Classic Oman in a nutshell

Muscat Airport - Muscat

Day 1: Muscat

Transfer from Muscat airport to your hotel
Car Transfer: You will be picked up at the airport in Muscat and driven to your hotel in the city to settle in.

Muscat - Marina Bandar Al Rowdha - Muttrah

Day 2: Muscat

Dolphin-spotting in Muscat
Excursion: Transfer to the Marina to embark on a boat as we search the seas for dolphins and whales. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometres from Muscat’s rugged coast. Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature’s most fascinating marine mammals.


Evening city tour - Bait Al Zubair Museum, Muttrah Souk, Mirani & Jalali
Excursion: Languid, welcoming Muscat is among the most charming cities on the Sea of Arabia, having held an important status and position as a trading port from the 11th century. Today it blends traditional and modern to produce an atmosphere of progressive acceptance and warmth. Proceed on a half day tour of this marvellous city. You'll visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which offers a brief introduction to Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche . Visit the colourful Muttrah Souk and enjoy a walk through its narrow alleyways packed with handicrafts, frankincense, spices and Omani Silver. Pause for a photo stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. This glorious piece of royal architecture is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali.

Rustaq - Bilad Sayt - Al Hamra

Day 3: Muscat - Al Hamra

Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Excursion: In 1992 Sultan Qaboos directed that his country of Oman should have a Grand Mosque. A competition for its design took place in 1993 and after a site was chosen at Bausher construction commenced in December of 1994. The mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. The main musalla (prayer hall) is square (external dimensions 74.4 x 74.4 metres) with a central dome rising to a height of fifty metres above the floor. The dome and the main minaret (90 metres) and four flanking minarets (45.5 metres) are the mosque’s chief visual features. The main musalla can hold over 6,500 worshippers, while the women’s musalla can accommodate 750 worshipers. The outer paved ground can hold 8,000 worshipers and there is additional space available in the interior courtyard and the passageways, making a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshipers.


Journey along Wadi Bani Auf to the village of Bilad Sayt
Excursion: You'll be driven along the bumpy, elevated and sharp roads of Wadi Bani Auf - a sometimes nerve-wracking path with spectacular views of the surrounding area. At the end of the journey you'll be rewarded by the picturesque and charming village, Bilad Sayt. This pretty hamlet, protected by the mountains, is a truly authentic taste of an historic Oman untouched by modernity.


Visit Al Hamra
Excursion: Al Hamra is a 400-year-old town in the region Ad Dakhiliyah, in northeastern Oman. It is known as Hamra Al Abryeen with reference to the Al Abri tribe who live there. Near the center of the town is a plaza and the souq. Some of the oldest preserved houses in Oman can be found in Al Hamra, a town built on a tilted rock slab. Many of the houses have two, three and even four stories, with ceilings made of palm beams and fronds topped by mud and straw. Visitors to the nearby souq can watch a halwa maker at work in the only halwa shop still operating in the old souq.


Jabrin Castle
Excursion: Jabrin was built in the 17th century with intention to be the Imam's residence. Its three storeys have rich and beautiful interiors, delicately painted wooden ceilings and precious ornaments, making it a most elegant example of traditional Omani architecture.

Jabreen - Nizwa - Jabal Akdhar

Day 4: Nizwa - Jebel Akhdar

Transfer from Al Hamra to Jebel Akhdar - via Nizwa and Birkat Al Mauz
Other Transfer: Leave your hotel and proceed on your journey through stunning scenery and historic towns on your way to your next stop, Jebel Akhdar. You'll stop on the way at Nizwa Souq, the village of Birkat Al Mauz and enjoy the views of Wadi Al Madeen.


City tour of Nizwa, including Nizwa Fort and traditional souq
Excursion: The former capital of the Sultanate of Oman; quaint and historic Nizwa used to form the centre of trade, education and art. These days it is second only to Muscat when it comes to the most popular Omani cities. The sand-stone cityscape is backed by rocky mountainous terrain and fringed by large palms. There is a wealth of cultural and ancient attractions within these centuries-old borders, including the 17th century Nizwa Fort with a central tower reaching 24m high. Keep a look out for the traps purposely built into the fortress - including open gaps in the ceilings used to pour boiling date syrup onto intruders, and trap doors in the floor. Of further interest is the traditional souq - one of the most authentic you'll visit. The locals congregate in a hubbub of commerce, trading traditional as well as imported merchandise, from pottery and vegetables to spices and silver jewellery. As the prime date-growing region of Oman, there are also plenty of chances to buy the sweet, locally-grown fruits as a souvenir, or a treat.


Visit Birkat Al Mauz
Excursion: Drive to the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz - which, with its sand-coloured brickwork, seems to disappear into the foot of the mountains where it resides. Admire its 'banana pool' from which it was named, and enjoy a walk through its lush green date plantations.


Visit the mountain terraces of Jebel Akhdar
Excursion: Access to this stunning, barren landscape can be difficult, but it's worth it for the rewarding views and cool air. Jebel Akhdar is a mountain range which includes the highest point in Oman, 200 metres above sea level, and is famed for its aesthetic orchards - scattered terrace-style along the slopes. It's also endowed with pretty natural springs & its own falaj irrigation system. Rosewater is famously sourced from these hills; the roses of Jabal Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance when in full bloom (March / April). Also cultivated is a wide variety of fruits and nuts such as peaches, apricots, figs, grapes, apples, pears, plums, almonds and walnuts - giving Jebel Akhdar the nickname 'the Fruitbowl of Oman'. Observe the large open mouth of the valley as it disappears at the horizon under a hazy blue sky, and be welcomed by the local townspeople who live there.

Jabal Akdhar - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba

Day 5: Wadi Bani Khalid - The Wahiba Sands

Transfer from Jebel Akhdar to Wahiba Sands - via Wadi Bani Khalid
Other Transfer: Leaving the mountains now, you will continue on your journey. Today's tour ends up at the breath-taking Wahiba Sands, but on the way you will visit Sinaw Market - which specialises in goats, guns and silver - and enjoy a stop at the superb Wadi Bani Khalid.


Visit Wadi Bani Khalid
Excursion: Wadi Bani Khalid is considered by many as the most beautiful wadi (ravine or valley) in Oman. Set deep into the hills, it is reputed to have more water than anywhere else in the Sultanate, maintaining a constant flow throughout the year. Refreshing waterfalls cascade down the craggy ravines, while visitors cool off with a swim in the turquoise water of the natural rocky pools.


Experience the Wahiba Sands
Excursion: A vast sea of red and white sands make up the sublime Wahiba desert. Traditionally the home of the Bedouin tribes - a hardy, spirited people who know how to survive in this inhospitable and tough terrain - around 3,000 Bedouin still live in the desert (except in the summer when the temperatures are too high), mostly working as farmers or shepherds. You will have the chance to take a firsthand look at Bedouin life by visiting a local house, where you will see various traditional handicrafts being made and also have the possibility to go for a short camel ride (please note that camel rides incur an extra cost). An exciting drive in the dunes will follow, which rise up to hundreds of meters high. Exploring the Wahiba sands in this fashion is an exhilarating experience, finished with a magnificent desert sunset.


Short visit to a Bedouin Camp
Excursion: From Wahiba Sands there is a short drive to a Bedouin camp where, over coffee, your guide explains the relationship between the Bedouins, their camels and the desert terrain. The word Bedouin comes from the terms 'desert dweller'. You will have the chance to talk to a Bedouin family and learn about how their people have lived out in this seemingly inhospitable terrain for centuries.

Wahiba - Ras Al Jinz

Day 6: The Wahiba Sands - Ras Al Jinz

Dune-driving at Wahiba Sands
Excursion: Tackle the expansive Wahiba Sands in a novel way by hitting the dunes by 4wd vehicle. You'll enjoy a short ride across the golden landscape to kick-start your adrenaline and set you up for the remainder of the day.


Transfer from Wahiba Sands to Ras Al Jinz
Car Transfer: Head back along the coast alongside Wahiba on your way to Ras al Jinz - the turtle breeding site.


See the Green Turtle nesting in Ras Al Jinz
Shared Excursion: Oman is home to five of the world's seven species of sea turtle - and Ras Al Jinz is one of the prime nesting grounds of the Giant Green Turtles. After dinner, depart for the beach to have a chance to see the green turtles nesting. Slowly they drag their enormous shells up the shore and lay eggs in the sand, in shallow pits dug with their flippers. Watching this display is a fascinating, once-in-a-lifetime event.

Ras Al Jinz - Sur - Muscat

Day 7: Sur - Muscat

Transfer from Ras Al Jinz to Sur
Car Transfer: Leave the turtle nesting haven at Ras Al Jinz and head to Sur - a charming fishing town famous for its traditional dhow boats. Estimated travel time - 45 minutes.


Visit the fishing town of Sur
Excursion: A picturesque scattering of white-washed houses with a border of glittering sea makes up the bustling town of Sur. Ancient dhows (boats) are still built here in the traditional way, and the museum is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in their production. Visit the fish market here for a knock to all your senses and a real taste of the Arabian sea faring culture.


Transfer from Sur to Muscat - via Qalhat, Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Arbayeen
Car Transfer: You will be driven onwards from Sur, stopping to see the ruins of Bibi Miriam’s Tomb at the village of Qalhat, and a brief visit to beautiful Fin’s beach. The drive along the coastline offers breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. Our next stop is the Bimmah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater full of sparkling blue green water. From here you'll head to Dibab to take an adventurous off-road track to visit the Wadi Arbayeen, characterised by date palms and deep pools of water.


Swim in Bimmah Sinkhole
Excursion: Developed from a cavity in a collapsed mountain, the gorgeous Bimmah sinkhole draws visitors into its inviting turquoise waters. It's a serene and peaceful escape from the city. Local myth says that a star fell from the sky to create this crater in the ground. The sparkling lake that has naturally accumulated in the crumbling limestone is around 20m deep. Jumping into its crystal depths makes for a refreshing, adventurous experience.

Muscat - Muscat Airport

Day 8:

Transfer from hotel to Muscat airport
Car Transfer: You will be transferred to the airport for your flight..