Muscat Trip Overview
With its fabulous well-preserved natural sites, Oman is a paradise for any nature-lover and enthusiastic snorkeler. This tour offers the best of the sea and the mountain, in both Muscat and the Musandam Peninsula. Discover the capital city through its most famous sightseeing but also with a boat journey to the Daymaniyat Islands, a natural reserve considered as one of the best snorkelling spots in the world. With a short flight, you are in the Musandam Peninsula: embark on a traditional dhow to explore the fjords and climb on top of its highest peak, the Jebel Harim, on a 4WD mountain safari.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Muscat, Oman
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Muscat Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Muscat, Muscat Governorate, Oman
With its fabulous well-preserved natural sites, Oman is a paradise for any nature-lover and enthusiastic snorkeler. This tour offers the best of the sea and the mountain, in both Muscat and the Musandam Peninsula. Discover the capital city through its most famous sightseeing but also with a boat journey to the Daymaniyat Islands, a natural reserve considered as one of the best snorkelling spots in the world. With a short flight, you are in the Musandam Peninsula: embark on a traditional dhow to explore the fjords and climb on top of its highest peak, the Jebel Harim, on a 4WD mountain safari.
Itinerary
Day 1: Snorkelling at Daymaniyat Islands
Stop At: Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, Gulf of Oman, Seeb 121 Oman
If you arrive in Oman in the morning, your driver meets you at the Muscat International Airport and drives you to the hotel to check-in and freshen up. If you are already in Muscat, meet your driver in the city to go directly to the Marina. Embark for a half-day snorkelling experience in the Muscat bay. It takes about 35 minutes to access the Daymaniat Islands, a natural reserve where many species of fishes, turtles, corals and birds live. During this ride, you may be escorted by playful wild dolphins. At the natural reserve, which is considered as one of the 10 best snorkelling spots in the world, all necessary equipment is provided to explore the seabed. By the end of the afternoon, return to Muscat by boat and rest at your hotel.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Majan Continental Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 2: Half-Day Muscat
Stop At: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat 113 Oman
After breakfast at the hotel, start a half-day guided tour of Muscat, the Omani capital. The first stop is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a masterpiece built by the late ruler of Oman as a gift for its people. Anyone can enter, as long as dressed modestly, and the visit takes about 30 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Muttrah, Muttrah, Muscat Governorate
A quick 10 minutes’ drive later, enter the heart of the ancient Muscat by exploring the colourful Muttrah Souk. Be ready to sharpen your bargaining skills here! After half an hour strolling in the alleys, take some fresh marine air by walking on the Corniche for another half hour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bait Al Zubair, Al-Saidiya Street, Muscat 113 Oman
Your next stop leads you to the east, to visit the Old Muscat and discover its culture at Bait al Zubair Museum.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Al Alam Palace, Waterfront Oman
Finally, take a break at Bait al Luban to taste its authentic Omani cuisine while enjoying the view over the corniche. After dinner and before going back to the hotel, stop by the Al Alam Palace for some photo of this splendid, but private, monument.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wyndham Garden Muscat Al Khuwair (4*) or similar
Day 3: Dhow Cruise in Musandam Fjords
Stop At: Khasab, Khasab, Musandam Governorate
It’s a full day of water and exploration ahead of you. After having breakfast at the hotel, you are driven to the Khasab marina to embark on a traditional dhow. Omanis are famous for their boat-building and seafaring tradition, and this kind of wooden boat is typical. Richly decorated, it’s as comfortable as beautiful with cushions for you to lay on. As you arrive, you are welcomed with a traditional coffee and dates. The cruise leads you to Khor Sham, the longest fjords of Musandam with dramatic landscapes. You probably see dolphins on the way to the snorkelling locations: Telegraph Islands and Seebi Islands. Enjoy the exceptional seabed on both places, swim in the turquoise waters and relax on the boat deck. A traditional Omani lunch is provided on board, as well as snacks and refreshments. The excursion lasts about 6 hours, before going back to Khasab and rest at the hotel for the evening.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Atana Musandam Resort (4*) or similar
Day 4: Musandam Mountain Safari
Stop At: Musandam Governorate, Musandam Governorate
For the last day on Musandam, explore the peninsula by 4WD. The mountain safari starts in the morning for a three hours ride through the Jebel Harim mountain. Stride across spectacular scenic roads, up to the top of the mountain. Here, at 1784 meters above the sea level, stop to enjoy the panoramic view over the Oman Gulf and take pictures. On the way to the top of the mountain, visit Bait al Qalf, a centuries-old village with a type of houses which only exists here. You also cross the lush Khalidiyah Natural Park and its acacia forest. After the safari, go directly to Khasab Airport to board your flight back to Muscat.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
