Day 1: Muscat
Arrival in Muscat
Scheduled flight to Muscat. Upon arrival, after immigration formalities, meet with the local guide.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Best Western Premier Hotel o Ramada Encore Hotel 4*
Day 2:
Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel.
Muscat is a unique city, entirely white. The old and modern districts appear like touches of immaculate paint on a dark canvas of arid, jagged rocks.
The sea is ever-present, bordered by sandy plains or steep cliffs.
The environment appears harsh and desert-like, yet prosperous neighborhoods emerge from the wadis, carrying miraculous and unexpected water from the mountains.
Whether it's traditional Arab architecture, centuries old and enriched with Indian, Swahili, or Iranian influences, or the most recent prestigious constructions, a curious sense of harmony flows through time. Here, as in the Omani spirit, even the grandest buildings seem imbued with peace.
Departure for the visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
The construction of this imposing building, with its dome and five minarets, began in 1995 and was financed by the Sultan himself. Inaugurated in 2001, it can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers. The Carrara marble columns, tiles, stained-glass windows, and the sparkling chandelier make it an iconic and luxurious place in the modern city.
Next, visit the Royal Opera House (ROH), the first opera house in the Arabian Peninsula. This grand architectural achievement symbolizes Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s special attention, as a music enthusiast, to the cultural richness of the Sultanate and its architecture. Interior visit included. Afterwards, visit the Opera Galleria, an elegant luxury shopping district in Muscat.
Continue to Historic Muscat, the small and ancient capital nestled between cliffs of black rock. Photo stop in front of Al Alam Palace, the former Sultan’s palace with its blue and gold façade, rebuilt in 1972, now serving as a residence for distinguished guests — worthy of the tales from One Thousand and One Nights. From here, enjoy views of the Jalali and Mirani forts, built by the Portuguese in 1587 and 1588, when Muscat was at the center of complex international affairs.
Visit to the Al Zubair Museum, a private foundation housed in a restored palace, showcasing high-quality Omani jewelry, traditional costumes, everyday objects, ancient maps, and photographs — an exquisitely curated exhibition.
Lunch during the visits.
Stroll along Mutrah Corniche, another historic district of the city, followed by a visit to the Covered Souk, the largest in the country. The atmosphere is deeply oriental: gold and silver jewelry, wooden carvings, ornaments, spices, fabrics, and, of course, incense everywhere.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Best Western Premier Hotel or Ramada Encore Hotel 4*.
Day 3: Sur
Muscat / Bimah / Wadi Shab / Sur / Ras al Jinz / Sur
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure from the capital towards Ras Al Hadd, along the scenic road that follows the Indian Ocean.
Stop at the Bimah Sinkhole, a natural wonder: a large collapsed crater filled with seawater.
Further along, Wadi Shab opens up, with its narrowing path leading through a maze of rocks and clear natural pools, surrounded by gardens and date palms.
Walk through the wadi for about 1–2 hours, depending on preference.
Continue towards Sur.
Lunch en route.
Sur, a city built along the ocean and a winding lagoon, was until the early 20th century a port dedicated to trade with East Africa and still retains the Sultanate of Oman’s traditional maritime vocation.
After dinner, depart for Ras al-Jinz, the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula and an important nesting site for endangered green sea turtles.
Watching turtles lay eggs on the beach, protected by sandstone cliffs, is a fascinating experience. The magic of the place makes it even more extraordinary.
(Please note: turtle sightings are not guaranteed, as they depend on nature. The best season is from April to November.)
Return to the hotel.
Sur Beach Holiday Hotel 3*
Day 4: Al Wasil
Sur / Wadi Bani Khaled / Wahiba Desert (with 4x4 vehicle)
Breakfast at the hotel.
The old district of Aïja, a small fishing port with a faded charm, seems to have remained unchanged for centuries.
Visit to a small shipyard where the centuries-old tradition of building dhows is still preserved—Arab sailing vessels that contributed to the glory and wealth of the country, from large ocean-going ships that connected China and Africa to smaller fishing boats.
Departure towards Wadi Bani Khaled, one of the most famous wadis in the country, known for its ever-present water.
Large emerald-colored natural pools, lined with tall palm trees and surrounded by deep canyons, create a true desert paradise.
Lunch at a rest house in the heart of the wadi.
Continue to Al Wasil and set off in 4x4 vehicles towards the Wahiba Desert, a vast expanse of dunes where sand waves change color throughout the day, forming a living painting from ochre to orange.
Stop to experience the Bedouin hospitality of the Wahiba tribe, who have lived in these lands for millennia: spiced bitter coffee (kahwa) and dates will be offered.
Check-in at the desert camp and depart on a 4x4 excursion through the dunes to admire the ever-changing magic of the sunset.
Sama al Wasil Desert Lodge 3\*
Day 5: Nizwa
Wahiba Desert / Al Mudayrib / Ibra / Jabrin / Nizwa**
Breakfast in the peaceful atmosphere of the camp.
Departure for Al Mudayrib. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it is a living example of the miracle of the falaj irrigation systems, dating back over 2,500 years. The mud-brick architecture, typical of old and often forgotten neighborhoods, is still well preserved.
In Ibra, on Wednesdays, a unique market in Oman takes place, exclusively reserved for women.
At the foot of the mountains, visit Birkat Al Mawz, a small village known for its beautiful palm plantations. It is crossed by an ancient falaj that provides water to the community. A brief stop to admire the impressive 17th-century fort.
Continue to Jabrin and visit the beautifully restored castle, one of the most beautiful in Oman, built at the end of the 17th century. Once a princely residence and fortress, it impresses with its painted ceilings, arabesques, floral and geometric patterns, calligraphy, rich mashrabiyas, carved doors, and the complexity of its layout — a true "city within a city."
Proceed to Nizwa and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Diyar Hotel 3*
Day 6: Muscat
Nizwa / Bahla / Al Hamra / Djebel Esh-Shams / Misfat / Nizwa / Muscat (with 4x4 vehicle)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Nizwa, former capital of the Sultanate, is an intellectual and religious center, a city of poets, with its fortress nestled in the mountains. It holds a special place in the Omani imagination. It experienced great prosperity under the Ya’ruba dynasty (1624–1744), during which the famous fortress was built.
The main tower is particularly impressive and offers panoramic views of the old town and surrounding palm groves. After the visit, stroll through Nizwa’s historic center.
(On Friday mornings, the famous livestock market is held.)
Continue to Bahla, an ancient medieval city of the Sultanate. Stop for a photo in front of its massive fortress.
Proceed to Al Hamra, known as “the red” for its sun-dried mudbrick houses—one of the best-preserved historical centers in the country. Visit Bait Al Safah, a living museum housed in a beautiful residence where men and women demonstrate traditional Omani practices: crafts, cooking, and daily life.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, ascend to Djebel Esh-Shams, the “Mountain of the Sun."
You’ll reach Oman’s Grand Canyon at over 3,000 meters altitude—one of the country’s most spectacular and breathtaking landscapes, with deep gorges and traditional villages embedded in the rock.
Stop at Misfah, a small gem perched 1,000 meters above sea level on the edge of a canyon. Walk through its narrow alleys and adobe houses, with the sounds of village life all around. Visit the falaj, the traditional irrigation system that nourishes the gardens and palm trees.
Return to Nizwa and depart for Muscat.
Dinner at the hotel.
Best Western Premier Hotel or Ramada Encore Hotel 4*
Day 7:
Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport and return flight.
