Hidden Delights of Oman

Hit the road and head south-west to the ancient city of Nizwa. Take time to climb to the top of the 40-metre high Round Tower where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city below, before descending to wander through the Nizwa Souk, where you can bargain for jewellery and pottery. Before embarking on the stretch of winding roads through the Al Hajjar Mountains, you’ll stop at the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz where you can walk through the date plantations, then continue on to the emerald waters of Wadi Al Madeen. Then get back on the road heading to Jebel Al Akhdar rising 2,000 metres above sea level – this area is famed for its cooler climate, fruit orchards, postcard villages and the scent of rose water. You’ll arrive to your mountain-top hotel, Alila Jabal Akhdar where you’ll be welcomed by the aroma of frankincense and spend the next few nights – if you would prefer to stay in a different property, please speak to our travel experts for alternatives.

Today you’ll swap the mountains for the desert as you make your way to the golden dunes of Wahiba Sands. Get a taste of old Arabia with a stop at the Sinaw Market where locals come to trade goats and camels and where you can purchase jewellery and other trinkets. Your journey continues on with a visit to the old village of Munziff in Ibra before heading into Wahiba Sands, getting your heart racing – hold tight! – as you go dune bashing, stopping in time to watch the sunset from atop one of the sand towers. Your last experience of the day is a visit to one of the local Bedouin families where you’ll be welcomed with their gracious hospitality and learn a little about their life – then it’s on to your luxury desert camp where you’ll spend the night.

It’s to return to Muscat but not without a few stops along the way! First up is the town of Sur where you’ll see the fish jetty and dhow factory where you can stroll through the yards and see how these wooden boats are made, before heading to the beach for a swim – or perhaps you’ll choose to take a dip in the Bimmah Sinkhole, an impressive limestone crater with water at the bottom. As you drive back along the coast keep your eyes peeled for sharks in the water or gazelle on land. Your last stop of the day is Wadi Arbayeen where you’ll have a chance to once again stretch your legs, returning to Muscat in the early evening. We have again picked The Chedi as your hotel for the night, but do speak to our travel experts if you’d like to stay somewhere else.