5-Day Oman Highlights Tour from Muscat with Wahiba and Nizwa

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Muscat's landmarks, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Muttrah Souq
• 02 Discover Oman's dramatic coastline with Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab
• 03 Spend a night in the serene Wahiba desert camp under a starry sky
• 04 Enjoy dune bashing across Wahiba Sands with sunset views over the golden dunes
• 05 Visit Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman's most beautiful wadis
• 06 Marvel at Nizwa Fort, the traditional Nizwa Souq, and views from Jebel Shams

This 5-day journey showcases some of Oman's most memorable highlights, from Muscat's grand landmarks and traditional souqs to dramatic coastal scenery, desert dunes, mountain wadis, and historic inland towns. Explore the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souq, Wadi Shab, Wahiba Sands, Wadi Bani Khalid, Nizwa Fort, Al Hamra, and Jebel Shams. Along the way, enjoy a mix of culture, nature, hiking, swimming, dune bashing, and desert hospitality. The tour includes overnight stays in Muscat and the desert, with airport transfers and private transportation throughout.

After an adrenaline-fueled 4WD safari across 150-metre dunes and with a spectacular view of the sunset, you will be ready to experience the delicious Arabic Cuisine, splendour and live entertainment the camp offers.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Nizwa, al Mudaybi, Qurayyat, Muscat, Jebel Shams, Bimmah Sinkhole

Languages English, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival In Muscat & Half Day City Tour

• Pick up at the airport. After that, your city tour will begin. 
• Starting with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest Mosques in the Middle East; it is the only mosque in Oman open to non-Muslims and expatriates.
•  Later, you drive to visit Mutrah Fish Market.
• We then visited the Bait Al Zubair Museum.
• You will then have a photo stop at the official residence of His Majesty the Al Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th
• century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. 
• Following this, you will travel along the picturesque Muttrah Corniche and visit Muttrah Souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market, albeit housed under modern timber roofing. You will also enjoy a moment along the corniche admiring the various cruise ships on the water at Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Port.
• From the Souq, You will be dropped at the hotel for your overnight stay in a four 4-star hotel in Muscat.

2

Day 02

Coastline Tour -Bimmah Sinkhole - Wadi Shab (Hiking & Swimming) - Wahiba Desert (Dune bashing & Sunset Watching)

• Pick up at 8.30 AM, and then we will depart from Muscat to travel south toward the Quriyat Region. 
• After travelling just a few kilometres, you will be absorbed in an almost lunar world where unreal mountains dominate the view. You will continue to the mountainous landscape, arriving at the dramatic Bimmah Sinkhole.
•  Once you are refreshed, you will continue travelling and arrive at Wadi Shab (Wadi means valley between cliffs). Upon arrival at Wadi Shab, you will transfer to a small fishing boat to be taken across the wadi & come back again.
•  After this, you will travel to the Wahiba Sands, famous for its multicoloured sand, located in the Sharqiyah Desert. You will check in to the desert camp as soon as you reach the desert. The camp offers luxurious Bedouin-style, air-conditioned accommodation and various complimentary toiletries. The camp's location in the wilderness of the desert emphasizes the beauty of the golden dunes surrounding it. 
• After an adrenaline-fueled 4WD safari across 150-metre dunes and with a spectacular view of the sunset, you will be ready to experience the delicious Arabic Cuisine, splendour and live entertainment the camp offers.
•  While sitting around a campfire under the starry sky, you can look back over your day and appreciate the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Overnight in the Desert.

3

Day 03

Visit Wadi Bani Khalid (Walking & Swimming - Visit Ibra City - Back To Muscat)

• After an early breakfast at the desert camp, you will depart to the mountains.
• Your first stop will be Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman’s most beautiful wadis. The wadi has clear, deep blue water and counts among the few wadis of Oman that hold water all year round. From the mountain springs, the water is led to the oasis, where it sustains the typical date palms. The pretty villages of Wadi Bani Khalid clings precariously to the rugged mountainside. 
• After a buffet lunch at Wadi Bani Khalid, you will continue to travel back towards Muscat. You will make a further stop at Al Mudayrib and Ibra to view the watch towers, which proudly overlook the villages. You will then proceed on your journey back to Muscat.
• Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel.

4

Day 04

Full Day Nizwa City Tour With Nizwa Fort - Nizwa Souq - Jebal Shams

• We drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. 
• We then visit the mighty Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, one of the most impressive forts in Oman and the traditional Souq. The Souq is a lively place and an ideal location to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs. 
• Later, drive to Al Hamra to see one of the oldest villages of this region. The traditional mud houses dating back 400 years are still occupied. 
• Post, you will continue through the untamed and rugged countryside.
• We then visit the top of Jebel Shams, “Sun Mountain”, Oman’s highest peak at 3009 meters The cooler temperatures will surprise you as you reach the top to get a spectacular view of the “Grand Canyon.” 
• After an impressive cultural day, it will be time to travel, head towards Muscat, and drop off at the Hotel. Overnight stay at a three or 4-star Hotel.

5

Day 05

Departure Day

• Today is your departure day. Pack your memories of this beautiful trip, and you will be transferred to the airport.  

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All transportation on a private basis with an English-speaking Muscat driver
• Two-way transfers from and to Muscat airport/hotels in Muscat
• English-speaking Muscat guide available from day 1 to day 4
• Entrance fees are needed
• Water on board
• Accommodation for 4 nights with breakfast in the hotel
• Dinner will be served in the desert camp on Day 2

What's Not Included

• Any airfare or visa service
• Anything else other than the itinerary
• Any meals not specified in the itinerary
• Desert activities
• Flight tickets and visa service
• Tips

What to bring

• Extra pair of clothes
• Proper shoes (Wadi Shab includes a 30-minute hiking trip)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Know before you go

• This tour is a classic tour, and the difficulty level is almost on a minimum scale; only Wadi Shab has a hike to reach the valley.
• Dress appropriately when visiting the Grand Mosque.
• Avoid taking pictures of local men or women without their consent.
• The price mentioned for this tour is based on an English-speaking guide.
• For other languages, please make a request, and we will quote as per the requirements.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Muscat International Airport or hotels in Muscat, Oman

Tour start

Muscat, Oman

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.