100% customisable travel idea
Mythical sites and distant lands The great Omani adventure
Oman - Muscat - Wahiba Desert - Jabal Al Akhdar - Salalah
100% customisable travel idea
Oman - Muscat - Wahiba Desert - Jabal Al Akhdar - Salalah
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Private transfer and stay for two nights at a large modern hotel in Qurum Heights with views over the sea. Expansive gardens shaded by palm trees, a private beach and a swimming pool set the scene for your first stop-off.
Already booked - A meeting with one of our Concierges in Oman. This is an opportunity for a general introduction to the country, a review of your itinerary, and some tips and recommendations to help you get the most out of your trip.
In your itinerary - Private tour of Muscat with a local guide. You will meet with one of our on-site contacts who is an expat in Muscat. Over the years, they have become true locals and know every corner of the city. Walk with them for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the capital taking in the market, Mutrah Souk, the Corniche, Riyam Park and the iconic giant incense burner. During this informal stroll, followed by a meal with your local friend, chat about everyday life in Oman and get plenty of tips for the rest of your journey.
Pick up your rental 4x4 at the hotel and spend your free day exploring more of Muscat. The Omani capital bridges the transition between the desert and the sea, and between the past and the present. The old city walls and the Sultan’s blue and gold palace, a symbol of the nation's renaissance, have shaped the architecture of the modern city. There are no tall buildings and all buildings have to be in shades of white. Stroll past the Portuguese forts, through the souk, the fish market on Muttrah port and past Ali Mosque. You cannot fail to admire the splendours of the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque, adorned as it is with 35 Swarovski crystal chandeliers. Housed in a beautiful modern building, the National Museum traces the country’s history and traditions, with over 7,000 objects on display.
It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes without stopping to reach Sur, but your itinerary is flexible so you should go at your own pace. The road which runs along the Gulf of Oman is stunning, winding between wadis, oases, mountains and the ocean. It’s a good idea to leave early so you can stop at Wadi Dayqah and Wadi Arbaeen, beautiful gorges that seem almost like a mirage. Nestled in ochre limestone ravines, the water that flows into Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi from the Eastern Hajar is crystal clear and a bright emerald colour. The water flows between date palms and banana trees, framed by steep cliffs, then cascades over rocks and falls into natural pools. This region, one of the most scenic in the country, is perfect for hiking and swimming.
Arrive in Sur and stay for one night at a small hotel in the heart of this pretty fishing village where you can spend the rest of the day exploring. This stop-off is not about grand luxury, but rather a comfortable place to stay, complete with a swimming pool. An historic village on the shores of the Gulf of Oman, Sur was a stopping off point for sailors and pirates heading to Africa in ancient times. Set between a lagoon and the foothills of the Hajar ash-Sharqqi mountains, the village is renowned for its port and shipyards. Nearby is the charming village of Al-Ayga, where the famous traditional wooden dhows are made. The coast road is beautiful, dotted with fishing villages and magnificent beaches.
Optional extra - At the end of the day, private tour of Sur and dinner with a local.
In your itinerary - Head off the beaten track and spend the day exploring Wadi Bani Khalid with a private guide. Wadi Bani Khalid is a natural pool set in a narrow valley 600 metres (1,970 feet) above sea level. Swim in the warm, turquoise water, with the stunning mountainous desert as your backdrop. The growing number of tourists is starting to gradually change this experience in the most popular parts of the Wadi. Fortunately you have your own guide who is a passionate hiker. Depending on what you want to do and your fitness level they will take you to the region’s less known sites away from the marked trails.
At the end of the day, drive back towards Wahiba Sands. Stay for one night amid the dunes. Sleep under canvas in a simple bed. The accommodation may seem basic at first, but the lack of electricity means candlelit dinners, evenings under the moonlight and doing everything by candlelight once night falls. It’s all made even more unforgettable by the warm welcome from the owner and the vastness of the night sky at night.
Spend the morning exploring Wahiba Sands independently. Then it takes about half a day to reach Nizwa, driving through rocky, desert landscape. Be sure to make a quick stop in the village of Ibra to explore its ruins. A little further on, Nizwa sits at the bottom of a valley thick with palm trees, surrounded by Oman’s highest mountains. Until 50 years ago, travellers rarely ventured into this ultra-conservative town, home to imams from different schools of thought. Recently modernised as part of a major urban development project, Oman's second-largest city has lost none of its historical character or originality. It is striking to see how much it has opened up to the world and welcomed tourists. A stay in Nizwa gives you a real feel for Oman's rich architectural heritage. The numerous citadels and forts, mostly built during the Yaruba dynasty in the 17th century, sometimes reveal glimpses of the Portuguese influence. Be sure to stroll on the ramparts of the fort in the old town for the panoramic views of the Hajar Mountains and the dome of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. Overnight stay in a small hotel with simple comforts, ideally located near the souks.
Jabal al Akhdar is not far from Nizwa, but it’s well worth making a few stops and detours along the way as there’s plenty to see and do. The souk in Bahla (open in the morning) is worth visiting for its famous pottery and its fort is particularly impressive. In Al Hamra, be sure to visit the ruins of the old town and the Bait Al Safah living museum, surrounded by a palm grove. Not far away is the much more impressive palm grove in Misfah. Enjoy a leisurely walk on a well-marked trail that takes you deeper into the grove as far as the rocky hillside that flanks it.
Stay for two nights at an understated luxury hotel with a distinctive character, perched high on the impressive Jabal Al Akhdar, around 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) above sea level. Sitting on the edge of a deep canyon, your accommodation has breathtaking views of the mountains. The resort is built to resemble an Omani fort and designed, along with other elements of Middle Eastern architecture, in a spirit of contemporary classicism. The rooms and villas offer a high level of amenities which, combined with the elegant decor, means exceptional comfort. The large infinity pool with its stunning views, is quite flawless. At the spa, wellness traditions from the Middle East and the Far East are combined to nourish your body. Treatments are delivered by highly qualified staff. The same expertise extends to the various restaurants, whether serving refined haute cuisine or tapas, interpreting Arabian dishes or savouring Italian flavours.
Spend the day exploring the Jabal Al Akhdar region. Poetically known as the "The Green Mountain of 300 Wadis", this region is where traditional Omani life has been preserved. Everywhere, the landscape is dotted with spectacular sights such small stone or adobe villages, old forts, orchards and terraced fields, untouched for centuries. It was the Bani Riyam tribe who originally cultivated the land and made the area famous for growing roses, pomegranates, apricots and olives. Vital irrigation has long been provided by a system of underground aqueducts called falaj. As you travel from village to village, you discover a surprisingly sophisticated, fertile and peaceful mountain way of life.
Drive back to Muscat, taking time once again to explore a few attractions on the way. Return the rental car at the airport and flight to Salalah. In southern Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea, the port of Salalah is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. With a history spanning thousands of years, it has preserved ruins such as the magnificent Al Baleed Archaeological Park in the heart of the city, and the old souk where gold, myrrh and frankincense are still traded. The region is also home to picturesque fine sandy beaches and rich diving spots.
Upon arrival, private transfer and stay for one night in the north of the city, at a property known for its attentive service and exceptional views over the city, the mountains and the sea. It’s a pleasant place to stay before setting off again on the desert road.
In your itinerary - Rub Al Khali desert safari with a local English speaking guide. Known as the Empty Quarter, this mythical desert is dotted with rugged djebels and red and golden dunes that thousands of camels once crossed in the days of frankincense trading. Here, even more so than in Wahiba Sands, you feel as if you are alone in the world, faced with the vastness and majesty of the desert. You can also visit the lost city of Ubar, once an important stopover for frankincense caravans. Today, only a few vestiges of this golden age are left, along with a small museum. As evening falls, enjoy camping out in the open desert once again. Have dinner by the campfire, then spend the night in a tent beneath the starry night sky. It's not often you’ll see a sky filled with stars like this.
After breakfast, drive back through Rub Al Khali exploring as you go. You will pass the famous historic frankincense trees before leaving the desert to return to Salalah. Stay for three nights in a vast property set on the beach, between the lagoon and the sea, overlooking the Al Baleed archaeological site. The hotel features contemporary villas with private pools, three restaurants, an oriental spa, walkways lined with coconut palms and manicured lawns, an infinity pool and a private beach. It's truly exceptional.
In your itinerary - Discover the cultural heritage of Dhofar, full-day tour with a private guide. Salalah, the capital of Dhofar, is a genuine tropical paradise. And to mingle with the locals, there’s nothing better than following their customs. Visit the mosque, then the market where you’ll meet jabalis (mountain people) and fishermen, who come to sell their wares as they always have. Next, visit one of the coconut and banana plantations that shape Salalah’s landscape and have made it so famous. After lunch, climb up through the hills to Wadi Darbat. Even though there is water here all year round, only camels are allowed to swim. Bedouins live in this wadi for part of the year, and their herds make it feel a bit like Jurassic Park. You may get the chance to meet jabalis who raise cattle here. End your day of sightseeing with a visit to the Omani Woman Association, which promotes the handicrafts and work of the women from Dhofar.
You have a free day to enjoy the beach or set out to explore the east of Salalah. Drive up the coast to Mirbat, formerly the capital of Dhofar, and famous for its old merchant houses and the fort overlooking the sea. Along the way, stop to watch the pelicans, flamingos and ibises that have made their home on the Khor Rori lagoon. Things to see: the Royal Farm, Mamura Palace, Ain Razat, the ruins of the ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba, and Ben Ali Mosque.
Optional extra - Historic Dhofar private tour.
Transfer to the airport, flight to Muscat, then international flight home.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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