Oman luxury guide
Luxury vacations in Oman are about thrill seeking in deserts, mountains and coral filled seas - and doing so in tailor made style and comfort...
Oman map & itineraries
There are 11 regions in the Sultanate of Oman, known as Governates, but generally tourists stick to the northern section of the country, which has Muscat as its glittering centerpiece. From here you get a snippet of what Oman has to offer, the twinkling bay a starter for the Indian Ocean that lies beyond. The souks are a snippet of the crafts and cuisine that you will find all over Oman, with spices, frankincense, perfumes and sweets creating a heady Arabian mix. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Ash Sharqiya Fort are fine examples of Omani architecture while the Western Al Hajar Mountains invite you to choose your own adventures in the desert wilderness beyond.
1.
Bilad Sayt
2. Jabreen Castle
3. Jebel Shams
4. Masirah Island
5. Musandam Peninsula
6. Muscat
7. Nakhl
8. Nizwa
9. Ras Al Jinz
10. Salalah
11. Sur
12. Wahiba Sands
2. Jabreen Castle
3. Jebel Shams
4. Masirah Island
5. Musandam Peninsula
6. Muscat
7. Nakhl
8. Nizwa
9. Ras Al Jinz
10. Salalah
11. Sur
12. Wahiba Sands
Bilad Sayt
1. Bilad Sayt
There are many remote villages in Oman, but this one’s draw, in the middle of the Al Hajar Mountains, is its collection of clay dwellings set into rocky terraces. It is a typical Omani settlement, with labyrinthine pathways connecting huddled homes. It sits close to Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak. The nearby villages of Al Hamra and Misfat are also on this route of villages that rock.
Jabreen Castle
2. Jabreen Castle
Built in 1670 for Imam Bil'arab when he switched the capital from Nizwa to Jabrin. One of the finest forts in Oman, and also very cool. Literally, as it was designed to channel air around the Imam’s living quarters, all now beautifully restored and famed for its intricate carved and painted ceilings. The views of nearby Bahla and the surrounding date plantations are one of the ‘Oh Man’ moments.
Jebel Shams
3. Jebel Shams
Jebel Shams means ‘Mountain of the Sun’ and, given that it is the highest peak in Oman at 3,000m, you certainly feel the solar power up here. Part of the Al Hajar range, this is also canyon territory, with sheer drops down to valleys 1,000m below. There is a trekking route up to the south summit, the north side an out of bounds military zone.
Masirah Island
4. Masirah Island
A desert island but not a deserted one, the most famous visitors being the endangered green sea turtles that come to lay eggs in the sands of this secret hideaway every year. There are also 12,000 human residents on this 95km by 12km island too, plus long empty beaches, fishing villages, and lovely hiking in the cooler seasons. It’s a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Shanna port, at high tide only.
Musandam Peninsula
5. Musandam Peninsula
Right up on the north coast, tucked in beside UAE, this remote part of Oman is otherworldly. The people here are fishermen and Bedouins who have traditionally lived off the waters and valleys of this fjordic landscape. Take a fjord cruise with a difference here on a traditional dhow, snorkelling and fishing, eating and chatting, for a truly local welcome.
Muscat
6. Muscat
Even the name is evocative, with Westerners associating it with an aromatic wine that awakens the senses. The Omani capital certainly awakens the senses too, from old souks to the Sultan’s Palace, the jewel bedecked Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to a state of the art Royal Opera House. The backdrop is certainly dramatic too, with mountains, turquoise bays and sunlit sandstone cliffs.
Nakhl
7. Nakhl
The magnificent fort here dates from pre-Islamic times, and is an example of Oman’s fine desert architecture restored to perfection. Originally built to protect the picture postcard oasis of date palms and pomegranate trees, it’s also gateway to the Hajar Mountain range with wadis and wonderful rural villages. Check out the Nakhl hot springs, which have those weird fish that nibble the dead skin on your feet.
Nizwa
8. Nizwa
A former capital city always comes with a fort and this one doesn’t disappoint. Nor does the city souk, which you will sniff out thanks to the feisty aroma of vanilla, saffron and cardamom. There is people watching extraordinaire at the Friday goat auction but, for gobsmacking scenery, head to the nearby heights of Jebel Akhdar aka Green Mountain, an oasis of orchards and palm trees.
Ras Al Jinz
9. Ras Al Jinz
A fishing village in the Ras AI Hadd, it’s a top choice for the turtles that return year after year to lay their eggs. In particular, the endangered green turtle that thrives in this turtle reserve, protected by Royal Decree since 1996. The turtles can be seen late at night or just before dawn, typically from late May to September. Always visit with expert ranger.
Salalah
10. Salalah
This is the Dhofar region of Oman, far south, and a chosen favourite with Omanis in the monsoon, or khareef, where they go in search of rain and valleys that turn from arid to almost ambrosial. It’s a big port town, so it’s fine for a couple of nights, but it’s also a great gateway into the deserts of the south.
Sur
11. Sur
This is the home of the dhow-style traditional fishing boat still used by Omanis. Known as a safeena (ship) in Arabic, you can visit the yard where artisans still work on these boats today. This whole stretch of desert coast is still relatively undeveloped, although changing, with small fishing villages like nearby Ayega destined to become coastal chic in the near future.
Wahiba Sands
12. Wahiba Sands
If you are going to camp out in Oman, do it here, enveloped by the undulating red and white sand dunes that rise up to 200m and stretch as far as the eye can see, with spectacular views down miles of the coast. Stay with Bedouin hosts to learn about their extraordinary culture, with star gazing, camel riding, sharing dinner round a campfire, or listening to traditional Oudh songs all thrown in.
Our Oman Vacations
Oman small group tour
Ancient spice trails, Wahiba Sands, superb coastal scenery
From
£2395
8 days
ex flights
Oman tour, a week in Oman
Oman, the most beautiful of the Gulf States
From
US $2599 to US $2949
7 days
ex flights
Oman highlights tour
Journey through Oman's ancient cities, mountains and deserts
From
£2795
12 days
ex flights
Oman self drive vacation
Self drive adventure revealing Oman's superb landscapes
From
£2195
8 days
ex flights
Cultural tour in Oman
Immerse yourself in mystery and magic of the culture of Oman
From
£1995
9 days
ex flights
Oman vacation, Arabian Desert explorer
An expedition into the wild and remote Arabian desert
From
£3399 to £3499
13 days
ex flights
Travel Team
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Oman sample itineraries
Oman cultural highlights vacation (10 days):
Muscat > Nakhl > Wadi Bani Auf > Nizwa > Bahla > Wadu Ghul > Misfah > Wahiba Sands > Wadi Bani Khalid > Sur > Muscat
Muscat > Nakhl > Wadi Bani Auf > Nizwa > Bahla > Wadu Ghul > Misfah > Wahiba Sands > Wadi Bani Khalid > Sur > Muscat
Wild walking vacation in Oman (8 days):
Muscat > Tiwi Beach > Wadi Shab > Hajar Mountains > Wadi Bani Kalid > Wahiba Sands > Nizwa > Jebel Shams > Muscat
Muscat > Tiwi Beach > Wadi Shab > Hajar Mountains > Wadi Bani Kalid > Wahiba Sands > Nizwa > Jebel Shams > Muscat
Sample travel times in Oman
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Oman.
Shanna - Masirah Island: 1.5hrs by ferry
Muscat - Musandam: 7hrs by car
Muscat - Musandam: 5hrs by ferry
Muscat - Salalah: 12hrs by car
Nizwa - Jebel Shams: 1-2hrs by car
Muscat - Salalah: 90 mins by air
More about Oman
The best time to visit Oman is, quite simply, when you aren’t going to bake. May to August are kiln-like. The other seasons beckon for Omani beauty…
Oman is a country packed with mysteries and magic, like something out of Arabian Nights. Our Oman travel guide aims to bring some of these to life…
Jump into wadis, camp in the desert, hike through dramatic canyons, or mountain bike through extraordinary landscapes. Oman is on all cylinders…
You can spend an Arabian night in a Bedouin camp under a magic carpet of stars, sway along with a camel safari, and have fun sliding down huge sand dunes on desert vacations in Oman...
Oman is one of those countries where children won’t ask “are we nearly there yet?” because the wilderness wonders, from deserts to wadis, go on forever…
We represent some of Oman’s most expert tour operators who know exactly how to get under the layers of this country, and have asked for their travel tips...
Accommodation in Oman is glam, gorgeous and often glittering. It doesn’t tick the real and local boxes though. Read more about why Oman’s places to stay are wonderful...
Oman is relatively new on the tourism scene and doesn’t come without its issues. From water usage to cultural respect to all inclusive resorts…
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