Oman Holidays
Oman is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the Middle East. Blessed with a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural beauty and a 5000 year old civilisation that coexists comfortably with modern development, it is a country still appealingly untrodden that is waiting to be explored.
Damaniyat Islands
The Damaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, 16km off the coast between Muscat and Barka, consists of nine islands surrounded by coral reefs and diverse marine life. The islands are also visited by turtles each year to nest and the area offers some superb scuba diving.
A trip to these islands can be done from Muscat.
Musandam Peninsula
Oman’s 1700 km of coastline offers some stunning beaches with just about any activity one could wish for, from sunbathing and swimming to diving, snorkelling, boat trips and other watersports.
The crystal clear waters and mile upon mile of deserted white sandy beaches support a vast array of marine life. You can watch dolphins just offshore or explore the coral reefs and its magnificent selection of multicoloured fish whilst snorkelling or diving.
Amongst Oman’s shyest and most sought after natural wonders are the turtles, which appear every year to lay their eggs on the same beaches they were hatched and an estimated 20,000 turtles nest on Oman’s beaches every year.
The Musandam Peninsula is a rugged and beautiful region with its main attraction being the ‘Fjords of Arabia’. The area is packed with underwater attractions and it is one of the few areas in the world that can still claim to provide ‘virgin diving’. Some of the best dive sites in the area include Lima Rock, Oakley Island, Umm Al Farrayan, PC Rock, Red Island and Ghubbat As Shabbus.
The diverse marine life includes exotic reef fish to schooling barracuda, turtles, sunfish, reef sharks and even whale sharks as well as being a dolphins’ playground. The sheltered fjords also provide ideal canoeing conditions.
Our preferred hotels include:
Six Senses Zighy Bay
Golden Tulip Hotel, Khasab
Muscat
Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a perfect blend of old and new and the city enjoys a dramatic setting with the mountains on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. The city itself was founded over 900 years ago and at its core are the three districts of Muttrah, Ruwi and Muscat.
It is home to 500,000 people as well as the Grand Mosque and many forts, castles, souqs, traditional houses, watchtowers and excellent museums.
The old port district of Muscat is the site of the Sultan’s main palace and a fascinating place to spend a few hours exploring. The two Portuguese forts Jalali and Mirani dramatically guard the entrance to Muscat and serve as sentinels to the Sultan’s palace. Built in 1587 and 1588 respectively, these forts were once vital points of defence for the city. Both of them are still used today by the police and the military.
Oman’s cultural heritage is well preserved in Muscat’s many excellent museums and the famous Muttrah market, a traditional Omani souq, is certainly worth a visit. This old market of Muttrah, despite the many modern shopping centres, is still an important supply centre for Omanis and everything from spices to household items, fabrics, toys, antiques, gold and silver can be found here.
Our preferred hotels include:
Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa
Al Bustan Palace
The Chedi Muscat
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Nizwa & the Forts
Honoured as the capital of Oman during the 6th and 7th Centuries, Nizwa is one of the oldest cities of the Sultanate and being the trade capital it is commonly known as the ‘Pearl of Islam’.
Nizwa Fort, which was completed in the 1650s, is among Oman’s largest and oldest forts as well as one of the most visited national monuments. This historical edifice is hailed as a stunning example of ingenuity of Omani architecture and it is also a powerful reminder of the town’s invincibility through turbulent periods in Oman’s history.
It took 12 years to build this magnificent military bastion and its sole purpose was to prevent marauders from looting Nizwa’s abundant natural wealth, as well as to protect its strategic location on the crossroads of vital caravan routes. The fort is characterised by its height, solid fortification and unique location in the middle of Nizwa town.
Also not to be missed is Nizwa souq with its distinct Omani character, selling a wonderful array of silver jewellery, antiques, leather goods and household utensils.
Jabrin Fort, another famous landmark in the Al Dakhliya region, is considered one of the finest and most picturesque structures of its kind. It was built in the 17th Century, not as a fort but as a palace for the imams (Muslim clerics or prayer leaders). The design was later modified and the palace became a fort. It has been restored and thus one gets a good sense of what it looked like in its prime. Most of the ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings with Islamic motifs and various household items and furnishings are on display throughout the fort.
The central section of the Hajar Mountains which run through Oman is Jebel Akhdar or ‘Green Mountains’, the highest mountain range in Oman. The considerable altitude gives the area pleasant temperatures throughout the year with rain falling in the summer. The moisture and lower temperatures mean that the area is relatively green and blossom decorates the hillsides during springtime, which is how the mountains acquired their name. The gardens and terraces support garlic, maize, pomegranates, peaches, almonds and grapes and the views from the Saiq Plateau on Jebel Akhdar are spectacular. With its many sheer rock faces, trekking trails, wadis and cave systems, it is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Our preferred hotels include:
Falaj Daris Hotel (Nizwa)
Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel (Nizwa)
Sahab Hotel (Jebel Akhdar)
The View (Al Hamra)
Hud Hud Luxury Camp (Tanuf)
Salalah & the Dhofar Region
Salalah is Oman’s second largest city and the administrative capital of Dhofar. Dhofar is dramatically different from the rest of Oman, or for that matter anywhere in the Gulf, mainly because it is the only region in the Gulf that receives the annual monsoon showers, locally known as khareef.
The land is rich and fertile and the landscape lush and green. The coastline is laced with coconut groves whilst clouds and mist shroud the mountains and after a heavy rainstorm the water cascades down through the mountains to the sea. Temperatures hardly ever rise above 85° F, making it an attractive area for many to escape from the heat further north.
Dhofar covers a third of the country and has a varied terrain. The high dunes of the Empty Quarter are found here, as well as unexplored caves and numerous sinkholes in the steep mountain vales, whilst the coast offers lovely beaches with good snorkelling and diving.
Salalah is steeped in myth with legends associated with it dating back to biblical times. The ruins at Khawr Rawri are reputed to be that of the palace of Queen of Sheba. Another connection of the region to biblical times is the presence of frankincense trees in Dhofar. Locally know as luban, the whole region has the characteristic smell of burning incense.
Our preferred hotels include:
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Hilton Salalah Resort
Sur
The area around Sur is most famous for its turtle nesting spots of international repute. It is a haven for some of the rare and endangered turtle species such as Green, Olive and Hawksbill turtles that arrive on the beaches of their birth between June and August to lay their eggs. Throughout this season the sand erupts as thousands of tiny turtles emerge and head out to sea to begin the cycle again.
Sur itself is a placid coastal town, which has played an important role throughout history, particularly in overseas trade with East Africa. Today the city is used as a natural port and it is still an active ship building centre with dhows constructed directly on the beach.
Our preferred hotels include:
Sur Plaza Hotel
Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitors Centre
Wahiba Sands
A sight not to be missed is the great Wahiba Sands, the orange and amber sea of rolling dunes that are 200 km long and 100 km wide soaring up to 150 metres high. These dunes are inhabited by the nomadic Bedouin people, who have lived here for centuries, moving with their camels from waterhole to waterhole. The desert provides a great outdoor experience and is best explored in 4×4 vehicles. After the so-called ‘dune-bashing’ one can also experience the nomadic way of life with a visit to a Bedouin camp.
Our preferred accommodation includes:
Desert Nights Camp
1000 Nights Camp
Hud Hud Luxury Camp
Al Bustan Palace
Location: Situated close to the capital city of Muscat and 45 km from the airport, set against a dramatic backdrop of the mountains on 200 acres of private beach and lush gardens.
Rooms: 250 rooms and suites
Facilities: 4 restaurants, bar and lounge, business centre, health and fitness centre, travel desk, swimming pool, children’s playground and dedicated swimming pool.
Activities: Tennis, squash, sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, diving and boat trips.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: The Al Bustan Palace opened in 1985 and has earned a reputation as being one of the best hotels in the Middle East and one of the finest hotels in the world. It is the epitome of luxurious elegance, a spectacular blend of Islamic architecture and contemporary state of the art technology. After a recent refurbishment completed at the end of 2008 the hotel is looking better than ever.
Chedi Muscat
Location: Flanked by the azure waters of the Arabian Sea close to Muscat city.
Rooms: 169 rooms, suites & villas
Facilities: 4 restaurants, lounge bar, 2 swimming pools, fitness centre and spa.
Activities: Tennis, numerous watersports.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: The Chedi is a beautifully designed, contemporary hotel with a beachfront location. The service and food are top class and whilst the quality of the beach cannot be compared to the coastline at the Al Bustan Palace or Shangri-La, The Chedi is an excellent 5 star hotel.
Crown Plaza Resort Salalah
Location: Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah is situated on the coast in the city of Salalah.
Rooms: 153 air-conditioned guest rooms
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, health & fitness centre, laundry, currency exchange, beauty saloon and gift shop.
Activities: Gymnasium, tennis, squash, golf, swimming pools, dive centre.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: An excellent choice of hotel in Salalah, as a base for tours of the city and the surrounding area.
Desert Nights Camp
Location: Desert Nights Camp is situated in the Wahiba Sands, a drive of 2 hours from Muscat.
Rooms: 26 tented rooms with air conditioning and en suite bathrooms
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gift shop.
Activities: Games room, library, camel rides, dune bashing by 4×4, quad biking, sand boarding.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: Our favourite permanent camp in the Wahiba Sands area, attractively furnished and with very comfortable accommodation.
Falaj Daris Hotel, Nizwa
Location: Ideally located for visit to the old capital of this interior region of Oman. The hotel is situated a few minutes drive from the souk and fort of Nizwa.
Rooms: 55 rooms and suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gift shop, laundry, squash court.
Activities: Outdoor pool and health club.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: The Falaj Daris is a functional 4 star hotel that serves as a good base for visiting Nizwa and the surrounding area.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Khasab
Location: The Golden Tulip Hotel at Khasab is located on a bluff overlooking the Arabian Gulf in Oman’s remote northern Musandam region. The easiest access is by scheduled flight from Muscat.
Rooms: 60 rooms and suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, kids play area.
Activities: Diving facilities, tour desk, dhow cruise, fishing activities.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: The Golden Tulip Hotel at Khasab is a very good 4 star property that serves as an ideal base to explore the dramatic Musandam Peninsula. Highlights include cruising along the coastline by dhow, 4×4 mountain safaris and cultural tours of Khasab.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Nizwa
Location: Located in a quiet area approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the town of Nizwa.
Rooms: 120 guest rooms
Facilities: Restaurant/ bar/ cafe, internet, desk, laundry, safe deposit locker.
Activities: Outdoor pool, sauna and fitness facility.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: A good 4 star property that serves as a base for exploring the town of Nizwa and nearby countryside and mountains.
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Location: Situated in the heart of Muscat’s diplomatic quarter beside the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.
Rooms: 280 rooms & suites most with wonderful sea views
Facilities: 4 restaurants, bar, nightclub, fitness centree, swimming pool, business centre, travel desk and shops.
Activities: Tennis, squash, variety of watersports.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: The Grand Hyatt is one of Muscat’s finest and most luxurious resort hotels offering excellent accommodation and delightful views out across the ocean. Best described as a city hotel on the beach, it serves as an excellent base for a night or two in Muscat either before or after a tour of the interior.
Hilton Salalah Resort
Location: Hilton Salalah Resort is an attractive beachfront property in the picturesque city of Salalah.
Rooms: 147 rooms and suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, room service, baby sitting, disabled facilities.
Activities: Fitness centre, outdoor pool, massage, kids club, water sports, tennis court, private beach.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: A first class hotel in Salalah serving as an excellent base for exploring the Salalah area.
Hud Hud Luxury Camps
Location: The luxury Hud Hud Mobile Camps are erected on a private basis in the mountains near Tanuf, the desert of Wahiba Sands and on the Indian Ocean coast near Khalouf.
Rooms: Sleeping tents are made of white canvas and contain comfortable beds with cotton sheets, feather pillos, local rugs, as well as a well-appointed shower and toilet to the rear.
Facilities: A large Bedouin style majlis tent decorated with cushions and rugs, outdoor dining, fireside social areas on pillows and rugs, unrivalled views of the impressive landscapes.
Activities: Mountain trekking with expert guides, picnics & sundowners, visits to ancient villages and forts, dune bashing, wadi swimming, star gazing, fishing, bird watching.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: This is the most exclusive and stylish way of visiting some of Oman’s most remote and unexplored regions. Each camp is set up on a totally private basis, and you also enjoy the services of your own private 4×4 Land Cruiser and driver guide. Highly recommended for a minimum of 2 nights in each area, or else 3 nights each in the mountains and desert.
1000 Nights Camp
Location: Located 40 minutes’ drive into the Wahiba Sands among the rolling dunes of the desert.
Rooms: 58 tents & 4 rooms
Facilities: Dining room, cafe, swimmimg pool.
Activities: Camel riding, swimming, dune bashing, sandboarding.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: A 3 star option with smallish tents, but with a great location in the heart of the Wahiba Sands.
Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitors Centre
Location: The Ras al Jinz Nature Reserve houses one of the largest nesting areas for Green Turtles in the Indian Ocean. The Nature Reserve stretches over 46 sq. miles with a coastline measuring 27 miles.
Rooms: 14 air conditioned en suite rooms
Facilities: Restaurant, gift shop, LCD television, mini fridge.
Activities: Guided turtle viewing excursions at night, when the green turtles come to the beach to nest and after hatching return to the ocean.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: Simple but comfortable base for visiting the nature reserve at night.
Sahab Hotel, Jabel Akhdar
Location: Sahab is a unique, tranquil hotel situated on a plateau at 2,500 metres above sea level, on the mountain of Jebel Al Akhdar.
Rooms: 27 rooms and suites
Facilities: Restaurant, lounge, swimming pool and poolside, caralluma cafe, laundry, travel services, shop.
Activities: Trekking, farming, goat herding, caving, donkey rides, star gazing.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: A reasonable hotel offering a very good base for exploring the mountainous terrain of Jebel Al Akhdar.
Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa
Location: Exclusively situated on a remote white sandy beach at Barr Al Jissah and comprised of three 5 star hotels.
Rooms: Al Waha – 262 rooms & suites, Al Bandar – 198 sea facing rooms, Al Husn – 180 rooms & suites
Facilities: Numerous restaurants and bars, 3 swimming pools, health and fitness centres, CHI spa, kids club and teens club.
Activities: Omani Heritage Village, scuba diving, snorkelling, dolphin & whale watching, turtle nesting and hatching.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome at Al Waha and Al Bandar, although Al Waha is more suitable for younger members of the family. Al Husn has a minimum age restriction of 18 years.
Our View: The Shangri La is a first class resort situated on a beautiful white, sandy beach and provides the perfect base from which to explore the area around Muscat, or for a beach holiday in its own right. The Lazy River between the Al Waha and Al Bander hotels proves very popular with families and children, whilst the Al Husn provides more exclusive surroundings (including its own private beach) for couples.
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Location: In a dramatically remote location in Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula, approximately 3 hours’ drive from Dubai.
Rooms: 82 stylish villas each with 24 hours butler service, outdoor shower, private infinity swimming pool and private sundeck.
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, Six Senses Spa and long sandy beach.
Activities: Dhow cruises, 4×4 mountain safaris, paragliding and a variety of watersports.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: Zighy Bay is one of Oman’s smallest and most exclusive hideaway 5 star beach resorts, situated between towering cliffs and mountains and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. All rooms are spacious and attractively furnished with their own large plunge pool, and the service and cuisine are top class. The resort is an ideal base either for some sublime relaxation, or as a base to explore the coast and mountains of a stunningly remote region of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Sur Plaza Hotel
Location: The Sur Plaza Hotel is a 3 star hotel in Sur, a picturesque, historic fishing town with dhow building yards and close to the Ras al Jinz Nature Reserve for turtles.
Rooms: 92 standard rooms
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, currency exchange, safe-deposit boxes, laundry, internet.
Activities: Fitness room, swimming pool, local excursions, water activities, billiards, fishing, swimming pool outdoor.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: The recommended hotel in the town of Sur, comfortable and functional.
The View, Al Hamra
Location: Situated in the mountains approximately 50 minutes drive from Nizwa and 15 minutes from the village of Al Hamra.
Rooms: 19 comfortably furnished tents with heater & air conditioning
Facilities: Restaurant.
Activities: Trekking, donkey safaris, mountain biking & cultural tours.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: An adventurous alternative to staying in one of the region’s larger hotels, The View is a great base for trekking in the Jebel Shams mountains, as well as for visiting numerous local forts, villages and wadis.
This is a land of incredibly diverse beauty, ranging from the ancient fjords of Musandam, to the lush green hills and waterfalls of Dhofar, from the deep wadis to the peaks of the dramatic Hajar Mountains, across the drifting desert dunes of the Wahiba Sands and the untameable Empty Quarter to the endless unspoilt beaches along the Arabian Sea.
The country’s rich cultural and archaeological heritage reflects hundreds of years of international trade and foreign influences, which can still be experienced throughout the country. There are more than 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman, many of which have been classified as World Heritage Sites.
Essence of Arabia
This 11-day itinerary combines Oman’s ancient forts & culture with a magical wildlife experience on its turtle nesting beaches as well as some time to relax on the beach.
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2– Arrive Muscat – Shangri-La Al Bandar – 2 nights
Day 3 – Muscat City Tour – Afternoon at leisure
Day 4 – Drive to Nizwa via Tanuf, Bahla and Jabrin – Falaj Daris Hotel – 2 nights
Day 5 – Morning visit of Nizwa Fort & souq and afternoon excursion to Jebel Shams via Misfah & Hamra
Day 6 – Drive to Wahiba Sands, then Wadi Bani Khalid and the Desert Nights Camp- 1 night
Day 7 – Continue journey to Sur and visit dhow yard and observe green turtles’ nesting sites (seasonal) at Ras al Jinz Scientific & Visitor Centre – 1 night
Day 8 – Return to Muscat via Wadi Shab and the Bimah Sinkhole – Shangri-La Al Bandar – 3 nights
Day 9 & 10 – At leisure at the Shangri-La Al Bandar
Day 11 – Today you fly to London Heathrow / Arrive in London
2012 price from £1,897 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Muscat/London).
Muscat to Musandam
This 9-day itinerary combines Oman’s capital city Muscat with the Musandam Peninsula, a rugged and beautiful region and home to the dramatic ‘Fjords of Arabia’. The warm clear waters and pristine reefs offer superb snorkelling & scuba diving with many species of exotic reef fish ranging from schooling barracuda to sunfish, reef sharks and even whale sharks.
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2– Arrive Muscat - Al Bustan - 2 nights
Day 3 – Muscat City Tour – Afternoon at leisure
Day 4 – Fly to Khasab on the Musandam Peninsula – Golden Tulip Resort – 3 nights
Day 5 – Full day cruise
Day 6 – Half day maountain safari
Day 7 – Continue journey to Sohar, Sohar Beach Hotel – 1 night
Day 8 – Continue to Muscat and the Al Bustan, at leisure
Day 9 – Today you fly to London Heathrow / Arrive in London
2011 price from £1,544 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Muscat/London).
The Forts of Oman
This week-long trip offers an excellent insight into the most impressive of Oman’s ancient forts as well as allowing some well earned pampering time at one of Oman’s premier hotels.
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2 – Arrive in Muscat – The Chedi – 2 nights
Day 3 – Muscat City Tour – Afternoon at leisure
Day 4 – Drive to Nizwa – visit Nakhal’s Fort, Bilat Sayt, Hajar Mountains, Hamra & Misfah – Golden Tulip Hotel – 2 nights
Day 5 – Visit Nizwa Fort, Tanuf, Baha, Jabrin, then Jabal Akhdar & Wadi Bani Habib
Day 6 – Sightseeing – Wadi Maedeen, Birkat Al Mauz en route to Muscat – The Chedi – 1 night
Day 7 – Fly to London Heathrow
2012 price from £ 1,097 per person
(Prices based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Muscat/London).
The Oman Explorer
From the mosques, souqs and forts of Muscat to the highest plateau of the Hajar Mountains to the ancient forts of Oman and the vast emptiness of the Wahiba Sands this itinerary is designed to give you an in-depth look at Oman’s historical, cultural and natural heritage.
Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow
Day 2 – Arrive Muscat – Grand Hyatt Hotel – 2 nights
Day 3 – Muscat city tour – Afternoon at leisure
Day 4 – Drive to Jabal Akhdar, walking in the mountains – Sahab Hotel – 1 night
Day 5 – Drive to Nizwa via Bahla and Jabrin Forts – Falaj Daris Hotel – 2 nights
Day 6 – Visit Nizwa Fort and the market
Day 7 – Drive to Wahiba Sands via Sinaw, Rawdah and Al Mansfah – Desert Nights Camp – 1 night
Day 8 – Drive to Sur via Wadi Bani Khalid – Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitors Centre, pm turtle watching (seasonal) – 1 night
Day 9 – Return to Muscat and fly to Salalah – Crowne Plaza Resort – 3 nights
Days 10 & 11 – Two full days sightseeing in Salalah
Day 12 – Fly to Muscat – The Grand Hyatt – 1 night
Day 13 – Fly to London Heathrow
2012 price from £2,370 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Muscat/London).