TOUR OF MOUNTAINS AND CASTLES
On this tour, combine the beautiful, mountainous north with the tropical south of Oman. Wander through the most modern shopping malls and the oldest souks in fairytale-like Muscat before setting out to explore the interior with a private driver. Discover the country’s most beautiful wadis, visit centuries-old castles and traditional markets around Nizwa and Bahla. Hike near Oman’s highest mountain, Jebal Shams, the Grand Canyon of the Middle East. Enjoy ancient architecture, hospitable people, and breathtaking views in the Al Hajjar Mountains before embarking on a spectacular desert tour through Sharqiyah Sands—better known as Wahiba Sands—where the dunes can reach heights of over two hundred meters.
Salalah, the tropical south of Oman
A short domestic flight will take you to tropical Salalah, where you can relax on the wide sandy beaches. From your resort, explore the magnificent Sultan Qabus Mosque, Taqa Castle, Sumhuram ruins and the ancient city of Mirbat. Waterfalls, coconut palms and mist-shrouded banana plantations give Dhofar 's landscape a fairytale appearance.
TIPS & TOPS Highlights North & South Oman:
- Muscat has everything expected of a capital city: fancy restaurants, museums, trendy festivals, state-of-the-art shopping malls and Oman's oldest souk, the Muttrah soukat
- Visit the Grand Mosquem, with its ninety-meter-high minaret
- On Fridays, visit the traditional goat market in Nizwa, the Nizwa Souq and the Nizwa Fort.
- The small settlement of Bahla is a mud fort that protected the houses in the fourteenth century, is now on the Unesco World Heritage List
- Take a beautiful hike, the Balcony Hike at Oman's highest mountain, Jebel Shams, with great views of Wadi Nakher
- Visit Jabal Akdhar, the green jewel of the Al Hajjar Mountains and visit villages with ancient architecture, hospitable people and amazing views
- Spend the night at one of the most beautiful places in the Jabal Akhdar Mountains, the Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel is located at a summit of two thousand meters and yet is almost invisible
- In the morning, set out on foot and visit Jabal Akhdar including the Saiq Plateau, Wadi Bani Habib & Diana Point.
- Enjoying a beautiful sunset in the desert at Wahiba Sands
- Along the way, visit Wadi Bani Khalid, a Dhow Factory in Sur and the Bimah Sinkholes
- Get to know Dofar province with a visit to Taqa castle, Sumhuram ruins, the ancient city of Mirbat and Ayn Razat springs, Job's tomb in the mountains
- From May to September, you are most likely to see sea turtles at Ras Al Jinz, when they come ashore to lay their eggs
