A Week in Oman

Depart London

Upon arrival in Muscat in the morning; you will be met by your tour leader and transferred to our hotel.

Later in the afternoon after the main group briefing, we will be picked up from our hotel and travel through the old part of Muscat to visit the Sidab Women's association where there is the opportunity to interact with the local women and enjoy a coffee together. Next, we pay a short visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum before having a photo stop outside the gates of the Sultan's palace. After a short transfer to the marina, we'll embark on a relaxed dhow cruise (traditional fisherman's boat) to see the Muscat coast through the eyes of ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries. During the cruise, soft drinks, tea, coffee and dates will be served on board.

In the evening, we stop at a local restaurant for dinner and will be transported back through the centuries on a visit to the bustling, colourful Mutrah Souq. Here there will be lots of photo opportunities and chances to observe the local way of life whilst wandering around this vibrant traditional Arab market.

Note: On departures where the group flight arrives after midday, some of the sightseeing detailed above will be done on day 2 of the tour instead. Your leader will advise of your exact schedule locally.

Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat or similar

Land only clients should arrive into Muscat and at the start hotel before midday in order to ensure you are able to join the main group briefing and the dhow cruise later in the afternoon.

Later in the afternoon after the main group briefing, we will be picked up from our hotel and travel through the old part of Muscat to visit the Siban Women's association where there is the opportunity to interact with the local women and enjoy a coffee together. Next, we pay a short visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum before having a photo stop outside the gates of the Sultan's palace. After a short transfer to the marina, we'll embark on a relaxed dhow cruise (traditional fisherman's boat) to see the Muscat coast through the eyes of ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries. During the cruise, soft drinks, tea, coffee and dates will be served on board.

In the evening, we stop at a local restaurant for dinner and will be transported back through the centuries on a visit to the bustling, colourful Mutrah Souq. Here there will be lots of photo opportunities and chance to observe the local way of life whilst wandering around this vibrant traditional Arab market.

Note: On departures where the group flight arrives after midday, some of the sightseeing detailed above will be done on day 2 of the tour instead. Your leader will advise of your exact schedule locally.

Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and visit the Grand Mosque, the highlight of the Omani capital.

Completed in 2001, the Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks modern but shows that modern craftsmen have retained the skills necessary to create this wonderful traditional environment. The handmade carpets, the chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are absolute 'must-sees'.  Kindly note, ladies should be fully covered and please carry a headscarf and men should wear trousers.

We then drive (approx.1.5 hours) to the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom, and Wadi Tiwi where we enjoy a walk and picnic lunch before transferring (approx. 1 hour) to our hotel in Sur, where we will be spending the night.

This evening after an early dinner, we’ll drive (approx. 1 hour) to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Oman is a vital area for Green turtles in the Indian Ocean and the Green Back turtle are heavily protected by the government of Oman. In fact, over 275 of the Sultanate's beaches double-up as nesting grounds for five of the seven recognized species of sea turtles, the most common being the Green Back turtle.

Here we are led to the beach by an ecologist to see the female turtles return to their beach to lay eggs. (Please note that the main nesting season is June-August, at other times of the year, there may or not be turtles every night but a visit to the reserve is still worthwhile).

Sur Plaza or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we first transfer (approx. 1 hour and 45 min) to the desert oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid to relax a bit and enjoy a swim in the beautiful turquoise pools and a picnic lunch before continuing (approx. 1-1.5 hours) to the Wahiba Desert. Please be aware that occasionally wild swimming in the wadi may not be possible due to safety reasons if, for example, water levels are high following rainfall or if it is raining at the time of your visit as the rocks can be slippery - your leader will inform you if swimming is not advisable.

Here, on the edge of the desert, we change vehicles from the minibus to 4WDs to begin our desert experience.

The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. We further drive towards the dunes and our desert accommodation (approx. 1 hour) to check-in for the evening.

During our time at the camp, there is the chance to take a camel ride (optional- extra cost).

2022: 1000 Nights Camp / Arabian Oryx or similar

2023: Arabian Nights Resort or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at our desert accommodation before checking out and driving towards the ancient city of Nizwa, Oman's former capital. En-route we visit a Bedouin family, and enjoy Kahwa (local Omani Coffee) and spend some time with them learning about their customs and traditional way of life.

We’ll continue our drive via Birkat al Mouz, one of the region's most well-known village ruin. We’ll walk through its oasis and date plantations before continuing to Nizwa. With the 2 sets of ruins, a large banana plantation and the scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old Falaj irrigation system listed as UNESCO World heritage.

Upon arrival in Nizwa, we check into our hotel where we will spend the next two nights.

Al Diyar Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive (approx. 30 minutes) to visit Jabrin, the finest of Oman’s castles built in the late 17^th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. The castle displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting & beautifully executed woodcarvings.

We also pause at the Bahla Fort for a photo, the only UNESCO listed fort in the country and lovingly restored over many years before transferring (approx.1.5 hours) to Wadi Nakher for a short walk. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant before proceeding to Jebel Shams, Oman's highest mountain and where we can enjoy spectacular views of the 'Grand Canyon of Arabia.'

Later in the afternoon, we visit (transfer approx. 45 minutes) to the village of Misfat Al Arbayeen, passing the ruins of an old fort on the way. We continue through narrow alleys between old stone houses and take a short walk in Al Hamra village before returning back (approx. 30 minutes) to Nizwa for the evening.

Al Diyar Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long day and we start our morning with a visit to Nizwa's famous live cattle auction market, the one day of the week where this ancient city truly comes alive which sees farmers and traders arrive from near and afar to barter and trade in one of the Middle East's most renowned markets.

We’ll visit the impressive Nizwa Fort, built in the 17^th century to defend the city’s natural wealth and its strategic location. Later we visit Nizwa's renowned Souq,  famous for intricately hand-carved “Khanjars” (daggers) & ornamental silver jewellery and live-stock trading.

Departing Nizwa, we continue to Wadi Bani Auf; this stretch of graded road is very adventurous as it involves steep bends and bumpy roads. When there are wet weather conditions, it may not be possible to drive this section of graded road due to safety. If this occurs, an alternative stretch of road will be driven.

Then stop at the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt where one is awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. Lunch today will be a packed lunch. 

This afternoon we stop for a photo stop at the Nakhal Fort and hot spring. The exact date on which this ancient fort was built is unknown, but many believe that it was built in pre-Islamic times, more than 1500 years ago.

We then transfer back to Muscat for our final evening in Oman's capital city.

Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For land only clients the tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport to check in for the flight back to London which arrives back later on in the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast