Oman small group tour
From
£1895
To
£2125
8 Days excluding flights
More info:Price includes: Accommodation • transfers • guiding (We ONLY use LOCAL GUIDES) • most meals • Maximum group size 12 people • ABTA and ATOL bonded • Single Supplement - From £455
“8 day small group vacation, with no shortage of trimmings, and covering everything from camels to coast, deserts to ancient mountain dwellings.”
Highlights
Muscat | Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque | Natural History Museum | Dhow shipyards at Sur | Quriyat beaches | Green turtles at Ras-al-Jinz| Wadi Bani Khalid | Wahiba Sands | Jabrin Castle | Bahla | Nizwa | Jabel Akhdar mountains | Deserted villages of Al Hamra and Misfah | Jebel Shams ‘Grand Canyon of Oman' |Description of Oman small group tour
Oman is slowly emerging from its hermit shell, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic landscapes, peppered with forts. Oman is distinctly Arabic and offers many old-world wonders.Swimming in the turquoise waters of Wadi Bani Khalid and then driving across the dramatic red dunes of Wahiba are both adventures to be remembered forever. Embrace the curious traveler within exploring Bedouin desert culture, visiting ancient tribal forts and mountain mud homes, small plantations and fishing villages. And show your considerate side by staying in locally owned hotels, supporting the green turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz, being guided by local experts who advise on cultural sensitivities as head way off the usual tourist trail. All of which can be summed up in two words: Oh. Man.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Date
Price per adult
Basis
Status
Our top tip:
Be culturally aware and dress appropriately. Please don’t photograph anyone without their permission.
Trip type:
Small group, max 12 people.
Solos:
Solo travelers welcome. Surcharge for single room.
Accomm:
Small comfortable hotels, with 1 night camping in desert.
Included:
Accommodation, most meals, transfers , expert local guide.
Vouchers
Accepted
Vacation type
Small group vacations
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, traveling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. If you’re heading off on a gap year your, perhaps – but for those with a two-week vacation, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.
The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travelers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
What are the main benefits?
Big experiencesHave big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your vacation time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
Who is it ideal for?
Travelers who are short of timeIf you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your vacation.
Solo travelers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those traveling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travelers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Mythbuster
“I won’t get any privacy!”Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travelers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travelers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Meet a group leader
As well as taking care of all the day-to-day practicalities, your group leader is the one who will turn your trip into an adventure. Leaders are extraordinary characters – the kind of person who has spent 14 Christmas days on the slopes of Mount Everest, runs marathons wearing tiger suits to raise funds for their conservation and thinks nothing of leading an overland trip in Sudan or Afghanistan. Fearless and inspiring, group leaders are as important as the destination itself.
Meet a local guide
No matter how experienced your group leader, they can never make up for the knowledge gained from a lifetime in the destination. That’s why many of our trips work with local guides around the world – who invite you into their homeland with pleasure. As well as doing crazy things like climbing Kilimanjaro 100 times, they also donate their time to local projects supported by travelers – such as rebuilding Sri Lankan villages following the 2004 tsunami.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.

We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.
Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travelers. This has much less impact when traveling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally, to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travelers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
Environment


We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.
Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travelers. This has much less impact when traveling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally, to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travelers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
Community

Climate

17 Reviews of Oman small group tour
4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 17 Jan 2020 by Karen Brown
The local tour leader was excellent; the people of Oman were amazing as it the landscape. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Feb 2020 by Judy Baker
We were lucky to see a green turtle laying her eggs, camouflaging them and then going to the sea. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Apr 2019 by Aruna Paramasivam
Eating camel curry & all the local Omani cuisine and seeing the Grand Canyon of Oman were the most memorable parts of our vacation ! Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Dec 2018 by Rob Pearson
Many memorable episodes! Watching the Green turtles on the beach at Ras Al Jinz. The hustle and bustle of Nizwa market. Rugged 4-wheel drive down from the mountains to snake canyon... Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Dec 2018 by David Williams
Fascinating. Fabulous desert landscapes, friendly people, restored historic buildings, beautiful modern mosques, good food. What's not to like? Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Mar 2018 by Oliver Grumitt
Just about everything was memorable. But traveling through and swimming in the wadis and canyons would be the top highlight. A one hundred percent success, things went very smoothly. I hope I will do many more vacations with the company. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Feb 2018 by Frances Hastings
All of Oman was amazing and a wonderful country to visit ...but I especially loved being in the mountains at Wadi Bani Awf, with stunning scenery and incredible views. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Nov 2017 by Martin Bigg
Watching the turtles at Ras el Jinz after dark and before dawn - both adult female turtles laying and baby turtles hatching and scurrying to the sea. Such a privilege to be part of this. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Mar 2017 by Sheryl Padjen
The entire trip was excellent and memorable. The most memorable was seeing the green turtles at night laying eggs. It was incredible! Wahiba Sands was also spectacular. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Nov 2017 by Bennett Hinkley
The drive from Nizwa to Muscat, through the mountains was the most memorable part. Astounding. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Feb 2017 by Fiona McFarlane
Traveling into the desert was the most memorable. Very highly. The guide was excellent, arrangements were very smooth. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Jan 2017 by Victoria Johnson
There were several memorable moments: turtles on the beach in Ras al Jinz, sunset in the desert, villages in Jebel Akhdar, Misfat and Al Hamra Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Jan 2016 by Yann Bacon
The most memorable part of the vacation was crossing the mountains and the desert, and having a clear night sky in the desert. Omani are really hospitable. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Feb 2015 by Dennis Shulha
It was wonderful. The people were warm and gracious. Our guide did a great job and was a superb quick driver. Read full reviewOur travel guides
From
£1895
To
£2125
8 Days excluding flights
More info:Price includes: Accommodation • transfers • guiding (We ONLY use LOCAL GUIDES) • most meals • Maximum group size 12 people • ABTA and ATOL bonded • Single Supplement - From £455
Our travel guides
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