Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Oman – Muscat – Wahiba Desert
100% customisable for you
Your Omani family adventure begins today with a seven-and-a-half-hour direct overnight flight to Muscat, the country’s capital. Head to the airport, breeze through security, and grab some snacks before bundling your youngsters into their seats. Stick on a film, practice a few Arabic words – then get some Z’s before touching down.
When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in the Qurum area, about a 30-minute drive away. After a long night of travel, children and adults alike will be ready to unwind. Start the day slowly with a traditional Omani breakfast at a nearby restaurant recommended by our local Concierge. If needed, take a quick nap in your room, or head straight to the pool to soak up some sunshine. Still have some sleepy travellers? A fragrant cup of Omani qahwa (coffee) for the grown-ups and a few local sweets for the youngsters should do just the trick.
Now it’s time to head out and explore the city. One of our friendly local guides will take you on a behind-the-scenes introduction to Muscat, wandering along the Corniche and into the colourful lanes of Mutrah Souq. For your young explorers, there’s even a treasure hunt along the way. Polaroid in hand, the little ones will have a mission to spot and photograph different objects hidden among the stalls. Who will be the first to find a towering stack of saffron, or a stall piled high with frankincense? Keep your eyes peeled – there may even be a small prize waiting at the end...
Today is all about exploring Muscat at your own pace. The Omani capital has a wonderfully relaxed rhythm, and it’s easy to spend the day wandering between grand landmarks and seaside streets, stopping for the occasional karak tea along the way.
Start with a visit to the magnificent Grand Mosque of Sultan Qaboos, one of the most impressive in the Middle East, before continuing on to the striking Al Alam Palace, framed by blue and gold columns and flanked by the 16th-century forts of Al Jalai and Al Mirani. From there, admire the elegant architecture of the Royal Opera House, a symbol of Oman’s modern renaissance, whose design draws inspiration from traditional Omani watchtowers.
Later, make your way back towards the waterfront and wander along the Corniche in Mutrah, where whitewashed buildings meet the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. And if yesterday’s treasure hunt left your youngsters feeling like seasoned souq explorers, today it might just be your turn. Duck back into the Mutrah Souq to browse its maze of stalls – perfect for picking out a few souvenirs, whether that’s incense or myrrh, delicate jewellery or beautifully woven textiles to bring a little piece of Oman home.
Not ready to call it a day just yet? Swap city streets for the sea with a dolphin- watching boat trip, or channel your inner artist at a pottery or jewellery workshop, where you and the family can try your hand at traditional Omani crafts. Who can fit the most beads on their bracelet?
Hit the road this morning. Collect your hire car and set your satnav for the Wahiba Desert, a three-hour drive. The scenery alone is enough to keep your youngsters wide-eyed as the landscapes shift from rugged mountains to palm-filled wadis.
Need to stretch your legs along the way? Make a stop at Wadi Arbaeen, one of the most beautiful oases in the country, surrounded by date palms, rocky cliffs and clear pools of water which are perfect for a swim. Are your children raring to go? You can follow the trails a little further upstream to discover traditional falaj irrigation channels that have carried water through these valleys for centuries. Pit stop... turned history lesson.
Another worthwhile stop is Wadi Shab, famous for its emerald waters and steep canyon walls. A short hike leads you through winding paths along the riverbed, with plenty of scenic spots to pause and take it all in.
Continue on, and by late afternoon, the scenery begins to shift as rolling red dunes appear on the horizon. You’ve reached the Wahiba Desert, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. Make yourself at home in the desert camp: settle into your tent, shaded by the ghaf trees, cool off with a dip in the pool – something the children will no doubt make a beeline for, and then let them race up the nearby dunes before dinner.
As the sun sets, gather together to enjoy traditional Omani dishes such as lamb shuwa, grilled mishkak and sweet halwa. Later, step outside beneath a blanket of stars; far from the city’s lights, the desert skies are famously clear. Who will be the first to spot Orion’s Belt?
Rise and shine early this morning and set off into the desert with a local guide who knows every village and family in the Wahiba Dunes. Climb into a sturdy 4x4 and let the adventure unfold across the rolling sands, with plenty of spontaneous stops along the way. Explore Bedouin villages, enjoy tea with a local family and meet camels up close – as your guide points out their personalities: who’s shy, who’s bossy and who just wants to steal a snack...
With no strict timetable and no rushing, the day is all exploring anything that catches your eye, with plenty of laughs and sandy footprints along the way.
After your adventure, say your goodbyes to your guide and head back to your tent, where the whole family can kick back and relax, soaking up one last evening in the desert.
Buckle in for a three-hour drive as you head back to Muscat this morning. One highlight en route is Wadi Bani Khalid, a winding oasis of emerald pools lined with date palms and white cliffs. Splash around in the clear water, watch your youngsters test their balancing skills on the rocks or simply unwind in the shade, cooling off before getting back on the road.
When you return to Muscat, return your rental car and check into your beachside hotel on the city’s eastern coast, your home for the next three nights. With the warm waters of the Gulf of Oman at your doorstep and the mountains rising behind you, it’s the perfect spot to take it easy... or dive into a few more adventures. Whether it’s snorkelling, diving or dolphin watching, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy over the last few days of your trip.
We’ve left the final part of your holiday free for you to enjoy at your leisure. If you can tear the kiddos away from the pool and beach, you can relax in the hotel’s lounge areas, go on bike rides, book in for blissful spa treatments and flit between Omani cafes and restaurants.
Fancy a second dose of sightseeing? Explore more of Muscat’s old town, including the Portuguese forts and Ali Mosque, before taking a sunset stroll along the Corniche... now who wants an ice cream?
If the kids are still craving water-based fun, take a private cruise to the Daymaniyat Islands, where snorkelling in turquoise waters await.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Oman. Enjoy the views as you’re privately transferred to Seeb Airport in Muscat. Travelling during the day, your direct flight back home takes around seven-and-a-half hours.
Grab your last Omani snacks from the airport and settle into the flight with plenty of films and games to keep everyone entertained. You’ll return with a camera full of photos, a suitcase stuffed with souq souvenirs and enough memories to keep the thrill alive... until the next adventure calls.
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
