Oman · Desert Adventure

Tour Raqia 7 Days-6 Nights, Oman Tours Package

7 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Muscat. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Swim at Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, and Wadi Bani Khalid
  • 02 Visit Ras Al Jinz for a guided turtle-watching experience
  • 03 Spend 2 nights in Wahiba Sands desert camp
  • 04 Explore Nizwa Souq and Nizwa Fort
  • 05 Discover UNESCO-listed Birkat Al Moz
  • 06 Drive through Jabal Akhdar, Wadi Ghul, and Jabal Shams
  • 07 Visit historic sites including Jabreen Castle and Nakhal Fort

Discover the highlights of northern Oman on this 7-day journey through coastline, desert, mountains, historic towns, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Swim in clear pools at Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, and Wadi Bani Khalid, watch for turtles at Ras Al Jinz, and spend two nights surrounded by the silence of Wahiba Sands.

The route also takes you through traditional villages, ancient forts, and dramatic mountain scenery, including Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar, Wadi Ghul, and Jabal Shams, often called the Grand Canyon of Oman. With accommodation, transport, breakfast, and dinner included, this multi-day tour offers a varied and immersive way to experience Oman’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Swim in clear pools at Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, and Wadi Bani Khalid, watch for turtles at Ras Al Jinz, and spend two nights surrounded by the silence of Wahiba Sands.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Nizwa, Sur, Muscat, Jebel Shams, Wadi Ghul, Nakhal, Bimmah Sinkhole
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Bimmah Sinkhole

The tour departs Muscat in the morning towards Ras Al Hadd, our first stop Bimmah Sinkhole (swimming in the sinkhole lake is possible) Bimmah Sinkhole a water-filled depression, structurally a Sinkhole, in the limestone of eastern Muscat Governorate in Oman, a lake of turquoise waters, its 50 m by 70 m wide and approximately 20 m deep. It's only 600 m away from the sea, between the coastal towns of Dibab and Bimmah village, the Sinkhole was formed by a collapse of the surface layer due to the dissolution of the underlying limestone. To preserve the sinkhole, the local municipality developed a park there.

Fins Beach

from Bimmah Sinkhole We’ll make a stop at Fins Beach or people call it white sands beach opens up a panorama of strikingly white sands and intriguingly pebbly beach, with sparkling turquoise waters and soft cool breeze. 

Wadi Shab

From fins Beach, we drive towards Wadi Shab this Wadi is an enormous canyon gorge that is lined with palm trees and impressive indications of what the power of the water coming down from the mountains can do in nature, With a 35 to 40 minute hike up through the canyon Wadi (walking shoes or trainer & swimming shoes are required), we arrive at one of the crystal clear water pools, tourists can swim through the warm waters from pool to pool, eventually, we come to the last pool where an opening among the enormous rocks allows us to swim into an incredible crevice cave with a small waterfall. Inside, the sunlight filters in from the outside, turning the water into a beautiful turquoise blue whilst water showers down one side of the cave from the Wadi beyond

Sur

Then we continue our journey to the City of Sur, the famous Arabian Dhow Factory, where you can see traditional wooden Dhows being built, we'll visit the old part of Sur there you can see most of the houses there designed by wooden doors and windows.

Ras Al Hadd

The tour continues to Ras al Hadd. In the evening after dinner, we take you to the turtle's sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz, where we'll go on a guided beautiful walking tour on the beach at night under the stars, where we have a high chance of seeing Oman's great sea turtles stumbling onto the beach to build a nest and lay the eggs, if you are lucky, you can even see baby turtles hatching from some nests.

Overnight in Ras Al Hadd (Turtle Beach Resort or Similar)

2
Day 02

Al Ashkharah

In the morning from Ras Al Hadd, we drive along the coastline, you'll pass on many of the sea villages and the largest and most beautiful one is Al Askharah fishing village that will depend on fishing, we'll visit Al Ashkharah port, there you'll see many fishermen returning from the sea with huge quantities of fish and seafood.

Wahiba Sands

From Al Ashkharah we continue our trip to the desert (Wahiba sand) through Jaalan, this spectacular Desert has an area of 12,500 Square K.M They called Al Sharqiya Sands, formerly known as “The Wahiba Sands” its a region of desert in Oman the region was named for the Bani Wahiba tribe, divided between the northern and southern Governorates in the eastern region, the area is defined by a boundary of 180 K.M (110 mi) north to south and 80 K.m (50 mi) east to west, relax in the camp or take part in an adventurous 4×4 drive in the sand dunes with our experienced guide, then we'll watch the stunning sunset at one of the big sand dunes. We finish the day with dinner at the camp.

Overnight in Wahiba sands  (Safari Desert Camp or Similar)

3
Day 03

Wadi Bani Khalid

In the morning we start our trip to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the biggest and most beautiful Wades in Oman, after reaching the magnificent Wadi, just a short walk of approximately 10 minutes (walking shoes are required), you'll see sparkling clear water pools 9 meters in depth perfect for a long swim, relax sunbath, in the beautiful scenic Wadi Canyon.

After that back to your camp in the desert

Overnight in Desert Camp ( Safari Desert Camp or Similar)

4
Day 04

Al Mudhaireb

In the morning we drive to Al Mudhaireb, you can walk a bit uphill where you'll be within the ruins of the old village of Al Mudhaireb, the ruins are quite interesting and you can explore the area, but if you keep going uphill you'll see many watchtowers of Al Mudhaireb, the views from that watchtower are quite nice and once you are there you will see that there are half a dozen other watchtowers in Al Mudhaireb.

Historically, each quarter of the village had its own watchtower to warn the residents from attacks from other villages/quarters, and there would have been an old quarter under or nearby to each of these watchtowers.

Ibra

From Al Mudharieb we'll visit the old ancient village of Ibra, which is old over 1000 years, it has been built from mud and limestone you can walk around the village, it's not completely abandoned there are some people still living there.

Zukait Tower Tombs

From Ibra on the way to Nizwa the village of Zukait stops at cylindrical tombs that date back to the third millennium BC. Located on a hilltop of Zukait, they are made of mountain rock stacked to create a distinctive beehive shape.

Birkat Al Moz

From Zukait we continue our journey to Birkat Al Moz, It has a large Falaj system that supplies water date palms, and vegetables for many orchards, it’s listed by UNESCO the World Heritage and Culture, It's worth it to spend some time walking around the old part of the village.

Just a short drive from Birkat Al Moz to Nizwa the old capital of Oman, we arrive at Nizwa, after the Hotel check-in, you have free leisure time for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Nizwa (Al Diyar Hotel or Similar)

5
Day 05

Nizwa Market (Souq)

We start the day early to visit the Nizwa Souq, a wide variety of vendors offer their goods in the streets of the souk, where you can find vegetables, pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, Omani sweets (Halwa), dates, spice, and souvenirs which are sold in authentic old market halls that few places can boast, especially interesting is the Friday cattle market when the locals from the nearby towns come to sell their goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens in a circus-style open market place.

Nizwa Fort

Next to the Souq is Nizwa Fortress, the Fort is a museum today and offers splendid views of this ancient town and the surrounding mountains, you can walk around in this impressive Fortress and visit its many rooms, passages, and towers, the Fort 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 of attacks at the time. Even along the corridors, many traps were laid to deter any intruders that might have penetrated the defenses.

Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain)

From Nizwa we'll drive you up to Jabal Akhdar which is known as (Green Mountain) it is considered one of the most scenic areas in Oman, it is a part of the Al Hajar Mountain Range,  Jebel Akhdar so-called because of the presence of green terraced gardens surrounding the villages. a variety of fruits like pomegranates, apricots, apples, olives, Grape, Rose, Peaches, and Walnut, are grown here, and there are interesting walks in Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejah, Al Ain, and Al Aqur.

Overnight in Nizwa (Al Diyar Hotel or similar)

6
Day 06

Jabreen Castle

Today we are driving up to Jebel Shams Mountain (The Grand Canyon of Oman). On the way, we'll make a stop at Jabreen Castle this castle was originally designed as a presidential palace in 1670 by Balarab bin Sultan bin Saif Ya'arubi Dynasty, an extensive renovation was carried out in 1984, and the interior includes various furniture and traditional utensils to provide visitors with a taste of the period castle lifestyle, the building itself is decorated with elaborate wood carvings, ceiling paintings, and stucco work. 

Misfat Al Abreyeen Al Hamra

From Jabreen Castle we drive to Misfah Al Abreyeen, this picturesque village lies on a steep slope at the foot of Jebel Shams and consists of old homes and narrow streets. it has a falaj system for many orchards, date palms, and vegetables, it is worth it to spend some time walking around the village, then visit the ancient village of Al Hamra.

Wadi Ghul (Wadi Nakhar)

From Misfat Al Abreyeen we drive to Wadi Ghul the village of Wadi Ghul is 2000 years old and located at the foot of Mountain Ghul and can be seen you are on your way to Jabal Shams, it has been abandoned by its inhabitants and no one remained in, it has been built of solid stones.

From there we drive into Wadi Nakhar its beautiful sites, a spectacular view which derives its name from the local word (necrosis), which means the process of rock sculpture «erosion» as the water of this valley formed during the time periods.

Wadi Al Nakhar is one of the deepest valleys in Oman because of its geographical characteristics, the great gap in Jabal Shams is considered to be the most important source of water since its large opening leads to valleys and reefs that form the valley of Al Nakhar.

Jabal Shams (The Grand Canyon of Oman)

From Wadi Nakhar we start driving up to Jebel Shams Mountain (The Grand Canyon of Oman), this mountain road drives up to the Jebel Shams 3009 meters this mountain is one of the most adventurous mountains in Oman, offering existing off-road experiences and fantastic views, you reach canyon view which is 2000 meters stop there and enjoy the view and photo then we drive to our Resort where we spend the night.

Overnight in Jabal Shams (Jabal Shams Resort or Similar)

7
Day 07

Balad Sayt-Snake Canyon-Wadi Bani Awf

In the morning we drive down the mountain on the other side (east) into the Wadi Bani Awf, this mountain road drive is an exciting off-road experience and offers fantastic views into dramatic canyons and Wades, as it winds down several K.M before connecting with Wade Bani Awf, we'll pass several villages the most beautiful village there is Balad Sayt, its surround by mountains from all direction Once we reach the valley (Wadi Bani Awf), will pass also by impressive Wadi Canyons (Snake canyon) the road leads us through the Wadi while passing numerous small villages, From there we drive back on to Muscat.

Nakhal Fort

From there we continue our Journey to Nakhal, you can visit the beautiful Nakhal Fortress, it's lies at the foothills of the mountains in a nice small town that grows extensive date palm plantations, this magnificent 1500 years old fortress rises out of the mountain rock, towering high above the ancient village as if still warning would-be attackers of its ominous strength, it has witnessed many battles and it's packed full of hidden escape routes and secret passages, you can stroll around the inside of this restored Fortress and visit all the rooms which have been nicely decorated in the original old style, the view from the top of the fortress over the mountains and green date plantations is outstanding.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Muscat. 7 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Hotels, Port, Airport, Residence Pick up & Drop off
  • Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle 4WD
  • 6 Nights accommodation
  • All fees and taxes
  • Bottled water

What's Not Included

  • Lunch

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not stroller accessible
  • We pick up travelers from any place in Muscat:
    - Muscat harbor (for shore excursions passengers)
    - Muscat International Airport
    - Residence
    - Hotels

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Muscat.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Muscat.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Muscat..

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