any expense suffered by the client due to the above mentioned shall not be the responsibility of Next Holidays. Upon your request, Next Holidays can book air tickets as part of visa services. Unless otherwise it's not a requisite specified by a consulate, it's always advisable to purchase airline tickets and book hotel accommodation upon the approval of your visa. Further, we suggest you to check with airlines for further information, if you need to make a booking of transit flight for your intended journey, as transit visa policies vary depending on your nationality and the country you intend to visit.  

2. Documentation 

• Prior to traveling, you must make sure that you've obtained all documents necessitated by the issuing authority to gain smooth entry to the destination you plan to visit. Most countries require that your passport carry at least six months validity from the date you plan to leave the country.
• For the processing of your visa application, make sure that you send your passport and all other relevant details within the specified timescale. By sending us your vital documents, you approve to abide by all requirements and explicitly agree that Next Holidays shall hand over these documents to you only after the completion of visa procedures by the issuing authority.
• Embassies mostly provide appointments on first come basis. Appointments may change if we do not receive all your relevant documents.
• Upon the completion of all procedures, Next Holidays exercises reasonable care and diligence in returning all your vital documents including appointment letter, flight voucher, hotel voucher and travel insurance. It is your responsibility to acknowledge its receipt via email. No further changes shall be accepted in the event we do not receive your email on the same day itself. Moreover, additional charges apply for any change.
• Once you are in receipt of the visa, make sure that you notify us via email the same day itself, along with any discrepancy identified in your documentation. This is extremely important, as failing to do so shall be deemed as the acceptance of visa in the correct manner. Apparently, Next Holidays shall accept no liability caused due to any delay from your side.
• It is your responsibility to notify us in advance regarding any additional requirement or changes in your travel plan. We do not accept any liability in connection with your inability or failure to comply with any such requirement.

3. Fee & Payment Mode 

In order to avail of our visa services, you shall pay a processing fee as specified by the issuing authority, apart from all related service charges. When it comes to payment mode, it can be done through a valid credit card, debit card or online bank transfer while ensuring that your payment will be processed and billed on immediate basis. Please be informed that this processing fee, along with visa application requisites, is subject to change without any prior notice. 

4. Processing Time 

The visa processing time varies from country to country. All visa application processing time (including urgent services) specified by Next Holidays are only estimates, construed in accordance with our several years of experience dealing with major consulates and embassies. The processing time usually begins the next day of receiving your visa application and excludes all or any public holidays. Immigration working days are from Sunday through Thursday. Besides UAE and their respective national holidays, an embassy or consulate may be closed without any prior notice. In fact, in no event, should Next Holidays be held responsible for the delayed approval of your visa. 

5. Approval and Rejection of Visas 

Once we submit your visa application, all evaluations associated with it are conducted by the respective consulate or embassy. Apparently, the grant or denial of your visa is at the sole discretion of the issuing authority, and Next Holidays possesses no legal capacity to provide assurance of your visa approval. 

6. Policies on Cancellation & Refund 

• Following the opening of your visa file and submission of your visa application, all payment made to the consulate or embassy on your behalf is non-refundable, no matter your visa is approved or not. The processing fee is refundable only if you choose to cancel the service prior to forwarding your visa application to the issuing authority. In such cases, you may be entitled for a partial refund equivalent to not more than 50% of the fee, as the refund does not cover any administration, service or banking charges. 

• After the submission of your visa application, Next Holidays shall not be held responsible for any loss or refund in the event of any sudden change in visa policies by the Embassy or Consulate. 

• In order to cancel your visa application, log into your Next Holidays account and click 'Cancel' or 'Delete' option. Furthermore, in any event, we shall not recompense credit card payment of more than one month old, but instead offers a service credit which can be used for any upcoming visa application however made through Next Holidays only.

• The information on visa packages, pricing, and other details listed on the website are subject to alterations or amendments without any prior notice. We, therefore, request our clients and other interested parties to visit our website from time to time and review our terms and conditions' most up-to-date version.

7. Privacy Policy

Click here to view the Privacy Policy in connection with our privacy practices for international visa services.

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All text, information, images and content contained in this website are sole proprietary to Next Holidays and protected by copyright laws. We, therefore, hold the complete authority to stop the access to all or any part of the website at any time, without any intimation, to resolve technical issues or for any other purposes.

The users or visitors may view the information provided on the website. Nevertheless, it is strictly prohibited to use the content or other materials displayed on the website for any such act as copying, publishing, altering, re-posting or selling. Moreover, any illegal use of logo, trademark or company name may subject the user to penalties.

Next Holidays is not liable for the information or materials of any other web pages linked to NextHolidays.com. In fact, clicking the links of other web pages should be done at your own risk. 

9. Applicable Law & Language

The UAE Law is the applicable law, which exclusively governs everything associated with this Terms and Conditions. Both parties irrevocably accept that federal courts of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) will be the exclusive jurisdiction to resolve any dispute or disagreement emanating from visa services provided by Next Holidays.

Every correspondence or notice concerning the use of our system must be in writing in the English Language only. Accordingly, Next Holidays is not responsible for any error or spelling mistakes in any document provided in any other language other than English.

10. Indemnify

By making a reservation with Next Holidays, the user agrees to indemnify Next Holidays in opposition to any damage, expense or losses as a result of:

• Encroachment of Next Holidays' Terms and Conditions
• Fraudulent act by the client or his representatives or employees
• Action, claim or proceeding by a third party in opposition to Next Holidays due to the breaches or misrepresentations from the client's side

11. Disclaimer

Next Holidays, its contractors, partners or suppliers do not represent that the materials provided on this website is perfect, comprehensive, or up to date. While it is true that we make constant effort to ensure the accurateness of its content, the website may contain certain imprecision and errors. We disclaim all warranties pertaining to the visa information, software, and service packages listed on this website. This covers every implied and express contract of non-encroachment and merchantability.

Next Holidays does not guarantee that the products or service packages made available through this website is free of any mistake or virus and would fulfill your needs. Nevertheless, by employing the latest technological innovations, we strive to assure you of a safe and unperturbed booking experience with us.

12. Complaints

If you have any complaint or query related to our visa services, you can communicate forthwith to our team on our toll free number: 80072962. Once you submit your application through Next Holidays, you agree that you shall not post any complaint or negative remark with regard to delay or rejection of visa by the issuing authority or by any other means on any of our social media pages, online or offline, without the prior written permission of Next Holidays.

• Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
  
• English Speaking Guide
• Three Bottles of Water 

• This tour involves walking over rough and inclined ground
• Please carry valid ID proof/ Passport along with you.
• No luggage is allowed to be carried during any activity.
• Guests are requested to be ready at the hotel lobby 15 min prior to the pickup timings to avoid a delay in the tour
• Taking photographs/filming inside the museum is not permitted
• Guests should wear comfortable but decent clothes (No sleeveless or No shorts)by visiting religious places.
• Ladies must cover their heads with a scarf when visiting mosques and all guests must remove their shoes before visiting inside.
• Please pay attention to the specified dress code by visiting Sultan Qaboos Mosque from the inside.
• The maximum number of Passengers in a vehicle should be 4, due to the safety regulations  
• Please ensure you dress respectfully.  

• Seating arrangement for all transfers are as per the availability & our tour manager allows it.
• The pick up/drop off timing can be modified as per the trip schedule. This also may change depending on traffic conditions and your location.
• Some of the mentioned inclusions may remain closed on weekends or specific days as per the government norms for which we do not hold the responsibility.
• The actual transfer timing may vary up to 30/60 minutes to the time listed on the website.
• Summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months.
• We recommend carrying sunglasses, hats and sun protection cream.
• Private Transport can be organized on request for all tours.
• Leaving off your personal belongings like Media equipment, wallets or any other valuable items in our vehicles or tour sites is solely at your responsibility. Our drivers and tour guides will not be responsible for it.
• No strollers allowed inside the vehicles without prior information so please inform us at the time of making the reservation.
• An adult must accompany children from 3 to 12 years in the water in any of the water activities
• On Islamic occasions and National holidays, the tour will not serve alcohol, and there will be no live entertainment.
• Please read carefully and understand the contents of the Tour Brochure/itinerary, the 'Terms and Conditions,' Price Grid and such other documents as may be applicable, as all these will form part of your contract with us once you affect the booking.
• Photography of Omani residence especially ladies, military institutions, government buildings, and installations, is strictly prohibited.
• Littering is a punishable offense and offenders may face penalties in the form of fines.
• Smoking inside public areas is not allowed.
• Some tours require your original passport, and we have mentioned this information in the critical notes so please ensure that you read the critical information, we will not be responsible if you miss any tour where your passport or ID is mandatory.
• We reserve the rights to charge 100% No show charges if the guest is not turning up on time for the pickup.
• No refund for partly utilized services.
• Due to any uncontrollable circumstances, i.e. (traffic conditions, vehicle breakdowns, delay by other guests, weather circumstances), if the tour gets delayed or canceled, we will provide alternate options if possible.
• If in any case the guest does not show up on time and our vehicle departs from the pickup location then we will not arrange for alternative transfer & no refund is provided for the missed tour.

CLIMATE

• Oman has a hot climate and very little rainfall. Temperatures can reach up to 50 C during summer (May-Sept).
  
• The best time to visit the country is from Mid-September to April.
  

 Important notes:

• Despite the generally warm and sunny weather, guests should respect the local culture and dress modestly in public.
• Both men and women should at least cover their shoulders and knees. Bikinis, swimsuits, tank tops, shorts etc. should only be worn at the pool or (private!) beach of the hotel.
• In the rare occasion of rain, wadis can be flooded very quickly and turn into raging rivers within minutes. It can be life-threatening to enter or cross a flooding wadi!
  
• Please note that for safety reasons we might have to cancel trips to/through wadis ( e.g. Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Khaled, Wadi Shab etc.) if it rains or rain is forecasted. Arabian Explorers cannot be held responsible for any missed sightseeing/tours due to unforeseen weather conditions and claims for refunds will not be entertained.
  

 CURRENCY

The currency is the Omani Rial (OMR) divided into 1000 Baiza. Exchange rates (as per 28APR2019):

• 1 Omani Rial = 2.2032 EURO                            1 EURO =         0.429 Omani Rial
  
• 1 Omani Rial = 2.6022 USD                              1 USD =           0.3843 Omani Rial
  
• 1 Omani Rial = 2.65 CHF                                  1 CHF =            0.3768 Omani Rial
  
• 1 Omani Rial = 2.0148 GBP                              1 GBP =            0.7591 Omani Rial

The easiest way to change money is at the many currency exchange offices located in Muscat and the bigger towns and villages outside Muscat. Money can also be changed at banks, hotels and in souqs. Please be aware that exchange rates can be negative in hotels and at the airport. Major credit cards such as American Express, Visa and Diners Club are accepted in most of the bigger hotels, some restaurants and some shops. Banks are open from 8h00 to 14h00 Sunday to Thursday. The Euro is widely accepted in the Muttrah Souq in Muscat. ATMs are available all over Muscat and in most of the bigger towns across the country.

HEALTH / MEDICAL CARE

The standard of hygiene and health care is generally good in Oman. Government hospitals /health centers and many private clinics/hospitals can be found in Muscat and all bigger towns outside Muscat. Tourists are only treated in Government hospitals in case of emergency/accident. In all other cases tourists have to use private clinics and pay for the services. It is strongly recommended to buy travel insurance so any expenses for medical treatment can be claimed later. Although a wide range of medications is available in Oman, tourists should bring a basic first aid kit that includes any medication that is to be taken regularly. No special vaccinations are mandatory, yet it is generally recommended for travelers to be up to date with standard vaccinations such as Tetanus etc. and consult their physician well in advance of the trip. There is no risk of Malaria, except in some very remote areas of Musandam Province. Prophylaxis is not recommended.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and spoken (especially in Muscat).

OPENING HOURS OF SIGHTSEEING PLACES

Souks:                         Open 10h30-13h approx. & 16-19h approx. (except Friday morning)

Nizwa cattle market:    every Friday around 06h30-10am (only from around October till April)

Border crossing (by road) Oman – Emirates or vv:

The border crossing from the Emirates to Oman or vv is simple but it might take time (up to 2h sometimes).

 For FIT going from Dubai to Muscat or vv, we recommend to fly as it is cheaper and faster

1. Transfers are done without guide except if required. Clients would fly or having a land transfer without guide except if mentioned otherwise. For groups we recommend to have the guide with them at an extra cost.
   
2. Land transfer from Khasab to Muscat or vv is feasible but very long (around 600km/way – the journey will take up to 10-12 hours incl. 2 x border crossing formalities).
   

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Taxi Services:

• Airport taxis and taxis stationed at some major shopping malls have fixed rates to selected hotels and areas in Muscat, ranging from about 6 to 15 OMR.
  
• Normal taxis (orange and white colour) can be just flagged down from the side of the road. They do not have meters so the fare has to be negotiated before starting the trip.
  

Bus:

• Public buses from Oman National Transport Company are available in Muscat (although schedules and stops are not very useful for tourists) and also for some long distance routes (e.g. to Salalah or Dubai). www.ontcoman.com