Beautiful Oman across cities, coast & sands

Muscat Airport - Muscat

Day 1: Muscat

Transfer from Muscat airport to your hotel
Car Transfer: We will pick you up at the airport once you have cleared customs and drive you through the capital to your hotel. Estimated transfer time: 15 minutes.

Rustaq - Bilad Sayt - Nizwa

Day 2: Barka - Nizwa

Transfer from Muscat to Rustaq.
Other Transfer: Transfer from Muscat to Rustaq.


Visit Nakhal Fort and Thowarah spring
Excursion: The burly Nakhal Fort is perched on a rocky mountain, which overlooks a small town known for its date plantation - beautiful panoramic views can be seen from the top. Another striking, mud-walled gem made up of sweeping walkways and wide, cylindrical turrets, it is unique in its haphazard form. Its foundations were built simply to follow the lines of the boulder it is located on. After exploring this fort you'll head on to Thowarah Spring. The spring is mineral-rich and considered to have healing properties to whoever wallows in its invigorating, warm waters. Perfect in the heat, especially after the dusty drive from Nakhal Fort.


Visit Rustaq Fort
Excursion: The former Omani capital of Rustaq sits in the Al Batina plain - and here you will visit the magnificent Rustaq Fort. Built four centuries before the spread of Islam in Oman; it is a striking, sand-coloured giant with large, barrelesque turrets and tiny windows - a grand example of pre-Islamic architectural style. Explore the hidden passageways and steep stairways, imagining its importance hundreds of years ago.


Transfer from Rustaq to Nizwa via Wadi Bani Auf (off-road)
Car Transfer: Transfer from Rustaq to Nizwa. We will follow an off-road track through lush plantations of palm trees & small mountain villages to the wadis Bani Awf & Sahtan. Enjoy a cool & refreshing stop at the hidden water pools in a narrow gorge, walk into the extraordinary village of Bilad Sayt with steep agriculture terraces.


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.

Jabal Shams - Al Hamra - Bidiya

Day 3: Jebel Shams - The Wahiba Sands

Transfer from Nizwa to Jebel Shams.
Car Transfer: Transfer from Nizwa to Jebel Shams. Our next stop takes us to Wadi Nakher located in the depth of our deepest canyon. Drive would take around 2 hours.


Explore Wadi Ghul and Jebel Shams
Excursion: Explore the magnificent Wadi Ghul; the 'Grand Canyon' of Oman, a spectacular deep gorge in a vast mountain range. Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman at over 3000m, is also located among this terrain. Jebel Shams (meaning 'the mountain of the sun'), is home to weavers of heavy woollen rugs, decorated in distinctive red, black and brown geometric designs. You will see these talented merchants selling rugs as you reach the top of the mountain.


Transfer from Jebel Shams to the Wahiba Sands via Misfah and Ibra.
Car Transfer: Experience an untamed & rugged country side, a pristine world interrupted here & there by tiny settlement. We will drive through Al Hamra to visit Misfah, a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence, then proceed to the Wahiba Sands desert via Ibra.


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.

Wadi Bani Khalid - Sur - Wadi Shab

Day 4: Wadi Bani Khalid - Muscat

Transfer from the Wahiba Sands to Wadi Bani Khalid.
Other Transfer: Transfer from the Wahiba Sands to 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.


Transfer from Wadi Bani Khalid to Sur.
Other Transfer: Transfer from Wadi Bani Khalid to Sur.


Visit the dhow shipyard near Sur
Excursion: Sur is known for its traditional dhow shipyards, where the traditional and quintessentially Omani wooden boat is still made in the ancient way. It is one of the oldest and biggest trades in Oman. On this trip to the biggest dhow shipyard in Arabia, you'll witness these ships in the stages of making, constructed from the best, locally-sourced wooden materials by engineers who build for hours each day. These custom-made, highest quality ships are one of the reasons Oman retained its status as one of the prime shipping ports and most influential Sultanates of the Middle East.


Transfer from Sur to Muscat via Tiwi
Car Transfer: Transfer from Sur to Muscat via the village of Qalhat, stopping at the tomb of Bibi Miriam. We will drive through Tiwi and stop at Wadi Shab, where we rejoin a tarmac road, going along the white sand beaches. These beaches are great spots for swimming or simple relaxation.


Visit Wadi Shab
Excursion: Wadi Shab is an amazing oasis; a rocky ravine full of palms, mango and banana trees, and thrashing waters alongside turquoise pools. It is certainly one of the most gorgeous destinations in Oman. Beyond the breathtaking entrance, the wadi rewards you with views of aquamarine rivers, waterfalls and terraced plantations; while kingfishers flit by adding glorious splashes of colour. You'll reach the water pools after a pleasant 40 minute walk through the wadi where you can paddle, jump into its depths, and swim to the hidden caverns and waterfalls.


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 5: Muscat

At leisure in Muscat
Excursion: You'll have time to explore the sublime Omani capital of Muscat at leisure. An important trading port since the 11th century, it was Sultan Qaboos' crowning in 1970 that marked the "Omani Renaissance" here - in fact, the date of the first day of his reign (23 July) is called "Renaissance Day". Thanks to his focus on modernity as well as tradition, political neutrality and tolerance, Muscat has become the elegant, warm-hearted and laid-back city you see today. The name Muscat means 'anchorage' and the seaside location definitely contributes to the city's relaxed mood. Muscat is known for its hospitable inhabitants, religious acceptance and elegant fusion of the traditional and modern. It's a refreshing experience to feel such a slow pace in this part of the world; enhanced with desert mountain backdrops and sparkling ocean surrounds. As you meander the clean streets lined with whitewashed architecture, well-kept gardens and the occasional ancient mosque, you'll also begin to adopt its languid mood and see why it's such a popular place to visit. Why not wander around a market or souq - the fish market has some incredible wares of display of all shapes and sizes. All kind of ceramics, carpets, spices and fruits are also widely available here - as well as frankincense, one of Oman's prime trades.


Transfer from Muscat to the airport.
Other Transfer: Transfer from Muscat to the airport.