Oman – one week road trip itinerary

Oman might not be on your radar yet, but it certainly deserves a spot on your bucket list. Imagine a country where you can wake up in the desert, enjoy lunch by the sea, go hiking in the mountains in the afternoon, and watch turtles hatch at sunset—all in one day. Oman embodies tranquility, unspoiled natural beauty, and delicious cuisine.

If you want to unwind, escape the crowds, and embrace a slower pace of life, Oman is the place for you. Its excellent infrastructure and affordable fuel make it an ideal destination for a road trip. Let’s explore what this wonderful country has to offer.

Day 1: Muscat

Accommodation: Centara Muscat Hotel Oman

Most likely, your itinerary will start in Oman’s capital, Muscat. Although the city might not be the most touristy or charming, it’s the perfect base for the first three days of your trip.

On the first day, hop in the car and head to Qantab Beach. Relax in the sun, enjoy the stunning landscape, and watch the fishermen working on their traditional wooden boats. From here, you can take boat trips run by locals to admire the coastline and the exclusive private beaches of nearby luxury hotels.

Before sunset, head to Yiti Round Point of View. On the way there, you’ll experience the simplicity and authenticity of the Omani lifestyle. Locals hang out, drink tea, the call to prayer echoes through the valley, and the orange sky enhances the charm of the small white buildings—providing a perfect glimpse of what’s to come in the next few days.

In the evening, there’s not much happening around Muscat. However, one of the liveliest spots is Mutrah Souq. Take a stroll along Mutrah Corniche, shop for souvenirs at the souq, and end the night with a delicious meal at Bait Al Luban restaurant.

Day 2: Wadi Shab and Pebble Beach

On day two, venture out to explore Wadi Shab, one of Oman’s most stunning locations. The adventure begins with a short boat ride, followed by a 45-minute walk through the canyon, interspersed with swimming and hiking, leading to a narrow cave entrance and ending with a breathtaking waterfall. Wadi Shab is about a 1.5-hour drive from Muscat. Park your car and take a boat across a small lagoon. You can rent a life jacket, water shoes, and water bags at the crossing point. If you’re not a confident swimmer, a life jacket is highly recommended.

After the scenic 45-minute hike, you’ll reach the first of three turquoise water pools. If you don’t have a waterproof bag, this is a good place to leave your belongings. Remember to bring the life jacket, as you might get tired swimming and treading water, especially if you plan to spend some time in the cave, where resting spots are limited. You can find more details about this experience in this article.

We started our hike early in the morning, around 8 a.m., and finished in the afternoon, feeling quite hungry. Tiwi, the nearby town, doesn’t have many dining options, but we highly recommend a local spot for Indian food, Anwaar Restaurant. It might not look impressive, but the food is incredible.

After lunch, we enjoyed some people-watching and took a well-deserved nap on Pebble Beach.

Day 3: Daymaniyat islands

The Daymaniyat Islands are a true paradise, featuring crystal clear waters, beautiful deserted islands, and amazing wildlife. However, the tours can be quite expensive and often feel too short. We opted for a 4-hour afternoon tour booked through Klook, which was not very impressive. If I could do it again, I would choose an overnight tour. This way, you can fully experience the islands, wake up to a stunning view, go snorkeling early in the morning, relax in the sun, and avoid feeling rushed.

Day 4: Bimmah Sinkhole, Sur, arrive in Wahiba Sands

Accommodation: North Camp

It’s time to leave Muscat and prepare for an overnight adventure in the desert. But first, we have a full day of exploration ahead. We departed Muscat in the morning, with our first stop at Bimmah Sinkhole. This spot reminded me of the cenotes in Mexico (check our article here), but set in a more arid landscape. Arriving early, we were among the first tourists and had the place almost to ourselves. It’s best to visit when the sun is high in the sky; at noon, the light reveals the water’s stunning green color.

Our next stop was the town of Sur. We parked the car and enjoyed a long stroll on the wide, expansive beach. If you have extra time, we highly recommend booking a tour to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to witness baby turtles hatching.

When planning our trip to Oman, we knew we wanted to spend a night in the desert. Although there are many accommodation options in Wahiba Sands, most were beyond our budget. In addition to the accommodation cost, you also need to consider the cost of transfer. Even if you have a 4×4 car (which we didn’t), finding the location and driving on the sand present extra challenges. After extensive research, we chose North Camp and had an amazing time there.

Ibrahim, our driver, met us at the pick-up point where we left our car. During the drive to the camp, he gave us a thrilling preview of the dune bashing experience. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with tea. After settling into our tent, it was time for the sunset dune bashing trip, which was a lot of fun.

Back at the camp, we enjoyed dinner, tried camel meat, and spent the rest of the night by the fire, stargazing.

Day 5: Wahiba Sands and Nizwa

Accommodation: House 76

Our desert adventure continued into the next morning, promising more excitement in the form of sandboarding. Before that, we woke up at 5 a.m., climbed the tallest dune in sight, and watched the sunrise. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we eagerly tried sandboarding. The camp provided boards free of charge, so we did round after round until the heat became too intense and our legs were too tired to climb the sand dunes again. Then, it was time to head to our next destination: the beautiful city of Nizwa.

Upon arriving in Nizwa around sunset, our first stop was Nizwa Fort, a remarkably well-preserved fortress that also happens to be an Instagram-worthy site. In the evening, we leisurely strolled around the outdoor souq, admiring the stunning pottery on display. We ended the night with a cup of tea, enjoying more views of the fort from the cozy ambiance of Niz Cafe.

Day 6: Nizwa

For our final full day in Oman, we embarked on an ambitious itinerary, kicking off the day bright and early. Within driving distance from Nizwa lay picturesque villages where we can admire the ancient constructions and systems that have sustained Omani life for millennia.

Misfat Al Abriyeen

Our first stop was Misfat Al Abriyeen, where we savored coffee with a view at Halwa Coffee. Nestled in an oasis 900 meters above sea level, this village is renowned for its 2000-year-old water irrigation system, still in use today. Although you can reach the village without a 4×4, be prepared for a steep road. It’s advisable to park your car at the entrance of the village. Energized by caffeine, we embarked on a combination of the W9a and W9c walking trails, tracing the canals and exploring the historic village. For those with more time, the W9c trail extends into the wadi (canyon).

Old Al Hamra Village

Next, we ventured into the old quarter of Al Hamra village, a fascinating yet eerie experience. Characterized by Yemeni-style mud-brick buildings, many homes lay abandoned, their inhabitants having relocated to modern structures. We wandered freely through the 400-year-old ruins, imagining the lives once lived within. However, proceed with caution if scaling the roofs; these aged structures appear precarious. It’s lamentable that such remarkable buildings aren’t better preserved—a site worthy of any bucket list, given proper care.

Bahla Fort

We stopped in Bahla to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Bahla Fort. The fort underwent massive restoration efforts in 2012 and looks impressive on the outside, but unfortunately lacks any visitor information. There are no exhibits or brochures available to learn more about this large space.

By the time we finished visiting the fort, we were starving, so we headed to A Wahat Al Tabiya TRAD Restaurant where we had some amazing Indian food.

Jabreen Castle

Jabreen Castle was the highlight of the day. While not a traditional fort, its exterior resembles Nizwa and Bahla forts. However, the interior decorations make it more reminiscent of a palace than a military fortification. A decent audio guide was available at the entrance, so you can learn about the history of each room. Superbly renovated with antique wooden furnishings, ornate wall hangings, and intricate lighting, the castle boasts unique ceiling paintings and fine calligraphy, a rarity among Oman’s historical sites.

Day 7: Back to Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

As our journey in Oman drew to a close, we returned to Muscat, the vibrant capital city that had served as our starting point. Our final stop before bidding farewell was supposed to be the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Unfortunately, we didn’t check the opening time, and the mosque is only open for a few hours on specific days. For anyone visiting Muscat, a tour of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is undoubtedly a must-do activity, so we highly recommend you plan your visit ahead and make time for this remarkable attraction.

Know before you go

1. Check Ramadan dates: Oman is a Muslim country, so it’s essential to verify Ramadan dates before booking your trip.
2. Alcohol availability: Alcohol is only available in select hotel bars, and prices are typically high.
3. Transportation considerations: You don’t necessarily need a 4×4 vehicle if you’re not planning to venture into the desert. We booked a Nissan Sunny (the cheapest option) from discovercars.com for our travels.
4. Car rental tip: Some online reviews suggest washing your rental car before returning it to avoid potential charges for cleanliness discrepancies. Many gas stations also offer washing stations for your convenience.