A journey to Oman, between desert and ocean, starting from Muscat, where tradition and modernity coexist in ancient forts, souqs filled with the scent of incense, and white marble mosques. As you move away from the capital, the grand buildings disappear, houses become scarcer, and you enter a rugged and magnificent landscape. Vast canyons and gorges, villages nestled amidst lush palm groves, canyons with crystal-clear waters, and wild beaches. Nizwa, the ancient capital, will be the base from which we will slowly venture into the desert: the Wahiba Sands, where dunes up to 100 meters high mark the boundaries of the unknown.
Highlights Oman tour
Muscat and its wonders, from the souq to the Grand Mosque
The capital of Oman, Muscat, is a place where tradition meets modernity with unique grace. Mutrah Souq will welcome us with a burst of colors and scents, offering a wide array of spices, fabrics, and local handicrafts. Visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is an unforgettable experience: its majestic golden domes and intricate mosaics tell the spiritual and artistic story of the country. The mosque, featuring one of the largest Persian carpets in the world, is a symbol of faith and culture, capable of astonishing anyone who visits it.
A night in the Wahiba desert in a fixed tent camp
We will spend a night in the Wahiba Sands desert, as if entering another dimension where time seems to stand still. The golden dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a breathtaking landscape that changes color with the sunlight. In a fixed tent camp, we can savor the tranquility of the night under a sky as clear and starry as never before. The charm of this experience also lies in the Bedouin traditions shared around the fire, with local food and ancient stories echoing in the heart of the desert.
The forts and cultural heritage of Oman
Oman is a land rich in history, with a cultural heritage reflected in its imposing forts and castles. Among these, Nizwa Fort, with its mighty walls, tells the story of a time when the city was an important center of power. In Bahla, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fort reveals its tales of craftsmanship and warfare. Every stone, every corner of these ancient buildings testifies to the Omanis’ ability to protect their land and preserve age-old traditions. These places are not just monuments but living narratives of Oman’s glorious past.
OMAN Tour: Ancient Oman
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OMAN: ANCIENT OMAN
Contact us, we will tailor it for you
Day by Day
Muscat
Arrival at Muscat International Airport. Welcome by the Al Koor staff.
First stop at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a beautiful example of modern Islamic architecture: the prayer hall is impressive with its rich decorations, the dome, the 4,200 sqm Persian carpet, and the crystal chandelier. After the mosque visit, continue to Old Muscat with a visit to the National Museum.
Lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty, and the two 16th-century Portuguese forts – Al Jalali and Al Mirani (external visits). Finally, head to Muttrah souq, where you can admire and purchase beautiful Omani handicrafts: silver items and jewelry, traditional khanjar daggers, spices, various fragrances of incense, pashminas, and wooden artifacts. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Dinner at your leisure.
01
Muscat – Al Hamra – Jabel Shams
Departure from Muscat and proceed to Wadi Bani Awf.
Visit a particularly distinctive oasis: Al Hamra, with its buildings made of mud and straw. In addition to its unique architecture, admire the extraordinary irrigation system, consisting of channels known as falaj, which distribute water from mountain springs to the plantations and the settlement.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Then, drive up towards the Jabel Shams mountains and arrive at the hotel.
02
Jabel Shams – Al Jabreen – Nizwa
After breakfast, proceed to the Wadi Nakhr Canyon. Take a walk along the spectacular “The Balcony” trail, which overlooks the impressive Wadi Nakhr Canyon, showcasing majestic rock formations and a landscape shaped by natural elements—water, wind, rain, and sun—that have sculpted the mountains over millennia.
Scenic drive to observe the splendid landscapes surrounding Jabel Shams and to understand the geology of the Ajhar range.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Next, descend to visit Jabreen Fort/Castle, rich in decorations and stunning ceilings. Not only was it the residence of the Imam at the time, but it also served as a Quranic school and an astronomical center.
Photo stop at Bahla to capture the eponymous fort.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
03
Nizwa
After breakfast, visit the vibrant and busy souk, where on Friday mornings, many residents from surrounding villages come for the animal market. After this very evocative experience, stroll through the souk among various shops and goods for potential purchases. Among the items: the Omani dagger called ‘khanjar’, silver jewelry, woven palm leaf mats, and terracotta objects. Among the products: dates at the “House of Dates,” honey, incense, rose water, local coffee (“qahwa”), and local sweet (“halwa”).
Next, visit the majestic 18th-century Nizwa Fort, one of the most important monuments in Oman for its military architecture and the former residence of the Imam and his family.
Lunch at a restaurant.
From Nizwa, proceed to visit the nearby oasis of Birkait al Mawz and the Falaj Al Khatmeen. The falaj are ancient irrigation systems still in use in Oman, channeling water from a source through villages for kilometers, utilizing the slope. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
04
Nizwa – Sharqiyah Desert (Wahiba)
In the morning, set off towards the desert.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the village of Al Wasil, leave the paved road to arrive at the edge of the desert.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Continue through the pink and orange-hued dunes of Sharqiyah Sands, also known as Wahiba Desert. The name derives from the most important Bedouin tribe that has inhabited this desert for centuries, where, thanks to numerous water wells, they can raise flocks of goats and camels.
In the late afternoon, arrive at the fixed tent camp. Dinner and overnight stay.
Free time to enjoy the sunset over the dunes.
05
Sharqiyah Desert (Wahiba) – Wadi Bani Khalid – Ras Al Hadd
Departure in the morning towards Ras Al Hadd.
Leaving the desert, make a brief detour to reach Wadi Bani Khalid, where you can admire or swim in natural pools of crystal-clear water, nestled between beautiful rock walls with sinuous shapes and terraced palm groves.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Continue towards Ras Al Hadd with a short stop in Sur, a town nestled in a natural bay, where the port area is still built in traditional style.
Optional visit to the dhow shipyard, where the traditional wooden boats, handcrafted and historically used for maritime trade in Arabia, are still made. Today, they are used by fishermen for small trades with Iran and Pakistan.
Proceed along the coast on a scenic road between mountains and sea towards Ras Al Hadd.
Dinner and overnight stay at a resort hotel.
Optional evening visit to the Ras Al Jinz Reserve to see sea turtles laying their eggs, or depending on the season, to watch the hatchlings emerge from their eggs and head to the sea.
06
Ras Al Hadd – Wadi Tiwi – Muscat
Departure in the morning to reach Muscat.
A brief detour to admire Wadi Tiwi (from the car).
The beauty of a visit to Wadi Tiwi lies in the journey, one of the few inhabited wadis.
Upon reaching the top, stop to take photos of the village, the palm grove, and the falaj, which are the typical Omani irrigation channels.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Arrive in Muscat in the afternoon and visit the Opera House, built by the royal family. It is a stunning venue for opera, ballet, and international stars.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
07
Muscat – flight to Italy
Transfer to the airport and departure for Italy
08
Self Drive with support vehicle
English-speaking driver
Driver and local guide who speaks your language
Local destination expert residing on site
Wild Glamping
Wild Glamping allows you to experience the desert in comfort. The tents, set up by our staff, measure 2.30 x 2.30 x 1.80 meters and are equipped with camp beds, mattresses, sheets, and blankets. Meals are prepared by our traveling chef, assisted by local staff, and feature Omani dishes made with rice, meat, fish, and vegetables. Field toilets and showers are also set up to ensure a comfortable stay.
