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Colourful Mutrah Souk - Essence of Oman, Oman
Colourful Mutrah Souk  | Oman Ministry of Tourism
The impressive dunes of Wahiba Sands - Essence of Oman, Oman
The impressive dunes of Wahiba Sands  | Caroline Mongrain
Intricate architecture can be found throughout Oman - Essence of Oman, Oman
Intricate architecture can be found throughout Oman  | Oman Ministry of Tourism
Vibrant colours of Oman - Essence of Oman, Oman
Vibrant colours of Oman  | Oman Ministry of Tourism
The Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman - Essence of Oman, Oman
The Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman  | Oman Ministry of Tourism

Essence of Oman

Fascinating country with beautiful scenery & friendly locals

Oman
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 9 reviews

6 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: OMS
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 6 Days
Activities
  • Day Walking
  • 4WD jeep tour
Accommodation
  • 4 nights hotel
  • 1 night desert camp
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

70kg of CO2-e PP per day

(351kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Visit Bedouins and camp out in the desert beneath the stars
  • Discover the spectacular forts of Nizwa and Jabreen
  • Explore the incomparable Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
  • Roller-coast by 4WD over the massive dunes of Wahiba Sands
  • Watch turtles nesting on the beach at Ras Al Had

Overview

Geographically located on lucrative ancient trade routes, the Sultanate of Oman has a history of wealth, power and dominance of both the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean coastlines as far as Zanzibar (East Africa) and India. The cultural diversity of present day Oman reflects the historical influences of Persia, Portugal, Arabia, India, Africa and France, resulting in a fascinating blend. Vast deserts, wild coastlines and rugged mountains dotted with forts add to the blend, making every day a wonderful surprise. On this adventure we walk in wadis (river valleys), wander traditional market places, stay in a Bedouin settlement, enjoy endless dunes in the desert, watch greenback turtles, discover the secrets inside ancient forts and abandoned villages, and walk the dramatic canyons of Jebal Shams. This is a brilliant mix in a compact itinerary.

Itinerary

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Welcome to Muscat! Once customs and immigration formalities are concluded you will be met in the arrivals hall by your tour guide who will transfer you to the group hotel for check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Meals: Nil

After breakfast we head out on a grand tour of Muscat, appropriately beginning at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a modern architectural masterpiece of epic proportions. Built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone, the interior features include the second largest chandelier in the world and beneath it, a hand woven prayer rug that truly defies belief. Measuring 70 x 60 metres this single-piece Persian carpet contains 1,700 million knots and took a team of weavers 27 months to complete. (NOTE - The Grand Mosque is open for visitors from Saturday to Thursday 8-11 AM only, except the holidays). From the mosque we head to Muttrah, where we visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum and pass by Qasr Al Alam - His Majesty’s Palace. For a complete change of pace we then visit the fish market and vibrant Muttrah Souk. Feel free to bargain with the local merchants, hawking their wares inside a labyrinth of well-stocked alleyways and corridors. After a typically Omani lunch we head back to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure. NB: Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the mosque every day, except Friday, from 8:30 until 11:00 am and on public holidays. All visitors are asked to dress modestly and women are required to cover their hair.

Meals: B

After breakfast we head to Nizwa, the heritage capital of Oman, famous for its marvellous 17th Century Fort. Nizwa Souk is also well regarded and a great place to buy ornamental silver jewellery and intricately hand-carved ‘khanjars’ (daggers). If you happen to be here on a Friday, also spend some time taking in all the action at the cattle market. From Nizwa we head to Jabreen, stopping en route at Bahla. This historic walled town is famous for its pottery and World Heritage listed Fort. It is quite spectacular, but many would argue the castle at Jabreen reigns supreme; lauded for the inscriptions and frescoes that adorn its many rooms. Its carved doors and painted ceilings are equally stunning, and provide additional cause to applaud Omani craftsmanship. Finally we head for Jebal Shams, the highest point on the Arabian Peninsula. The mountains here are craggy and parched but the views they afford over Oman’s 1,000m deep “Grand Canyon” are breath-taking.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast this morning we set off to explore the landscape more intimately. We have arranged for an optional hike to visit the last village in the canyon. Following lunch today we then drive to Wahiba Sands. This is quite a surreal landscape with red and white dunes rising up to 200 metres. And despite just how dry the whole area is, it hosts a surprising variety of flora and fauna. Our experienced drivers then hope to thrill you with their 4 x 4 skills, tackling the dunes en route to our desert campsite.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning after breakfast we break camp and head off to visit a local Bedouin home. Here you will be welcomed to share a pot of traditional Bedouin coffee and learn all about their lives and highly prized camels. We continue driving to Wadi Bani Khalid – a beautiful valley with a number of picturesque villages set above the deep blue-green waters of the Khalid oasis. After a swim and a hearty, laid-back lunch we drive out to the coast of Al Ashkhara and onto Ras Al Had. On arrival, we check into our hotel, then leave you to relax for the remainder of the day, or rest up for our night-time tour. Sometime during the evening we will guide you down to the beach of Ras Al Jinz – a popular nesting site for the region’s giant green sea turtles. Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be fortunate to witness a large female turtle laboriously laying a clutch of eggs, or the frantic emergence of hundreds of hatchlings making their way to the sea. Either spectacle is a privileged experience - one that will leave you in awe.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast we check out of the hotel and continue on our Oman adventure, stopping briefly near Sur to admire the time-honoured construction of a dhow - a traditional wooden sailing vessel still used in this part of the world for trade. Our next stop will be Wadi Shab. Here we take a walk through the village and its lush green plantations then hike to its nearby oasis. After a swim, we drive on to Muscat, where our trip arrangements conclude.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

12 scheduled departures between 10 Nov 2026 and 7 Dec 2027.

  • Departs 10 Nov 2026 – ends 15 Nov 2026 (6 days)
  • Departs 8 Dec 2026 – ends 13 Dec 2026 (6 days)
  • Departs 19 Jan 2027 – ends 24 Jan 2027 (6 days)
  • Departs 16 Feb 2027 – ends 21 Feb 2027 (6 days)
  • Departs 21 Feb 2027 – ends 26 Feb 2027 (6 days)
  • Departs 23 Mar 2027 – ends 28 Mar 2027 (6 days)
  • … and 6 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Arrival & departure transfers (Days 1 & 6 only)
  • 4 nights in 2-3 star hotels on a twinshare basis
  • 1 night in desert camp on a twinshare basis
  • English speaking local driver-guide
  • entrance fees and sightseeing as listed in itinerary
  • private transport

Not included

  • International flights & departure taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature (i.e. laundry, phone calls, etc)
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic beverages
  • Visas
  • Tips
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional activities and sightseeing during free time

Reviews (9)

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Trip went as outlined in the pre-trip materials, saw all the sights on the itinerary. Our guide did a great job, especially taking care of our meals during Ramadan.

Ronald|California, United States
6 Mar 2026
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Most of Oman is dry rock landscape, this is very monotonous driving. The roads are amazingly good. Should have including snorkeling in islands and cut out the mountain trip.

Susan Healey|Drummoyne, NSW Australia
11 Mar 2025
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Oman is a very interesting place to visit and I particularly enjoyed walking in the mountains and visiting the desert.

Lisa Simpson|Port Melbourne, VIC Australia
4 Jan 2025
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We travelled Essence of Oman in April 2024. A short trip but an ideal intro to such an incredible country. Accommodation was excellent, city/ mountains/ desert/ coast. Our driver guide was entertaining, with good knowledge of the local terrain & culture. There’s a lot to learn from this country where good public policy results in a safe, cheerful & welcoming respite from the rest of the crazy world.

Maree Day|SA Australia
7 Jun 2024
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I did a 6 day Essence of Oman Tour. I had a fabulous guide called Ramadan who could not do enough for me. He was polite, professional and knowledgeable and I recommend him highly. Oman is an interesting country with a variety of places to see from the desert to the high mountains and the sea. It is well worth a visit and the temperature in May was around 27~30 degrees celcius.

Diana Anderson|Black Rock, VIC Australia
10 May 2023
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Loved Oman and having a guide for just 2 of us was really beneficial, in that we went the extra mile and saw things maybe others would not have seen.

K. Burr|New Zealand
6 Nov 2019
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Great itinerary giving a terrific insight into a fascinating country in a short time.

Margaret Smith|Manly, NSW
14 Oct 2016
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Christine|California, United States
3 Apr 2026
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Deborah Jeon|Cremorne, NSW Australia
15 Feb 2023

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

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