Dhofar Delights

13 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£4,780 per person

(Based on two people self-driving. Low season can be a lot cheaper, and peak season, 1 driver-guide or 5* hotels can be substantially more expensive.)

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Salalah & Dhofar

Nizwa & the Mountains

Muscat

Day 1

Departing the UK, you fly overnight to Muscat. For direct flights you have Oman Air and for less expensive options you can fly indirect via one of the Middle Eastern hubs.

Day 2

On arrival at Muscat, you are greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. There are a number of hotels to choose from, just ask your specialist what style of accommodation you prefer.

Day 3

You have a private tour of the city, including the Sultan’s Palace, The Grand Mosque and Muttrah souq.

Day 4

Today you are free to relax at your hotel or explore independently. There are a number of great museums in the city that we recommend as a good backdrop for your adventure ahead.

Day 5

Head north to the Batinah Plain and the forts of Rostaq and Nakhl before traversing the Hajar Mountains through dramatic Wadi Bani Awf. Alternatively, if self-driving you'll take the simpler Sumail gap route. Spend three nights in the Nizwa area.

Day 6

Spend the day in the mountains, marvelling at Wadi Ghul, Oman’s “Grand Canyon” and visiting dramatically-perched mountain villages like Misfah.

Day 7

The focus today is on the imposing forts and towns of the interior. Try to be here on a Friday for the livestock auction at Nizwa, and head out to infamous Jabreen and Bahla forts.

Day 8

You head for the desert today, cresting dunes in the sweeping Wahiba Sands. Spend the night in one of our recommended desert camps.

Day 9

Returning to Muscat you board your flight down to Salalah where you have a private transfer to one of our recommended hotels for a four night stay.

Day 10

Explore the city of Salalah today, on a guided tour or at your own pace. There is also an impressive mosque here, and don't miss the UNESCO-listed Al Baleed archaeological park.

Day 11

Spend time outside the city today. If you’re being guided, you’ll visit Taqah and Mirbat, amongst other places; self-drivers will be given plenty of tips before departing! Mughsayl beach, with its blowholes, is always a popular option.

Day 12

You have today free to do your own thing and relax, or we can arrange a day tour to the nearby Empty Quarter if you'd like to experience a dose of the desert.

Day 13

Self-drivers drop their car at the airport today; otherwise you have a private transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Dhofar is the most southerly province of Oman and a place of fable and mystery. The frankincense trade flourished here, giving rise to once prosperous, now ruined ports and towns. Prophets bestrode the land leaving improbable footprints and the whole place is veiled in monsoon mists once a year. This is also the land of empty, crystal-sand beaches, a place where you can find yourself strolling across white sands for hours with barely anyone else in sight.

Combining some time in Dhofar with a trip around the key highlights of central Oman makes for a wonderful holiday. The (necessary) domestic flight from Muscat down to Salalah is inexpensive and takes just an hour and a half, making it straightforward to tack this part of the country onto your itinerary.

3 nights Muscat – 3 nights Nizwa and the mountains – 1 night Wahiba Sands – 4 nights Salalah