Visit the Sultanate of Oman
Enjoy a luxurious overnight stay at our luxury resort perched on a rocky gorge with breathtaking views of the canyon and rugged Jebel Akhdar Mountains on the Saiq Plateau.
In Nizwa, you’ll find a bustling souk where friendly merchants specialize in intricately carved daggers and fine silver jewelry. From the impressive Nizwa Fort to Bibi Maryam’s tomb, which bears witness to the vanished glory of Qalhat, explore Omani history at a variety of ancient sites. Spend an unforgettable night in our evocative desert encampment on a camel safari at sunset deep in the wilderness of Wahiba Sands. Discover a Bedouin family’s daily life and enduring way of life by staying with them in their village home
Day One & Two | Allures of Muscat
Upon arrival, you will be greeted and escorted to the Prime Class Lounge, where you can relax and enjoy a complimentary beverage while our professional staff handles all of your arrival formalities, including the processing of your visa. Your luggage will then be collected on your behalf after you’ve been escorted through the fast-track immigration lane. After escorting you through customs, exit the terminal where your chauffeured car awaits to transport you to our luxury urban resort.
As Muscat and Oman blend 21st-century vibrancy and ancient cultural traditions, there is much to discover. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the first stop on your guided sightseeing tour this morning. An enormous rug woven with Persian silk and a Swarovski crystal chandelier dominate the interior of this gleaming Rajasthani sandstone building. At the Bait Al Zubair Museum, you can learn more about the region’s history. Your private guide will take you to the centuries-old Mutrah souk, where you can purchase Omani incense, silver, spices, traditional sweets, and other souvenirs and gifts. At the end of your sightseeing tour, you will see the Al Alam Palace and two Portuguese forts that were built in the 16th century to protect Muscat harbor following two Ottoman sacks. You will dine this evening with the curator of the Bait Adam Museum, known for its fine collection of rare coins, stamps, maps, historical documents, etc.
Day Three | Onward to Jebel Akhdar
Depart Muscat this morning to visit Jabrin. In the late 1600’s, this imposing fortified castle rose from the plains and became an important center of learning for medicine and Islamic law. After that, explore the Bahla Fort, a fortified oasis settlement from the medieval Islamic period that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your visit to a nearby village, you will have the opportunity to interact with local ceramic artisans and even create your own pottery.
Journey into the Jebel Akhdar Mountains via Misfah, a pretty mountain village with traditional stone dwellings. Enjoy dramatic canyon views from the balcony of your spacious guestroom at our luxury mountain resort.
Day Four | Nizwa + Wahiba Sands
From the Jebel Akhdar Mountains, descend to Nizwa, an ancient city set on a broad plain surrounded by palm oases and rugged peaks. Explore the Nizwa Souk after visiting the historic Nizwa Fort, which was built in the 17th century. Visitors come to see the fine antiques, silver jewelry and finely-wrought Omani khanjars, but locals also go to this market to buy produce, meat, and other necessities.
Amidst an ever-changing landscape, huge red and white sand dunes soar to more than 600 feet in the Wahibi Sands wilderness. Experience the unique flora and fauna of this arid landscape and visit a Bedouin family in their modest home in a small village. Dine under the desert sky this evening after a sunset camel safari. At our evocative desert encampment, you can enjoy an unforgettable night in your air-conditioned under-canvas suite.
Day Five | Wadi Bani Khalid + Back to Muscat
As we depart our desert encampment, we’ll find ourselves in Wadi Bani Khalid, a lush valley filled with date palms, agricultural villages, and clear flowing waters that provide an amazing contrast to the desert scenery we left behind. Discover the process of making these traditional Arabian sailing vessels at a dhow factory. Afterwards, visit Bibi Maryam’s tomb, which has impressive ruins. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this impressive mausoleum embodies the vanished glory of Qalhat, an ancient city that captured the imagination of long-ago travelers like Marco Polo.
As you return to Muscat, you’ll see a limestone crater lake and, if you’d like, swim in the calm turquoise waters of Fins Beach. Your luxury waterfront hotel awaits you once again when you return to Muscat.
Day Six | Depart from Oman
You will be chauffeured to the airport after breakfast. The Prime Class Lounge awaits you once you’ve cleared immigration and customs formalities.
