Oman 8-Day Northern Highlights Discovery

Points of Interest :
At Muscat airport, a representative will be waiting to welcome you and provide some initial information about your stay in Oman. You are then transferred privately to your hotel in the city. Use the rest of the day to relax by the pool and enjoy the hotel’s facilities, or head out for a first stroll to get a feel for Muscat at your own pace.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : City Seasons Hotel Muscat 4*

Points of Interest : Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq
After breakfast you set off to explore Muscat. Your first stop is the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest and one of the most beautiful mosques in the region. After soaking in its serene architecture, you continue to the lively, colourful Mutrah Souq. As you wander through the narrow alleys, you experience everyday Omani life and are enveloped by the aromas of spices and incense. You then visit Muscat’s Old Town, with its well-preserved city walls, before heading to the Sultan’s Palace, dramatically framed by two old forts. To learn more about the history and culture of the Sultanate, you visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Afterwards you return to your hotel in Muscat for the night.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : City Seasons Hotel Muscat 4*

Points of Interest : Barka, Wadi Bani Awf, Al Hamra, Jabal Shams
After breakfast you drive along the coast to the town of Barka, where you take a short walk through the traditional fish market and observe the morning’s catch being traded. On the way to Nakhal you stop at Bait Al Na’aman, the former residence of an imam, to get a glimpse of historic Omani architecture. You then continue to Nakhal to visit its beautifully restored fort and the nearby Ain Al Thowarah hot springs. The route then leads into the mountains and into Wadi Bani Awf. A gravel track climbs up through dramatic rock formations and steep gorges to around 2,000 metres in the Hajar Mountains, an area nicknamed “Snake Gorge Canyon” for its abundance of snakes. Passing the old village of Al Hamra with its traditional mud-brick houses, you finally reach the Jabal Shams plateau at 3,009 metres and enjoy sweeping views over Oman’s “Grand Canyon”. Overnight on Jabal Shams.

• Meals included : Breakfast, dinner
• Accommodation : Jebel Shams Mountain Resort 3*

Points of Interest : Jabrin, Nizwa
In the morning you leave the heights of Jabal Shams and descend via Al Hamra towards Jabrin. Here you visit Jabrin Castle, set amid wild scenery and famous for its intricate stucco decoration and painted ceilings. The journey continues to Bahla, where you admire the massive UNESCO-listed fort from the outside. You then travel on to Nizwa, Oman’s former capital, to explore its imposing fortress and the lively souk. Later you head east towards the Wahiba Sands via Ibra, stopping in the old quarter of Al Minzafah to see its crumbling yet atmospheric mud-brick houses. By late afternoon you reach the sea of dunes in the Wahiba Sands and settle into your desert camp, a memorable experience under the stars.

• Meals included : Breakfast, dinner
• Accommodation : Arabian Oryx Camp, Wahiba Sands Desert

Points of Interest : Wadi Bani Khalid, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Ras Al Hadd
After breakfast your desert adventure continues with a drive over the dunes to visit a Bedouin family in the heart of the sands. You learn first-hand how they live in this harsh yet beautiful environment. You then leave the desert and drive towards Wadi Bani Khalid, the best-known wadi in the Sharqiyah region. Here, emerald and sapphire pools surrounded by date palms invite you to cool off with a swim or simply relax by the water. The route then leads towards Ras Al Jinz via Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, where you make a detour to see the Al Hamoda Mosque from the 11th century with its 52 domes. Following the coastal road past pristine white beaches, you reach the seaside village of Al Khabba and then continue to Ras Al Hadd. In the evening you are picked up for a guided excursion to the nearby turtle reserve, where you quietly observe sea turtles coming ashore to nest (sightings depend on nature).

• Meals included : Breakfast, dinner
• Accommodation : Turtle Beach Resort, Ras Al Hadd

Points of Interest : Ras Al Hadd, Sur, Qalhat
Today you depart Ras Al Jinz / Ras Al Hadd and drive to the port city of Sur, Oman’s historic centre of boatbuilding. You visit a traditional dhow shipyard, where craftsmen still build wooden sailing vessels by hand. Continuing along the coast, you stop at Qalhat to view the mausoleum of Bibi Miriam, an influential 13th-century ruler. The road frequently drops down towards the shoreline, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the bright white sands of Fins Beach. You also stop at the Bimmah Sinkhole, a limestone crater filled with turquoise water that is fed underground by the sea and makes a refreshing swimming spot. The journey then continues along the coast and through the old port town of Qurayyat before you arrive back in the Muscat area, where you stay at a beach resort.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Muscat Hills Beach Resort, Muscat

Points of Interest :
Today is free for you to enjoy Muscat at your leisure. Unwind on the beach, take a swim in the sea or pool, and reflect on the many experiences of the past days. You can also use the time for optional activities or further exploration of the city on your own.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Muscat Hills Beach Resort, Muscat

Points of Interest :
Unless you have booked additional beach days or an extension to your tour, you will be picked up after breakfast and transferred to Muscat airport for your return flight. Farewell to Oman and safe journey home!

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to Muscat airport for departure