7-Day Oman Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Oman tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaOman travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Oman, incl. Muscat and Nizwa

  The path leads through 5 major Omani destinations: Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Sur's dhow yards, Wahiba Sands desert camp, Nizwa's historic fort, and Jebel Akhdar's mountain villages. Features 6 nights in 4-star hotels, daily breakfast, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners with traditional Omani cuisine.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Muscat

    Begin your Oman adventure in Muscat. Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the early morning. Women need to bring a headscarf and wear loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. A recent visitor shared: "The mosque's intricate architecture and massive chandelier were breathtaking, but go before 11 AM when it closes to visitors." The Muttrah Souk is best explored in the late afternoon when it's cooler. Browse the winding alleys for traditional Omani frankincense and silver jewelry. Want to see local life in action? Visit the nearby fish market early in the morning.

    
  • Day 3

    Muscat to Wahiba Sands (340km)

    Take the coastal road east and stop at the beautiful Bimmah Sinkhole. Visit Sur's traditional dhow building yards before switching to a 4x4 for your desert adventure in Wahiba Sands. Your evening includes dune bashing and stargazing. Bring a light jacket for the surprisingly cool desert nights.

    
  • Day 4

    Wahiba Sands to Nizwa (200km)

    Watch the sunrise over the dunes before heading to Wadi Bani Khalid's emerald pools. Pack sturdy water shoes for the slippery rocks. Continue to Nizwa, Oman's historic former capital. The souk offers an authentic experience, especially during the Friday morning cattle market.

    
  • Day 5

    Nizwa Exploration

    Start with Nizwa Fort before the day heats up. The fort's tower offers great views of the date palm plantations below. Next, check out Jabreen Castle's beautiful ceiling paintings and architecture. Wear good walking shoes for the castle's narrow staircases.

    
  • Day 6

    Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain)

    Drive up to Jebel Akhdar where it's usually 15°C cooler than below. Explore mountain villages like Saiq and Al Ain. In spring, you'll see terraced farms full of roses and pomegranates. Pack warm clothes for the cool evenings at 2,000m elevation.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Muscat (150km)

    Plan about 2.5 hours for the drive back to Muscat. If you're flying out, book an afternoon flight to avoid morning traffic and allow time for thorough airport security.

    

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• 7 Days in Oman, incl. Muscat and Wahiba Sands

  A 7-day tour winds through Oman's 7 key cities, including Muscat, Nizwa, and Sur. The route features UNESCO's Bahla Fort, a night in Wahiba Sands, turtle watching at Ras al Hadd, and a visit to Wadi Bani Khalid, with daily breakfast and selected dinners included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Muscat Arrival

    Plan to arrive in the late afternoon or evening to avoid Muscat's intense midday heat. Immigration at Muscat International Airport is usually quick and efficient. After checking into your hotel take a relaxing walk along the Corniche waterfront to start adjusting to the local pace.

    
  • Day 2

    Muscat Exploration

    Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque between 8:00-11:00 AM (closed Fridays). Women need to wear long sleeves, long skirts or pants and bring a headscarf. Head to Muttrah Souq before 11 AM to see local shoppers. In the afternoon visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and stop for photos at Al Alam Palace with its neighboring 16th-century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali.

    
  • Day 3

    Nizwa Heritage

    Drive two hours to Nizwa, the ancient capital. Start at Nizwa Fort when it opens at 9 AM and climb the tower before it gets too hot. You'll need about 2 hours for the fort and souk. Take a 45-minute drive to Jabreen Castle which has the most ornate decoration of any castle in Oman with painted ceilings and detailed woodwork. End your day at the UNESCO World Heritage Bahla Fort. Visit in late afternoon when the sun casts a golden glow on its 12km mud brick walls.

    
  • Day 4

    Desert Adventure

    Drive through mountain villages to Wahiba Sands. If you're there on Wednesday stop at Ibra's women's market. Go dune bashing in 4x4s during the afternoon when the sand is more stable. Spend the night in a desert camp. Pack warm clothes as desert temperatures drop significantly at night.

    
  • Day 5

    Coastal Journey

    Visit a Bedouin home early in the morning then explore the pools at Wadi Bani Khalid. Wear sturdy shoes for walking. Drive 3 hours to Sur to watch traditional dhow boat building. In the evening watch turtles nesting at Ras Al Hadd beach without lights or cameras to protect the turtles.

    
  • Day 6

    Mountain and Coast

    Start at Bibi Miriam's Tomb in Qalhat. Choose between hiking Wadi Shab or Wadi Arbayeen. Wadi Shab needs moderate fitness levels. Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole locals believe was created by a falling star. The coastal drive back to Muscat takes about 5 hours with stops and offers beautiful ocean views.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Leave after breakfast to avoid rush hour traffic to the airport. The airport has excellent duty-free shopping if you need last-minute gifts.

    

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• 7 Day Oman Itinerary, incl. Muscat and Wahiba Sands

  Cultural immersion spans 10 destinations from Muscat's Grand Mosque to Wahiba's dunes. The route includes UNESCO sites, swimming in Wadi Shab's caves, Nizwa Fort tours, and desert camping. Features snorkeling at Dimaniyat Islands and turtle watching at Ras Al Jinz.

  

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  • Day 1

    Muscat Arrival

    Land in Muscat and check into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring nearby cafes and getting familiar with the area. Book your stay in the Mutrah area to be close to the corniche and traditional souq.

    
  • Day 2

    Muscat City Exploration

    Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the morning between 8:00-11:00 AM. Women should bring a headscarf and wear long sleeves. Next, see the Royal Opera House before exploring Mutrah Souq in the late afternoon when it's cooler. "The Mutrah Souq is best explored around 4 PM when locals come out to shop and the heat subsides. Bargaining is expected - start at 50% of the asking price."

    
  • Day 3

    Coastal Adventure to Wadi Shab

    Take a 2-hour drive east to Bimmah Sinkhole for a morning swim. Head to Wadi Shab where a short boat ride (1 OMR) leads to a 45-minute hike to hidden pools. Bring water shoes since the rocks get slippery. In the evening, drive to Ras al Jinz for turtle watching. The 9 PM viewing slot is usually less crowded than the 5 AM option.

    
  • Day 4

    Sur to Wahiba Sands

    Visit Sur's traditional dhow shipyards before going to Wadi Bani Khalid's emerald pools. Bring a modest swimsuit for this public area. Drive to your desert camp in Wahiba Sands for the afternoon. "Request a sunset dune drive - the colors are incredible and your driver can find a private spot away from other tourists."

    
  • Day 5

    Nizwa and Mountain Adventures

    Leave the desert early to reach Nizwa Fort at opening time (9 AM). Visit the souk before it gets too hot. Drive to the ancient village of Al Hamra, then continue to Jebel Shams, Oman's highest peak. Pack layers as temperatures drop about 15°C at the summit. The drive from Nizwa to Jebel Shams takes about 1.5 hours on mountain roads.

    
  • Day 6

    Dimaniyat Islands

    Join a boat trip to the Dimaniyat Islands, leaving Muscat at 9 AM. Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible. The boat ride takes 45 minutes. "We saw at least 5 turtles and countless tropical fish. The boat captain knew exactly which spots to visit based on the day's conditions."

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Plan 45 minutes to reach Muscat International Airport, or longer during morning rush hour (7-9 AM). Most flights leave in the late evening, giving you time to visit Avenues Mall near the airport for last-minute shopping.

    

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