Family Adventure Holiday to Oman

You’ll arrive into Oman’s capital and we’ll transfer you to your hotel, the Grand Hyatt, perched on golden sandy coastline. The perfect introduction to the country’s fascinating culture, take a tour to visit the grandiose Sultan’s Palace and Grand Mosque, with its intricate Persian-inspired tiling; before heading to the labyrinthine Muttrah Souk, where the colourful laden stalls and haggling will have plenty to keep all ages occupied.

Onwards and upwards to the Hajar Mountains and the Sahab Hotel, perched 2,500m above sea level. In stark contrast to the bustling city of Muscat, this mountainous haven is a breath of fresh air, where you can enjoy a trekking expedition, marvel at the sea of date plantations at Al Hamra and visit the famous Round Fort and souk of Nizwa. By night, enjoy a traditional four-course menu followed by some gazing at the clear starry sky.

An authentic Omani experience is in store as you head for the pink-tinted dunes of the Wahiba Sands desert, where you’ll camp in the luxurious Arabian tents of the Desert Nights Camp. Traverse the beautiful, air-sculpted dunes with a lazy camel ride or kick up the pace a notch with an adventurous quad bike or 4x4 excursion into the untamed desert. Come evening, watch the sun descend behind the dunes, before feasting on meat and fish fresh from the barbecue.

You’ll return to the coastline, on the eastern seaboard of the Arabian Peninsula and the fishing village of Ras Al Jinz, home to the Ras Al Jinz Scientific Centre. Here the family is in for a wildlife treat – watching the native sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach before returning to sea and, if you’re lucky, the baby hatchlings edging their way through the sand to make a break for the water. This spectacular sight is once-in-a-lifetime material and with over 30,000 turtles nesting on these shores every year, this is one of the best places in the world to experience it.

Return to the capital where this time you’ll be staying in the Al Bustan Palace, close to the Oman Dive Centre just outside of the city and in a striking setting, between rugged mountains and the greeny-blue waters of the Gulf of Oman. For little ones, this hotel has plenty of activities to keep them occupied, from cooking to arts and crafts, and the tranquil waters of the Gulf are prime snorkelling and dolphin watching spots. Take a guided kayak tour along the coastline or to the nearby pretty village of Qantab.

For the final leg of your adventure, you’ll end on a high note at the sublime Six Senses Zighy Bay, on the northern Musandam Peninsula – even arriving is an experience, whether it’s stepping barefoot onto the sand from a stylish speedboat, winding your way down through the spectacular rocky mountains or even descending by paraglide.  A host of intrepid activities is on offer at Six Senses, be it trekking through massive wadi canyons, wake-boarding or hand-line fishing; afterwards, you can chill out  in the plush spa or enjoy a movie at the  beach cinema or take a family cookery class to learn the basics of Arabic cuisine. After a few days of secluded bliss, it’s back to the airport for return flight home.