11 unforgettable days in Oman

Hello

Would it be possible to edit an illustrated day-by-day account? 🙂

Hi Kate, I’m not really into full travelogues with countless photos—it takes too long to go through and kind of spoils the surprise when you’re actually there. I love discovering things for myself. That said, I’ll give you a quick day-by-day rundown of our trip: Day 1: Visit to Muscat and its must-sees—the Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, etc... Day 2: Jebel Akhdar, with visits to villages that are more or less abandoned but being renovated, walks along the *falajs*, and we head to Nizwa for 2 nights. Day 3: Jebel Shams, old villages, Jabrin Fort, then back to Nizwa. Day 4: The city of Ibra and its famous Women’s Souk, the villages of Al Minzafa and Al Mudayrib, where we’re welcomed into a traditional house, then off to the Wahiba Sands desert (aka Sharqiya Sands) where we camp in a tent for 2 nights (Sands Dream camp—very simple). Day 5: A desert excursion to a Bedouin camp—it’s a bit touristy (the Bedouins have mostly moved to the city now), but the journey is worth it. In the evening, a traditional 4x4 rally in the dunes (not exactly eco-friendly, so skip if that’s a concern), but still a cool experience, especially watching the sunset from the top of the dunes!!! Day 6: Another dune rally, then off to the stunning Wadi Bani Khalid and on to the city of Sur, where we spend 2 nights. The city and shipyards aren’t super interesting. Day 7: A hike in the breathtaking Wadi Shab, a seaside stroll, and a visit to the more modest Wadi Tiwi. Back to Sur. Day 8: Drive back up to Muscat along the fine sandy beaches of Finse Beach and the Gulf of Oman coast, teeming with thousands of birds. Stop at the Sinkhole Crater and its park, then another detour to Wadi Arbiin, which is different from the other wadis. Stop in Qurayyat, an old fishing village rebuilt after a cyclone. Detour via the Mazara Dam and down to Mutrah, Muscat’s port, for 3 nights. Day 9: Head to Barka and its famous fish market, then Nakhal and its fortress, followed by Rustaq and its fort, then back to Muscat. Day 10: Visit two schools in Muscat, then the fort overlooking the port, and a walk along the port. Day 11: Explore Muscat’s huge souk, the fish market, and another stroll along the port—a chill day before flying home. That’s a rough outline of our trip, which we planned ourselves with the help of the Lonely Planet guide and adjusted on the go based on opportunities. I hope this inspires you to visit this beautiful, underrated country! Happy to answer any specific questions you have. Happy reading

Kate would’ve loved it if you’d shared a bit more and included some of your photos with your story. And from your profile, photography is one of your main interests!

You're absolutely right, Jojo! Here, the description looks like the itinerary from a tour agency. But I can understand travelers who don’t feel like writing a travel journal…

Hello, we’re planning to leave in late December/early January, and we’ve roughly mapped out the same itinerary as you. Could you let us know what transportation you used and which airline? Thanks.

Hi there, We went with Gulf Air with a layover in Bahrain—it’s a reliable airline. Once there, we traveled with a French-speaking driver-guide and his 4x4. The 4x4 isn’t absolutely necessary everywhere, but it’ll let you explore amazing spots like the desert dunes. I wouldn’t recommend our guide, so I won’t share their details. Have a great trip in this wonderful country!

This topic should be moved to the Oman destination...

Take a good look, it's there!

Hi Joel, I’m looking for a nice guesthouse or small hotel in Sur. Would you mind sharing your address if it’s worth it? Thanks in advance! Laurent

Hi Laurent, We didn’t stay in Sur but in Tiwi, a few kilometers away. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the Airbnb-style apartment. You should be able to find one easily since Sur is tourist-friendly. Happy searching! Joël

Actually, We’ll be leaving Muscat on December 24th to head to our place in TIWI. After that, I was thinking of doing a mountain loop between FINS and TIWI, then heading down to SOUR for one night, and then another night further out at the tip in RAS AL HADD.

All good, I don’t have any extra info on accommodations in that area, but if you need any other details, just ask. Happy travels

Hi there,

We're planning a trip to Oman in April. No guide for us—we're traveling independently. I was wondering about the vehicle: is a 4x4 necessary? If we go into the desert, it’ll only be occasionally with a driver, since I don’t feel comfortable driving in the sand.

That said, the vehicle question comes up for accessing wadis and mountain roads. Is a 4x4 essential, or would an SUV be enough?

Hi there, If you're not heading into the desert, an SUV will get you almost anywhere—the roads are generally in good condition. However, in the mountains, if you want to reach small villages or high peaks, it’ll be trickier, and a 4x4 will come in handy. In most wadis, an SUV is enough, as you can drive most of the way and walk the rest. Have a great trip!

Thanks for your feedback!

Regarding the itinerary, I'm making progress. We arrive Friday morning, and here’s what I’m currently considering: Day 1: Muscat (to "land") Day 2: Muscat Day 3: Wadi Shab – night in Sur Day 4: Sur Day 5: Drive to Ibra (women’s market) then Nizwa or ?? Day 6: Jebel Shams – overnight there Day 7: Jabrin Castle and Bahla Fort – night in Nizwa Day 8: Nizwa livestock market then drive to Muscat Day 9: Muscat Day 10: Return to France

I don’t like rushing, but here, I’m not including Jebel Akhdar... Should I cut a day in Muscat at the start? Also, is Sur worth the trip and a one-day stop?

Thanks in advance for all your tips! !

Hi there,

In my opinion, Sour doesn’t deserve that much time. It’s a very charming fishing village, but a few hours is enough. I don’t think it’s necessary to go through Jebel Akhdar if you’re already visiting Jebel Shams. Even though it’s different, Jebel Akhdar takes almost a full day, an overnight stay, and—most importantly—a 4x4 to get up there. On the other hand, aren’t you including a desert stop? That’s also part of the "Oman package" 😉

Have a great trip!

Julie

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply. We’ve already done the “night in the desert” experience in several countries in the region, so this time we’d prefer to see other things.

I’ll make a note about Sur. For Jebel Akhdar, I’d read that April was actually a good season with the rose blooming. Otherwise, if I understand correctly, it’s quite similar to Jebel Shams. Speaking of Jebel Shams, by the way—since I get vertigo, is there still a way to enjoy the site?