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Day 1 Muscat

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Oman and the sprawling seaside city of Muscat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm today. If you arrive with time to spare you may like to visit the Royal Opera House, a grand building that encapsulates contemporary Omani architectural style, or take a walk along the beach, dipping your toes in the Gulf of Oman. After the welcome meeting perhaps join your group at a nearby restaurant, serving up Omani favourites like shuwa, fresh salads and local breads.

Day 2 Muscat

Begin your explorations with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The largest mosque in Oman, it has capacity for 20,000 worshippers and the second largest carpet in the world, handwoven by Iranian women, taking four years to produce. Your next stop is the old part of Muscat, where you'll see the two 16th century Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani, guarding the entrance to the city. Drive down to the busy fishing harbour at Muttrah, with its wooden dhows and fishing boats, stop at the bazaar (souq) where you can pick up a local perfume or postcard. Visit the Sidab Women's Group and learn how they're empowering local women through the production and sale of reusable bags. After learning about the organisation, enjoy a selection of salads, sambusas and stews, cooked for you by our welcoming hosts. Your afternoon is then free to spend as you wish. An optional sunset cruise provides a spectacular viewpoint for the rocky coastline of the city.

Day 3 Ras al Hadd

Drive through Oman's rugged landscapes to Hawiyat Najim Park, the location of the Bimmah Sinkhole. This picture-perfect sinkhole was formed through limestone erosion. The turquoise waters make an excellent stop to paddle the feet before travelling onwards. Your next stop, Wadi Tiwi, is known as the wadi of nine villages, with each community linked by date plantations and the flow of water through their falaj system. Spend time learning about dates, how they're grown and harvested, and their importance in Omani hospitality, and stretch your legs on a short, downhill walk through these communities. Continue driving to Ras al Hadd and check into your beachside resort where you'll be able to enjoy a lovely relaxed evening at the property.

Day 4 Wahiba Sands

After breakfast, we make a stop in Sur, an important city of Oman's maritime past. Sur has long been known for its tradition of dhow building. These mighty vessels formed an important part of Omani culture and trade over the years. Visit a dhow factory to see how they are built and be joined by a local worker who will explain the making of the dhow, the materials used and the time taken to built the vessel. Drive through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, enjoying incredible views of villages embedded in the mountains as you take this winding road to the peaceful Wadi Bani Khalid. Cool off with a swim in the wadi, surrounded by palm trees and mountains. Drive onwards to the beautiful Wahiba Sands, where you'll spend the night. Rolling dunes, some as high as 150 metres, stretch as far as the eye can see and are constantly shifting. Sunset from atop a dune is a must. After dinner back at the camp, relax under the stars with music, tea and maybe even some dancing.

Day 5 Nizwa

If you're a morning person, you have the option to climb the dunes and enjoy watching them change colour as the sun rises over them. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed start to the day before driving further into the dunes to visit a Bedouin family. Wahiba Sands is named after the Wahiba tribe and the region is home to families that have lived and worked in the area for generations. Enjoy coffee, dates and a chat with our welcoming hosts. Leaving the desert behind, make tracks for Nizwa. On the outskirts of the city, visit Jabreen Castle, considered one of the finest and most picturesque in the country. Built in 1675, this cleverly designed residence was home to Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan and many subsequent generations. A local guide will share the castle's secrets and expansive viewpoints with you. It's just a short drive to Nizwa, where you'll spend the night in the old town, staying in a heritage property. Enjoy a free evening to explore the old town or relax at a rooftop cafe with a cool drink.

Day 6 Jebel Shams

Take a walk with your leader through the labyrinthine streets of Nizwa's old town this morning, before exploring the souq and its various specialty areas for halwa, vegetables, spices, ceramics. You'll have some free time during which you might like to visit Nizwa Fort. With a massive circular cannon tower and built to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons, it's one of the most impressive forts in Oman. Depart Nizwa for Misfat Al Abyreen, a mountain village located 1000m above sea level and recognised by UNWTO as one of the world's best tourism villages for its preservation of Omani culture. Walk through the village and see how their agricultural and irrigation systems are as productive as they were centuries ago. Visit a local beekeeper and find out about their bees and the ways they produce different types of honey - with some sampling too, of course! Then enjoy a home-cooked Omani feast with your host for lunch. Omani people are famous for their hospitality and you’ll get to try some exciting home-cooked flavors including Qabuli (Omani spiced rice with either goat/fish/chicken), hummus, Omani bread (Kubz Al Rakhal) with local honey, Omani coffee and tea with dates, etc. Carry on your journey higher into the mountains to Jebel Shams, which translates as 'Mountain of the Sun'. Check into your hotel before heading out to take in the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon and, weather allowing, a brilliant sunset.

Day 7 Muscat

An early morning hike is on offer today. The balcony walk follows the Grand Canyon, so you can expect epic views as you walk. After breakfast at your hotel, settle in for a memorable drive to Wadi Bani Awf, the end point of the canyon and known as Snake Gorge. Break up the drive with a walk through Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village in the heart of the mountains, lush with palm trees. After leaving the mountains, you'll drive back to Muscat, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free to spend as you wish, perhaps gather your group together for a meal to celebrate your adventure.

Day 8 Muscat

After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Muscat, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 1: Muscat

Welcome to Muscat, a vibrant port city and capital of the Sultanate of Oman. After being met and transferred to your hotel enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2: Muscat

Meals: Breakfast

Explore Muscat on a city tour this morning, starting at the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Then visit the lively Muttrah Souq, thought to be one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. See the Sultan’s Palace and finish at the Bait Al Zubair Museum, home to a beautifully curated display of Omani culture and history.

Day 3: Muscat - Ras Al Hadd

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Travelling by 4WD along the spectacular coastline, stop to visit the fishing village of Qurayyat. In Wadi Shab enjoy a short hike to discover the beautiful waterfalls and turquoise pools nestled between stone cliffs. Reach the Ras al Jinz Scientific Research Centre this afternoon, on the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula. An important nesting site for the green sea turtle, each year 30,000 turtles come here to lay their eggs. Venture down to the beach to see the nesting area tonight.

Day 4: Ras Al Hadd - Wahiba Sands

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Discover enchanting Wadi Bani Khalid today, where you’ll be able to swim in the incredible emerald pools. In the afternoon head inland to the vast desert of Wahiba Sands. Travelling off-road by 4WD, explore the mesmerising landscape of endless dunes and witness a breathtaking sunset. Spend the night under a blanket of stars in a typical desert campsite.

Day 5: Wahiba Sands – Nizwa

Meals: Breakfast

Waking to the sun rising over the desert, visit a Bedouin house to experience the warm Omani hospitality with a cup of kahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates. Sightseeing today also includes a visit to the old abandoned mercantile village of Al Mansfah and the town of Nizwa. Here you’ll visit its round fort and the Silver Souq, renowned for its handcrafted jewellery.

Day 6: Nizwa – Muscat

Meals: Breakfast

On the way back to Muscat, stop for a photo at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mudbrick fort of Bahla, the beautifully decorated Jabrin Fort, and explore the picturesque village of Misfat Al Abrein, where time seems to have stood still. This afternoon visit the oasis village of Birkat Al Mauz.

Day 7: Muscat

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.