Muscat and the Green South
Oman Trip | Duration: from 7 days
From Muscat to Salalah in the green south
Itinerary
Arrival in Muscat
Upon your arrival at the airport in Muscat, you will be greeted by the team of the Prime Class Lounge, who will assist with your entry formalities while you can relax in the lounge. Your private driver will then take you to your hotel for the upcoming nights, The Chedi Muscat. With the Hadjar Mountains behind you and a view of the azure blue Gulf of Oman, the wonderful boutique hotel The Chedi Muscat welcomes you. Here the arabesque influence blends with contemporary style and elegance, making it one of the most stunning places to stay in the capital. The hotel's own infinity pool is the longest in the Middle East, so don't miss your chance for a little refreshment in the cool water.
Explore Muscat
Today you will explore the capital Muscat with your private Omani guide. In addition to the Grand Mosque, the Opera House and the Fish Market, you will visit the traditional souk and the Old Town with the new National Museum, where you can marvel at art and cultural treasures from the past. Here, you will get an insight into the Omani culture and way of life.
In the afternoon the day slowly finds its end with a Dhow cruise. With a drink at sunset you can still enjoy the beautiful view of Muscat's promenade.
Off-Road Adventure Through the Hadjar Mountains
After breakfast, your multistop trip begins. After breakfast your trip begins. First you will visit the coastal town of Barka, which is famous for its fish market and bullfights. After a short while, you will reach Nakhl (in English "palms"), a picturesque town where you can visit the 350 year old castle before crossing the mountains.
Enjoy the drive on the off-road track through the Wadi Bani Awf, past date palms, rocky gorges and breathtaking viewpoints. Amidst the rugged mountains lies Bilad Sayt, a small village that has retained its traditional charm and sense of rural solitude.
Once on the other side of the mountains, you will reach your hotel, The View. As the hotel name suggests, you will have a panorama view of the surrounding Omani mountains. At the golden hour, enjoy this view from your own balcony.
The Green Mountain
Today you will continue and reach the "green mountain" and the fantastic Hotel Alila Jabal Akhdar. At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, you can indulge in pure relaxation in an unforgettable setting. From here you can plan wonderful day trips into the spectacular surroundings, although the spa area and the pool overlooking the rocky landscape are also worth a visit.
The Jabal Akhdar region is one of the most fertile of the country and turns lush green, especially during the winter months. Here you can find pomegranates, apricots, almonds, walnuts, grapes as well as the roses from which the famous Jabal Akhdar rose water is distilled, grow on the impressive terrace fields
Nizwa and the impressive Highlands
The breathtaking mountain world of Oman has a lot to offer. Depending on your interests, you can explore the surroundings while hiking or mountain biking.
We also recommend visiting the former capital Nizwa. Start by exploring the traditional souk, which is famous for its silverware and potteries. Climb to the top of the fort, and enjoy a magnificent view of the city and surrounding mountains. On Fridays, Nizwa also has the country's best-known cattle market.
Alternatively, you can simply soak up the tranquility by the pool and unwind with a massage in the excellent spa.
Glamping in the Wahiba Desert
Before you set off into the desert today, you can visit some small mountain villages along the way. A stop in the mountain village Birkat Al Mauz, located at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar, is worthwhile. Explore the village where you can admire date plantations, old mud houses, and the famous Falaj water channels, which are a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
Shortly before reaching the desert you can also stop in Al Mudhaireb. Particularly worth seeing is the vibrant market place with its old houses and the magnificent wooden doors, some of which are from Zanzibar. This village offers a particularly authentic insight into the life of the locals. Otherwise, you can visit the Wadi Bani Khalid. one of the most beautiful and famous wadis in the country. This natural retreat impresses with constant water flows and invites you to refresh yourself with its large pools filled with turquoise water. Small hikes are also possible here.
Shortly before sunset, you will reach the Wahiba Sands. Be amazed by the drive through the dunes of the breathtaking desert. Once in the desert, enjoy the mesmerizing camel ride into the sunset towards your "desert hotel". The Canvas Club Private Camp is built exclusively just for you in the desert, about 40 kilometers away from the main route. Indulge into the great variety of tastes that your private chef has to offer and relish absolute silence far away from civilization in this unique atmosphere.
Wadis and the Coast
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the desert and drive towards the coast. Either you can continue to the port city of Sur, where you will visit a dhow shipyard after a short city tour. Otherwise, continue along the eastern Hadjar Mountains until you reach the palm-fringed Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab, two of the most beautiful wadis in the country. Explore Wadi Shab by walking into the valley for about an hour until you will reach crystal clear pools where you can refresh yourself. Continuing along the coast, stop at Fins Beach. The white sand and turquoise water invite you to stay and offer great photo opportunities. Also, worth seeing on the way is the Bimmah sinkhole, a limestone crater formed thousands of years ago by the collapse of a subterranean river. The sinkhole is fed with underground seawater and its turquoise water invites you to take a refreshing dip. In the early evening, you will reach Muscat Airport and continue the journey by flying south to Salalah.
Beach Stay in Salalah
Salalah is located on the Arabian Sea and about 1000 kilometers south of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The largest city in the south of the country, Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar region. It is also known for its banana plantations, beaches, and green mountains during the monsoon season.
You will spend the remaining days in one of Oman's finest hotels. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life,- Alila Hinu Bay is the place to be! An hour's drive from Salalah airport, you will find a true oasis of well-being in the small fishing village of Mirbat. The Alila is located in a secluded bay and impresses with its wonderful charm and architecture.
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