Tailor Made Holidays in Oman: Highlights

Marvel at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Opened in 2002 the mosque took five years to construct and was paid for by the Sultan as a gift to his people. Boasting the largest carpet in the world and adorned with Italian marble and 35 Swarovski chandeliers including a 14m centrepiece, the mosque is a sight to behold.

Read more about: Muscat
 
Mix with the locals at Nizwa market

Drawing in farmers, merchants and shoppers from all over the market offers a unique experience of rural life in Oman. Sellers parade their wares around the ring to an audience of potential buyers and much haggling ensues.

Read more about: Nizwa
 
Take trip into the Wahiba Sands

A true rolling sand dune desert, the sands are 180km from north to south and 80km from east to west. Some of the dunes are 100-150m high with the most spectacular being on the north edge of the sands. The dunes run parallel to each other in a north-south direction making for relatively easy navigation. The area, although desolate, boasts some 150 species of plants, 200 species of mammals, birds and reptiles and over 16000 species of invertebrates.

Read more about: The Wahiba Sands
 
Take a stroll around Muscat's old town

The adjacent bays of Muscat and Muttrah form the historic heart of the city. In Muscat, Sultan Qaboos has a spectacular palace overlooking the bay and all major government departments are located in traditional buildings within the ancient city walls. In Muttrah lies Muttrah souq, an atmospheric warren of narrow streets behind the sweeping corniche road that fringes the modern harbour.

Read more about: Muscat
 
See a different side of Oman in Salalah

Nestling on the coast of south Oman under the Dhofar mountains, Salalah is the country's second city. Very different from the north of the country it has developed independently and has a lot more in common with the Yemen and the interior. Salalah also has an annual monsoon that is unique in the Arab world and for a brief period the whole area explodes with a riot of colour.

Read more about: Dhofar
 
The turtle beaches at Ras Al Jinz

This area is protected as it is one of the primary nesting sites for the green turtle on the Arabian Peninsular. There is a visitor centre that takes small groups to the beach at night for the chance to see the females laying their eggs on the beach. Archaeologists have also been hard at work in the area after discovering artifacts dating back to the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Read more about: Ras Al Jinz
 
Seek the cool of the Hajar Mountains

The mountains quite literally cut the country in half, running parallel with the east coast. The soaring peaks and deep crevasses are a welcome respite from the heat of the desert below.

Read more about: Jebel Akhdar
 
Take a dolphin-watching boat trip

On any given day it is possible to travel off the coast of Muscat and to watch the large pods of dolphins playing, socialising and hunting. You can see spinners, bottlenose, humpback and spotted dolphins mixing with each other and the local fishermen as they trap tuna.

Read more about: Muscat
 
Take a trip around Jabreen Fort

Built more as a palace than a fort it is one of the most elaborate and best decorated of any of the forts in the country. Completed in 1670 by Bil`arub bin Sultan as a family home, it served as a retreat for subsequent Imams until it fell into disuse in the 1730s. Restored to its former glory in 1983 the fort boasts some wonderful examples of Omani furniture and art work.

Read more about: Nizwa
 
Visit the fort at Nizwa

A dominant structure in the town, locals have long sought refuge behind its formidable walls. One of the oldest and largest forts in the country, it was completed in 1668 by Sultan Bin Saif to protect the caravan routes that ran through the area and helped to repulse the Portuguese from taking control of Oman's ancient capital.

Read more about: Nizwa
 
Refresh yourself at one of Oman's wadis

Oman has no rivers and so the wadis provide the natural course for water to flow. These are taken advantage of by the locals in lots of forms including the mile upon mile of Falaj (water channels). Tree-lined wadis fill dramatically from the peaks of the Hajars and cut deep into the desert floors below. Huge boulders litter the wadi beds, moved by unknown forces. Exposed rock glistens, cut by the course of time. Birds swoop over the water, expertly catching insects on the wing as children play in the pools of shimmering turquoise water.

 
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