Oman Highlights

Day-to-day itinerary

• Day 1

  Depart for Oman

  Depart for Oman’s capital, Muscat. On arrival later this evening, you will be met and transferred to your first nights’ accommodation.

• Day 2

  Get to know Muscat

  Your exploration of Oman begins in Muscat itself. Your city tour takes in the stunning Grand Mosque, along with the Royal Opera House and Bait Al Branda Museum. Later this morning, visit te Matrah Douq, Muscat’s oldest market, where all manner of spices, jewellry and textiles jostle for your attention. Your tour finished t the beautiful Al Alam Palace, with the afternoon yours at leisure to relax, or explore more of the city.

• Day 3

  Discover Nizwa

  Depart Muscat this morning for Nizwa, once the capital of Oman. En-route you will stop in at the UNESCO World Heritage Bahla Fort, which dates back to the 12^th
  century. The resot of the day is yours to wander around Nizwa’s streets and souks at your own pace.

• Day 4

  Head into the mountains

  Next, journey into the verdant heights of Jebel Akhdar, part of the majestic Hajar Mountain range. Watch as the scenery shifts dramatically—from lunar-like terrain to a lush network of wadis and grassy plateaus. En route, pause at Wadi Bani Khalid, a desert sanctuary where crystal-clear emerald waters offer a welcome chance to cool off under the sun.

  As the day draws to a close, climb a golden dune to witness the desert sunset in all its glory. Spend the night under the stars at a remote desert camp, where a traditional Bedouin-style dinner is shared with fellow travellers. With no light pollution for miles, the night sky comes alive like never before.

• Day 5

  Head to the coast!

  Head for Oman’s stunning coastline today, ready for your diving tomorrow. On the way, take in the coastal town of Sur, once the most important settlement on the Arabian Sea, visit a boat-making museum and explore a beautiful wadi, or valley en-route.

  Check in to the elegant Sifawy Boutique Hotel, your base for the next few days of diving.

• Days 6-9

  Dive Oman!

  Qualified divers may enjoy two dives a day for the next four days, with highlights including turtles and leopard sharks in Bandar Al Khairan, schools of barracuda at Fahal island, and the wreck of the Al Munassir. In autumn it is possible to spot whale sharks, while dolphins are often seen from the boat.

  For those looking to learn to dive, this itinerary can be adapted to instead complete your Open Water qualification with a safe, professional European-run dive centre.

• Day 10

  At leisure

  Today is yours to relax in the sunshine, or head on a local tour.

• Day 11

  Return home

  Depart Muscat for home, arriving back later today.