Oman in a Nutshell

Land in the compelling Omani capital and we’ll transfer you to your hotel, The Chedi, perched on the water’s edge in the city’s commercial heart. Muscat is home to a series of beautifully built mosques, the most prominent of which is the opulent Sultan’s Grand Mosque, which is a must-see for visitors. We’ll also take you to the rich and colourful Sultan’s Palace right on the harbour, flanked by the Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali.

Leaving the city behind, you’ll head inland, winding along a climbing road through the Hajar Mountains to arrive at luxury lofty hotel The View, overlooking the town of Al Hamra below. Your base for exploring these rugged mountains, you can pay a visit to the spectacular Al Hoota caves, estimated to be over two million years old and hiding an eerie subterranean lake.

Desert-bound, the following day you’ll head to the rolling, wind-sculpted dunes of Wahiba Sands, where you’ll be bedding down in the luxurious Desert Nights Camp. A short drive away from the camp is the oasis-like valley of Wadi Bani Khaled where you can dip into its clear turquoise waters for the perfect desert antidote; and make like the locals with a camel ride over the dunes to appreciate the expanse and beauty of the surrounding region.

It’s back to base in Muscat where you’ll be treated to a visit to the town’s bustling nerve centre, Muttrah Souk: one of the oldest marketplaces in the Middle East, it has been a thriving thoroughfare of trade for centuries, thanks to the city’s strategic positioning en route to India and China. Flex your haggling skills and wander the maze of alleyways to pick up some aromatic frankincense and handmade jewellery to bring home with you, before laying your head back at The Chedi for your final night. Souvenirs sorted, we’ll take you to the airport for your flight home.