Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Oman – Muscat – Sur – Wahiba Desert – Nizwa – Jabal Al Akhdar – Salalah – Rub Al Khali Desert
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your Omani adventure begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your seven-hour flight to Muscat, which will touch down this evening.
When you arrive, you’ll be met and p rivately transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Drop your bags and head down to the restaurant for a tasty dinner before flopping into bed, ready for the real adventure to begin tomorrow.
To help you get your bearings this morning, we’ve arranged a meet up with one of our friendly Concierges, who’ll be an expert port of call during your time in Oman. After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, head out to meet them. They’ll give you a brief overview of the country, run through your itinerary and provide some helpful tips and recommendations to ensure you make the most of your trip.
Later, set off on a private tour of Muscat. Accompanied by a private guide, discover the city, from the bustling Mutrah souq to the wide streets of the Corniche. Your guide will tailor the tour entirely to your interests, filling you in on daily life in the Sultanate of Oman and pointing out buzzing hotspots and hidden gems. Round off the tour with a tasty meal at a local restaurant, toasting to your newfound knowledge of the city.
We’ve left today free for you to dive deeper into Muscat. This morning, your trusty hire car will be waiting for you at your hotel, so hop in, hit play on our expertly curated Africa playlist and head out to explore.
The beautiful Omani capital is a delicate balance of sprawling desert, sparkling sea and gleaming city, where ancient forts sit side by side with modern mosques. Wander past the striking blue and gold Al Alam Palace, built atop a former British embassy, and admire the grand Al Mirani and Al Jalali Forts, which tower over the harbour.
If you fancy a little more souvenir shopping, head back to Mutrah Souq, marvelling at stalls piled high with glittering jewellery and colourful textiles. For a touch of tradition and culture, visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is open to non-Muslims every morning (except Friday) and boasts contemporary Islamic architecture and 35 crystal chandeliers. Finally, visit the National Museum, which traces the country’s history through over 7,000 objects displayed across a number of exhibitions.
This morning, enjoy a tasty breakfast before hopping back into your hire car for the journey to Sur. Without stopping, the journey takes around two-and-a-half hours, but we’d recommend leaving early and stopping at the beautiful wadis (gorges) along the way.
First, stop at Wadi Dayqah and Wadi Arbaeen for breathtaking views, winding trails and sprawling green spaces which are perfect for picnics. Next, continue on to Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi, two parallel wadis descending from the Eastern Hajar Mountains. Framed by ochre limestone cliffs, both ravines boast emerald waters and lush forests, making this one of the most scenic regions in the country. Swimsuits and walking boots at the ready: each spot is ideal for a hike or refreshing dip.
When you arrive in Sur, check into your new home for the night and admire the views over this pretty port city. If you fancy stretching your legs after the journey, we can arrange for a guided tour of Sur with a friendly local, ending with a delicious dinner.
Another day, another wadi. This morning, fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading out on an off-the-beaten-track trip to Wadi Bani Khalid, set 2,000ft above sea level. Alongside an expert guide, visit the basin’s most authentic spots, venturing off the marked paths and stopping to swim in the warm, turquoise waters. Your guide will tailor the visit to your interests and hiking ability, and you’ll also be treated to a tasty picnic lunch overlooking the dreamy desert landscape.
Later, hit the road again and head towards the Wahiba Desert, around an hour and a half away. When you arrive, settle into your desert camp, nestled in the heart of the dunes. Enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars before heading back to your tent for a good night’s sleep.
Rise bright and early this morning and head out to explore the Wahiba Desert at your own pace, whether you’d rather hike among the dunes or drive across the sandy stretches.
After lunch on site, set off again to your next destination: Nizwa. Along the way, stop at the village of Ibra, famous for its historic architecture. While you’re here, make sure to visit Al Minzifah, an ancient town home to impressive mud-brick mansions and stone ruins.
Once you’ve had your fill of history, hop back in the car and continue the journey to Nizwa, an ancient city only recently opened to travellers. Famed for its grand citadels and forts, most of which were built in the 17th century under the Yaroubid dynasty, Nizwa is a fantastic example of traditional Omani architecture, complete with subtle Portuguese influences. Settle in for the night, admiring the striking skyline and enjoying a traditional meal.
This morning, wave goodbye to Nizwa as you begin the journey to Jebel Akhdar. The drive between these two cities only takes around an hour and a half, but we’d recommend making a few detours to discover the beautiful sites along the way.
First, stop at Bahla Souq, set a short distance from the historic Bahla Fort. Best visited early in the morning, the souq is known for its impressive pottery, which demonstrates Omani craftsmanship and traditional design. In Al Hamra, pay a visit to the 1,000-year-old city ruins, where mud-brick buildings are surrounded by lush palm groves. If you’re a keen hiker, you can also walk to the Misfah Mosque, located in a historic mountain village.
Later, arrive in Jebel Akhdar and settle in for two nights in a charming hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking, whether you’d rather lounge by the pool, enjoy a relaxing treatment at the spa or simply admire the breathtaking views from your villa. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant before savouring the sunset from your terrace.
After a jam-packed first week, we’ve left today free for you to enjoy at leisure. Jebel Akhdar (translating to ‘Green Mountain’) is the perfect place to experience authentic Oman, from spectacular rock formations and small stone villages to pretty orchards and terraced crops.
While the region is dominated by the towering Al Hajar mountains, the historic Bani Riyam tribe cultivated crops here for centuries, making the area famous for its pretty roses and delicate pomegranate, apricot and olive trees. Spend the day travelling from village to village, wandering through pretty towns, admiring the fertile landscapes and soaking up the peace of mountain life.
Rise bright and early this morning to begin the two-and-a-half-hour drive back to Muscat Airport. When you reach the capital, return your trusty hire car and board your short flight to Salalah, which takes around one-and-a-half hours.
Set on Oman’s southern coast, facing the Arabian Sea, the pretty port city of Salalah is a delightful mix of historic sites and contemporary atmosphere, boasting magnificent archaeological remains, ancient souqs, sandy beaches and fantastic diving spots. When you touch down, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day soaking up the salty sea air – a welcome change from cities and mountains.
Today brings another expedition into the desert. This morning, you’ll be met at your hotel and driven in a comfortable 4x4 into the Rub Al Khali desert, a vast expanse set across four countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen. Nicknamed the ‘Empty Quarter’, this mythical desert is known for its steep dunes and dramatic red sand which were crossed by thousands of camels at the height of the incense trade.
As you journey through the desert with your expert guide, stop at Ubar, an ancient archaeological site that was once an important stopover for incense traders. Today, only a few mementos of this age remain, including a ruined fortress and vast sinkhole.
In the evening, you’ll be taken to a desert camp, your home for the night. Enjoy dinner by the fire before heading back to your tent for a night under the stars.
After breakfast, meet your driver-guide and pile back into the 4x4 for another morning in the Rub Al Khali Desert. During the drive, keep an eye out for the region’s famous frankincense trees, which historically provided high-quality resin which was worth as much as gold, before leaving the desert to return to Salalah.
When you arrive, check in to your beachfront hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day strolling the gardens, taking a dip in the pool or soaking up the sun on the sand.
Today, we’ve arranged a guided tour to discover Dhofar, the largest of Oman’s 11 governorates. As you’re staying in Salalah, Dhofar’s capital, the tour will begin here: first, visit the ornate Sultan Qaboos Mosque, then head to the Souq Al Hafa, where you can meet jabalis (mountain-dwelling communities) and fishermen displaying their wares in an authentic environment. Next, visit a vast coconut and banana plantation, which offers scenic views and the opportunity to pick (and taste) fresh fruits.
After a refuelling lunch, your guide will whisk you to Wadi Darbat, a beautiful natural site boasting lush valleys and cascading waterfalls. Be warned: only camels are allowed to swim here, but if you’re lucky, you’ll have the chance to meet local jabalis and learn about their daily routine raising cows in the mountains.
Finally, stop at the Omani Women’s Association, an NGO which fights for the professional and educational rights of Dhofar’s women and showcases their important work and impressive crafts.
We’ve left your final day free for you to enjoy at your own pace. If you’re after a little R&R, relax on the beach, stroll in the gardens or get stuck into your holiday read by the pool.
If you’re still raring to go, venture out to explore eastern Salalah. Wander along the coast to marvel at Mirbat’s beachfront fort and historic merchant houses, stop at Razat Royal Farm for a guided tour of the banana fields or visit Ain Razat’s beautiful gardens – it’s entirely up to you. Fancy learning a little more about this beautiful region? We can arrange a guided tour of historic Dhofar instead.
Later, enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets, toasting to the memories of your Omani adventure.
Today your holiday draws to a close. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred back to Salalah Airport for the one-and-a-half-hour flight to Muscat. From here, board your international flight back to the UK. The journey will take around eight hours, and you’ll touch down this evening, armed with a newfound appreciation for this beautiful country.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
