Muscat-Nakhal Fort & Hot Spring-Wadi Bani Awf-Snake Canyon-Balad Sayt-Jabal Shams (Grand Canyon)

Nakhal Fort - Departing from Muscat, the journey leads to Nakhal, where visitors can explore the stunning Nakhal Fortress. Nestled at the base of the mountains in a charming town known for its extensive date palm plantations, this impressive 1500-year-old fortress emerges from the mountain rock, standing tall above the ancient village as if still guarding against potential invaders. It has witnessed numerous battles and is filled with hidden escape routes and secret passages.

Visitors can wander through this restored fortress and explore all the rooms, which are beautifully decorated in the original old style. The view from the top of the fortress over the mountains and lush date plantations is truly breathtaking.

Ain Al Thawarah - After Nakhal Fort, the tour proceeds to the hot spring, located a few kilometers away among date farms. The spring flows year-round with warm mineral water collected in site pools, and several chairs and shades are available in the “picnic area” near the pool.

Balad Sayt - Continuing from Nakhal, the journey leads to Wadi Bani Awf. The road passes through the Wadi, showcasing impressive Wadi Canyons (Snake Canyon) and several villages, with Balad Sayt being the most picturesque. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Jabal Shams - The tour then ascends the mountain road to Jebel Shams, standing at 3009 meters (The Grand Canyon of Oman). It is one of the most adventurous mountains in Oman, offering thrilling off-road experiences and spectacular views. Visitors can stop at the Canyon view point to enjoy the scenery and take photos. A short drive from there leads to the resort for an overnight stay, where guests can check in and watch the stunning sunset.

Jabal Shams-Wadi Ghul (Wadi Nakhar)-Al Hamra-Misfat Al Abriyeen-Nizwa

Misfat al Abreyeen - From Wadi Ghul, the tour visits the ancient town of Al Hamra, followed by a short drive to Misfat Al Abriyeen village. This picturesque village is situated on a steep slope at the foot of Jebel Shams and consists of old homes and narrow streets. It features a falaj system for many orchards, date palms, and vegetables. It is worth spending time walking around the village before heading to Nizwa.

Nizwa Market (Souq) & Fort-Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain)-Birkat Al Mouz-Nizwa

Nizwa Souk - The day begins with a visit to the famous Nizwa Market (Souq), where a wide variety of vendors offer their goods in the streets. Visitors can find vegetables, pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, Omani sweets (Halwa), dates, spices, and souvenirs sold in authentic old market halls. The Friday cattle market is particularly interesting, as locals from nearby villages come to sell their goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens in a lively open marketplace.

Nizwa Fort Oman - Adjacent to the Souq is Nizwa Fortress, now a museum offering splendid views of the ancient town and surrounding mountains. Visitors can explore this impressive fortress, visiting its many rooms, passages, and towers. The fort is an architectural testament to the economic and military achievements of the early Yaruba dynasty from the mid-17th century. It was a military stronghold designed to withstand even the strongest attacks, with traps laid along the corridors to deter intruders.

Jabal Akhdar - From Nizwa, the tour ascends to Jabal Akhdar, known as the (Green Mountain). It is considered one of the most scenic areas in Oman and is part of the Al Hajar mountain range. Jebel Akhdar is named for its green terraced gardens surrounding the villages. A variety of fruits like pomegranates, apricots, apples, olives, grapes, roses, peaches, and walnuts are grown there. There are interesting walks in Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejah, Al Ain, and Al Aqur.

Birkat Al Mouz Ruins - After visiting the green mountain, the tour proceeds to Birkat Al Mouz, which features a large falaj system supplying water to date palms and vegetables for many orchards. It is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage and cultural site, and it is worth spending time walking around the old part of the village.

Nizwa-Zukait Tower Tombs-Ibra-Al Mudhaireb-Wahiba Sands

Zukait Tombs - On the way to the desert, the tour stops in the village of Zukait, where cylindrical tombs dating back to the third millennium BC are located on a hilltop in the Al Dakhiliyah region. They are made of mountain rock stacked to create a distinctive beehive shape.

Ibra - From Zukait, the journey continues to Ibra, where visitors can explore the old part of the village, which is nearly 1000 years old. Built from mud and limestone, the village is not completely abandoned, as some residents still live there.

Wahiba Sands - From Al Mudhaireb, the tour continues to the camp in the desert Wahiba Sands. This spectacular desert covers an area of 12,500 square kilometers, known as Al Sharqiya Sands, formerly “The Wahiba Sands.” It is a region of desert in Oman named after the Bani Wahiba tribe, divided between the northern and southern governorates in the Eastern Region. The area is defined by a boundary of 180 kilometers (110 miles) north to south and 80 kilometers (50 miles) east to west. Visitors can relax in the camp or participate in an adventurous 4x4 drive in the sand dunes, followed by watching the stunning desert sunset from one of the large sand dunes. The day concludes with a buffet dinner at the camp.

Wahiba Sands-Wadi Bani Khalid-Sur-Ras Al Hadd

Wadi Bani Khalid - After a buffet breakfast, the tour heads to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the largest and most beautiful wadis in Oman. A short walk of approximately 10 minutes (walking shoes are required) leads to sparkling clear water pools, where visitors can swim in 9-meter deep waters, sunbathe, and relax in the scenic Wadi canyon.

Sur - From Wadi Bani Khalid, the journey continues to Sur for a city tour. Visitors can explore the Dhow Factory and old ships, as well as the old part of Sur, where most houses feature wooden doors and windows.

Al Hadd - The tour then proceeds to Ras Al Hadd for an overnight stay at a hotel/resort. In the evening, after a buffet dinner, visitors can enjoy a guided walking tour on the beach at Ras Al Jinz under the stars, with a high chance of seeing Omani great sea turtles coming ashore to build nests and lay eggs. If lucky, visitors may even witness baby turtles hatching from some nests.

Ras Al Hadd-Wadi Shab-Ras Al Hadd

Wadi Shab - The tour continues to Wadi Shab, an enormous canyon gorge lined with palm trees and showcasing the power of water descending from the mountains. A 35 to 40-minute hike through the canyon (walking shoes or trainers & swimming shoes are required) leads to crystal clear water pools. Tourists can swim through the warm waters from pool to pool, eventually reaching the last pool, where an opening among the enormous rocks allows swimming into an incredible crevice cave with a small waterfall. Inside, sunlight filters in, turning the water a beautiful turquoise blue while water showers down one side of the cave from the Wadi beyond.

Ras Al Hadd-Al Ashkharah-Ras Al Rways (white Dunes)-Muhut-Al Duqm

Duqm- Ras Madrakah Beach and Viewpoint-Duqm Rock Garden-Duqm

Al Duqm-Al Jazir-Ash Shuwaymiyyah-Salalah

Salalah West Tour (Al Balid-Al Mugsail Beach–Job Tomb)-Salalah

Al Balid Archaeological Site - The day begins with a visit to Khwar Al Balid. This lagoon is named after the ancient city on its banks, flanked by the lagoon on the east and north. In ancient times, the lagoon was connected to the sea and served as a natural port due to its depth in some parts.

The region is currently on the World Heritage and Culture List “UNESCO,” and the Khawr is protected. The importance of this place lies in its combination of archaeology, history, and nature. The archaeological park is considered the first of its kind in Oman, serving to protect natural resources, attract tourists, and inform people about this important ancient city in the Governorate of Dhofar.

Al Mughsail Beach - The tour then visits Al Mughsail Beach, a beautiful and charming beach characterized by its serene white sand. It is a popular tourist destination, especially during the monsoon, and the blowholes attract visitors when strong waves crash against the rocks.

Nabi Ayoub’s Tomb - Nabi Ayoub (Prophet Job), as mentioned in the Bible, holds a significant landmark in religious terms. This tomb is probably the most important site in Dhofar, venerated by Muslims, Jews, and Christians. It is situated on an isolated hilltop overlooking Salalah. Regardless of religious beliefs, the site is a must-see for the beautiful drive, especially during the khareef (monsoon), and for the view over the Salalah Plain on a clear day.

Al Haffa - After sunset, the tour visits Al Hafah Market, a traditional market known as the city of Salalah. It is a tourist and economic landmark located 3 km from the city of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, surrounded by coconut trees. The market is known for selling incense and frankincense products and is full of various products, including traditional textiles, clothing, ornaments, gold, silver, and other traditional items. It is considered the oldest market in Dhofar. Visitors can have dinner there before returning to the hotel.

Salalah-Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) Al Shisr (the lost city) Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Garden- Salalah

Empty Quarter - The tour heads towards Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, covering most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert spans approximately 650,000 km2 (250,000 sq mi), including parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It is part of the larger Arabian desert, with tall orange sand dunes and crystal stones shaped by erosion.

Ubar - On the way back to Salalah from Rub Al Khali, the tour visits Al Shisr (the lost city), one of the sites on the Al Luban (Frankincense) Road, part of the World Heritage and Culture “UNESCO” Sites in Oman. Located in the province of Dhofar, the state of Thamrit, the capital of the Badia (Najd Dhofar) at the southern end of the Empty Quarter desert, evidence suggests the site has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

Exploration and excavation at Al-Shisr revealed an ancient archaeological city (believed to be the city of “Erm” mentioned in the Holy Quran, the land of the people of Hood). Continuous exploration of this important archaeological site began in 1990 by a group of archaeologists and was included in the World Heritage Organization for its significance.

Wadi Dawkah - From Al Shisr, the tour proceeds to Wadi Dawkah, located in the Najd area behind the northern slopes of the Dhofar mountain range, 35 km north of Salalah city. It extends north towards the state of Thumrait and is one of the growth areas of frankincense trees in Dhofar Governorate. It is a natural reserve for large frankincense trees and is listed in the World Heritage and Culture UNESCO.

Salalah East Tour-Taqah–Khor Rori (Sumhuram)-Wadi Darbat-Mirbat-Salalah

Taqah Castle - Taqah Castle, located 33 km east of Salalah, Oman, was the residence of Sheikh Ali bin Taman Al Ma’shani, the grandfather of the previous Sultan, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Built in the early 1900s, the castle is not as old as others in northern Oman. It is now a museum with fascinating exhibits. Next to the castle is the cemetery of Mazoon Al Mashani, the mother of the previous Sultan, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, buried under identical marble gravestones. Uncles and grandfathers of the Sultans are also buried there.

Wadi Darbat - From Sumhuram, the tour continues to Wadi Darbat, offering majestic views of lakes, mountains, caves, wildlife, and waterfalls. Wadi Darbat is a paradise for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Watching the crystal-clear water cascading down the 100-meter waterfall surrounded by lush greenery is a delight. Close to the waterfall are many natural cave chambers with stalagmites and old stalactites.

Mirbat - From Wadi Darbat, the journey continues to Mirbat, a coastal town in the Dhofar governorate. Mirbat was historically involved in the export of frankincense to places as far as China. In ancient times, Mirbat was the capital of Dhofar, with income derived from the frankincense trade and Arabian horse breeding. Visitors can explore the port of Mirbat and walk along the old houses of Mirbat.

The tour concludes here, with the option for the guide (team) to drop visitors at Salalah airport if they have an evening flight, or they can choose to stay in Salalah while the team returns to Muscat. Please let us know your preference.

• Pick up & Drop off from Hotels, Port, Airport, Residence
• All fees and taxes included
• 11 Nights accommodation
• Dinner and Breakfast included
• Transportation by Air-Conditioned 4WD vehicle
• Bottled water provided

• Lunch

Embark on a 12-day round trip to explore the top attractions in both the North and South of Oman. Dive into the pristine blue waters of Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab, enjoy a night in the desert, and traverse the Al Hajar mountain range, renowned as one of the world’s premier geological sites. Visit the Grand Canyon and Green Mountain, explore Nizwa, the historic capital of Oman, and journey to Salalah in the south.

Places & Sights to Visit:

Nakhal Fort & hot spring, Wadi Bani Awf (Balad Sayt), Jabal Shams (The Grand Canyon of Oman), Wadi Gul (Wadi Nakhar), Misaft Al Abreyeen (Al Hamra), Nizwa Fort & Market, Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), Birkat Al Moz, Zukait tower tombs, Ibra, Al Mudhaireb, Wahiba Sands, Wadi Bani Khalid, Sur, Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Wadi Shab, Al Ashkhrah, Mahout, Ras Madrakah, Al Duqm, Al Jazir, Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Al Balid, Al Mugsail Beach, Job’s Tomb, Al Hafah Market, Rub Al Khali, Al Shisr (Ubar), Wadi Dawkah (Frankincense garden), Taqah, Sumuhram, Wadi Darbat, Mirbat.

• Not stroller accessible
• Infants must not sit on laps

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.