Oman - A Desert Adventure with Salalah Extension

Fly from the UK to the Omani capital, meet your tour manager when you arrive, and transfer to your welcoming hotel.

Rest and relax after the journey, and perhaps enjoy a first al fresco dinner.

Get to know the Omani capital on today’s guided introductory tour. Set between the Sea of Oman and rugged mountains framed by an ever-blue sky, this determinedly low-rise, friendly city combines old and glittering new in harmony. Its most precious jewel is the extraordinary Grand Mosque, a gift to the nation from ruler Sultan Qaboos. With space for over 20,000 worshippers in its vast prayer hall, a chandelier featuring over 600,000 crystals, and the world’s second-largest Persian carpet, the building is a modern glory, as are the equally impressive Royal Opera House and adjacent Opera Galleria shopping mall.

More traditional trading takes place at the historic waterfront Al Muttrah souk and fish market, which will be other highlights of your tour. A visit to the Bait Al Zubair museum, which chronicles Omani history and traditions, and the chance to see the sultan’s monumental palace, flanked by two ancient forts in the heart of Old Muscat, complete a fascinating day.

This morning, you'll board the coach to journey inland to Oman's old capital, Nizwa, pausing first at the Amouage Perfume Visitor Centre, where the luxury fragrances are created prior to distribution across the world. From here, you'll continue to Nizwa, home to a colourful souk and a weekly cattle market, and gateway to beautiful Jabreen Castle and the monumental, UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort. The palace at Jabreen, surrounded by date palms, seems straight out of a tale from the Arabian Nights, while the fortress at Bahla, with its vast walls, is one of the world’s most impressive strongholds.

This wonderful day also includes a memorable traditional lunch with a local family, and ends with an overnight stay in Nizwa.

Today you’ll journey into the expanse of the Arabian Desert. This sun-baked landscape of barren rocky outcrops and vast dunes is dotted with ancient settlements, like Ibra, that once marked the trading route between India and East Africa.

You'll stop in beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid, an oasis of palm-fringed waters that provide a welcome, cooling respite from the desert sun (and the chance for a dip) before heading into the Wahiba Sands. Here, the dunes stretch endlessly into the distance and are home to nomadic Bedouin whose long, slow-moving camel trains are a quintessential desert scene. Enjoy an exhilarating four-wheel-drive through the dunes before spending the night at the well-appointed Arabian Oryx Desert Camp, where the highlight will be the chance to spend time around the camp fire under the star-washed skies.

Head back through the desert landscape, and through the mountains, towards the coast and the ancient boat-building city of Sur. Here, a sweeping promenade, some fine shops and a fascinating Maritime Museum add to the pleasure of an overnight stay in this sun-kissed location. Visit the dhow-building yard, where the traditional craft are still made and, as night falls, head to the Turtle Reserve at nearby Raz Al Jinz, to join a ranger for a memorable nature walk to a nesting site, and to learn about the conservation of these wonderful creatures.

Today you'll journey back to the capital along a breath-taking stretch of coastline split by deep gorges walled by towering cliffs, and home to pristine white-sand beaches, the strange phenomenon of the Bimmah Sinkhole and several ancient villages watched over by crumbling forts. You'll reach Muscat by the late afternoon, and have time to spend the evening in the city.

Today you're free to rest and relax after the tour, enjoying the comfort and amenities of your hotel, or perhaps choosing one of the many optional activities on offer out on the blue waters of the Sea of Oman. Why not head out in search of playful dolphins, try your hand at fishing or snorkelling, or enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional dhow, before spending your last warm evening in delightful Muscat?

Your Omani adventure continues, today, as you fly south to Salalah, the Perfume Capital of Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman’s second city, and an ancient settlement that is your gateway to a beautiful countryside of frankincense trees and coconut palms.

Spend two days relaxing in your beach-front resort hotel, and enjoy two included tours. Explore Salalah, the beautiful city that lies at the heart of the Frankincense Trail. Drive through lush plantations, take in the Sultan’s Grand Mosque and wander through colourful souks. You'll also head inland to discover the vast, sun-baked, pristine sands of the Empty Quarter and UNESCO-listed Lost City of Ubar.

Today you'll return to Salalah airport and fly back to Muscat to connect with your flight home, arriving back in the UK after a wonderful Arabian adventure.