Muscat Trip Overview
This is your ticket to an exploration of Oman’s hidden village, forts, and castles. Join us as we go off and on the beaten track in Oman’s natural wonders. Become an adventurer and discover Oman’s best views, bluest waters, and golden sands over six days.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 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
This is your ticket to an exploration of Oman’s hidden village, forts, and castles. Join us as we go off and on the beaten track in Oman’s natural wonders. Become an adventurer and discover Oman’s best views, bluest waters, and golden sands over six days.
Itinerary
Day 1: The Hajar Moutains
Stop At: Nakhal Fort, Wilayat Nakhal, Nakhl 323 Oman
Meet your guide in the morning and drive toward the Hajar Mountains via the northern coast. Your first stop is Nakhal, where you can relax at the Ayn Thawarra Hot Springs.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jebel Akhdar, Al Hajar Mountains Range, Nizwa 611 Oman
Go a bit further into the lands to enter Wadi Bani Awd, one of Oman’s most famous wadis. Enjoy the beautiful scenery with great cliffs and canyons.
For lunch, you reach the picturesque Bilad Sayt. Perched in the mountains and reachable only with 4WD, it is considered one of Oman’s prettiest villages. Have a lovely walk through the town while meeting locals.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Misfat al Abreyeen, Al Hamra Oman
Eventually, reach another lovely village by the end of the day: Misfat Al Abriyeen. Wander into its beautiful alleys to admire the view over gorgeous agricultural terraces. At night, stay in one of the traditional mud houses built on top of the rocks.
Duration: 1 minute
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Misfah Old House or similar
Day 2: Bahla, Jabreen, and Nizwa Forts
Stop At: Al Hamra, Al Hamra, Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate
Today, explore the Jebel Akhdar all the way down to Nizwa. Your first destination is the old town of Al Hamra. This 400 years old village is famous for its mudbrick houses. Surrounded by palm trees, walnuts, and pomegranate trees, it offers stunning views.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bahla Fort, Oasis of Bahla, Nizwa 611 Oman
After a pleasant walk in the village, go back on the road to discover Oman’s most famous forts. Stop for a photoshoot at Bahla Castle, a Unesco site seen as an outstanding example of a fortified oasis.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jibreen Castle, Jabrin 612 Oman
After Bahla, discover a more impressive castle: Jabreen, dating back from the 17th century.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nizwa Fort Oman, Nizwa Oman
Eventually, visit Nizwa’s fort, one of the best examples of ancient Omani castles. For the night, you will rest in the quietness of the Jebel Akhdar.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Sama Hotel Jabal Akhdar (3-star) or similar
Day 3: The Jebel Akhdar
Stop At: Jebel Akhdar, Al Hajar Mountains Range, Nizwa 611 Oman
Today is a full day of mountain exploration and adventures in the Jebel Akhdar! It starts with a photoshoot at Suwajara: This intriguing village is famous for its hidden houses carved into the cliffs. It was home to a remote tribe for more than 500 years. Continue driving to reach the Juniper Tree Park and admire the unfamiliar scenery they create.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sayq, Sayq, Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate
After lunch, reach the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib. Explore its streets on foot, discover the traditional architecture of the houses, which contain many stories to be told.
Continue to Saiq town and the traditional villages of Al Aqr and Al Ayn. From their high level, you can admire the view over the traditional agricultural terracing below. In Al Ayn, discover a very peculiar Unesco site: the Beehive Tomb. For the evening, go back to the peaceful atmosphere of your hotel nestled in the Jebel Akhdar.
Duration: 4 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sama Hotel Jabal Akhdar (3-star) or similar
Day 4: Wahiba Sands
Stop At: Birkat Al Mouz Ruins, Nizwa Oman
It’s time to leave the mountains for the desert! Say goodbye to the Hajar Mountains with a quick stop at Birkat al Mawz. This picturesque village is full of banana plantations, irrigated by the traditional irrigation system called Aflaj (Unesco listed).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ibra, Ibra, Ash-Sharqiyah Governorate
For lunch, stop at Ibra, an ancient city located at the gate of the desert. Visit the Old Quarter and the ruins of Al Munisifeh.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Wahiba Sands, Wahiba Sands, Ash-Sharqiyah Governorate
Then, enter the immensity of Wahiba Sands’ desert. Enjoy the scenery of a horizon of dunes, and experience some light dune bashing with your guide. For the night, stay at a traditional Bedouin camp, where you can experience a camel ride (supplement). Watch the sunset over the dunes, and share a delicious dinner with your hosts before relaxing under the stars.
Duration: 4 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Safari Desert Camp (2-star) or similar
Day 5: Ras Al Jinz
Stop At: Wadi Bani Khalid, Road 23 apprx. 40 km from Bidiyyah Muscat-Sur Road, Muscat 113 Oman
Says farewell to the Bedouin family and drives to the east coast. Explore Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman’s most famous wadi. You can swim in its large natural pools and relax under the palm trees.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sur, Sur, Ash-Sharqiyah Governorate
Explore the valley before driving to the sea and reach the fishermen’s city of Sur. Facing the sea, the perfect scenery for a picnic before visiting its Dhow Boat Yards, where boats are still built the traditional way.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, Ras Al Jinz, Sur 411 Oman
In the evening, go to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, where the endangered green turtles find refuge. At night, they come to lay their eggs on the beach: A show you might be lucky enough to attend.
Note: The high season for turtle watching is between May and August. Accordingly, this activity is not guaranteed.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Al Ayjah Plaza Hotel (2-star) or similar
Day 6: Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab
Stop At: Wadi Shab, 50km West of Sur, Sur 411 Oman
For your last day, enjoy the natural splendors of the eastern coast. First, hike to the famous Wadi Shab. The best way to explore this valley is on foot. An easy 45 minutes’ hike unveils caves, natural pools, and waterfalls.
After your walk, what’s best than relaxing by the sea? Fins Beachs offer a perfect setting to swim and enjoy.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bimmah Sinkhole, Hawiyat Najm Park, Muscat Oman
Quit Fins to end your trip with one of Oman’s most impressive natural wonders: Bimmah Sinkhole. This large and deep natural cave contains a pool of blue water. The legend says that it has been formed by the fall of a star. Eventually, reach Muscat by the end of the day, where your driver drops you off at the location of your choice.
Duration: 3 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
