Oman Family Holiday

Fly to Muscat, the capital city of Oman. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a beachfront hotel where you will stay for two nights. The rest of the day and evening is free for you to unwind and take a leisurely walk along the Corniche, where you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful sunset.

• Hotel Description

Your hire car will be delivered to the hotel in the morning. Make sure to pack your swimming gear and be prepared for a sunny and hot day, as this morning you will go on a boat trip to do some snorkelling. You may encounter some dolphins as well, so keep your eyes peeled on the water. This 3-hour trip will explore the coastline and there will be plenty of stops for a refreshing dive and to explore the rich sea life. 

Return to the mainland where you have time to explore Muscat, a relatively modern city and unlike other Arab capitals without skyscrapers. Visit the Royal Opera House and the Grand Mosque or if you want to stretch your legs, the 1.5km Muttrah Walk, is an easy route leading to stunning viewpoints of the city and surrounding mountains. Muscat Souk is a magnificent wooden marketplace with a wide range of small shops selling all kinds of wonderful things, like incense, floral waters, khanjars (daggers with a curved blade), and fabrics. (B)

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Leaving Muscat behind, drive inland to Nakhal, which has one of the most exceptional forts in Oman. The setting of this town is pretty striking as well and from the fort you have magnificent views of the surrounding date plantations and palm groves and the Hajar Mountains in the background. Continue to Birkat al Mawz another charming village nestled between the mountain and the plain. Here you can walk along an irrigation system (falaj) that dates back centuries and feeds the lush surrounding plantations.

Jabal Akhdar or the green mountain which gets its name from the lush cultures of pomegranates, apricots, and roses dotted around is due to its altitude cooler and a welcoming treat after the heat on the plains. (B)

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Off to Oman’s Grand Canyon, where an exciting day awaits you. It’s time see whether you have a good head for heights when you do the Balcony Walk. The path offers impressive views down into gorges of Oman’s Grand Canyon. Not for the faint-hearted the walk takes you along the rim of Al Nakhr to the abandoned village of Al Sab. This walk is around 8km long and should take around 3 hours. But you can always shorten this walk.

Return to the car and drive to Misfat Al Abriyeen, which is located at an altitude of around 1000 metres. Surrounded by mountains, lush agriculture terraces and palm trees, this traditional village was built on solid rock foundations and is an attractive destination. Don’t miss out on the village’s viewing platform and the stunning surrounding area. (B,D)

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The first stop after breakfast is the historic town of  Nizwa. Surrounded by a lush palm oasis and some of the highest mountains of the country, it offers a great mix of history and local culture. Once the capital of Oman, the city has kept its authenticity. Make sure to visit the city’s souk which has food stalls, local handicrafts, antique and silver khanjars (traditional curved daggers). The 17th century Nizwa Fort with its distinctive 40m-tall round tower, is also worth a visit and it’s not surprising it’s Oman’s most visited national monument is recommended. 

Continue the journey to the beautiful Wahiba desert, and make sure that the car’s tyres, are slightly deflated for better desert driving. Enter a magical world of ochre sand and an ever-changing landscape until you reach the camp. There will be two desert activities – a 40-minute camel ride and a one-hour quad bike ride. In the evening, have a shooting star competition! (B,D)

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The spectacular road that leads to Wadi Bani Khalid is a voyage in itself. It will first take you through some colourful rock formations before reaching the beautiful oasis nestled in the Eastern Hajar Mountains. With easy access to deep natural pools, it is certainly a spot much loved by the locals who come to spend their weekend.

Your final stop on the day is Ras al Jinz beach, and one of the best places in the world to witness green turtles hatching. There’s a great museum attached to the hotel, with all kinds of information and displays of turtles. Although the hatching season is between May and September, they do come at other times of the year so you might be able to catch a glance. As turtles will come on shore once it’s dark, the guided tour starts at around 21:00hrs (times may change). (B)

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Wadi Tiwi, also known as the Wadi of Nine Villages, is located in a beautiful setting and surrounded by falaj (irrigation systems), waterfalls, cultivated terraces, and traditional villages. Easily accessible either by car or on foot, you can explore the villages dotted, meet the locals and of course take a refreshing swim. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic. 

The ancient city of Sur is the next place on the journey and here you can get a glance of the daily life of an Omani fisherman. The port is one of the oldest in Oman, and a visit to the old dhow factory is a must as you can how these traditional boats are built. (B) 

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On the way back to Muscat, you’ll make two interesting stops. Qurayat, built in the 16th century and with a rich past, is also famous for its beautiful beaches and small fishing port where some traditional boats can still be seen. There’s also an amazing 19th century Fort, with a triangular guard tower for you to explore.

The last stop is the Bimmah Sinkhole, an enormous collapsed limestone cave chamber, with a deep  lake at the bottom. It’s accessible via a staircase, if you’re tempted for a dip in the blue-green water.

Return to Muscat, and check-in to your hotel. Your car will be picked up in the early evening. (B)
 

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The day is free to do your own thing. Relax by the pool and try out the hotel’s big water slide, venture into the souk for some last-minute souvenir shopping, or head to the beach for a last swim in the Gulf of Oman. (B)
 

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It's time to bid farewell to Oman. The day is free at you're own leisure until it's time for your transfer to the airport. (B)