Highlights of Oman
Summary
Immerse yourself in the beauty, culture, and history of Oman with this itinerary that combines the city sights of Muscat, a luxury mobile desert camp in Wahiba Sands and finishes in the mountains. After seeing the palaces, mosques and souks that Muscat has to offer you will be driven to the Wahiba desert where your luxury mobile camp awaits. Here you will explore the red and white sand dunes, pretty villages and sinkholes. Continue onto the mountains for a visit in a Bedouin village and take guided hike through the magical mountains and abandoned villages. Finish the tour with a visit to Nizwa, famous for its 17th century round tower fort.
Duration |
9 days
Price
From $6,717.72 per person based on 2 people sharing a roomBest time to go
Oman is definitely not a summer destination as temperatures can reach well above 37 degrees Celsius. However, from October to April, temperatures stay comfortable making this the best time to visit.
Day 1: UK Departure
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Muscat.
Day 2: Al Bustan Palace, The Ritz-Carlton (BB)
Once you arrive you will be transferred by a private vehicle to Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where you will stay for the next three nights. The rest of the day is to be spent at leisure so settle into the hotel and make use of its excellent facilities.
Day 3: Al Bustan Palace, The Ritz-Carlton (BB)
Today you will enjoy a half day private city tour of Muscat, Oman’s port capital. Muscat is a beautiful city, and highlights of the tour have to include the Grand Mosque, Bait al Zubair Museum, a drive along the Cornice to visit the fish market, the colourful Muttrah Souq, and Al Alam Palace.
Day 4: Al Bustan Palace, The Ritz-Carlton (BB)
Today take to the open waters off of Muscat’s coast and enjoy a cruise. You’ll have the chance to see schools of dolphins swim alongside the boat, as well as various other aquatic creatures in their natural habitat.
Day 5: Hudhud Camp (HB)
This morning transfer by private vehicle to the luxury camp in Wahiba Sands. You will travel along Oman’s scenic coastal road making interesting stops along the way. The first stop is the Bimmah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom. On clear sunny days bigger fish can sometimes be seen in the deep water, or fleet-footed gazelle can be seen sprinting around the crater’s outskirts. The second stop is at Fin’s Beach and the pretty village of Tiwi which provides a surprising contrast to the deserts with its lush greenery. Finally you will reach Wahiba Sands, a vast sea of undulating red and white sands and dunes, rising up to 200m.The area is also host to a variety of flora and fauna and the ever-changing patterns of the sands are a photographer’s delight. Visit this wilderness and ‘bash’ through the sand with your experienced guide before checking into Hudhud Camp for a 2 night stay.
Day 6: Hudhud Camp (HB)
After breakfast travel to Wadi Bani Khalid which is in stark contrast to Wahiba Sands with its crystal clear, deep blue waters that just ask you to swim within them. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year and large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. After lunch at a local restaurant, head back to the camp site for an afternoon to be spent at leisure.
Day 7: Alila Jabal Akhdar (HB)
Today leave the desert and head to the mountains. Along the way you will get to visit one of the local Bedouin houses to sample some traditional coffee and to learn about the lifestyle. Your guide will explain to you the relationship between the Bedouins and the camels. Later on you will drive back to Muscat with a stop at Ibra to visit the remaining of the old villages. You will have the chance to walk through the houses and admire their architecture. Visit the pretty village of Birkat al Mauz and enjoy a walk through the lush green date plantations. From Birkat al Mauz you will head to Wadi al Madeen, the gate into Jabal Akhdar village. From here, continue to Jebel al Akhdar, the green jewel of the Al Hajar mountain ranges, a unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula before checking into the Alila Jabal Akhdar for a 2 night stay.
Day 8: Alila Jabal Akhdar (HB)
Today after breakfast enjoy a guided village walk. On this cultural stair hike you will be able to enjoy great views and greenery as you walk through four mountain villages on small old trails, sometimes steep over stairs and along the Aflaj irrigation channels, characteristic of Oman. You will gain insight into traditional village life and stop for a lunch break in a beautiful natural setting. After a short car transfer you will hike a second time through the magnificent abandoned mountain villages of Wadi Bani Habib.
Day 9: Departure
In the morning visit Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in Oman also known as the ‘Pearl of Islam’. Nizwa is famous for its Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century, and the souk with its ornamental Silver jewellery and intricately hand-carved ‘khanjars’ (daggers). After lunch at a local restaurant continue to Muscat airport for your onward flight to London.
Inclusions
All flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and activities as specified.
Exclusions
Transfers, meals and activities not specified, visas, insurance, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Cleveland Collection tailor makes all itineraries to include highlights of your choice. Speak to one of our travel experts to create your perfect holiday based on your travel requirements
*We try to keep our 'from prices' as accurate as possible, but please do be aware that when travelling in peak times such as Christmas and school holidays, prices shown will vary considerably.