Discover Oman Tour

Overview

Discover the Beauty of Oman with our ten day Oman tour package covering all the major sights and places to visit in Oman. From coastal villages and ancients forts, to the UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Frankincense Trail. Experience it all with Zahara Tours.

Itinerary:

Day 01

Arrival at Muscat. Our representative will meet you to welcome you to Oman and escort you to a hotel of your choice.

Day 02

After breakfast we set out early morning at nine ‘o clock for a tour of Muscat. A tour of the capital of Oman offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the multifaceted nature of the Oman with the traditional peacefully coexisting with the modern in this beautiful city.

Our first stop is a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Oman, and one of the most popular places to visit in Muscat. Accommodating up to a stupendous 20,000 worshippers at a time, the structure features a blend of various architectural styles, which is highlighted by its beautiful décor and the spectacular crystal chandeliers and handmade Persian rugs here, which are some of the largest in the world.

We then head to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, where we trace the fascinating history and development of the country and get a glimpse into the past and present lives of the Omani people.

Post the museum visit we proceed towards the colorful Mattrah Souq(marketplace). To reach there we drive along the waterfront cornice following a picturesque road where we can look out at the Gulf of Oman.

After making a short stop at the bustling Fish market we explore the many wares available at the Mattrah Souq(Marketplace), where you get a feel of the traditional Arab market.

Afterwards we visit the official residences of the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the magnificent Al Alam Palace, which is situated right in the heart of Muscat. It is surrounded by the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts on two sides, and while the palace itself is not open to the public, tourists can walk around the yard and gardens in front of the palace and click photos here.

We break for lunch, after which you can choose to spend the evening at leisure at the hotel or on an activity of your choice.

Day 03

Wake up early morning for a quick breakfast, after which we head out for  an exciting journey through the mountains of Oman. The mountain road are picturesque but steep and to ensure the safely of our guests we have an experienced driver escorting you on this tour with a 4WD. We then proceed towards Nakhl passing through roads surrounded by green expanses of date palms and making a quick stop at the Ain Al Thowarah Hot Springs.  From here we proceed to Al Awabi where we take a turn towards Wadi Bani Auf, also spelled as Wadi Bani Awuf.

The route we follow takes us on a picturesque if rather bumpy drive through rocky valleys and dramatic canyons displaying spectacular rock structures that showcases the evolution of the Wadi and the rock formation through the ages. We can explore the canyon on foot in some places where we can explore and admire the beauty of the Wadi and the wonder of nature.

Our next stop is a village visit to a traditional Omani village, Bilad Sayt. The village is tucked away in the mountains with little houses set on rocky slopes and the large swathes of terrace farms surrounding it adding to it old world charm. The route winds through the scenic mountains all the way down to the village of Al Hamra, which is characterized by its mud houses and date plantations.

From here it’s a short drive to Jabrin Castle, one of the most intricately decorated and beautifully furnished castles in Oman. The structure reflects the fact that it is one of the few palaces not constructed in times of war, and was instead made with a focus of the beauty and furnished accordingly. With fine calligraphy etched in to the walls, beautiful handpainted ceilings, amazing handcarved door frames, decorative arches, and windows and balconies, this castle is one of the only castles in Oman still furnished according to the time it was originally constructed in. A visit to the Jabreen Castle is a delight for visitors looking to get a feel of ancient times.

We then head to the Golden Tulip Nizwa hotel where we will stay for the night.

Day 04

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at this lovely hotel in Nizwa, we set out for a tour of the area. A visit to the famous Nizwa Fort, kicks off the Nizwa tour. This seventeenth century fort, is one of the best representatives of the architecture of its time and is famous for its circular main tower, one of the largest of its kind. After the tower, we make a quick visit to the Nizwa souq(marketplace) close by, where you’ll find everything from traditional khanjars(daggers), to local handicrafts and jewellery. If you visit on a Friday, you will have the chance to witness the weekly cattle auction that takes place here.

From here we proceed towards the Izki-Sinaw road and follow it till we take the turn off the main road towards the scenic Wadi Bani Khalid also known as Wadi Hayer or Wadi Hawer. A desert paradise in the middle of the sweltering sands, Wadi Bin Khaleed is an oasis in the middle of date palm trees with of a network of pools with sparkling blue water surrounded by intimidating rock valleys which makes it an ideal spot to relax or enjoy a refreshing swim. The pools in the Wadi have absolutely clear sparkling waters and there is even an waterfall here. Some parts of the Wadi are home to an network of tiny caves, but these should not be explored without a guide.

As your guide explains the wadi is not a single spot but a wide expanse of area covering numerous villages in these rocky hills.

 We then drive to the Wahiba sands which is a vast expanse of desert which is part of the Al Sharqiya Sands of Oman, also known as Ramlat al Wahiba. Here you will experience the Omani desert in all its glory as wide swaths of undulating red and white sands swell across the landscape forming dunes that rise up to 200m in ever-changing patterns as the winds sweeps them from here to there.

With the sparse flora and fauna that populated the land here it is hard to believe that any civilization could survive in these harsh conditions, however it was home to the Bani Wahiba tribe after which the Wahiba Sands were named. Nowadays there are only a few Bedouin houses that still stand in this wilderness, and we can visit one of the houses to talk to the people here. We will also be staying at the tents for the night.

Afterwards we will enjoy the spectacular vision of the sun setting over the shifting dunes before heading to the tents for dinner and off to sleep in the Bedouin tents at the 1000 nights camp.

Day 05

Wake up to a view of the shifting sands at the camp site and enjoy a leisurely breakfast there before proceed to drive to the seafaring town of Sur.

A visit to this quaint seaside town is a great way of understanding the history of Oman’s coastal villages and offers a glimpse into what life was like in Gulf fishing villages of old.

We will take a tour of the dhow factory here for which the town is famous. Walking along the Dhow Yard we will see many Dhows or local fishing boats in various stages of construction and learn about history of this Dhow manufacturing town.

Post the Dhow Yard tour we will head to the centre of the town where we turn of the main road to visit the Sineslah fort, a three hundred year old square fort with round watchtowers.

After taking a short break for lunch we take the highway heading towards Muscat.

We make a quick diversions off the highway at a hilltop overlooking palm trees and the site that was once the ancient town of Qalhat to visit Bibi Miriam's tomb which is also known as ‘The Mausoleum of Lady Maryam’, The tomb is one of the only sights of the ancient town to survive the ravages of time. We will explore the ruins of this once great city before heading towards the coast to for a tour of the Bimah Sinkhole. This spectacular Sinkhole, also known as Bait al-Afreet is located at the small Hawiyat Najm Park and consists of a giant limestone crater with clear blue green water at the bottom.

After spending some time at the Bimah Sinkhole, we will take an adventurous route through the spectacular mountains to reach Wadi Arbayeen, situated in the Al Sharqiyah region of Oman. On exploring this Wadi you will be delighted to find that it’s rocky face is surrounded by date trees and liberally populated with numerous lakes, waterfalls and deep pools of water.  

Then we proceed onwards to Muscat, enjoying the scenic drive back as we cross many sights including making a stop at Quriyat or Qurayyat. When we arrive at this seaside fishing town, we can spend some time exploring the town itself before heading over the four hundred year old Quriyat fort. We can also visit the Fish Souk(marketplace) where one can explore the day to day workings of a fish market. You might notice that a variety of seafood is available and traded here, both for export and local consumption. Take a drive along the picturesque waterfront passing by an inland stream where you will have an opportunity to spot flamingoes, eagles and other birds.

From here we’ll drive through the mountains as the road cuts through the rugged Eastern Hajjar range. It’s pleasurable drive back to Muscat as we travel across smooth roads with views of rocky mountains and narrow valleys as we cross tiny mountain villages to finally reach our destination.

On reaching Muscat check into the hotel of your choice.

Day 06

Enjoy a pleasant breakfast at the hotel post which you will be transported to the Muscat airport to catch a flight to Khasab, the capital of the Musandam governorate, a peninsular region featuring extensive fjord-like craggy inlets and surrounded by looming mountains.

Arrive at the Khasab airport, and depart for a tour of the city and its sights including Khasab Fort and the prehistorical rock paintings at Wadi Tawi. The Kasbah Fort is a striking structure built by the Portuguese on top of another ancient fort to strengthen their stronghold here during their colonization of the area in the seventeenth century. Designed as a supply point for ships docking here, all that remains of the old structure is a cylindrical central tower surrounded by a square-shaped outer wall. It has been refurbished to display the history of Musandam region and showcase the local lifestyles of the time, including models of traditional structures and other interesting artefacts like jewellery, clothes, weapons, tools and much more. The Khasab Castle also displays many canons and old boats including a set of three old Omani boats originating from the Kamzar village.

From here we take the coastal road towards the north, to visit the ruins of Qadah village. Here you will find extraordinary cave-style rock houses carved into the mountain slopes with ancient petroglyphs which feature humans and animals decorating the walls. Some of these caves walls have crumbled to leave large pieces of carved rocks lying across the entire area.

In the afternoon we proceed on a half day mountain safari in a 4WD to the highest peak of Musandam Peninsula, Jabel Harim, whose name roughly translates to ‘The Mountain of Women’. Drive up winding road surrouned by deep valleys, towards Jebel Harim, which stands at an astonishing height of 2087 meters above sea level.  Enroute to the peak we will make a stop at the mountain village of Sayhe that is situated at 1100 meters above the sea level. This tiny mountain village is a great place to enjoy the beauty of Musandam, and offers fantastic view of the city of Dibba and the canyon below. Next we will visit the Khawr Al Najid, one of the most popular destinations in the area due to amazing views of the Indian Ocean it offers. As we face eastwards we are confronted with a spread of splendid coastline with turquoise blue water lapping the shores of the land. There is also a natural creek of freshwater known as the  Khor Najid lagoon, which is a place of historic importance as it has been used as a pit-stop by travelers and traders for centuries and is even now, one of the biggest oasis in Musandam. Then we proceed to visit Birkhat Khalidiya Park, where you will be amazed by the greenery. With numerous hardy acacia trees spread across the park, this is an area which remains a verdant green throughout the year.

Afterwards we head to Khasab where we will rest overnight at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

Day 07

After breakfast at the Golden Tulip Khasab Hotel, we head to the Khasab Port for a full day dhow cruise. Experience the beauty of the coast of Oman, on a relaxed this cruise as you sail along Oman's spectacular coast on a 'Dhow,' a traditional wooden boat. Hop on to a traditional Omani Dhow and settle on the cushioned seats of the vessel to sip a beverage of your choice and snack on dates as you enjoy the cool sea breeze and take in the spectacular scenery. Be sure to try the Kahwa, a traditional Omani style coffee, onboard.

We will visit some small fishing villages along the coast so you can witness the daily routine of the fishermen, talk to the locals and learn more about the lifestyle of the people here.

Afterwards we head to the famous Telegraph island located close to the shore, right in the Elphinstone Inlet or Khor Ash Sham, the inner inlet of Khasab Bay. Also known as Jazira Al Maqlab, it is so named after the now abandoned telegraph station built here by the British in 1864. We will enjoy a pleasant lunch on the Dhow, as we are buffeted the by cool breeze and proceed to cruise past the sights of the coast including the spectacular fjords of Musandam before we head back to the marina.

If we are lucky we may even be able to catch sight of some dolphins frolicking in the clean blue waters. A perfect addition to your Oman Holiday Package will be a session of swimming or snorkeling during this cruise. However these activities are on request only and you will need to inform your accompanying tour guide if you wish to do so.

Post the end of the Dhow Cruise we will return to hotel.

Day 08

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, your vacation in Oman will continue in Salalah for which you will be transported to the Khasab Airport to board the flight for Muscat and onwards to Salalah. After you arrive at the Muscat Airport you will be escorted along the way to catch your second flight to Salalah.

On landing at the Salalah Airport, you will be driven to a hotel of your choice, after which you have the evening free to do as you desire.

Day 09

Have an early morning breakfast, so we can set out on a lengthy day tour of the most popular destinations in Salalah. At sharp nine ‘o clock in the morning we will set out for our tour driving eastwards. Approximately 35km along we will hit the coastal village of Taqah. A scenic town, Taqah is primarily know for its beautiful beach and the Taqah Castle, which is situated right in the heart of the town. This 19th century castle is was originally used as a private residence for a tribal leader and has now been converted into a museum depicting and displaying the traditional Omani way of life. The castle is surrounded by watchtowers and there are numerous stone houses typical of the area, which are fascinating for those interested in traditional Omani architecture.

We then proceed onward to Khor Rori, a freshwater creek surrounded by greenery which attracts many aquatic birds. Just next to the creek lies the site of the ruined city of Samhuram, the capital of ancient Arabia's frankincense trade. Rediscovered in the nineteenth century by a British archaeologist and explorer, excavations have produced evidence of an ancient city dating back to 2BC with trade links by sea to far eastern destinations and maybe even Greece.  The ruins are part of the Incense Route in Oman which has named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After exploring the ruins we continue along the road to Mirbat, the ancient capital of Dhofar. From the ninth century onwards the town became famous as the regional hub for trade in frankincense, horses and slaves. Two columns  with statues of prancing horses stand at the entrance to the town, as a nod to it history as an important breeding centre for Arabian steeds, and some the old houses still bear the woodcarving denoting its time as the capital of trade and commerce. Nowadays its a quiet town with old Dhofari-style houses in the older parts of town with harbour where fishermen bring in their catch and a beautiful beach.

The main fort in the town lies in ruins, despite being the site of the famous Battle of Mirbat, and it in closed to the public though you can make out the unusual hexagonal tower at one corner.

One of Dhofar's best-known historic sites is Bin Ali's Tomb. The structure with it’s twin onion styled domb and whitewashed surface lies outside the main town even before the horse columns. The tomb belongs to Mohamed bin Ali, a well respected religious leader who died in 1135 AD. There is a graveyard that surrounding it and the tomb itself it is a fine example of medieval architecture of the area.

Post lunch by around 2:30pm we drive along Ittin Road up through steep paths to visit one of the most popular tourist sites in Salalah, Dohar.  High in the mountains lies the tomb of the Prophet Job or Nabi Ayub as he is called in Arabic.

The drive up is a particularly scenic route and the Nabi Ayoub’s tomb is considered a must visit not only for spiritual reasons but also for the spectacular views of the surrounding  plains and mountains. Specially during the Khareef or monsoon season, the entire plains turn a lush green. This is truly a beautiful sight to behold and is thus one of the favourite places to visit in Salalah during Khareef.

We then drive down to Al Mughsail Beach, whose white sand and blue waters make it the most popular beach in Salalah. Walking towards the west end of the beach through the Al Marneef Caves leads to the famous blowholes which are perforations in the limestone rock. As the water crashes into the beach it is forced through these perforations and surges up into tall columns that are thrown up many meters from the blowholes.

From here we drive towards Wadi Dawkah, a route that offers spectacular views as we climb uphill following the curves of mountain roads with its many hairpin bends for almost 15 to 20km and if we would continue on this road we would reach the Yemen border. However we make a turn towards the Wadi and the views enroute are breathtaking due to heights involved. The Wadi is a UNESCO World heritage site set in an arid desert valley known for it Frankincense trees. Many such trees can be found dotting the landscape here and as the land is ideal for its growth and thus the frankincense harvested in Dhofar is considered among the best in the world. The extract of these trees was at some points in history traded as a commodity more precious than gold.

We also visit a bird sanctuary on the way where we are likely to see many migratory birds during season.

Post this we return to Salalah. On the road we follow also, the stark shape of leafless Frankincense Trees can be seen along the way. On reaching Salalah, you can retire for an evening of leisure at a hotel of your choice or explore the city. (Hotel rate not included)

Day 10

Wake up to a beautiful morning at Salalah and enjoy breakfast at your leisure. If you haven’t yet, do try some local Omani dishes along with your usual fare.

Post breakfast, it’s time to pack and depart for the airport, to catch your flight to Muscat. You will be escorted to the Salalah Airport and met by a guide when you land at the Muscat Airport, where you can spend your time at leisure before catching your flight out of Oman, ending your holiday in Oman.

Availability:

Available around the year though some sights might be shut during certain periods

Special Note-

It is advisable to make booking for your stay at the time of booking your package.

Kindly let us know if you need visa assistance in advance.

We can arrange for flight bookings on request.

Please let your tour advisor know at the beginning if you are allergic to anything, so your food options follow the same.

Kindly let your tour advisor know at the time of booking if any special assistance will be required during the tour.

Please note that if you are bringing your pet along, many places follow a no-pet policy and coordinate with your tour advisor at the time of booking for a smooth tour.

Places We Visit- Highlights

Tour of Muscat.- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque,  Bait Al Zubair Museum, Mattrah Souq(marketplace),  Fish market, Al Alam Palace, surrounded by the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts

Tour of Nakhl  - Ain Al Thowarah Hot Springs, Wadi Bani Awuf, Omani mountain village of Bilad Sayt, Jabrin Castle

Tour of Nizwa- Nizwa Fort, Nizwa souq(marketplace), weekly cattle auction

Wadi Bani Khalid also known as Wadi Hayer

Wahiba Tour- Wahiba sands also known as Ramlat al Wahiba, Bedouin houses, 1000 nights camp

Tur of Seaside town of Sur- Dhow Factory Tour, Sineslah fort

Ruins of Qalhat- Bibi Miriam's tomb also known as ‘The Mausoleum of Lady Maryam’

Bimah Sinkhole, also known as Bait al-Afreet is located at the small Hawiyat Najm Park

Wadi Arbayeen

Tour of seaside fishing town of Quriyat-  Quriyat fort, Fish Souk(marketplace)

Tour of Khasab- Khasab Fort, prehistorical rock paintings at Wadi Tawi, ruins of Qadah village

Tour of Jabel Harim- mountain village of Sayhe, coast viewing point of Khawr Al Najid, Khor Najid lagoon, Birkhat Khalidiya Park

Full day dhow cruise- Fishing villages, Telegraph Island, Fjords of Musandam

Tour of Salalah:

Taqah village tour- Taqah beach, Taqah Castle

Khor Rori(freshwater creek)

Ruined city of Samhuram,& Wadi Dawkah, part of the Incense Route in Oman (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Mirbat city tour, tomb of Mohamed bin Ali

Prophet Job Tomb( Nabi Ayub’s Tomb)

Al Mughsail Beach, Blowholes at Al Marneef Caves

Bird sanctuary

• Stay in Mentioned Hotels
• Pick up and Drop To Fixed Points
• Transfers by Car
• Guided tour by experienced multilingual guides.
• Entry Tickets

• Any personal shopping
• Additional areas you may wish to visit

• The itinerary may be modified based on various factors like maintenance of monuments, museums, major events like sports conventions, religious festivals, etc.
• Zahara Tours reserves the right to change itinerary or dates or cancel a tour due to unforeseen reasons and will not take any responsibility for any charges the customer may incur due to change in itinerary.
• All services will be as per those specified and paid for as per Service Vouchers. If you avail any service which is not included in the Discover Oman Holiday Package or get yourself upgraded, then the payment for the same will have to be cleared by you directly. Please note that, tips, gratuities, room service, laundry, excess baggage charge, á la carte meals, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, etc. are not included unless specifically mentioned as included.
• Please note that travel insurance is not included in the tour price and all medical costs and other costs involved must be paid by the client. It is therefore strongly recommended to our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to meet any contingencies. We can arrange for the same on request.
• The package price doesn’t include special dinner or mandatory charges levied by the hotels especially during New Year and other special occasions.
• Zahara Tours reserves the right to amend, alter, vary or withdraw any holiday package without any prior notice.
• Preponing or postponing a confirmed tour may result in additional cost.