Oman: Muscat, Nizwa, Wahiba Sands and Sur

Arrive in Muscat

Muscat International Airport (MCT) to your hotel in Muscat

• Repas du soir
• Nuit : Muscat

Soir

In the early evening a guide, appointment to be confirmed, meets the group for a short briefing on the eight days: why day 4 should be a Friday, which are the long road days, what the wadi flood risk means for the plan, and what to wear in a mosque and in a village. We then share a welcome dinner of Omani dishes nearby, perhaps spiced rice, grilled meat or fish, and dates with coffee. For a Nizwa goat-market plan, we recommend a Tuesday arrival, since day 4 would then be Friday. Tomorrow starts with the Grand Mosque.

Compris

• Proposed airport transfer
• Welcome briefing with your guide
• Welcome dinner

Grand Mosque, Mutrah souq and a dhow at sunset

Muscat: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah souq, then a sunset dhow cruise

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du soir
• Nuit : Muscat
• En bateau

Matin

Its own site says non-Muslims may visit every day except Friday, from 8:30 until 11:00 am, so we leave straight after breakfast. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and women cover their hair. Hours can change around holidays and Ramadan, and we recheck before departure. We then go to the Mutrah corniche and the souq, a maze of covered lanes selling frankincense, silver, textiles and spices, where the guide helps with orientation and a little haggling is normal.

Après-midi

Lunch is free.

Soir

In the late afternoon we board a traditional dhow for a sunset cruise along the coast, subject to the operator, the sea and the weather. We return to a group dinner. The cruise operator is not yet appointed, and we do not promise any particular sunset.

Compris

• Grand Mosque visit, within its published morning hours
• Mutrah souq walk with your guide
• Sunset dhow cruise, subject to operator
• Group dinner

Into the mountains to Nizwa

Muscat to Nizwa by road, via the Hajar mountains, then Nizwa Fort

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Nizwa

Matin

We leave Muscat after breakfast and drive inland to Nizwa, the old capital of the interior, at the foot of the Hajar mountains; we estimate about two hours of driving, plus stops, and confirm it in the quote. We plan a stop at a fort or village on the way if time allows.

Après-midi

In the afternoon we visit Nizwa Fort and its round tower, which dominate the town. The fort's own site lists opening from 8 am to 8 pm Saturday to Thursday, so a Thursday afternoon visit fits, and we recheck hours before departure. We then walk the souq, where silverware and local halwa are sold.

Soir

The evening is free, and the old town is pleasant to stroll at dusk. Tomorrow starts early, because the goat market is on Friday morning, so we recommend an early night. If your departure does not put day 4 on a Friday, we tell you before you book, and the market drops out of the plan.

Compris

• Nizwa Fort visit, within its published hours
• Nizwa souq walk

Friday goat market, Misfat and Jebel Shams

Nizwa: goat market, Misfat al Abriyeen village, then the canyon rim at Jebel Shams

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du midi
• Nuit : Nizwa

Après-midi

We stop for lunch, then continue by 4x4 to Jebel Shams, where road conditions vary and the guide confirms access. We view the canyon from the rim, with an optional short walk. This is a long day, and times are to be confirmed.

Soir

We return to Nizwa in the evening.

Compris

• Goat market visit on a Friday departure
• Misfat al Abriyeen walk
• Jebel Shams canyon-rim visit by 4x4, conditions permitting
• Lunch stop

Activités en option

• The longer Balcony Walk along the rim, only if conditions and experience allow

Into the Wahiba Sands

Nizwa to the Wahiba Sands by road and 4x4; desert camp

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du soir
• Nuit : Wahiba Sands

Soir

In the late afternoon we climb a dune for the sunset, and the guide arranges a visit with a Bedouin family only if one can be arranged on the day. We do not promise a particular sunset or sky. Dinner is at the camp. The evening may be cold, so warm layers matter, and the stars may be clear away from towns, though cloud can hide them. Facilities in a desert camp can be basic, with shared washing and limited electricity. Wind or a sandstorm can shorten the dune activities.

Compris

• 4x4 transfer into the dunes
• Dune sunset
• Desert camp dinner and overnight, camp to be quoted

Activités en option

• A camel ride, cost not included

Wadi Bani Khalid and on to Sur

Wahiba Sands to Sur by road via Wadi Bani Khalid; evening at Ras al Jinz

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Sur

Matin

After a desert sunrise and breakfast, we drive out of the dunes and head east to Wadi Bani Khalid, a green valley with pools; we estimate a couple of hours on the road. Access to the pools and the water levels depend on recent rain, and the wadi can become dangerous after rain upstream. Access and any roadworks have not been confirmed, so this stop is conditional on a check on the day. If it is closed, we substitute a viewpoint or another stop and do not promise a swim. We continue to Sur, a port town known for its dhow building, and check in.

Soir

In the evening we drive to Ras al Jinz for a visit run by the reserve, which takes its own bookings. Its page lists night viewing from 9 pm, with arrival by 8:30 pm. Turtle sightings are never guaranteed.

Compris

• Wadi Bani Khalid visit, subject to conditions
• Ras al Jinz turtle visit, reserve booking and fee to be quoted
• Transfer to Sur

Activités en option

• A dawn visit instead of the night one, which the reserve lists from 5 am, subject to its availability

Dhow builders and the coast road to Muscat

Sur to Muscat by the coast road, with a stop at Wadi Shab if conditions allow

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Muscat
• En bateau

Matin

In the morning we visit Sur's dhow-building yard, where traditional wooden boats are still built or repaired. It is a private yard with no set tour and sources disagree on its hours, so we go on a weekday morning and see what is happening on the day. We then follow the coast road to Wadi Shab, where visitors cross by a small boat for a small fee, walk the wadi and, if they swim, can reach a cave. The crossing and the wadi depend on recent rain, and we do not know the present status. We treat it as conditional: if the wadi or the boat is not running, the guide replaces it with another coast stop, and we do not promise a swim.

Soir

We arrive in Muscat in the evening.

Compris

• Sur dhow-yard visit, subject to what is working on the day
• Wadi Shab visit, subject to conditions

Departure from Muscat

Hotel to Muscat International Airport (MCT)

• Petit-déjeuner

Matin

After breakfast we transfer you to Muscat International Airport (MCT) for your onward journey; we confirm the transfer time with the supplier. We do not set a default flight deadline, and an early departure may mean skipping breakfast. If you have time before a later flight, you could return to the corniche or the souq for last purchases such as frankincense or dates. The trip ends at the airport.

Soir

If you wish to stay longer in Muscat, or to go on to another part of the region, tell us before booking so we can price an extra night, which is not included. Entry and exit rules depend on your passport, and you should check the official pages before you travel.

Compris

• Proposed transfer to Muscat International Airport (MCT)