Compare Discover Oman by Intrepid Travel vs Oman self-drive tour by Audley Travel

Day 1 Muscat

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Oman and the sprawling seaside city of Muscat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm today. If you arrive with time to spare you may like to visit the Royal Opera House, a grand building that encapsulates contemporary Omani architectural style, or take a walk along the beach, dipping your toes in the Gulf of Oman. After the welcome meeting perhaps join your group at a nearby restaurant, serving up Omani favourites like shuwa, fresh salads and local breads.

Day 2 Muscat

Begin your explorations with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The largest mosque in Oman, it has capacity for 20,000 worshippers and the second largest carpet in the world, handwoven by Iranian women, taking four years to produce. Your next stop is the old part of Muscat, where you'll see the two 16th century Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani, guarding the entrance to the city. Drive down to the busy fishing harbour at Muttrah, with its wooden dhows and fishing boats, stop at the bazaar (souq) where you can pick up a local perfume or postcard. Visit the Sidab Women's Group and learn how they're empowering local women through the production and sale of reusable bags. After learning about the organisation, enjoy a selection of salads, sambusas and stews, cooked for you by our welcoming hosts. Your afternoon is then free to spend as you wish. An optional sunset cruise provides a spectacular viewpoint for the rocky coastline of the city.

Day 3 Ras al Hadd

Drive through Oman's rugged landscapes to Hawiyat Najim Park, the location of the Bimmah Sinkhole. This picture-perfect sinkhole was formed through limestone erosion. The turquoise waters make an excellent stop to paddle the feet before travelling onwards. Your next stop, Wadi Tiwi, is known as the wadi of nine villages, with each community linked by date plantations and the flow of water through their falaj system. Spend time learning about dates, how they're grown and harvested, and their importance in Omani hospitality, and stretch your legs on a short, downhill walk through these communities. Continue driving to Ras al Hadd and check into your beachside resort where you'll be able to enjoy a lovely relaxed evening at the property.

Day 4 Wahiba Sands

After breakfast, we make a stop in Sur, an important city of Oman's maritime past. Sur has long been known for its tradition of dhow building. These mighty vessels formed an important part of Omani culture and trade over the years. Visit a dhow factory to see how they are built and be joined by a local worker who will explain the making of the dhow, the materials used and the time taken to built the vessel. Drive through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, enjoying incredible views of villages embedded in the mountains as you take this winding road to the peaceful Wadi Bani Khalid. Cool off with a swim in the wadi, surrounded by palm trees and mountains. Drive onwards to the beautiful Wahiba Sands, where you'll spend the night. Rolling dunes, some as high as 150 metres, stretch as far as the eye can see and are constantly shifting. Sunset from atop a dune is a must. After dinner back at the camp, relax under the stars with music, tea and maybe even some dancing.

Day 5 Nizwa

If you're a morning person, you have the option to climb the dunes and enjoy watching them change colour as the sun rises over them. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed start to the day before driving further into the dunes to visit a Bedouin family. Wahiba Sands is named after the Wahiba tribe and the region is home to families that have lived and worked in the area for generations. Enjoy coffee, dates and a chat with our welcoming hosts. Leaving the desert behind, make tracks for Nizwa. On the outskirts of the city, visit Jabreen Castle, considered one of the finest and most picturesque in the country. Built in 1675, this cleverly designed residence was home to Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan and many subsequent generations. A local guide will share the castle's secrets and expansive viewpoints with you. It's just a short drive to Nizwa, where you'll spend the night in the old town, staying in a heritage property. Enjoy a free evening to explore the old town or relax at a rooftop cafe with a cool drink.

Day 6 Jebel Shams

Take a walk with your leader through the labyrinthine streets of Nizwa's old town this morning, before exploring the souq and its various specialty areas for halwa, vegetables, spices, ceramics. You'll have some free time during which you might like to visit Nizwa Fort. With a massive circular cannon tower and built to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons, it's one of the most impressive forts in Oman. Depart Nizwa for Misfat Al Abyreen, a mountain village located 1000m above sea level and recognised by UNWTO as one of the world's best tourism villages for its preservation of Omani culture. Walk through the village and see how their agricultural and irrigation systems are as productive as they were centuries ago. Visit a local beekeeper and find out about their bees and the ways they produce different types of honey - with some sampling too, of course! Then enjoy a home-cooked Omani feast with your host for lunch. Omani people are famous for their hospitality and you’ll get to try some exciting home-cooked flavors including Qabuli (Omani spiced rice with either goat/fish/chicken), hummus, Omani bread (Kubz Al Rakhal) with local honey, Omani coffee and tea with dates, etc. Carry on your journey higher into the mountains to Jebel Shams, which translates as 'Mountain of the Sun'. Check into your hotel before heading out to take in the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon and, weather allowing, a brilliant sunset.

Day 7 Muscat

An early morning hike is on offer today. The balcony walk follows the Grand Canyon, so you can expect epic views as you walk. After breakfast at your hotel, settle in for a memorable drive to Wadi Bani Awf, the end point of the canyon and known as Snake Gorge. Break up the drive with a walk through Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village in the heart of the mountains, lush with palm trees. After leaving the mountains, you'll drive back to Muscat, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free to spend as you wish, perhaps gather your group together for a meal to celebrate your adventure.

Day 8 Muscat

After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Muscat, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Muscat.

Day 2 : Muscat

You will be met at the airport by your driver on arrival and taken to your hotel where you have the rest of the day to relax. Once you've recuperated, you could head out to explore the city's souqs or sample some of the local food in one of the many restaurants.

Day 3 : Muscat

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel this morning ready for a tour of the city. This will help you orientate yourself as you discover the main sites and attractions of Muscat, including a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, with a capacity of up to 20,000 people. You also visit the Royal Opera House, the fish souq and Muttrah Souq, where you'll find an array of handicrafts, spices and fabrics.

Day 4 : Nizwa

Your car hire starts today - you can pick up your 4WD vehicle this morning ready for your first drive to the interior of Oman. En route, you might want to visit the coastal city of Seeb, the historic fort of Nakhal and Wadi Bani Awf, where canyons, rock formations and rivers provide beautiful scenery.

Day 5 : Nizwa

A day at leisure to explore Nizwa and the mountains and forts of the surrounding area. We suggest visiting the 17th-century Jabrin Fort and exploring its labyrinthine interior, as well as Wadi Nakheer, known as the Grand Canyon of Oman due to its vast size and steep sides.

Day 6 : Wahiba Sands

Today's drive to your desert camp in the Wahiba Sands is an adventure in itself as you navigate sandy tracks in your 4WD. En route to the desert you may wish to visit the town of Izki, home to the oldest falaj (irrigation channel) in the country and the remains of a fort. You could also stop to browse Sinaw's souq, which sells everything from vegetables to jewellery.

Day 7 : Ras Al Jinz

Today you can stop at the beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid as part of your journey from the desert to the coast. You have time to rest at your accommodation and have dinner before setting off for the beach with a guide. Here, depending on the time of year, you can watch green turtles laying their eggs under the sand, or see baby turtles hatching and making their way into the sea.

Day 8 : Muscat

Return to Muscat, driving for around three hours along the coastal road, past beautiful white sand beaches. Look out for sharks in the water and gazelles sprinting across the landscape. There are plenty of scenic places to stop for a picnic lunch, including the pretty seaside town of Sur. The town has a long history of dhow (boat) making, as well as being home to two forts. Spend the final evening of your trip in Muscat, visiting places you may have missed on your first visit and enjoying one last Middle Eastern meal.

Day 9 : International return flight

You'll take the short drive to the airport today, dropping your vehicle off in time for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.