9-Day Oman Adventure: Mountains, Desert & Salalah

Tour overview

Experience Oman from north to south on an active nine-day journey. Explore Muscat and the Daymaniyat Islands, swim through Al Hoqain's dramatic trenches, cross Wadi Bani Awf to mountain villages, hike Jabal Shams, discover Nizwa and Jabal Akhdar, camp in Wahiba Sands, visit Sur and Wadi Shab, then fly south for Salalah's coast, heritage sites, and the legendary Empty Quarter.

Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 - Muscat City Tour and Daymaniyat Islands | Muscat. Begin at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, then join a morning snorkeling trip to the protected Daymaniyat Islands. Continue to the Royal Opera House, Al Alam Palace and Portuguese forts, and Muttrah Souq.
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   Day 2 - Al Hoqain Trenches, Wadi Bani Awf and Bilad Sayt | Al Hamra. Swim through the distinctive sulphur-water trenches at Al Hoqain, then travel off-road through Wadi Bani Awf and Snake Canyon to picturesque Bilad Sayt, with a photo stop at Sharaf Al Alamayn.
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   Day 3 - Jabal Shams Balcony Walk, Misfat Al Abriyeen, Bahla and Jibreen | Nizwa. Complete the 3-4 hour Balcony Walk above Oman's Grand Canyon, explore Misfat's mud houses, plantations and falaj channels, and stop at UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort with an optional visit to Jibreen Castle.
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   Day 4 - Nizwa and Jabal Akhdar | Nizwa. Explore Nizwa Souq and Fort, then visit Birkat Al Mouz and ascend Jabal Akhdar for terraced villages, Wadi Bani Habib, mountain viewpoints, and an optional Via Ferrata experience.
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   Day 5 - Wadi Hawer and Wahiba Sands | Desert Camping. Trek, scramble and swim through Wadi Hawer's pools and waterfalls, continue to Bidiyah, enter Wahiba Sands, and camp beneath the stars among dunes rising toward 200 metres.
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   Day 6 - Sur, Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole | Evening flight to Salalah. Visit Sur's fishing port, dhow shipyard, lighthouse and old quarter. Continue to Wadi Shab for the boat crossing, canyon walk and swimming toward the waterfall cave, then visit Bimmah Sinkhole before the evening flight.
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   Day 7 - Salalah City and West | Salalah. Follow the established Salalah City Tour through Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Al Baleed, the Frankincense Land Museum, fruit plantations and Haffa Souq, then continue west to Mughsail Beach, Marneef Cave, blowholes, frankincense trees and Fazayah Beach.
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   Day 8 - Salalah East | Salalah. Follow the established Salalah East Tour with photo stops near the Royal Farm and Mamura Palace, visits to Taqah Castle and Sumhuram at Khor Rori, then Wadi Darbat, the gravity point and Jabal Samhan.
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   Day 9 - Empty Quarter and Lost City of Ubar | Departure from Salalah. Cross the Qara Mountains and stop at Thumrait before entering Rub Al Khali. Experience dunes exceeding 250 metres, visit the archaeological remains of Ubar, and pass frankincense trees on the return to Salalah Airport.