Northern Oman Explorer: Muscat, Wahiba Sands & Jabal Akhdar

Arrive in Muscat, the capital of Oman, located on the country’s north coast. A private transfer will be ready and waiting to bring you to your hotel for the next three nights, the five-star Jumeirah Muscat Bay. Tucked away in a secluded cove just east of Muscat, it’s framed by the mighty Hajar Mountains in one direction and faces out towards the ocean in the other. With contemporary Arabian-style rooms, fabulous dining venues, a gorgeous sandy beach and a spa offering a range of rejuvenating wellness treatments, it’s a wonderful base for the first leg of your Northern Oman adventure, offering a perfect balance of luxury, sophistication and serenity. 

Stay: Jumeirah Muscat Bay

On your first full day in Muscat, a private half-day guided tour will introduce you to the city’s most iconic sights, starting with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This majestic, gleaming white structure is crowned by an enormous golden latticed dome and bordered by five towering minarets hewn from Indian sandstone. It’s widely regarded as one of the most impressive mosques in the world. Your tour continues to the Royal Opera House, a grand, whitewashed complex that serves as Muscat’s premier cultural hub. You’ll then head to Mutrah to peruse a local fish market and explore the labyrinthine souq where vendors sell everything from aromatic herbs and spices to artisan jewellery and traditional handicrafts. Finally, stop by the grand Al Alam Palace and the historic Portuguese-era Jalali and Mirani forts which have stood guard over the natural harbour for several centuries.

The following day, you’ll embark on a two-hour cruise along the Muscat coastline aboard a traditional dhow boat, offering the chance to take in the city’s sights from a totally different perspective. Along the way, you’ll be perfectly positioned to watch the sun slowly setting behind the Hajar Mountains, bathing the city in a warm, golden light. 

Stay: Jumeirah Muscat Bay

After breakfast, you’ll leave Muscat Bay behind as you set off on a full day exploring the myriad wonders of Oman’s northeastern coastline. Your first stop is Bimmah Sinkhole, a limestone sinkhole filled with beautifully clear water that invites you to take a refreshing dip. You’ll then have some time to relax on the pristine white sands of Fins Beach before exploring the emerald-green rock pools, honey-hued cliffs and hidden cave waterfall of Wadi Shab. In the evening, round off the day’s explorations with a memorable turtle-watching experience at Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, the only place in Oman where you can watch endangered sea turtles nesting on land. You’ll be spending the night here in a simple eco-tent. 

Stay: Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Today, you’ll travel south along the coastal road from Ras al Jinz, passing through the fishing villages of Al Ashkharah before heading inland to the historic town of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, home to the ancient Al Hamouda Mosque. From here, you’ll continue to Wadi Bani Khalid, a lush oasis of natural rock pools and palm trees nestled in a desert valley, before reaching Wahiba Sands. This vast, wide open expanse of sweeping sand dunes seems to stretch endlessly towards the horizon, boasting some of Oman’s most evocative landscapes. For this portion of your trip, lunch (either at a local restaurant or with a picnic box) is included on day five only. 

You’ll have ample time to immerse yourself in the area’s breath-taking natural beauty as you spend the next two nights based at a remote, Bedouin-style tented camp. For elevated desert luxury and privacy, there’s also the option to upgrade your experience with a stay at The Canvas Club, which offers glamorous desert camp accommodation for your exclusive use. 

Stay: Desert Nights Camp or upgrade to The Canvas Club (extra supplement)

Begin your morning with a visit to a Bedouin settlement where you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the traditional way of desert life, before exploring the historic ruins of Al Manzifah – an abandoned town of mud-brick mansions. You’ll then continue to Birkat al Mouz, an oasis village sustained by aflaj irrigation – an ancient system of irrigation that extracts and distributes water from underground springs via a network of channels. Finally, you’ll arrive in Jabal Akhdar, a spectacular region of craggy peaks, deep gorges, lush wadis and terraced orchards that forms part of the wider Hajar Mountains. Here, there’s the option to venture out on a hike linking three ancient mountain villages dotted with stone houses and pomegranate fields. You’ll be spending the next three nights at the fabulous Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, dramatically positioned on a clifftop overlooking a plunging canyon.

The following day, you’ll explore several of the region’s highlights, including the Tanuf Castle Ruins, the beautiful mountainside village of Misfat al Abreeyn, and Jabal Shams – Oman’s highest mountain (over 3,000 metres), from which you’ll be treated to magnificent views overlooking the stunning Wadi Nakhr, often described as ‘the Grand Canyon of the Middle East’.

Stay: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Today, you’ll have the chance to explore Nizwa, which served as the capital of Oman throughout the sixth and seventh centuries AD. It’s renowned for its imposing fort, built during the reign of Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Yarubi, as well as its bustling souq, both of which you will visit on a guided tour. Then, you’ll move on to Bahla, an oasis settlement that’s home to a 13th-century, UNESCO World Heritage-listed fort and the 17th-century Jabreen Castle. Sightseeing completed, you’ll return to your hotel in Jabal Akhdar for your final evening, where you’ll have time to unwind, soak up the resplendent views and reflect on your Northern Oman adventure. 

Stay: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before a private transfer takes you back to Muscat Airport, bringing your Northern Oman adventure to a conclusion.