Soul of Oman

Welcome to Muscat! Scenically wedged between mountains and ocean, with old forts and excellent museums, an opera house and flower-filled parks, the gentle city of Muscat is a delight to visit. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel before enjoying a cooking class at the fishing village of Sidab. Enjoy cooking with the Sidab women whilst interacting with the locals and learning about their culture and traditions. You will be cooking traditional Omani food, and you can then enjoy what you have prepared with the local women.

Enjoy a visit to the Bait Al Zubair museum. This privately owned museum is in the old town of Muscat and is known for its fine collection of traditional costumes, antique jewellery, weapons and other treasures. Embrace a photo opportunity at Al Alam Palace, the palace of the Sultan, before you visit the Mirani and Jalali forts (outside only).

Move on to visit Muttrah Souq, which is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back over two hundred years. Its history and antiquities only increase the extent of its beauty, magic and allure. The gold souk here is one of the highlights! Bargain with the locals and see what treasures you can uncover in the labyrinth of twisting and winding alleyways. Dinner this evening is at the Turkish Diwan restaurant. Stay: Muscat Park Inn or similar (D)

This morning, discover the grandeur of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, crafted from sandstone and marble, and featuring a stunning Swarovski chandelier and a massive handmade Persian carpet in its main prayer hall. After an architectural competition to determine the mosque's design, construction took six years. Please adhere to the dress code: women must cover their hair, arms, and legs, while men should wear long trousers and a shirt.

Next you will drive on an off-road adventure through Wadi Bani Awf, a dramatic mountain road on a journey that will take around 3 hours. Along the way, you'll encounter small villages and have panoramic views of Snake Canyon. Continue your journey to Bilad Sayt, a picturesque village that offers a glimpse into traditional Arabian life and is one of the most charming villages in Oman.

Continue to Jibrin Castle, a large rectangular fortress with five floors and 55 rooms, and renowned for its intricate inscriptions and frescoes. The castle's ceilings are adorned with paintings and Islamic inscriptions, and its doors are beautifully carved. A falaj (traditional water channel) runs through the middle of the castle. Stay: DusitD2 Naseem Resort or similar (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to the livestock market in Nizwa. Every Friday, farmers from across the country bring their cattle, goats, and camels to this bustling market. Nearby, the souq offers an array of local products including Omani daggers (khanjar), copper and silver jewellery, livestock, fish, vegetables, and traditional handicrafts. Next, visit Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. Explore the 17th-century Nizwa fort with its vast tower and superb views of the oasis.

Return to your hotel and have some free time to explore at your own pace or relax. Stay: DusitD2 Naseem Resort or similar (B/L/D)

After breakfast, explore the village of Al Hamra, renowned as one of the best-preserved old towns in Oman and home to the Bait Al Safa living museum. Wander through the old, abandoned buildings and mud houses, and visit the museum to discover Omani traditions through demonstrations of ancient practices by local men and women.

Continue to Misfat Al Abriyeen for a great photo opportunity. This village that boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks. The old houses in Misfat Al Abriyeen are traditional mud houses with palm frond roofs and are unique in that they are built on solid rock foundations. Here you will also see traditional Omani irrigation channels (falaj system), where water is channelled from underground sources to support agriculture and domestic use. Stop at the old village of Ghul to see the abandoned Persian ruins.

Arrive at Jebel Shams, Oman's highest point at 3,009m. It is truly an amazing sight at all times of the day. Enjoy the spectacular view of Oman's “Grand Canyon”. Stay: DusitD2 Naseem Resort or similar (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, explore Jebel Akhdar, or the Green Mountain, a vast grey-brown massif covering over 1,800 square kilometres. Despite its name, it is not a single green mountain but a range with several peaks reaching nearly 3,050 metres. The area is dotted with Omani villages, where locals have created terraces for farming. Wadi Bani Habib is one of the intriguing villages on this expansive plateau. Jebel Akhdar is renowned for rose water distillation; only a few varieties of rose, such as the prized ‘damascina,' produce the fragrant oil used in rosewater.

Stop for a phot5o opportunity at Birkat Al Mouz, one of the most famous villages lying in ruins in Oman. With a large banana plantation and scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old falaj irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which provides mountain water to the villages via a canal like system. It is an enchanting stop that will transport you back in time.

Then you will explore Al Manzifat, a ruined village with narrow alleys that highlight its traditional architecture. Historically, these features were designed to protect the village from raids and tribal conflicts during the Middle Ages.

Arrive at the entrance of Wahiba Sands, also known as Sharqiya Sands. Stretching 200 km long and 100 km wide, these longitudinal dunes have been home to the Bedouin for 7,000 years. Climb the high dunes to witness an unforgettable desert sunset before a gentle drive through the dunes to reach your camp. Stay: Arabian Oryx Camp or similar (B/L/D)

Breakfast this morning is at your camp site. Witness the sunrise over the rolling dunes as the colours morph with the rising of the sun. You will then depart to drive to Sur. Enroute you will pass by Wadi Bani Khalid, driving past the village with its endless date plantations until you reach the magnificent wadi. The pools are cool, deep and absolutely stunning. Feel free to plunge in and experience the crystal-clear waters.

Stop in the charming town of Al Kamil, known for its intriguing old architecture, including a fort and watchtowers. This town, a key junction on the Al Ashkara Road and Muscat-Sur Highway, features local-style cafes and is one of the few towns in Oman surrounded by trees.

Arrive at the coastal city of Sur and visit the dhow factory to witness the construction of traditional wooden boats in various designs and sizes. Capture a photo at Al Ayjah Lighthouse for a scenic snapshot. Visit the Ras AI Jinz Turtle Reserve, world renowned for the nesting of the endangered green turtle, Chelonia mydas. The reserve is one of the most important nesting sites in the Indian Ocean. Stay: Turtle Beach Resort or similar (B/L/D)

Heading back to Muscat today, you will enjoy a photo opportunity at Wadi Shab, where fresh water cascading from the mountains meets the briny sea water at its banks. This unique environmental diversity sets Wadi Shab apart from other wadis (valleys) in the Sultanate. Next, stop at Bimah Sinkhole, a deep natural depression filled with water. Local legend has it that a meteor struck this spot, creating the depression and forming a small lake.

You will also stop at the fishing village of Quriyat, an ancient seaport known for its stocks of kingfish and tuna. This village has played a significant role in Omani history.

Upon arrival into Muscat, the remainder of the day is yours at leisure till your time to transfer to Muscat airport for your onward flight. (B)