Fantastic Oman 4 Days

Overview

This four-day tour takes you from Muscat through the mountains to Nizwa, into the Wahiba Sands, on to Wadi Bani Khaled and Ras Al Hadd, and back along the coast past Wadi Shab.

On the way you see the date palm grove and fort of Nakhl, the mountain village of Billad Sayt, the fort and souq of Nizwa and the castle at Jabrin. In the desert you visit a Bedouin family, and at Ras Al Jinz you can see green turtles nest on the beach.

Where you'll go

1. 1Muscat
2. 2Wadi Shab

Your days

1. Day 1

   Nakhl, Wadi Bani Awf and Billad Sayt to Nizwa

   Leave Muscat in the morning and travel along the Batinah to Nakhl, a date palm grove, where you see the natural hot spring and the 350-year-old Nakhl Fort.

   Continue along the loop to Wadi Bani Awf. The climb through the wadi takes you up the jebel (mountain), and at one point you see the gorge below, which really does look like a snake.

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   If you wish, you can trek into it, and there are several small pools here for bathing.

   Drive up the mountain to Billad Sayt, one of the most charming and picturesque mountain villages, where time seems to have stood still for ages. The village on top of the cliff is a spectacular sight from the terraced farms below, which provide for the people who live there.

   Reach Nizwa in the evening and spend the first night of the tour there. Lunch and dinner are optional.

2. Day 2

   Nizwa, Jabrin and the Wahiba Sands

   Nizwa, the capital of the interior, is the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. It is known for its Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century.

   Visit Nizwa Souq, known for its Friday cattle auction, intricately hand-carved khanjars (daggers) and ornamental silver jewellery.

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   Next to the souq is Nizwa Fort, a museum today, with splendid views of the ancient town and the mountains around it.

   Go on to Jabrin, the finest of Oman's castles, built in the late 17th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. It shows the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings.

   Continue to the Wahiba Sands, one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. The dunes support an astonishing variety of plants and animals, and their ever-changing patterns are a photographer's delight.

   You can ride camels or try dune driving, and visit a local Bedouin family at home for a close-up view of their way of life, sharing coffee and dates with them.

   In the evening, enjoy the campfire and dinner. Overnight in the Wahiba Sands. Lunch is optional.

3. Day 3

   Wadi Bani Khaled, Sur and Ras Al Hadd

   After breakfast, continue to Wadi Bani Khaled, one of the biggest and most beautiful wadis in Oman, and enjoy a refreshing swim in its cool water.

   Drive to Sur for a short city tour, then on to Ras Al Hadd, where you spend the night.

   After dinner, you are driven to the Ras Al Jinz turtle sanctuary, a protected green turtle nesting reserve.

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   You can see Oman's great sea turtles nest and lay eggs on the beach, and you may see baby turtles hatching from some nests.

   Overnight in Ras Al Hadd. Lunch and dinner are optional.

4. Day 4

   The coast road back to Muscat via Wadi Shab

   After breakfast, leave for Sur, then drive along the coastal road.

   Continue to Wadi Tiwi and take the graded track to Wadi Shab, one of Oman's most spectacular wadis, with fresh water flowing most of the year beside banana plantations and rocky paths.

   Go on to Fins, where a beautiful white sandy beach invites you for a relaxing swim.

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   Stop for photos at the Bamah Sinkhole, then continue to Quriyat, a small coastal fishing village, and on towards Muscat.

   Return to Muscat in the late afternoon. Lunch is optional.

What's included

Good to know

• A guide speaking a language other than English costs 130 USD more per day, shared by everyone on the tour.

Prices

This trip has no published price yet. Oman City Tours' team gives you a price on request, for your day and your group.

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