Six days in Oman takes you from the immaculate Grand Mosque and the souks of Muscat through the ancient mud-brick fort of Nizwa and the date palm oases of the interior, across the Wahiba Sands for a desert camp night, and up to the dramatic Musandam peninsula where fjord-like inlets cut between bare mountains and traditional dhow boats carry you to villages with no road access. Oman is the Arab world's best-kept secret.
Six days in Oman takes you from the immaculate Grand Mosque and the souks of Muscat through the ancient mud-brick fort of Nizwa and the date palm oases of the interior, across the Wahiba Sands for a desert camp night, and up to the dramatic Musandam peninsula where fjord-like inlets cut between bare mountains and traditional dhow boats carry you to villages with no road access. Oman is the Arab world's best-kept secret.
Arrive at Muscat International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Morning visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in the world with a 14-tonne chandelier and the world's second largest hand-knotted carpet - non-Muslims welcome outside prayer times with modest dress. Afternoon at Mutrah Souk, one of the most authentic traditional souks in the Gulf for frankincense, silver, and Omani khanjar daggers. Evening walk along the Corniche as the fort lights up above the harbour. Overnight Muscat.
Morning at the Royal Opera House Muscat, one of the finest opera and concert venues in the Middle East, beautiful even from the outside. Visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum, an excellent private collection of Omani heritage, weapons, costumes, and jewellery in a traditional house. Afternoon at Qurum Beach, Muscat's most popular beach, for swimming in the warm Arabian Sea. Overnight Muscat.
2-hour drive inland to Nizwa, Oman's most historic city and the ancient capital. Climb Nizwa Fort's massive circular tower for views over the date palm oases and the surrounding mountains. Browse the Nizwa souk for silver jewellery, pottery, and the famous Nizwa khanjars. Visit a falaj, the ancient underground irrigation channel system that has supplied Oman's oases for 2500 years. Drive up to Jabal Akhdar, the Green Mountain at 2000 metres, for rose water production and dramatic canyon views. Overnight Nizwa or Jabal Akhdar.
3-hour drive east to the Wahiba Sands, a sea of golden dunes stretching 200 km south. Afternoon camel trek into the dunes as the light turns the sand from gold to deep orange. 4x4 dune bashing at sunset over the highest ridges. Overnight at a luxury desert camp with traditional Omani dinner, live music, and an extraordinary star-filled sky with no light pollution. Overnight Wahiba Sands camp.
Morning drive to Sur, the ancient dhow-building port town where traditional wooden sailing vessels are still hand-built using centuries-old techniques. Visit the working dhow factory on the lagoon. Drive to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve where green turtles nest on the beach - the largest green turtle nesting site in the Indian Ocean, with night tours to watch laying and hatching. Return to Muscat. Overnight Muscat.
Optional early morning drive to the Musandam peninsula for a traditional dhow cruise through the dramatic khors, the fjord-like inlets of the Arabian Sea cutting between bare limestone mountains. Swim in the clear water, watch wild dolphins bow-riding the dhow, and stop at the ruins of the old British telegraph station on Telegraph Island. Return to Muscat Airport for your return flight. End of tour.
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