Grand Tour of Oman

Discover Muscat’s enchanting blend of ancient and modern. Explore the grand Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Wander the narrow, covered alleys of Muttrah’s souk where the exotic fragrances of perfumes and aromas of ground coffee and other spices fill the air. Delve into Omani culture at the Bair Al Zubair Museum. And finish your travels on a walking tour of the old city.  This evening, indulge in a convivial dinner at the private home of an Omani family.

Start your day on the Batinah coast. The first stop is the bustling fishing village of Barka, where fishermen bring in their fresh catches early in the morning and sell them at the lively fish market. Nakhl is a short distance south of Barka and its 350-year-old fort is set in a gorge surrounded by a mountain enclave. In 1990, sympathetic restoration work began using traditional building materials and period furnishings. The carved master gate is believed to date back to the 1830s, during the reign of Sayyid Said Bin Sultan.

Today, drive to the Omani Mountains. We can take you along the remote Wadi Bani Awf if you like an off-road experience. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Your first walk is the leisurely 2-hour ‘Four Village Walk’ – a lovely introduction to the dramatic landscapes and stone villages that epitomize the mountains of Oman. Pass lush green terraced fields, stunning viewpoints and end with a visit to a Rose Distillery. Continue to Wadi Bani Habib, a picture-perfect Omani village.

Drive to the Jabal Shams region, known for its more challenging trekking and views to match. You can stop in Nizwa on the way, and if it is a Friday, stop at the superb livestock market. We can also show you the impressive forts of Bahla and Jabrin to add a cultural and historical aspect to your journey.

Today, your driver/guide takes you to Wadi Ghul where you set on the stunning Balcony Trek (3-4 hours), a walk that follows the rim of Oman’s Grand Canyon, or An Nakhur Gorge. The views are stunning as you look down into the Wadi en Nakhr. On arrival into Al Khitaym, you will have a picnic lunch and then set off on the Abandoned Village Walk (3 hours), again following the rim of the canyon as you walk to the old village of As Sad.

Today, you will leave the Jabal Shams region and drive south, stopping at Wadi Bani Khalid where you will set off on some short trails around the wadi, getting away from the tourists who visit the main pools, and explore some of the more remote parts of this amazing oasis. Continue to Wahiba Sands, where you will enjoy a late afternoon walk to a dramatic sunset point.

Spend the day exploring the desert with your driver/guide on a full-day 4×4 exploration of the desert.

Today, drive to Raz Al Jinz, famous for where turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach each evening.

Drive to the airport and fly to Salalah. The Grand Tour Oman then concentrates on the southern region of Oman. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Explore Salalah with your private guide. Walk along the waterfront Corniche, and visit the Museum of the Frankincense to learn about the Dhofar region. Start the day by visiting a garden farm where coconut, banana, papaya and vegetables are grown, made possible by the unique tropical conditions that exist in Salalah. Stop outside the stunning Shanfari Mosque before heading into the bustling Al Husn Souq, where you can find the Dhofari frankincense, rated the best in the world. Continue to the Cattle Market before walking along the waterfront corniche towards Al Husn Palace, the summer residence of Sultan Qaboos.

Today, you will set out with private driver/guide to explore Job’s Tomb and Mughsail Beach, known as the Frankincense Trail. You first stop at the tomb of the Prophet Job (or ‘Nabi Ayoub’ in Arabic) and the landscape beyond Salalah that is dotted with frankincense trees. Continue to Mughsayl Beach and the blowholes, which shoot seawater up into the air through the rock during high tide.

Set off with your private guide to the quaint fishing village of Taqa, known for its impressive castle.  Continue to site of Khor Rori (or Sumhuram), a port from which frankincense was exported. Head further east to the town of Mirbat, the ancient capital of the Dhofar region dating back to the 9th century and which played an important role in Arabia’s frankincense trade. Continue to the tomb of Mohamed bin Ali, who died in 1135, and is housed in a twin-domed structure is a fine example of medieval architecture. You will return to Salalah via Ain Razat where manicured gardens are fed by natural underground springs.

Today, transfer to the aiport for your flight home, concluding your Grand Tour of Oman.