All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman

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Oman

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman by Amrita

What comes to your mind when you think of Oman? My traveller mind usually conjures images of deserts, Arabian palaces, stunning mountains and impenetrable forts along with oasis that I have read in books for so long. Situated on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a country of vivid landscapes, spectacular desert dunes, medieval cities and rich cultures. Though Oman is now a modern and luxurious travel destination, combining the traditional values of an ancient civilization with up-to-date luxury, the country is relatively undiscovered compared to other Middle East countries.

The delights that Oman offers are plenty. And that you are here means you are planning a trip to Oman. Here is a 15 days itinerary for Oman that will help you to travel around this beautiful country.

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman 1/2 by Amrita
Al Hamra, Oman | Courtesy : Pixabay

Budget in Oman

Oman is an expensive destination, no matter how you travel and how hard you try to save money. First, there is no real public transport system, so you have to rely on a car. Although car rentals and petrol costs are cheap, this remains a major part of the budget. The pinch is really faced in the prices for hotels though. Even a modest guesthouse runs between 90 to 120 USD. A good part of Oman is that you can camp at on lonely beaches (fishermen shuttle you back and forth), in the mountains, in the desert and probably everywhere else. Assuming that you will rent a car, here is a 15 days itinerary for the Oman trip.

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman 2/2 by Amrita
Old Ghul | Courtesy: Wikimedia
Day 1

Day 1: Muscat – Sultan Center Al Qurum – Wadi Al Khoud

Highlights:

Muscat, the capital city comprises three small towns strung along 35 miles of coastal area. Visit the Grand Mosque, a beautiful architectural delight known for its grandeur. From here move on to the Fish and vegetable markets in Muttrah. Visit the Muttrah Souq where you will find a mix of old and new. Also stop by the Sultan’s palace flanked by the 16th Century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani.

Al Alam Palace | Courtesy: Pixabay

Photo of Muscat, Oman by Amrita
Day 2

Day 2: Wadi Al Khoud – Nakhal Fort – Wadi Al Abyad – Wadi Sahtan

Highlights

Nakhal Fort: This is one of the most prominent historical and magnificent monuments in the country. The fort was built on the foundations of a pre-Islamic structure. The towers and entranceway of this fort were constructed during the reign of Imam Said Bin Sultan in 1834. The fort has now been beautifully renovated.

Nakhal Fort | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Wadi AL Khoud, Seeb, Oman by Amrita

Wadi Al Abyad: A beautiful valley located in Nakhal only an hour from Muscat. The wadi (valley) offers its visitors a nice trekking path, some fresh water pools and many plants and palms on both sides of the wadi, making it a beautiful place for short hikes and picnics.

Wadi Sahtan and Madruj: The route is extremely beautiful through the mountains. Madruj is a tiny village with an amazing view of the Hajar Mountains. For the night, you can camp at Wadi Sahtan.

Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman by Amrita
Day 3

Day 3: Wadi Sahtan – Little Snake Canyon – Wadi Bani Awf – Al Hamra

Highlights

Wadi Bani Awf & Little Snake Canyon: Wadi Bani Awf offers some of the best off-road driving experienced in Oman with beautiful scenery and stunning cliffs and canyons throughout. The wadi covers a large area connecting several villages. The main attraction of the wadi is the Snake Canyon. Snake Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Oman. 300 metres deep, this canyon is quite popular among adventure hikers and climbers.

Stay at Al Hamra for the night.

Snake Canyon | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Little Snake Canyon Wadi, Oman by Amrita
Day 4

Day 4: Al Hamra – Jebel Shams – Bahla

Highlights

Jebel Shams: Standing at 3009 meters, Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in Oman. From Jebel Shams, you get the view into the spectacularly deep Wadi Ghul lying alongside it. Wadi Ghul is hauntingly beautiful and is also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman.

Jebel Shams | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Jebel Shams, Jabal Shams, Oman by Amrita
Day 5

Day 5: Bahla – Bahla Fort – Misfat Al Abriyeen

Highlights

Bahla Fort: The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also one of the oldest and biggest forts in Oman. Built in the 13th century, the fort is an impressive structure and one of the greatest examples of Omani architecture.

Bahla Fort | Courtesy : Wikimedia

Photo of Bahla, Oman by Amrita

Stay overnight at Misfat Al Abriyeen. There is a beautiful bed and breakfast in the village called “Misfah Old House”

Day 6

Day 6: Misfat Al Abriyeen – Wadi Damm – Beehive Tombs Al Ayn – Nizwa Souq‎ – Jebel Akhdar

Highlights:

Misfat Al Abriyeen: This is a unique mountainous village boasting of amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks. You can walk around the place exploring this mountain oasis.

The hillside village of Misfat Al Abriyeen | Courtesy: Flickr

Photo of Misfat Al Abriyen, Misfat al Abriyyin، Oman by Amrita

Wadi Damm: This is one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman. The place is always filled with water and is also blessed with a magnificent natural frame and with few very old historical landmarks just on the way. A 4-wheel vehicle is needed to visit Wafi Damm.

Beehive Tombs Al Ayn: The tombs of Al Ayn are one of Oman’s most celebrated archaeological sites. The site of Al-Ayn consists of a series of tombs lined up on a rocky hill and consists of 19 well-preserved tombs in the main site.

Beehive Tombs of Al Ayn | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Al Ayn, Oman by Amrita

Nizwa Souq: Souq or Souk is actually a marketplace and Nizwa Souq is one of the oldest and most extensive souqs in the country. Some of the souq’s loveliest products are things you can’t take home – like spices, henna powder, coffee, and other aromatics and edibles.

Nizwa City | Courtesy: Pixabay

Photo of Nizwa Souq سوق نزوى, Nizwa, Oman by Amrita

Courtesy: Pixabay

Photo of Nizwa Souq سوق نزوى, Nizwa, Oman by Amrita
Photo of Nizwa Souq سوق نزوى, Nizwa, Oman by Amrita

After a visit to these attractions, you can stay overnight at Jebel Akhdar.

Day 7

Day 7: Jebel Akhdar – Al Mintirib

Highlights:

Jebel Akhdar: Jeber Akhdar literally means ‘Green Mountain’ in Arabic and is situated in a unique location 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level. There are several small villages dotted about the mountains and you can hike along these trails. This hikes are quite interesting and will provide you an insight of local Omani life.

Jebel Akhdar | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Jebel Akhdar, Oman by Amrita

Stay at Al Mintrib, a small village on the edge of the dunes for the night.

Day 8

Day 8: Al Mintirib – Wadi Bani Khalid – Sur/Al Ayjeh – Al Ayjeh

Highlights

Wadi Bani Khalid: This is one of the most famous wadis of Oman popular with both adventure seekers and families. All year round, water flows from a natural spring in the upper reaches of the wadi making the place abundant with vegetation and lovely pools.

Suspension bridge between Sur & Al Ayjeh | Courtesy: Flickr

Photo of Wadi Bani Khalid Pools & Cave, Ibra, Oman by Amrita

Sur and Al Ayjeh: Sur and Al Ayjeh are perfect coastal villages having lovely beaches. Al Ayjeh has a charming lighthouse, whitewashed houses and traditional dhows (boats) in the harbour. The only suspension bridge in Oman is between Sur and Al Ayjeh. Stay at Al Ayjeh for the night.

Sur | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman by Amrita
Day 9

Day 9: Al Ayjeh– Ras Al Jinz and Ras Al Hadd

Highlights

Ras Al Jinz: Ras Al Jinz, located on the easternmost part of the Arabian peninsula is an important turtle nesting site for the endangered green turtle.

Green Turtle at Ras Al Jinz | Courtesy : Wikimedia

Photo of Ras al Hadd, Oman by Amrita
Day 10

Day 10: Ras Al Hadd – Off-roading through the Eastern Hajar Mountains – Ibra

Highlights

Off-roading through the Eastern Hajar Mountains: The offroad drive through the Eastern Hajar Mountains is one of the most spectacular drives in Oman. A 4W vehicle is required for this drive. Steep, narrow roads, rugged mountains and the canyons make the drive a great thrill.

Stay overnight at Ibra.

Town of Ibra | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Ras al Hadd, Oman by Amrita
Day 11

Day 11: Ibra – Sharqiya Sands

Highlights

Ibra: Ibra is the gateway to the Sharqiya Region and is one of the ancient towns of Oman. The city contains many castles and old mosques and is surrounded by mountains with a great view.

Sharqiya Sands | Courtesy : Wikimedia

Photo of Ibra, Oman by Amrita

Sharqiya Sands: The Sharqiya Sands are considered to be among the most beautiful camping areas in Oman. The Sand colours range from red to brown as far as the eye can see. The original homeland of the Bedouins, the sands are a good place to interact with Omani women.

Staying at a desert camp can be a great experience.

Bedouin Family | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Sharqiya Sands, Oman by Amrita
Day 12

Day 12: Sharqiya – Off-roading through the Eastern Hajar Mountains – Jaylah Beehive tombs – Jaylah – Wadi Shab

Highlights:

Jaylah Beehive Tombs: Following a spectacular off-road traverse of the barren uplands at the top of the Eastern Hajar, you will come across a cluster of Bronze Age beehive tombs. The route is exceptionally beautiful and can only be negotiated by 4WD. Also travel through the serene Salmah Plateau at the summit of the Eastern Hajar mountains.

Salmah Plateau | Courtesy: Flickr

Photo of Wadi Shab, Tiwi, Oman by Amrita
Day 13

Day 13: Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi – Bimmah Sinkhole – Wadi Shab

Highlights

Wadi Shab: Another very beautiful wadi in the Al Sharqiyah Region in Oman, it is a very popular destination. People come here for the nature, to swim in the fresh water pools or just to have a barbecue. The main attraction of the wadi is the waterfall in the cave that you can reach after a hike of roughly 40 minutes and swimming in 2-3 pools.

Wadi Shab | Courtesy : Wikimedia

Photo of Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman by Amrita

Wadi Tiwi: This is located near the more famous Wadi Shab, but is unique in its own way with numerous farms and plantations dotting the wadi, and a stunning pool deep inside towards Mibam village.

Photo of Wadi Tiwi, Oman by Amrita

Bimmah Sinkhole: Bimmah Sinkhole literally means Meteor Fall Park in Arabic. This is a beautiful sinkhole with clear turquoise waters where you can swim to your hearts content.

Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of All that you need to know about 15 days in Oman by Amrita
Day 14

Day 14: Wadi Shab – Wadi Al Arbiyyin – Wadi Dayqah Dam – Bandar Al Khairan Viewpoint – As Sifah

Highlights

Wadi Al Arbiyyin & As Suwayh: Wadi al Arbiyyin has many small pools along the road, some of which you have to drive through. So a 4WD is recommended. The most stunning of the pools is at the village of As Suwayh. This turquoise pool is wonderful swimming spot and a lovely place to stop after a drive in the mountains.

Photo of Wadi Al Arbeieen, Oman by Amrita

Wadi Dayqah Dam: It is the largest dam in Oman.

Wadi Dayqah Dam | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Wadi Dayqah Dam, Oman by Amrita

Bandar Al Khairan Viewpoint: The views will simply take your breath away. With sandy yellow rocks contrasting with the crystal-clear waters, the cove like area is very popular among the snorkelers who also camp here.

As Sifah: The place has a spectacular beach, good for swimming and boating. You can stay over at As Sifah.

Jebel Sifah | Courtesy: Wikimedia

Photo of Bandar Al Khairan Viewpoint, Muscat, Oman by Amrita
Day 15

Day 15: Back to Muscat and fly back home

This will be your last day in Oman. Hope you have a lovely time there.