Oman's Landscapes and Coastal Gems

Explore the heart of the desert on this full day tour. Your first stop will be Jebel Harim or ‘Mountain of Women,’ the highest mountain in Musandam. On the way, soak up the sights and tranquil atmosphere of the Bedouin village of Sayh at 1100 m. After reaching Jebel Harim, capture panoramic views of the mountains, which hold a treasure trove of prehistoric fossils. Embrace the beauty of the Musandam region stretching out in front of your eyes. Proceed to Rowdah village to see a pre-Islamic period graveyard, before heading to Khawr Najid to stop for stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Your last stop will be the natural park of Khalidiya. Enjoy a moment under the lush green acacia trees before your return journey to Khasab. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity with Transfers; Included: Driver & Guide; Fitness Level: Easy; Please note that you will need to walk some distance; Please bring comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses & hats; Don’t forget to bring your camera.)

Driving from Muscat, explore some landmark attractions in and around the historic town of Nizwa. Start with a glimpse of ancient Omani architecture in the 17th century Nizwa Fort. Take in panoramic vistas of the lush townscape and the rugged Hajar Mountains around. Continue towards Bahla, which lies at the foot of Jebel Akhdar mountains, to visit the magnificent Jabreen Castle. Learn about its significance in Omani science, art, and education. Its many halls, adorned in rugs and cushions, showcase painted ceilings, calligraphy. and lattice windows. Past the courtyards, enjoy fantastic views of the landscape around. Finally, take a detour to the Bahla Fort. The wind towers, wells, maze rooms, and mosques make for great photo ops. Learn about the Banu Nebhan tribe who built the fort. See medieval Islamic architecture in the traditional irrigation channels beside mud-brick houses nearby. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy)

Dive into the culture, history, and heritage of Muscat City on this full day tour. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you to the Grand Mosque to see its stunning architecture. From there, drive to Muttrah souk, a traditional Omani market in the old part of the city. Browse the wide range of goods for souvenirs such as frankincense, the Omani dagger, or Khanjar, and Pashmina shawls. Visit the Sidab Women Group, located in the village of Sidab. See their range of colorful fabrics made in traditional designs and learn how the group works to bridge cultures. Proceed to Bait Al Zubair Museum, a converted small-town house that displays archaeological findings, national costumes, and jewelry. Then proceed to the Sultan’s Palace, which is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali forts that were built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Along the way, stop for lunch. Conclude your tour with a visit to the Royal Opera House, considered to be one of the world’s finest acoustic spaces. The opera house is open to the public in the mornings, so you can arrange your own visit to see its architecture and interior decoration, if you like. (Duration: full day; Time: 0800 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Entry fees are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note video recording is prohibited in the Sultan’s palace; Not available on Fri & Sat)

Explore the West Salalah region during this scenic drive into the mountains. Travel in a private vehicle, along winding roads lined with frankincense trees. Pass secluded hamlets, herds of camels and grazing cattle as you head to the ancient tomb of Prophet Job, located in the verdant Al Qara mountains. This is a popular pilgrimage site in the Dhofar region. The prophet is also known as Nabi Ayub, and is mentioned in the Old Testament and the Holy Qur’an, making him important to Christians, Muslims and Jews. Your last stop is Mughsail Beach, famed for its natural blowholes. Take in the spectacular sight of the waves bursting through the blowholes at high tide, before the tour wraps up. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; This tour involves walking over rugged and inclined terrain; Please do not wear sleeveless outfits or shorts; Ladies must cover their head with a scarf when visiting Job’s tomb and all visitors are required to remove their footwear; Best time to travel: Oct – Mar)

Experience the magic of the desert on this fascinating tour of southern Oman’s untouched sand dunes. Get picked up from your hotel in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle and drive out to the Oara mountain range. Enjoy scenic views of the Salalah Plains and take a short break at the erstwhile Bedouin settlement of Thumrait. Travel across the desert of Al Nejd to the UNESCO-listed legendary ‘Lost City of Ubar’ that was once a hub of the frankincense trade. Walk around the ancient city that lay buried under sand for centuries. Afterwards, get an adrenaline rush as you drive over the dunes in the Empty Quarter. In the fading sunlight, take in gorgeous views of the sprawling desert from the top of the dunes. On your way back to Salalah, get a glimpse of the frankincense plantation at Wadi Dawkah. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Group Size: Max 4 Guests; Fitness Level: Moderate as there is some walking over rough and inclined routes. This tour is not suitable for guests with injuries or other health conditions that can be affected by the bumpy ride. Please wear comfortable clothes and avoid jewelry or expensive watches. There is no need to bring along a cell phone as there is no signal in the desert. Only basic toilet facilities available. Dinner included)