Oman self-drive tour

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel this morning ready for a tour of the city. This will help you orientate yourself as you discover the main sites and attractions of Muscat, including a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, with a capacity of up to 20,000 people. You also visit the Royal Opera House, the fish souq and Muttrah Souq, where you'll find an array of handicrafts, spices and fabrics.

Your car hire starts today — you can pick up your 4x4 vehicle this morning ready for your first drive to the interior of Oman. En route, you might want to visit the coastal city of Seeb, the historic fort of Nakhal and Wadi Bani Awf, where canyons, rock formations and rivers provide beautiful scenery.

Spend the day driving around some of the highlights of the region including Bahla, Wadi Ghul and Wadi Nakheer.

Today's drive to your desert camp in the Wahiba Sands is an adventure in itself as you navigate sandy tracks in your 4x4. En route to the desert you may wish to visit the town of Izki, home to the oldest falaj (irrigation channel) in the country and the remains of a fort. You could also stop to browse Sinaw's souq, which sells everything from vegetables to jewellery.

Today you can stop at the beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid as part of your journey from the desert to the coast. You have time to rest at your accommodation and have dinner before setting off for the beach with a guide. Here, depending on the time of year, you can watch green turtles laying their eggs under the sand, or see baby turtles hatching and making their way into the sea.

Return to Muscat, driving for around three hours along the coastal road, past beautiful white sand beaches. Look out for sharks in the water and gazelles sprinting across the landscape. There are plenty of scenic places to stop for a picnic lunch, including the pretty seaside town of Sur. The town has a long history of dhow (boat) making, as well as being home to two forts. Spend the final evening of your trip in Muscat, visiting places you may have missed on your first visit and enjoying one last Middle Eastern meal.

You'll take the short drive to the airport today, dropping your vehicle off in time for your onward flight.