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Discover Oman

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Discover Oman

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Description

Adventure from portside Muscat and Muttrah into the heart of Oman’s richly coloured past. Discover the awesome Islamic forts, age-old mud-brick houses, and silver- and spice-filled souqs that make this Middle Eastern jewel such a feast for the senses. The treasures aren’t all man-made: trip to the blazing remote landscapes of Wahiba Sands for a desert getaway with the Bedouins, and soak up breathtaking canyon views at Jebel Shams and Wadi Bani Awf before returning to the seaside capital.

Trip Name
Discover Oman
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Stand on top of Oman, with the vast Grand Canyon at your feet and take the scenic route down through the mountains to Muscat.
  • Walk through remote villages, tucked between mountains and at the bottom of valleys, lush with date palms and full of friendly locals, enjoy a visit to a local bee keeper and a hearty home-cooked Omani lunch.
  • Scramble to the top of the Wahiba Sands dunes for incredible sunset and sunrise views, and experience traditional Omani hospitality over coffee and dates with a Bedouin family.
  • Discover Oman's most phenomenal castles and mosques with guided visits to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Jabreen Castle.
  • Step back in time with a night in Nizwa, staying in a heritage property in the heart of the old town, and stroll the souq for souvenirs.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Muscat
Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Oman and the sprawling seaside city of Muscat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm today. If you arrive with time to spare you may like to visit the Royal Opera House, a grand building that encapsulates contemporary Omani architectural style, or take a walk along the beach, dipping your toes in the Gulf of Oman. After the welcome meeting perhaps join your group at a nearby restaurant, serving up Omani favourites like shuwa, fresh salads and local breads.
Day 2 - Muscat
Begin your explorations with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The largest mosque in Oman, it has capacity for 20,000 worshippers and the second largest carpet in the world, handwoven by Iranian women, taking four years to produce. Your next stop is the old part of Muscat, where you'll see the two 16th century Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani, guarding the entrance to the city. Drive down to the busy fishing harbour at Muttrah, with its wooden dhows and fishing boats, stop at the bazaar (souq) where you can pick up a local perfume or postcard. Visit the Sidab Women's Group and learn how they're empowering local women through the production and sale of reusable bags. After learning about the organisation, enjoy a selection of salads, sambusas and stews, cooked for you by our welcoming hosts. Your afternoon is then free to spend as you wish. An optional sunset cruise provides a spectacular viewpoint for the rocky coastline of the city.
Day 3 - Ras al Hadd
Drive through Oman's rugged landscapes to Hawiyat Najim Park, the location of the Bimmah Sinkhole. This picture-perfect sinkhole was formed through limestone erosion. The turquoise waters make an excellent stop to paddle the feet before travelling onwards. Your next stop, Wadi Tiwi, is known as the wadi of nine villages, with each community linked by date plantations and the flow of water through their falaj system. Spend time learning about dates, how they're grown and harvested, and their importance in Omani hospitality, and stretch your legs on a short, downhill walk through these communities. Continue driving to Ras al Hadd and check into your beachside resort where you'll be able to enjoy a lovely relaxed evening at the property.
Day 4 - Wahiba Sands
After breakfast, we make a stop in Sur, an important city of Oman's maritime past. Sur has long been known for its tradition of dhow building. These mighty vessels formed an important part of Omani culture and trade over the years. Visit a dhow factory to see how they are built and be joined by a local worker who will explain the making of the dhow, the materials used and the time taken to built the vessel. Drive through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, enjoying incredible views of villages embedded in the mountains as you take this winding road to the peaceful Wadi Bani Khalid. Cool off with a swim in the wadi, surrounded by palm trees and mountains. Drive onwards to the beautiful Wahiba Sands, where you'll spend the night. Rolling dunes, some as high as 150 metres, stretch as far as the eye can see and are constantly shifting. Sunset from atop a dune is a must. After dinner back at the camp, relax under the stars with music, tea and maybe even some dancing.
Day 5 - Nizwa
If you're a morning person, you have the option to climb the dunes and enjoy watching them change colour as the sun rises over them. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed start to the day before driving further into the dunes to visit a Bedouin family. Wahiba Sands is named after the Wahiba tribe and the region is home to families that have lived and worked in the area for generations. Enjoy coffee, dates and a chat with our welcoming hosts. Leaving the desert behind, make tracks for Nizwa. On the outskirts of the city, visit Jabreen Castle, considered one of the finest and most picturesque in the country. Built in 1675, this cleverly designed residence was home to Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan and many subsequent generations. A local guide will share the castle's secrets and expansive viewpoints with you. It's just a short drive to Nizwa, where you'll spend the night in the old town, staying in a heritage property. Enjoy a free evening to explore the old town or relax at a rooftop cafe with a cool drink.
Day 6 - Jebel Shams
Take a walk with your leader through the labyrinthine streets of Nizwa's old town this morning, before exploring the souq and its various specialty areas for halwa, vegetables, spices, ceramics. You'll have some free time during which you might like to visit Nizwa Fort. With a massive circular cannon tower and built to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons, it's one of the most impressive forts in Oman. Depart Nizwa for Misfat Al Abyreen, a mountain village located 1000m above sea level and recognised by UNWTO as one of the world's best tourism villages for its preservation of Omani culture. Walk through the village and see how their agricultural and irrigation systems are as productive as they were centuries ago. Visit a local beekeeper and find out about their bees and the ways they produce different types of honey - with some sampling too, of course! Then enjoy a home-cooked Omani feast with your host for lunch. Omani people are famous for their hospitality and you’ll get to try some exciting home-cooked flavors including Qabuli (Omani spiced rice with either goat/fish/chicken), hummus, Omani bread (Kubz Al Rakhal) with local honey, Omani coffee and tea with dates, etc. Carry on your journey higher into the mountains to Jebel Shams, which translates as 'Mountain of the Sun'. Check into your hotel before heading out to take in the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon and, weather allowing, a brilliant sunset.
Day 7 - Muscat
An early morning hike is on offer today. The balcony walk follows the Grand Canyon, so you can expect epic views as you walk. After breakfast at your hotel, settle in for a memorable drive to Wadi Bani Awf, the end point of the canyon and known as Snake Gorge. Break up the drive with a walk through Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village in the heart of the mountains, lush with palm trees. After leaving the mountains, you'll drive back to Muscat, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free to spend as you wish, perhaps gather your group together for a meal to celebrate your adventure.
Day 8 - Muscat
After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Muscat, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-11-202407-12-2024AUD $ 4,064-
21-12-202428-12-2024AUD $ 5,030-
23-12-202430-12-2024AUD $ 3,965-
28-12-202404-01-2025AUD $ 5,170-
11-01-202518-01-2025AUD $ 4,032-
01-02-202508-02-2025AUD $ 4,032-
15-02-202522-02-2025AUD $ 4,032-
22-02-202501-03-2025AUD $ 3,884-
22-03-202529-03-2025AUD $ 3,735-
05-04-202512-04-2025AUD $ 3,735-
19-04-202526-04-2025AUD $ 3,735-
03-05-202510-05-2025AUD $ 3,735-
20-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 3,735-
04-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 3,735-
11-10-202518-10-2025AUD $ 3,735-
18-10-202525-10-2025AUD $ 3,735-
25-10-202501-11-2025AUD $ 3,884-
01-11-202508-11-2025AUD $ 3,884-
08-11-202515-11-2025AUD $ 3,884-
15-11-202522-11-2025AUD $ 3,884-
22-11-202529-11-2025AUD $ 3,884-
29-11-202506-12-2025AUD $ 3,884-
13-12-202520-12-2025AUD $ 4,032-
20-12-202527-12-2025AUD $ 4,480-
27-12-202503-01-2026AUD $ 4,480-
03-01-202610-01-2026AUD $ 4,705-
10-01-202617-01-2026AUD $ 4,705-
24-01-202631-01-2026AUD $ 4,705-
07-02-202614-02-2026AUD $ 4,705-
14-02-202621-02-2026AUD $ 4,705-
21-02-202628-02-2026AUD $ 4,530-
07-03-202614-03-2026AUD $ 4,530-
21-03-202628-03-2026AUD $ 4,355-
04-04-202611-04-2026AUD $ 4,355-
18-04-202625-04-2026AUD $ 4,355-
02-05-202609-05-2026AUD $ 4,355-
19-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 4,355-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 4,355-
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 4,355-
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 4,355-
24-10-202631-10-2026AUD $ 4,530-
31-10-202607-11-2026AUD $ 4,530-
07-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 4,530-
14-11-202621-11-2026AUD $ 4,530-
21-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 4,530-
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $ 4,530-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 4,705-
19-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 4,705-
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $ 4,705-

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights),Heritage stay (1 night),Desert hotel (1 night)

Transport

Mini Bus,4x4

Map

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