Best of Oman & the Emirates

Muscat is the capital of Oman and is characterized by the many white houses, which is why Muscat is also called the “white city”. Over the centuries Muscat has been ruled over by various indigenous tribes and foreign powers such as the Portuguese and the Persians. For more than 50 years Qaboos bin Said was sultan of Oman until he died in january 2020. Sultan Qaboos was well loved in Oman. He was never married, didn’t have children and he hadn’t appointed his successor in the event of his death. The Omanis feared for their future without a leader who would follow in the footsteps of the Sultan. After 50 family members debated who would become his succesor, his causin, 65 year old Haitham Bin Tariq minister of Heritage and Culture, was elected to take his place.

Today you can visit various highlights of the city such as the souq in Muttrah and the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. In this centrally located area of ​​Muscat you can also visit the work palace of the sultan and the royal opera house. If you want to attend a performance at the opera house, we can make a reservation for you. A visit to the Royal Opera House is a chance to be among the local citizens who are dressed elegantly for one of the performances. In the evening you can have dinner at the Caramel restaurant close to the Opera House.

The real adventure begins! You take the coastal route to Ras Al Hadd and cross through rugged areas without paved roads. On the way you can make a short stop at Qurayyat, a famous horse trading town near the Bimmah Crater. Bimmah Sinkhole, by the locals known as “Hawaiyat Najam”, is a large hole in the earth crust created by erosion and filled with clear water, perfect for a refreshing dip.

Stop for lunch in one of the villages or at Finns Beach. In the late afternoon you will arrive in Ras Al Hadd. The Ras Al Jinz National Park is located near Ras Al Hadd. Here you can see turtles in the evening and enjoy the beautiful nature.

You will wake up in Ras Al Hadd, after a last stroll through the city you continue your journey. You drive towards Wadi Bani Khalid which is known for its clear waters and green nature. Before arriving in this wadi you will pass the coastal town of Sur. This is a lovely town where you have the opportunity to swim and have lunch. When you arrive at Wadi Bani Khalid you can walk all the way up and swim down from there. This way down is a lot faster and above all it is a lot of fun! You can take some time to relax and enjoy the view with a cup coffee from the only cafe near the Wadi.

After a day in the green oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid it is time to continue your journey towards the Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sands is one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. You will drive deep into the desert for the night. Tonight you will stay in the desert village of Al Wasil or Bidya.

You leave the sand dunes of the Wahiba desert behind you and head towards the Hajar Mountains. Along the way you can make numerous of stops at picturesque desert villages and green oases. Nizwa is one of them. Nizwa is one of the largest cities in Oman and is located about 165 kilometers from Muscat. Until the 12th century, it was the capital of Oman. Due to the modernization of the city, it has partly lost its original state and is now the center for trade, religion, art and education. Nizwa is famous for the cattle market which takes place each friday early in the morning. This market still resembles a medieval spectacle and takes you back in time. Goats, chickens, cows and other animals are traded on this cattle market. A must see when you are in Nizwa on friday. Another attraction in Nizwa is Nizwa Fort, one of the oldest in the Sultanate dating back to the 17th century. It is an important reminder of the turbulent periods in Oman’s history. If you stand on top of the Fortress you have a beautiful view of the city.

From the trading city of Nizwa, you will travel towards the village of Al Hamra, a traditional village at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. In Al Hamra you will also find the Al Hoota cave, definitely worth a visit! >> more info about al Hoota cave << Afterwards you travel through Bahla where you visit the Bahla fort. Bahla fort is Built in the third century BC, the fort includes an oasis of traditional souks, old alleys and mosques. Bahla is an outstanding example of the medieval Islamic period, exhibiting the water engineering skill of the early inhabitants for agricultural and domestic purposes. From Bahla you will drive into the mountains and travel towards the highest point of Oman, about 3000 meters high.

We have a number of beautiful accommodations where you can stay here. Depending on your choice, you will stay at the green mountain Jebel Akhdar or the ‘Grand Canyon of the Middle East’, Jebel Shams.

Today you will spend another day at Jebel Shams or Jebel Akhdar. Relax at your accommodation or take a beautiful walk in the area.

You will drive the Rustaq route, a beautiful mountain route through the offroad parts of Wadi Bani Awf.  You descend from the Hajar Mountains and head towards Rustaq. Then head for the Snake Canyon that starts after the village of Bilad Sayt. The snake canyon is the most exciting part of the off-road route.

You will pass the town Nakhal, home to one of the most famous forts of Oman. From Nakhl you have a beautiful view over de palmtrees. If you want you can make a stop at Al Thowarah hotspring, the name ‘Thowarah’ derives from the Arabic word ‘boil’ although there is no danger of burning here as the springs are pleasantly warm.

At the end of the day you will be back in Muscat. We recommend you to leave early this day so you can fully enjoy this beautiful route.

Today is at leisure in Muscat.

Depending on your flight you will have some free time in Muscat before one of our local representatives will take you to the airport for your flight to Dubai. After arriving at Dubai international airport you will be met by one of our local representatives and brought to your hotel.

From traditional Oman you have now arrived in bustling Dubai where you can discover the Burj Khalifa, the tallest buidling in the world, the Dubai Mall and the unique seven star hotel; Burj Al Arab.

Your first day in Dubai is about to begin! Today you can relax at your hotel or at the beach. If you prefer to go out you can also explore the city. We recommend a visit to the Marina, the city’s most pleasant pedestrian zone. Witnessing the fountain show at the Burj Khalifa will be a must-see during your stay in Dubai. When the night falls, there are two places we recommend for dinner. The first is Thai Kitchen, situated in the Park Hyatt Hotel. They serve the best Thai cuisine. Secondly Zeta, here you dine under the light of the Burj Khalifa. Both very much worth the visit.

Optionally, you can explore Dubai with a local guide today. If so, you will be picked up in the morning at your accommodation. To get a good impression of the city we start this day with a visit of Bur Dubai. Bur Dubai is the old city of Dubai where you can find the gold souk and spice souk. In this part of the city you can enjoy a cultural lunch in one of the old heritage houses. In the meantime a local will tell you about life in the United Arab Emirates. A special addition to this trip. Afterwards it is time to continue to modern Dubai. A visit to the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Marina should not be missed. If desired, you can end the day in one of the beautiful restaurants in Dubai.

Today is at leisure in Dubai. There are countless things to do and we are happy to advise you. Perhaps this is the ideal moment to take advantage of the many exceptional activities which you can enjoy here. You can do water sports such as jet skiing, water skiing or fly-boarding. Besides water sports you can also visit the mainland with a desert safari. When you drive over the dunes with a jeep, you can also go quad biking, sand-boarding and much more. 

It is also possible to visit Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which is only 1,5 hours away. Here you can visit the Louvre, the biggest mosque in the United Arab Emirates; Grand Zayed Mosque and the Qasr Al Watan palace.