Oman Uncovered: Sands, Sea & Civilization Tour: 8 Days - 7 Nights

Day 1 – Muscat:

After arrival at Muscat Airport, clear immigration and meet your local representative. Transfer to the hotel, drop your luggage, and enjoy a light breakfast. Meet your guide and begin your discovery of Muscat, a city founded in the 1st century and historically a vital crossroads between Arabia, Asia, and Africa. Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of sandstone and marble. Step into the main prayer hall to admire the world’s second-largest handwoven Persian carpet and the dazzling Swarovski crystal chandelier with over 1,000 lights. Continue to the Royal Opera House Muscat, a modern architectural gem set against the sea. While interior visits are by performance only, the exterior is a striking symbol of Oman’s cultural vision.

Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to the port of Old Muscat for a 2-hour sunset boat cruise along the coastline. Glide over calm waters as the sun dips below the mountains, casting golden light on forts and palaces. After the cruise, proceed to Muttrah, a historic fishing port and commercial hub. Enjoy free time to explore the Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest in the Gulf. Wander narrow alleys scented with incense, browse silver jewellery, Khanjars, textiles, and soak in the timeless atmosphere. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 2 – Barka – Nakhal Fort – Ain Thowara – Bait Al Ghasham

After breakfast, depart for Barka, home to Nakhal Fort, one of Oman’s most impressive historic strongholds. Built on ancient foundations and expanded in 1834 under Imam Said Bin Sultan, the fort rises dramatically from the plain. With a southern façade of 112 m and an eastern one of 114 m, it offers panoramic views of the Battinah coast. The majlis (reception hall) is ingeniously designed to catch cooling breezes, a testament to traditional Omani engineering.

Continue to Ain Thowara, a serene oasis, where natural springs and small waterfalls flow through lush greenery, a refreshing escape from the desert heat. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Bait Al Ghasham, a traditional 19th-century Omani house dating back to the reign of Sayyid Said Bin Sultan Al Busaidi (1791–1856). A Falaj (ancient irrigation channel) runs in front of the house, illustrating Oman’s mastery of water management. Return to Muscat, dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 3 – Bimmah – Wadi Tiwi – Sur – Wahiba Sands

After breakfast and check-out, depart for Bimmah Sinkhole, a stunning turquoise pool formed in a limestone depression. Local legend says it was created by a meteorite, today, it’s a perfect spot for photos and a refreshing dip.

Continue to Wadi Tiwi, a dramatic gorge carved deep into the Hajar Mountains. Surrounded by banana and date plantations, this lush valley descends to the sea, offering breathtaking scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Sur, a historic port famed for its dhow shipbuilding. Visit a traditional boatyard where craftsmen still build wooden vessels without nails, a 500-year-old craft passed down through generations. Photo stop at the Ayjah Lighthouse, perched on the coast with views over the Gulf of Oman. Drive into the Wahiba Sands, a vast desert stretching 185 km by 80 km, home to Bedouin tribes for over 7,000 years. Enjoy a 4x4 excursion through the dunes to witness the sunset over the desert, complete with traditional Omani coffee (Kahwah) served in the sand. Overnight at the camp, with a dinner under the stars. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 4 – Wahiba Sands – Wadi Bani Khaled – Misfat – Jabal Shams

Wake early to experience the magic of sunrise over the dunes, golden light spilling across endless sand.

After breakfast and check-out, depart for Wadi Bani Khaled, a lush oasis with crystal-clear turquoise pools surrounded by palm groves and rocky cliffs. Free time to swim, relax, and enjoy the tranquillity. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Misfat Al Abriyeen, a mountain village perched on the edge of a canyon. Walk through narrow alleys of mud-brick houses, connected by stone steps, and listen to the sounds of daily life and flowing water. Drive to Jabal Shams (“Mountain of the Sun”), stopping at Wadi Ghul for photos. Arrive at the edge of the “Grand Canyon of Oman”, a 2,000-metre-deep chasm offering one of the most dramatic views in the Middle East. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 5 – Jabal Shams – Al Hamra – Jabreen – Bahla – Nizwa – Muscat

After breakfast and check-out, visit Al Hamra, a traditional village with lush palm groves. Take a leisurely walk and enjoy panoramic views of the region. Continue to Jabreen Castle, built in 1675 as a secondary residence for Imam Sultan Bin Bil’Arab. Famous for its painted ceilings, arabesque walls, and intricate wooden grilles, it was also a center of Islamic learning. Photo stop at Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest forts in Oman, with origins in the pre-Islamic era.

Lunch en route. Arrive in Nizwa, the historic inland capital and cradle of Omani Islam. Visit Nizwa Fort and its iconic round tower, then explore the lively Souq, renowned for Khanjars, ceramics, and handwoven baskets. Return to Muscat. Check in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 6 – Full-Day Excursion: Daymaniyat Islands

After breakfast, depart at 08:15 for an 8-hour boat trip to the Daymaniyat Islands, a protected marine reserve.

Snorkel in pristine waters among vibrant coral reefs, spot green sea turtles, and relax on white-sand beaches, with lunch onboard.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 7 – Muscat: Leisure & Relaxation

After breakfast and lunch at the hotel, enjoy a full day of relaxation. Treat yourself to some downtime at the beach or pool, or explore Muscat at your leisure. Alternatively, you can return to the souq, indulge in a spa treatment, or take a leisurely stroll along the Corniche.. Dinner and overnight. Meals Included (B/L/D)

Day 8 – Departure from Muscat

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport for your final departure. (Breakfast Included)

End of services

Suggested Hotels:

Muscat: Royal Tulip Muscat, Intercity Muscat or similar

Jabal Shams: Jabal Shams Resort or similar

Wahiba: Desert Rose Camp or similar