Tailor made tours of Oman
Tailor made holiday created by Oman experts but not at excessive prices. With private guide, visit an eclectic eastern mix that shows all sides to this Arabian arcadia.
Muscat Sultan Qaboos Mosque Natural History Museum Omani Museum Quriyat beaches Green turtles at Ras-al-Jinz Wadi Bani Khalid Al Hoota Caves Nizwa Jabel Akhdar mountains Deserted villages of Al Hamra and Misfah
Price
£1850 excluding flights
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Price includes: private transfers, accommodation, tours and meals where indicated.
Prices vary according to standard of accommodation & season & are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices based on availability and are subject to change.
Prices vary according to standard of accommodation & season & are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices based on availability and are subject to change.
Description of Tailor made tours of Oman
This eight day, seven night, tailor made tour of Oman takes you on a round-trip from Muscat via Sur and Nizwa, with time spent in the desert folds of Wadi Bani Khalid opening up the lifestyles of the Bedouins as well as nights blanketed by infinite stars.
From desert camps and traditional fishing communities to lush, green oasis and turtle conservation sanctuaries, this tailor made tour of Oman packs plenty into a week away with four-wheel-drive safaris over sand dunes just as exhilarating as you can imagine.
No trip to Oman is complete without a stay at the Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.
Committed to the protection of the beautiful Giant Green Turtle (Cheloniamydas), Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve and Scientific Centre is a must-visit on any Oman itinerary. Situated on the east coast, just 30 minutes from the coastal town of Sur, the centre offers a unique eco-tourism experience and an unparalleled encounter with sea turtles.
As this tailor made tour of Oman includes a local driver and a guide within a private vehicle you can rest assured all of your questions will be answered, with unique experiences, tailored by Omani experts, helping you achieve a tour that’s as much about authenticity as it is about adventure.
Additional time in Muscat, both at the start and end of this tour, allow more time to take it all in with a choice of accommodation, including wild or permanent desert camps, letting you tailor make a tour of Oman based around your personal preferences.
The best time to visit Oman is over the winter from Oct to April as daytime conditions are warm whilst nights are still mild. Summer, from May to Sept is the hottest time to visit the country but the best season for seeing the turtles.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival Muscat from London. Transfer to your chosen hotel in Muscat, rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 2: | Visit the Grand Mosque; one of the most exquisite Mosques in Oman, the Grand Mosque covers 40,000 square meters. Quietly imposing from the outside, this glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign. The main prayer hall is breathtakingly rich. The Persian carpet alone measures 70m by 60m wide, making it the second-largest hand-loomed Iranian carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave! The mosque, which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, including 750 women in a private musalla (prayer hall), is an active place of worship, particularly for Friday prayers. Afterwards go to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has some excellent collection of the bye gone era. Continue to the walled city and the Old Town of Muscat. En route there will be a photo stop at the Al Alam Palace, the Royal Residence of His Majesty – Sultan Qaboos and then to 16th century Portuguese built Mirani and Jalali Forts. Finally visit Muttrah Souq where the shops sell the traditional Omani items like the Khanjars, Dallah (Bronze Coffee Pot), the exotic spices, the Frankincense etc. If you want, you can stay down at the Corniche to walk around the vibrant souq and fish market. |
| Day 3: | Check-out of your hotel after an early breakfast. Your driver will collect you from the hotel reception at 08:00 this morning for the start of a fascinating roundtrip tour of the interior. Depart in a 4WD vehicle, with the first leg taking you in a south-eastern direction along the coastal road to Sur. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains to the small fishing town of Quriyat. Drive past lush villages surrounded with dates, lemon and mango plantations taking an adventurous off-road track to visit the Wadi Arbayeen; an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains characterized by date palms and deep pools of water. It is one of the most beautiful wadis and its pools with clear blue water gives you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. On the coastal road you can ask the driver to stop anywhere for photo stops or just to stretch your legs. Fins is a small village north of Wadi Shab, there are numerous small & hidden coves with beaches, or wider expanses of sand, or cliffs dropping precipitously into the sea. Only dirt tracks lead to these beaches and it’s not clear at all when you enter a track from the highway whether it will lead you to a decent beach or not - this is a huge advantage of having your own driver as they have great local knowledge! Take one of the numerous tracks to the edge of the ocean, and look for a beautiful little secluded cove to have a rest and admire the view and take a dip in the sea. Shortly after Qalhat you will reach the coastal town of Sur,renowned for its dhow shipyard in former times. Sur is a fishermen's town on the east coast of Oman. In the past, it has been well known for its Dhow building and was Oman's main centre of trade with East Africa. Dhows are still being built in Sur today but there is little trade with East-Africa, nowadays Sur is a quiet but delightful town to visit. You can wander in its authentic souk with Middle-Eastern ware; it has that genuine Arabic feel with locals wearing dish-dash or abaya. There is a fort, marine museum and dhow boat yard to visit, or go for a stroll along the quay and up to the lighthouse. Transfer from Sur along the road to Ras Al Jinz (roughly 1hr journey) to your accommodation for the evening to check-in and have some time to relax. Continue to Ras-al-Jinz, which is one of the largest nesting areas for Green Turtle in the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the reserve giving you the advantage of visiting the turtle beach, with a guide to see the turtles come on to the beach searching for nesting ground. Breakfast and dinner are included today. |
| Day 4: | The following morning you have the option to return to the beach at 05:00am in search of turtles again. Early risers may catch the wonderful sight of turtles returning to the sea, an awe-inspiring experience, returning to the camp for breakfast. After breakfast drive to Wahiba Sands, via a beautiful wadi. Journey time is roughly 2¾ hours with stops for photos en-route. Wadi Bani Khaled is an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. It is one of the most developed wadis in Oman and its pools with clear deep blue/green water give you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. There are lifeguards on duty and safety equipment on the edges of the pool. This area has a restaurant where you can get lunch or if you prefer a more private experience we can arrange for a packed lunch and ask your driver to take you to a quieter less developed wadi. Afterwards enjoy some exciting sand dune driving, arrive at your desert camp before the sun sets (around 4pm). Nestled among the dunes and Cinereria trees in the Wahiba Sands Desert, is your camp for the night. Here you can spend the night in traditionally-styled luxury tents surrounded by rolling sand dunes. Located 40km from the main road, the only way in is with a 4x4 vehicle. Once you reach the camp, cars are prohibited in the camp area. Make the most of the desert lifestyle with a camel ride, trekking in the sand dunes under stars or early in the morning while the sun rises. On very special mornings, you can watch the fog lift from the dunes as the sun rises. You will find a small swimming pool where you can cool off after the heat and dust of the day. Breakfast and Dinner are included today. (wild camping is also available - ask us for more details). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today. |
| Day 5: | Today you will leave the desert after breakfast and head to Nizwa, the old capital, to visit the best Forts in Oman. Beautifully restored to their former glory, Jabreen and Bahla Fort are extremely interesting. Entrance fees to the forts can vary but this will be confirmed on booking. Make sure you leave enough time to get to Nizwa Souq - the prices are better here than in Muscat so you can bag your self a bargain! The date shop is a firm favorite of ours and they have great products including date syrup and even blended spiced honey. Breakfast is included today. |
| Day 6: | Don't miss the Friday morning goat market next to the souq. Be there at around 7:30 and you can enjoy the last hour of the goat market. It happens around a round structure where business is brisk with a lot of shouting, haggling and hand slaps. Truly Arabian and wonderful. Nizwa is one of the largest cities in Oman and the capital of the interior region. It has a wealth of cultural and ancient landmarks, most prominent is Nizwa fort built over a period of 12 years and located in the city centre. The fort is surrounded by ancient traditional souqs (markets) where the locals trade in traditional as well as imported merchandise, from vegetables to jewellery. Visit the renovated citadel, with its 17th century fort and adjacent golden-domed mosque. Breakfast and lunch are included today. |
| Day 7: | Head off today into the village of Al Hamra famous for its date plantations and oldest preserved houses in Oman, which are 300 years old with ceilings made of palm beams and fronds topped by mud and straw. Built on a tilted rock slab, Al Hamra lies above a lush sprawling oasis. Its Falaj system is the lifeline for the plantation and is also used for washing clothes and pots. Misfah; an incredible village of ancient houses and narrow streets perched in a valley. You have the option to have lunch here in a locally run guesthouse. The villagers still rely on subsistence farming however with tourism growing a local family, brother and sister, have converted one of the old houses to provide lunches and basic accommodation. Wadi Bani Auf is considered by many to be the most scenically spectacular of any of Oman’s mountain drives. The sparkling white stones are scattered about on the wadi floor are natural quartz. Drive through the spectacular mountain range, a verdant swathe of date palms and a patchwork of terraced fields accentuate the scenic beauty of this natural setting. All around are the impressive profiles of mountains that are a part of the Jebal Shams range. From somewhere deep within these mountains emerge crystal streams of water that eventually feed the village's two main falaj. These nurture the area's lush heritage of date palm gardens and farms below. The overflow ends up in the wadi that skirts Bilad Sayt and meanders on for about 7km, cutting a deep swathe through the surrounding mountains. Continue your journey back to Muscat and check-in at your hotel for your final night. Breakfast is included today. |
| Day 8: | Private transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Breakfast is included today. |
Price information
£1850 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Price includes: private transfers, accommodation, tours and meals where indicated.
Prices vary according to standard of accommodation & season & are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices based on availability and are subject to change.
Prices vary according to standard of accommodation & season & are per person based on 2 people sharing. Prices based on availability and are subject to change.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary
Travel guides
Neighbouring United Arab Emirates tends to hog the high end limelight, but in Oman you’ll find an authentic Arabian experience without the excessive b...
There is something about travelling in the desert. The harsh beauty of landscapes shaped by the elements; the generosity of the people that live there...
Holiday information
Tailor made tour:
We offer a complete tailor made service allowing you to decide when you go, where to stay and what to do, to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by our travel experts. We would be happy to telephone you to discuss your requirements and options. Our staff have intimate knowledge of this destination, so do please include your telephone number when you complete the enquiry form.
Our top tip:
First and foremost, drink a lot of water. Oman is two thirds desert after all. And protect yourself from the sun with all known methods possible to man.
Solos:
Solo travellers welcome. Surcharge for single room.
Accomm:
Standard hotels and one night camping in desert. Upgrades possible.
Included:
Accommodation, most meals, transfers, tours, private guide.
Meals:
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners.
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Reviews
11 Reviews of Tailor made tours of Oman
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 04 Jan 2024 by Deborah Anne Humble
Most memorable was the Balcony walk and the hike high above Wakan village and off road driving in the mountains. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 May 2023 by Bobby Philips
Excellent... this was a totally relaxing experience. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Dec 2018 by Laura Robinson
The walks were a particular highlight for us as that was what we had set out to do on our trip. Although challenging at times, the information boards were always clear at the outset of what the walking would be like Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Jan 2018 by Trevor Storer
Staying at the Turtle Research Centre Carapace Lodge and seeing turtles nesting at dusk and getting up at 5am to see them returning to the sea. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Oct 2017 by Julie Forshaw
Visiting some of the interesting sights as we got inside Oman, the forts, the castles, the desert, wadis and swimming in the sinkhole was a fun highlight for me on a hot day! Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Feb 2016 by Karen Shaw
Excellent and tour guide (Abdullah) was really excellent Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Feb 2016 by Vivien Gainsborough Foot
Oman is a "must see" country and I would thoroughly recommend everyone to go. Lovely, wonderful, gentle people, so proud of their heritage and a most beautiful country. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Nov 2015 by Anisha Palan
The whole trip was fabulous, we loved every part of the itinerary. The best bits were swimming outdoors in the Wadi Bani Khalid and in the Bimmah sinkhole, and also seeing turtles on the beach at night (we were lucky). Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
This tour visits the Ras Al Junayz beach, one of the largest nesting areas for green turtles in the Indian Ocean. An average of 30,000 turtles nest at this beach. The Ras Al-Junayz Turtle and Nature Reserve was established in 1996 to better protect Oman’s Sea turtles and their natural environment. Clients are encouraged to donate to the research centre.The total protected area is 120km with a 45km of coastline, extending for 1km into the sea. The Ras Al –Junayz Scientific and Visitors Centre offers a unique Ecotourism experience – an unparalleled encounter with sea turtles. It also houses a research library and research facilities for marine biology and archaeology promoting social responsibility and sound environmental practices.
The Ras Al-Jinz scientific visitors centre offers a unique eco-tourism experience, an unparallel encounter with sea turtles, and promotes social responsibility. Access to the beach is controlled by the authorities to protect the turtles.
People
This trip visits several local communities in the Wahiba Sands Desert allowing clients to purchase handicrafts made by the locals. Any money from the sale of the handicrafts helps the local Bedouins to support their families.Local Bedouin guides are hired to explain their way of life to clients on parts of this tour. This enables them to earn a regular living from the visiting tourists.
The Wahiba desert camp, 1000 Nights Camp, is locally owned and employs local people to help run it, providing local food and traditional entertainment supporting the local community.
There is no electricity at the camp with no light pollution or sound pollution as the camp uses natural resources to blend in with the environment. All waste from the campsites is taken away and recycled. There is no evidence left of any travelers staying in the desert.
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