Forts, Wadis & Souks of Oman
Cultural Oman | 10 days
Boasting more than 1,000km of pristine coastline, Oman offers superb marine life, ancient forts, fertile wadis and craggy mountain scenery in what is still an emerging tourism destination. A 10-day itinerary gives the ideal combination of beach relaxation with a colourful tour of the coast and interior taking in Sur and Nizwa.
Day 1: Fly to Muscat, capital of Oman
Days 2&3: Visit the old town of Muscat and stroll around the palace of Sultan Qaboos
Day 4: Drive through the Hajar Mountains to the deserted beaches at Sur and visit Wadi Shab
Day 5: See the water pools and deep canyons at Wadi Bani Khalid, try camel riding at Wahiba and drive to Nizwa
Day 6: Full day mountain off road tour to Jebel Akhdar by 4WD vehicle
Day 7: Visit the weekly cattle market and tour the imposing fort at Nizwa. Return to Muscat via Jebel Shams
Day 8: Relax on Muscat’s beautiful beaches
Day 9: Visit Barka Souq and fishmarket, Nakhl and Rustaq Forts
Day 10: Fly to London
If you have more time you can fly from Dubai or Muscat to Salalah, capital of Dhofar in southern Oman and head from here by 4WD to Thesiger’s ‘Empty Quarter’ to camp out under the stars
Guide price £2,725 per person
Trip Reports for the Middle East
Map
Travel Tips
Comments
Fiona’s travel tips
TOP TIP: The Musandam Peninsula is just a 90 minute drive from Dubai — an easy way to combine the two countries.
READ: Wilfred Thesiger’s Across the Empty Quarter.
BEST TIME TO GO:
Jordan and Syria: Spring and autumn
Lebanon: year round
UAE/Oman: October to April
JOURNEY TIME:
Jordan: 5½ hours (direct)
Lebanon: 4½ hours (direct)
Oman: 9 hours (indirect)
Syria: 6¾ hours (direct)
UAE: 6¾ hours (direct)
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Clients’ comments
“We had an awesome time. Maldives very chilled and friendly. Amazing. Great snorkelling and turtles. The dive centre is well run – would definitely go back.”
Mr and Mrs David Manning, Makunudu, Maldives and Oman
“Loved the goat market, worth the early start, also the fort and old town and markets. We all had a great holiday and are grateful to you for your excellent organisation. Would highly recommend Oman as a destination, also Far Frontiers Travel as an excellent tour firm.
Audrey Price, Sheila Maguire and Hazel Brown, Oman
“For a country that was so different it was immensely helpful to have an itinerary put together by someone who knew it. And it didn’t disappoint. Every day was packed with wonderful things. Absolutely fascinating trip, the culture, geography, history and the Omani people were wonderful. Thank you. I saw more, adventured further and was more amazed than if I was travelling independently.”
Kathrine O’Brien, Oman
“We had a wonderful visit, from the moment we arrived until the day we left. A few eyebrows were raised when we said we were off to Jordan, especially two women of mature years, but we could not have felt safer. Our itinerary was perfect from bustling Amman to scenic Aqaba and 10 days was the ideal stay. We were amazed at how mountainous and beautiful the country is. Mt. Nebo really conveys a biblical atmosphere, but the highlight is definitely Petra, just breathtaking. The food was very good and caters for all tastes and the people are charming. The spa at the Dead Sea was the best I have ever had, I only wish I could have another! Highly recommended.”
June Waring and Elizabeth Pybus, Jordan
“Fiona always makes the itineraries so exciting. We added the turtle watching and this was quickly incorporated. The holiday went as smoothly as the itinerary and was a perfect mix of relaxation and activity. We would love to go back again and perhaps explore other parts of Oman such as Salalah and the Empty Quarter. We had a wonderful holiday and look forward to planning another trip with you before too long. “
Richard and Sally Morgan, Oman
“Fiona, we had truly amazing time in Oman, thank you so much for all you did.”
Mr and Mrs Anthony Hallet, Oman
“We thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks in Jordan. It was a marvellous experience visiting so many interesting places, meeting such friendly and welcoming people and learning a little about the past and the present of this beautiful and varied country.”
Rob and Jane Aylott, Jordan
“One of the very best holidays we have had. In fact we are seriously talking about going back to Oman next year. The agency was excellent….The guide and the trips were more than adequate, and the rest days perfect. Thank you for your efforts”.
Mrs Joan Dampney, Oman
“We had a truly memorable trip to Jordan from start to finish and cannot thank you enough for putting it together so professionally and in such a short space of time. One of the best holidays we have ever had.”
Paul Crayford, Jordan
“We wanted to write and thank you for arranging our recent holiday. It was superb and we had a very happy time. I wrote a little travelogue – I’ve attached it for your possible interest (less a travelogue and more a novel…it’s 5 pages long!) The itinerary was fine, we saw and experienced a great deal but never felt rushed. Loved all of it, I think my ‘travelogue’ speaks for that; planned experiences were as hoped but, as so often, it’s the unexpected things that make you smile which are mostly to do with the people you meet. A most wonderful experience was up in the mountains and stopping at a ‘lay-by’ where suddenly we were aware of goats and a Bedouin and two tatty chairs and a little table placed to overlook this beautiful valley below which was the Dana Nature Reserve; the Bedouin produced two plastic cups of the most exquisite Arabic tea and there we sat, drinking in both the tea and this wonderful place which was silent and still and the air so fresh. Asked if I may take a photo of him, the Bedouin seriously and graciously adjusted his headdress and beamed into the camera. Such happenings as this and many others could not have been possible if we’d come on a tour holiday.”
Stewart and Sue Thomson, Jordan