Grand Tour of Oman

16 Days / 15 Nights from £4995/ $6494 per person

The Grand Tour of Oman combines the distinct regions of the Sultanate into one comprehensive and spectacular in-depth adventure. This privately chauffeured journey commences in the sleepy Omani capital of Muscat where you will view the palaces, pretty harbour, and elegant modern Islamic architecture. Next, visit the castles and oases of the Batinah plain and go off-roading in scenic Wadi Abyad, before flying north to the remote and ‘wild’ province of Musandam at the neck of the Arabian Gulf. While in Musandam, you’ll explore the spectacular fjords in a wooden dhow and take a 4WD safari up Jabal Harim to enjoy the views over the Strait of Hormuz. On returning to Muscat, drive to Oman’s cultural capital of Nizwa and discover the traditional souqs, picturesque mudbrick villages, and extensive oases of date palms that that typify the historic heart of the Sultanate. Next, discover the scenic mountain bastion that is the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), then fly to Salalah in Oman’s southern province of Dhofar where the thrilling final stage of the Grand Tour of Oman will unfold. Once the centre of the ancient frankincense trade, Dhofar is a land of striking contrasts. Here you’ll gaze on the coconut and banana plantations of sub-tropical Salalah, visit the ruins of the incense ports of Sumhuram and Zafar, see frankincence trees in the wild at Wadi Dawkah, and explore the Empty Quarter – one of the most spectacular deserts on Earth. Two nights will be spent in the Empty Quarter giving you ample opportunity to discover its breath-taking landscapes of sand, before driving through the Moon Mountains back to Salalah where the Grand Tour of Oman concludes with a day to relax beside the Indian Ocean.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels	Diamond Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Muscat International Airport. Private transfer to your hotel.	3 nights Muscat	W Muscat	The Chedi
Day 2	Visit Muscat including the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Muttrah’s frankincense infused souq, and the old harbour. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 3	Discover the Batinah region starting at the great castle of Rustaq, then enjoy an off-road adventure and picnic in Wadi Abyad, prior to visiting the oasis and fort of Nakhl.
Day 4	Fly to Khasab. Explore Musandam’s capital on arrival, then drive up Jabal Harim for a spectacular view over the peninsula with barren mountains and fjords.	2 nights Musandam	Atana Khasab Hotel	Atana Khasab Hotel
Day 5	A full day dhow cruise (shared basis) will take you into the dramatic fjord of Khor Ash Sham with opportunities for swimming and dolphin spotting.
Day 6	Fly to Muscat and drive to Fanja experience the thrill of being driven off-road along the Wadi Fanja. Then, visit the extensive oasis and mud-brick village of Manah before arriving in Nizwa.	2 nights Nizwa	Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel	Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel
Day 7	Start the day in Nizwa, the cultural capital of Oman. Next, visit the mudbrick village of Al Hamra, then conclude the day with a walk through the oasis of Misfat al Abryeen.
Day 8	Visit the 17th century fort of Nizwa, then drive west to Wadi Al Ayn where you will see the impressive Bronze Age beehive tombs prior to driving up into the Jabal Akhdar.	2 nights Jabal Akhdar	Sahab Resort & Spa	Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort
Day 9	Discover the magnificent Jabal Akhdar mountains and set off on foot along the Three Villages Walk (2 hours). The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 10	Drive through the Sumail Gap to Muscat and board a flight to Salalah in southern Oman. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.	2 nights Salalah	Souly EcoLodge	Anantara Salalah - Al Baleed Resort
Day 11	Visit Salalah, the beauty spot of Wadi Darbat, and the frankincense ports of Al –Balid and Sumhuram.
Day 12	See wild frankincense trees at Wadi Dawkah and the ruins of Shisr the ‘Atlantis of the Sands’ then arrive at your Empty Quarter camp.	2 nights Empty Quarter	Souly Lodge Empty Quarter	Souly Lodge Empty Quarter
Day 13	A full day to explore the spectacular towering dunes of the Empty Quarter – the largest sandy desert on Earth.
Day 14	Visit a camel farm, then return to Salalah via the Mountains of the Moon and the spectacular coastal cliffs that line the coast of Dhofar.	2 nights Salalah	Anantara Salalah - Al Baleed Resort	Anantara Salalah - Al Baleed Resort
Day 15	Today will be at leisure.
Day 16	Private transfer to Salalah International Airport.