Oman

Oman Short Break

This is the ideal quick tour of Oman. You’ll see picture perfect oases, dramatic forts, spectacular desert and mountain scenery and idyllic beaches. There are dolphins and camels, desert camps and luxury beach hotels. You can either self-drive or we can arrange an English speaking chauffeur to accompany you, to ensure the ultimate stress-free short break.

Highlights

  Dolphin cruise & snorkelling
  Hike the Balcony Walk
  Race down giant sand-dunes
  Swim in emerald-hued pools
  Relax in style on the beach

8 days from £1,850 pp

Plus international flights from £500 per person

A self-drive 8 day short break in Oman for a family of four usually costs from £7,400 based on mid range hotels (excluding international flights).

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Oman Short Break day-to-day itinerary

Day 1 Muscat
When you arrive in Muscat you will be met by a Stubborn Mule representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening perhaps head to the souk and wander through the market stalls, packed with gold, antiques, colourful textiles, trinkets and spices.


Day 2 Dolphin Cruise
This morning take a boat ride off the coast to look for dolphins. The kids will be entranced as they see the animals leap and flip out of the water. You will then moor up off a deserted beach to go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. Brightly coloured fish flit through coral and if you are lucky you may even see a turtle.

You will be back in Muscat around lunch time, and the rest of the day is free to further explore.


Day 3 Sultan Qaboos Mosque – Nizwa
We recommend your first stop today should be a visit to the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Mosque, a vast and hugely impressive building with marble courtyards and graceful minarets. The entire mosque retains a beautifully peaceful atmosphere.

Afterwards, set off for Nizwa, stopping en route to look around Jabrin Fort, set in a beautiful location in the heart of a date palm oasis. Children love exploring the labyrinth of corridors and courtyards inside the fort and the views from the walls are spectacular. You can also visit Nizwa fort, in the heart of the city, and explore the souk. The children will enjoy rummaging through trays of old silver jewellery and marvelling at the displays of battered old rifles, daggers and swords.


Day 4 Balcony Walk & Misfah Oasis
You have a full day to explore the interior. Highly recommended is an excursion up into the mountains to hike the ‘Balcony Walk’. This dramatically beautiful route takes you deep into Oman’s Grand Canyon to an abandoned village nestled deep in the interior of the canyon. The kids will enjoy exploring the deserted houses and the views throughout are absolutely spectacular.

On the way back to Nizwa you can stop to wander around picturesque Misfah oasis. This is a traditional Omani village nestled in a fold in the hills. The setting is stunning with the stark barren mountains rising up on either side of the village, but the oasis itself a riot of palm trees. Follow ancient paths alongside burbling irrigation channels and through groves of date and banana palms.

You will spend a second night in Nizwa.

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Day 5 Wahiba Sands
It’s time to leave the mountains behind you and head into the desert by 4WD jeep. Your destination is Wahiba Sands, a vast sand-sea with row after row of immense sand-dunes more than 100 high. These are constantly shifting in the winds and you can climb to the top of a dune and see the wind blowing across the dune tops, slowly changing their shape.

This afternoon perhaps take a camel ride or enjoy a spot of dune-bashing by jeep.

You will spend the night in a traditional desert camp. After a delicious dinner, find a quiet spot outside and enjoy the blanket of stars overhead


Day 6 Sur – Wadi Shab – Muscat
Rise early to climb one of the dunes that soar above the camp for sunrise over the desert.

You will then spend the day driving back to Muscat. There are many places of interest to visit along the way. First up is the attractive seaside town of Sur, famous for its shipyards. These still make traditional Omani sailing boats (dhows) that are used by fishermen throughout the Arabian peninsula.

From here you can head to Wadi Shab. This is a beautiful valley where the river has cut a deep gorge through the mountains. You can hike up the side of the valley for around 45 minutes to a beautiful series of pools where you can swim. If you are feeling more intrepid, follow the river upstream, clambering over the occasional boulder, to a cave with a waterfall inside. The whole area is spectacularly beautiful.

Time permitting you can also stop for a quick dip at the Bimmah Sinkhole en route back to Muscat. End the day in a hotel right on the beach.


Day 7 Muscat
A free day to relax and enjoy the beach.


Day 8 Muscat
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.

01728 752751

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