100% customisable travel idea
Oman with children The beach and dunes as playgrounds
Oman - Muscat - Wahiba Desert
Their first steps in the Middle East
Your trip
Although this is a multi-destination trip, the journeys between your different stops are both pleasant and relatively short. What's more, you’ll also come across magnificent natural sites that are easily accessible thanks to the freedom offered by your rental car. You’ll rest at three different locations that are all linked by an unparalleled sense of hospitality. In the desert, the whole family falls asleep in a traditional tent while lulled by the sea of stars covering the dunes. We have already included a few activities in the itinerary to give you an idea of what is possible: a fun and immersive tour of Muscat centred around a treasure hunt and an exploration of the Wahiba Desert in the company of an Omani who is well acquainted with the specifics of the surroundings. You will have plenty of time around this to plan your days yourself. And if you need any help whatsoever, you will have the contact details of our on-site Concierge. The on-site concierge can work with your travel specialist to make changes to your trip according to your preferences as you go.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Upon arrival at the airport, meet and greet as you disembark from the plane and assistance with formalities. Private transfer and stay for two nights in Qurum. The hotel is simple and modern. It strikes a fine balance between comfort and functionality. The private beach is perfect for relaxing. The hotel also has tennis courts, a sauna, a hammam and a spacious fitness centre. The Persian restaurant has a delightful Middle Eastern atmosphere and serves delicious food with Omani and Iranian touches. Your room will be ready as soon as you arrive so you can start relaxing and recover from your journey as quickly as possible.
In your itinerary - Family-friendly Muscat with a private guide. Set off with a local for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Omani capital. This relaxed, no-frills stroll takes the form of a fun interactive treasure hunt which encourages chance encounters. The two guides entrust the children with a mission to find various objects in the Mutrah souk and take photos of them with a Polaroid camera.
In Muscat, time seems to flow more slowly than elsewhere. The Omani capital is best experienced in a chilled manner. Linger over a coffee or a tea, or stroll among the white houses lining the seafront, while admiring the surrounding mountains. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the splendour of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque or the magnificence of Al Alam Palace. Be captivated by the stunning Royal Opera House, a symbol of the country's renaissance inspired by Jabreen Fort and the watchtowers that silently overlook the bay. Enjoy getting lost in Mutrah and wandering along the Corniche. Explore the colourful alleyways of the souk, where Indian and African influences mingle, filling the air with the scents of frankincense and myrrh. Peruse the closely packed stalls selling fabrics, jewellery and all kinds of handicrafts.
Optional extras - Boat trip and dolphin watching; family pottery or jewellery workshops.
Pick up your rental car, then drive to Wahiba Sands, set between oases, mountains and the ocean. If you leave early enough, you can stop at Wadi Al Arbaeen, one of the most beautiful oases in the country. You’ll soon find yourself surrounded by date palms encircling crystal clear pools of water that form natural swimming pools If you're feeling adventurous, set out to explore the area all the way to the source of the falaj. Otherwise, simply enjoy the village and the nearest pools. Along the way, you’ll also pass Wadi Shab and its beautiful emerald water. Framed by steep cliffs, the water cascades over piles of rocks where you can go hiking.
You finally reach your camp, in the heart of the red dunes, where you stay for two nights. The tents are shaded by a few ghaf trees. The pool where you can cool off after a long, dusty day is a pleasant surprise. A delicious dinner of typical Omani dishes such as lamb shuwa, mishkak and halwa only adds to the sense of being in another world.
Already booked - Wahiba Sands safari with a local. Your guide for the day is originally from the edge of the Wahiba dunes. An expert on the desert, they will come with you on this adventure and tell you all about the region’s customs and traditions. Driving in a sturdy 4x4, there are several stops on the way to watch the camels or enjoy a traditional meal in a family home. Nothing is really planned in advance, the trip unfolds depending on what everyone wants to do.
Drive back to Muscat. On the way, take the opportunity to visit the emerald waters of Wadi Bani Khalid, a winding series of natural pools lined with date palms and high white cliffs, where visitors and locals alike come to cool off.
Back in Muscat, return the rental car. Stay for three nights at a hotel in the east of the city, right on the beach, by the warm waters of the Gulf of Oman, at the foot of the mountains. Inspired by Arabic architecture, the simple design of the resort blends in well with the natural beauty of the site. You can try plenty of water activities such as snorkelling, diving and dolphin watching right here. Be sure to find time to relax in your last few days too.
Things to see and do - Stroll past the Portuguese forts; wander among the stalls of the fish market at Mutrah port; admire Ali Mosque and Sultan Qaboos Mosque; visit the souk and meet all the various merchants.
Optional extra - Daymaniyat Islands private cruise.
Private transfer to the airport and direct international flight home.
À la carte
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.
Muscat in the footsteps of a local
Meet up with one of our contacts in Muscat. They are an expatriate who has become a true Omani over the years and now knows the city inside out. Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour: from the fish market to the Mutrah souk, via the corniche, Riyam Park and the iconic giant incense burner, which is a symbol of the capital. A captivating encounter that immerses you in the heart of the many influences that have shaped Omani society over the centuries.Board a boat and sail along the rugged coastline of the capital around Al Bustan, Sidab and Old Muscat. Dolphins often join the trip by playing in the wake of the boat. This makes it a mesmerising spectacle, especially against the backdrop of Oman's imposing ochre mountains. You will then head away from the coast to the coral reefs to dive with tropical fish, equipped with masks and snorkels.
Pottery or jewellery-making workshops for the whole family
Treat yourself to a pottery class in Qurum or a costume jewellery-making class in Matrah. The instructors are all enthusiasts and welcome young and old alike to their workshops for a moment of exchange, from which you will leave with a unique souvenir.
The Daymaniyat Islands in private
A driver will take you to Barka, where you will board a private motorboat. At the helm is an English-speaking skipper who will be happy to provide you with masks and snorkels. Just off the coast of Muscat, you will find completely unspoilt landscapes, stretches of white sand and turquoise lagoons that provide a surreal vision of camels trampling the foam along the beaches. These islands are famous as nesting sites for seabirds. The diversity of fish such as gaterins, trevally, parrotfish, red mullet, nasons and surgeonfish, as well as the clarity of the water, delight divers and photographers alike. Encounters with lobsters, stingrays, moray eels, leopard sharks and even a few sea turtles also add to the enjoyment of this day on and under the water.
Why visit Oman with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Oman
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
