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

Nakhal Fort - Begin the day by departing Muscat for Nakhal, where the stunning Nakhal Fortress awaits. Nestled at the base of the mountains in a charming town known for its vast date palm plantations, this impressive 1500-year-old fortress emerges from the mountain rock, standing tall above the ancient village as a testament to its formidable strength. It has witnessed numerous battles and is filled with hidden escape routes and secret passages.

Explore the interior of this beautifully restored fortress, where rooms are adorned in the original old style. The view from the top, overlooking the mountains and lush date plantations, is truly breathtaking.

Ain Al Thawarah - After the fort, visit the hot spring located a few kilometers from Nakhal Fort. Nestled among date farms, the spring flows year-round with warm mineral water collected in site pools. The “picnic area” near the pool offers chairs and shaded spots for relaxation.

Balad Sayt - Continue the journey from Nakhal to Wadi Bani Awf. The road takes you through the Wadi, passing impressive Wadi Canyons (Snake Canyon) and several villages. The most picturesque village is Balad Sayt, encircled by mountains.

Jabal Shams - Ascend the mountain road to Jebel Shams (Grand Canyon), standing at 3009 meters. This mountain is one of Oman’s most adventurous, offering thrilling off-road experiences and spectacular views. Stop at the canyon view, 2000 meters high, to enjoy the scenery and take photos. A short drive from there leads to the resort for an overnight stay.

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

Misfat al Abreyeen - From Wadi Nakhar, visit the ancient town of Al Hamra, followed by a short drive to Misfat Al Abreyeen. This charming village is situated on a steep slope at the foot of Jebel Shams and features old homes and narrow streets. It boasts a falaj system for numerous orchards, date palms, and vegetables. Spend some time exploring the village.

From there, proceed to Nizwa.

Nizwa Market (Souq) & Fort-Jabreen Castle-Nizwa

Nizwa Souk - Visit the renowned Nizwa Market (Souq), where a diverse array of vendors offer goods in the souk’s streets. Discover vegetables, pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, Omani sweets (Halwa), dates, spices, and souvenirs sold in authentic old market halls. The Friday cattle market is particularly fascinating, as locals from nearby villages gather to sell 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. 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 corridors to deter intruders.

Jibreen Castle - Next, visit Jibreen Castle, originally designed as a presidential palace in 1670 by the Balarab bin Sultan Bins Saif Al Ya’arubi Dynasty. An extensive renovation in 1984 restored the interior, which includes various furniture and traditional utensils, offering a glimpse into the period castle lifestyle. The building is adorned with elaborate wood carvings, ceiling paintings, and stucco work.

Nizwa-Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain)-Birkat Al Moz-Nizwa

Jebel Akhdar - Today, explore Jabal Akhdar, known as the Green Mountain, one of Oman’s most scenic areas. Part of the Al Hajar Mountain Range, Jebel Akhdar is named for its green terraced gardens surrounding the villages. A variety of fruits, including pomegranates, apricots, apples, olives, grapes, roses, peaches, and walnuts, are grown here. Enjoy interesting walks in Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejah, Al Ain, and Al Aqur.

Birkat Al Mouz Ruins - After visiting the Green Mountain, head to Birkat Al Moz, which features a large Falaj system supplying water to date palms and vegetables for many orchards. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend some time exploring the old part of the village.

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

Zukait Tombs - On the way to the desert, stop in the village of Zukait to see cylindrical tombs dating back to the third millennium BC. Located on a hilltop in the Al Dakhiliyah region, these tombs are made of mountain rock stacked to form a distinctive beehive shape.

Ibra - From Zukait, visit the ancient village of Ibra, which has existed for over 1000 years. Built from mud and limestone, the village is not entirely abandoned, with some residents still living there.

Wahiba Sands - Continue the journey from Al Mudhaireb to the camp in the Wahiba Sands desert. This spectacular desert spans 12,500 square kilometers and is also known as Al Sharqiya Sands, formerly “The Wahiba Sands.” Named after the Bani Wahiba tribe, the area is divided between the northern and southern governorates in the Eastern Region. It stretches 180 kilometers north to south and 80 kilometers east to west. Relax at the camp or embark on an adventurous 4x4 drive in the sand dunes. Conclude the day by watching the stunning sunset from one of the large sand dunes, followed by a buffet dinner at the camp.

Wahiba Sands-Wadi Bani Khalid-Wahiba Sands

Wadi Bani Khalid - After a buffet breakfast, visit Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman’s largest and most beautiful wadis. Upon reaching the magnificent Wadi, take a short 10-minute walk (walking shoes are recommended) to discover sparkling clear water pools, 9 meters deep, perfect for a long swim, sunbathing, and relaxation in the scenic Wadi Canyon.

Cross Wahiba Sands-Qhaid-Al Ashkharah–Ras al Hadd

Al Hadd - From Al Ashkharah, continue the tour to Ras Al Hadd. Check into the hotel/resort, and in the evening, after dinner, visit the Turtle Sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz. Enjoy a guided walking tour on the beach at night under the stars, with a high chance of witnessing Oman’s great sea turtles coming ashore to build nests and lay eggs. If fortunate, you may even see baby turtles hatching from some nests.

Ras Al Hadd-Sur-Wadi Shab-Fins Beach-Sinkhole-Muscat

Sur - Continue the journey to Sur, where a city tour awaits. Visit the Dhow Factory and old ship, and explore the old part of Sur, where many houses feature wooden doors and windows.

Wadi Shab - From Sur, drive towards Wadi Shab, an enormous canyon gorge lined with palm trees and showcasing the power of water descending from the mountains. After a 35 to 40-minute hike through the canyon (walking shoes or trainers and swimming shoes are recommended), arrive at one of the crystal-clear water pools. Swim through the warm waters from pool to pool, eventually reaching the last pool, where an opening among the enormous rocks leads to an incredible crevice cave with a small waterfall. Inside, sunlight filters in, turning the water a beautiful turquoise blue as water cascades down one side of the cave from the Wadi beyond.

Fins Beach - After Wadi Shab, stop at Fins Beach, also known as White Sands Beach, which offers a panorama of strikingly white sands and a pebbly beach, with sparkling turquoise waters and a gentle breeze.

Bimmah Sinkhole - After Fins Beach, visit Bimmah Sinkhole, where swimming in the sinkhole lake is possible. Bimmah Sinkhole is a water-filled depression, structurally a sinkhole, in the limestone of eastern Muscat Governorate in Oman. The lake’s turquoise waters are 50 meters by 70 meters wide and approximately 20 meters deep. Located only 600 meters from the sea, between the coastal towns of Dibab and Bimmah Village, the sinkhole was formed by the collapse of the surface layer due to the dissolution of the underlying limestone. To preserve the sinkhole, the local municipality developed a park there.

After visiting the sinkhole, return to Muscat.

• All fees and taxes
• Dinner
• Bottled water
• Breakfast
• Hotels, Port, Airport, Residence pick up & drop off
• Transportation by Air-Conditioned vehicle 4WD
• 7 Nights accommodation

• Lunch

An 8-day round trip offers you the chance to explore the top highlights in northern Oman. Dive into the pristine blue water pools of Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab, spend two nights in the tranquil Wahiba Sands desert, traverse the Al Hajar mountain range, one of the world’s premier geological sites, and visit the Grand Canyon and Green Mountain. Discover Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman, explore 5000-year-old tower tombs, abandoned villages, and many more fascinating sites.

Places & Sites you’ll visit:

Nakhal Fort & hot spring, Wadi Bani Awf, Snake Canyon, Balad Sayt, Jabal Shams (The Grand Canyon of Oman), Wadi Ghul, Wadi Nakhar, Misfat Al Abreyyen, Al Hamra, Nizwa Fort & Market, Jabreen Castle, Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), Birkat Al Moz, Tower Tomb, Ibra, Al Mudhairb, Wahiba Sands, Wadi Bani Khalid, cross Wahiba Sands, Al Ashkharah, Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz (turtle watching), Sur, Wadi Shab, Fins Beach, Bimmah Sinkhole

• 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.