Grand Oman: Muscat, Nizwa, the Mountains, Desert & Coast

Today you explore elegant Muscat, one of the most beautiful cities in Arabia. You visit the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its vast marble prayer hall, enormous chandelier and hand-woven carpet, explore the atmospheric Mutrah Souq, fragrant with frankincense and piled with silver and spices, and stroll the beautiful corniche. You take in the twin Portuguese forts guarding the old harbour, the beautiful royal palace and the stunning Royal Opera House, and might visit the excellent National Museum. The elegance and beauty of Muscat are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored gracious Muscat. This evening, savour Omani cuisine and the relaxed atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey inland to historic Nizwa.

Today you journey inland to historic Nizwa and the great forts of the interior. You travel into the interior, visiting the mighty Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the magnificent Jabrin Castle, one of Oman's finest, with its beautiful painted ceilings. In Nizwa, the historic old capital set amid a vast palm oasis beneath the mountains, you explore its magnificent 17th-century fort, climbing its enormous round tower for sweeping views, and wander its lively, atmospheric souk, famous for silver, khanjars, pottery, dates and spices. The history and atmosphere are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation near Nizwa, immersed in the timeless heart of old Oman. This evening, savour the peace of the oasis town. Rest well, for tomorrow you ascend the Green Mountain, Jebel Akhdar.

Today you ascend Jebel Akhdar, the 'Green Mountain', into the cool, dramatic high country. You journey by 4x4 up the winding mountain road onto the high plateau of Jebel Akhdar, high in the Hajar range, where the air is cool and the scenery spectacular. You explore the ancient terraced villages that cling to the canyon walls, famous for their rose gardens (from which precious rosewater is distilled each spring) and fruit, fed by ancient falaj channels, walking among the terraces and taking in spectacular viewpoints over the deep canyons. The scenery and mountain culture are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your mountain accommodation, perhaps on the dramatic canyon rim. This evening, savour the cool mountain air, dramatic views and starry sky. Rest well amid the beauty of the Green Mountain, for tomorrow you journey to the Grand Canyon of Oman.

Today you journey to Jebel Shams to gaze into the Grand Canyon of Oman. You descend from Jebel Akhdar and journey by 4x4 towards Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman, perhaps visiting the beautiful old village of Al Hamra and the mudbrick village of Misfat al Abriyeen, with their ancient houses and lush terraced gardens fed by falaj channels. At Jebel Shams, you gaze into the spectacular Grand Canyon of Oman, one of the deepest canyons in the world, a breathtaking chasm, and walk part of the famous Balcony Walk along the canyon wall, with breathtaking views. The scale and drama are breathtaking. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation near Jebel Shams, on the dramatic canyon rim. This evening, savour the spectacular views and starry mountain sky. Rest well amid the drama of the Grand Canyon of Oman, for tomorrow you journey to the golden Wahiba Sands.

Today you journey from the mountains to the golden dunes of the Wahiba Sands. You descend from Jebel Shams and journey across the country to the Wahiba Sands, a vast, beautiful desert of towering golden and russet dunes. You journey by 4x4 into the dunes, meeting Bedouin hosts, riding a camel across the sands, and climbing a high dune to watch a spectacular desert sunset paint the endless landscape gold and crimson. As night falls, you arrive at your desert camp among the dunes, dining beneath a canopy of brilliant stars and experiencing warm Bedouin hospitality and the profound silence of the desert. As the day ends, you settle into the magical desert, sleeping beneath star-filled skies. Rest well amid the beauty and silence of the golden Wahiba Sands.

Today you savour the golden desert and the beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid. You wake to a spectacular sunrise over the dunes, then spend time exploring the magical Wahiba Sands, dune-driving, sandboarding, riding camels, and perhaps visiting a Bedouin family to experience their desert way of life, taking in the beauty and silence of the endless golden dunes. In the afternoon you visit the stunning Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman's most beautiful wadis, with its turquoise pools, waterfalls and palm groves amid dramatic rock, where you swim in the cool, clear water, a refreshing contrast to the desert, before returning to the desert camp. As the sun sets over the dunes, you enjoy a final desert night beneath the brilliant stars. As the day ends, you savour the magic of the desert. Rest well beneath the star-filled skies of the Wahiba Sands.

Today you journey to the coast, to the dhow town of Sur and the turtles of Ras al-Jinz. You leave the desert and journey to the coastal town of Sur, famous for building wooden dhows by hand, watching these graceful ships being built in the traditional dhow yards, and taking in the beautiful lagoon, forts, lighthouse and atmospheric old quarter. In the evening, you visit Ras al-Jinz, one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the region, where, on a guided visit, you watch endangered green turtles come ashore in the darkness to nest (or, in season, hatchlings scramble to the sea), a moving and magical wildlife encounter. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation near Sur or Ras al-Jinz, moved by the ancient turtles. Rest well, having experienced the maritime heritage and wildlife of the coast.

Today you journey back to Muscat along the dramatic coast, via beautiful wadis. You travel along the beautiful coast towards Muscat, stopping to explore the spectacular Wadi Shab, one of Oman's most beautiful wadis, taking a short boat across a pool and walking amid palms and dramatic gorge walls to a series of stunning turquoise pools, where you swim in the cool, clear water. You might also visit the remarkable Bimmah Sinkhole, a beautiful natural pool of turquoise water, lovely for a swim, and take in the dramatic coast. The beauty of these hidden natural wonders is magical. As the day ends, you arrive in Muscat, having explored the beautiful coast and wadis. This evening, savour Muscat's relaxed atmosphere and Omani cuisine. Rest well, for tomorrow you cruise the coast and relax in the capital.

Today you enjoy the beautiful coast of Muscat. You take a dhow cruise along the dramatic coast, taking in the forts, cliffs and coves, often with the chance to spot dolphins playing in the wake, and swimming and snorkelling in beautiful coves. You relax on a beautiful beach, swim in the warm sea, and soak up the beautiful setting and relaxed atmosphere, a lovely, restful interlude after the mountains, desert and coast. The beautiful coast, dolphins and relaxed pleasures are lovely. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having savoured the beautiful coast. This evening, savour Muscat's relaxed atmosphere and Omani cuisine, reflecting on the extraordinary grand journey you have made. Rest well, for tomorrow you enjoy a final day exploring the capital.

Today you enjoy a final, flexible day in gracious Muscat. You might explore more of the capital, revisiting the souk for souvenirs (frankincense, silver, khanjars, pottery and Omani crafts), visiting the excellent National Museum or the Bait Al Zubair museum, relaxing on a beautiful beach, or simply soaking up the elegant, relaxed atmosphere of the city. This flexible day lets you savour Muscat and reflect on the extraordinary grand journey you have made across Oman, its forts, mountains, deserts, wadis and coast. As the day ends, you gather your impressions of this beautiful, gracious land. This evening, savour a final dinner in Muscat, reflecting on the mosques, forts, mountains, deserts, turtles and wadis of Oman you have experienced. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying warm memories of gracious Oman.

After a final morning in gracious Muscat, perhaps a last stroll along the corniche or some final souvenir shopping, you are transferred to Muscat International Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced Oman in full, elegant Muscat and historic Nizwa, the Green Mountain and the Grand Canyon of Oman, the golden Wahiba Sands, the turtles of Ras al-Jinz and the dhow town of Sur, and the turquoise wadis and dolphin coast, all warmed by legendary Omani hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the beautiful Grand Mosque, the great round fort of Nizwa, the terraced rose villages and Grand Canyon of the mountains, the golden dunes at sunset, the ancient turtles, and the turquoise wadi pools. Oman packs extraordinary variety into a beautiful, gracious land, and having experienced it in full, you depart with the definitive experience of this remarkable country, already dreaming of a return.