8-Hour Nizwa and Jabal Shams Tour with Oman's Grand Canyon

The tour starts in the morning as we leave Muscat for Nizwa. Nizwa was the capital of Oman during the Al Yaruba Dynasty, and here we will visit the famous Nizwa Souq. A wide variety of vendors offer their goods in the streets of the souq. Here, you can find vegetables, pottery, jewellery, handicrafts, Omani sweets (Halwa), dates, spices, and souvenirs, all sold in authentic old market halls that few places can boast.

Especially interesting is the Friday cattle market, when locals come to sell their goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens in a circus-style open marketplace.

Please note: if you stay in Muscat and want to catch the cattle market on Friday, you will have to start at 06:00 AM, so please mention it in the special request form after booking, and we'll message you back.

Next to the souq is Nizwa Fort and castle. The fort was built in 1649, and the castle in 888. Today, the fort is a museum and offers splendid views of this ancient town and the surrounding mountains.

You can walk around this impressive fort and castle, which has many passage rooms. The fort is an architectural testimony 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 of its time. Along the corridors, many traps were laid to deter any intruders who might have penetrated the defences.

Then, we drive towards Jabal Shams Mountain, the Grand Canyon of Oman. This mountain road climbs up to Jebel Shams at 3009 meters. It is one of the most adventurous mountains in Oman, offering an exciting off-road experience and fantastic views.

You will reach the canyon viewpoint at 2,000 meters, where you can stop to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

Al Hamra is a 400-year-old town in the region of Ad Dakhiliyah in northeastern Oman. The town is thriving and lively, but it also holds a secret.

This 400-year-old town grew around an amazing abandoned village. The ruins of Al Hamra are estimated to be between 700 and 1000 years old and have been left completely untouched.

Misfat Al Abriyeen is a unique mountainous village located 1,000 m above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding Wilayat Al Hamra in Al Dhakhiyla Governorate. The village derives its name from the Al Abri tribe, who originally come from Misfat Al Abriyeen and Al Hamra.