Oman and Musandam Tour

Discover the Omani capital of Muscat, one of the most exciting and attractive cities in the Arabian Peninsula. The privately guided tour starts with a photo stop at the Royal Opera House. Next, visit the exquisite Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, then continue to Muttrah where you will wander through the busy fish market, explore the atmospheric souq, and climb up to Muttrah fort for a view over the harbour. Your sightseeing continues in Old Muscat where you will see the twin Portuguese forts of Jalali and Merani (outside) and the Al Alam Palace (outside). The afternoon is at leisure.

Fly to Khasab in Oman’s wild Musandam province with its deep inlets, craggy peaks, and scenic bays hemmed in by sheer cliffs. On arrival, tour the province’s tiny capital of Khasab, then embark on a panoramic 4WD mountain safari into Musandam’s stark and barren interior.

Take a relaxing dhow cruise (shared) through Musandam’s spectacular fjords today, with opportunities to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters and the possibility of spotting dolphins.

Fly from Khasab to Muscat with Oman Air. Meet your guide and drive to Fanja where you will visit the traditional market and have an off-road driving experience. Continue to the date palm oasis of Birkat Al Mawz, then take the serpentine road up into the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) and your mountain eyrie of a hotel.

Admire the spectacular mountain views from Diana’s Point this morning, then set off on foot with a local guide along the Three Villages trail (easy – 90 minutes) and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Jabal Akhdar with its craggy peaks, gorges, ancient villages, picturesque terraced hillsides, and orchards. Next, drive across the undulating Sayq Plateau (2,000m) with its forests of gnarled Juniper trees to view the ancient stone-built hamlet of Sawghera that clings to an impossibly steep cliff above a beautifully irrigated wadi before returning to your hotel and spending the remainder of the day at leisure.

Explore Nizwa’s colourful souq and visit the town’s magnificent 17th-century castle, then transfer to the Wahiba Sands – an enormous sand sea the size of Wales. This evening, witness the magnificent spectacle of the sun setting over the golden dunes.

Drive to the port of Sur, where wooden dhows have been built for a thousand years, a scene that conjures up images of the legendary 1001 Arabian Nights story of Sindbad the Sailor. Next, take the scenic coastal road north towards Muscat, breaking your journey to explore Wadi Abraeen – a stunning canyon with towering cliffs, swaying date palms and crystal-clear pools of water. On arrival in Muscat, check in at your luxurious beachfront hotel.

Today will be at leisure.

Private transfer to Muscat International Airport. On arrival, check-in for your onward flight.