Wadi Bani Khalid

The most popular wadi in the country, nestled between the desert and the coast, is impeccably beautiful and lined with green plots planted with drooping date trees. Bathe in crystal clear waters under the shade of huge mango trees that offer an abundance of colorful fruits. Enjoy a relaxing soak in a sizable natural pool while looking out at a restaurant serving delectable food. At the weekend, escape the crowds by walking through the wadi to more impressive rock pools. Alternatively, walk between the two neighboring and almost deserted villages. These tiny settlements are made up of flat-roofed mud homes with golden-yellow siding, some of which have simple, vibrant frescoes. Going through this impressive landscape will awaken the senses: the purity of the air; the raw majesty of the gorges; the flow of water that flows along the “qanat” (water channels) to irrigate the orchards below; the geometric harmony of the fields; and the sweet scent of roses, pomegranates, figs, and apricots.

Wadi Shab

To reach another of our top five wadis in Oman, Wadi Shab, where the fresh waters that gush from the mountains merge with the salty waters of the sea, you must, after crossing a body of water by boat, walk through limestone ravines, following the course of the dry river. Then, swim to a cave with a beautiful waterfall where sunlight filters through. Worth it.

Wadi Tiwi

Wadi Tiwi can be reached via a road that follows the river, which is lined with date and fig trees, through farmhouses. Here, you can see the intricate network of terraces that have been irrigated and are supported by flat stone slopes, where the water flows. Orchards carved out of the mountainside by farmers who have no fear of heights and canals that run down the mountainside irrigate rose gardens, where butterflies flutter. Visitors can get a taste of rural life in the Sultanate by visiting Wadi Tiwi, also referred to as “the wadi of nine villages.” He arrives at the final town, Mybam, at the mouth of the canyon. Its modest, boxy homes reward residents with breathtaking views because they are perched on a rocky outcrop.

Wadi Arbaeen

On the eastern side of Mount Hajar, a sizable ravine forms the wadi. Enjoy a lovely stroll to the fountain along the canals. Enjoy the ride in the coolness of the river while hiking and canyoning portions of it. Four villages located on the Wadi’s two banks are well known for growing date palms, bananas, lemons, and mangoes. The hike comes to a stunning Emerald Falls end.

Wadi Damm

In the Nizwa region, where the fortress proudly displays its Portuguese royalties and spectacular date shops, Wadi Damm is, like many others, a seasonal wadi, where the flow of water depends on rainfall. The landscape is extraordinary, with the magnificent canyon and the rocks sculpted by erosion.

The post The Five Best Wadis in Oman first appeared on Oman Tour Guide.

Built-in the style of a traditional Omani dhow, Dhahab is the ultimate Six Senses Zighy Bay accommodation and experience. The ultimate addition to a lavish trip to the Middle East is to spend a few days cruising the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz on this lovely ship.

On board the Dhahab, there are three bedrooms, each of which is exquisitely comfortable and traditional in design. Despite the decor’s simplicity and neutrality, the rooms’ natural dark wood accents give them charm and elegance. With a king-size bed, a sofa, and a big full bathroom with a tub and double sinks, the owner’s cabin are very roomy. The other two cabins are twins, and they are both very roomy and comfortable. Dhahab is set up to perfectly accommodate a family (with children over the age of 12) or a group traveling together since it is only available for private tours.

The Dhow provides its guests with top-notch service as a nod to the Arabic roots of its name (Dhahab means gold in Arabic). The friendly staff can meet all individual needs because of the extremely small group size and carefully planned facilities. An all-day activity, dining on the Dhahab changes and adapts throughout the day. Breakfasts in the sun, lunches in the shade, and enjoyable dinners outside can all be enjoyed in comfort on the foredeck. There is always the catch of the day, and the chef on board has created a delicious menu using fresh local ingredients and a combination of traditional and international flavors. Before and after dinner, sit on the sun loungers on the terrace and watch the sunset or the stars with a cocktail in hand.

There are numerous activities available on board Dhahab to keep everyone occupied. Both kids and parents will enjoy the many activities available, including snorkeling, swimming, and tanning on the deck. There is also plenty of room to relax in the lounge while watching a movie. The opulent Dhahab Dhow is a clear winner when you factor in the opportunity to kayak or even scuba dive in the Gulf of Oman.

MVH travels through some of Oman’s and the world’s most exquisite natural landscapes. Musandam’s rough terrain and glistening water are reminiscent of Norwegian fjords (though a little less green!), and the Hajar mountain range, which towers in the distance, complete the scene. Then there is the Gulf of Oman, which is well-known for its excellent diving, a profusion of corals, and vibrant fish due to its location between the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. We believe that is sufficient justification to make travel arrangements.

Because we love it

Your stay in Zighy Bay will be even more luxurious if you sail for a few days on the Dhahab.

Six senses Zighy Bay

The Musandam Peninsula, an enclave of the Sultanate of Oman divided from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, is home to Zighy Bay, which has a stunning setting.

A large sandy beach is in front of the hotel, and the rough Hajar Mountains are to the rear. Each Private Pool Villa has an infinity pool, direct beach access, a terrace, a shady daybed, a private wine cellar, and a butler on call around the clock.

Visitors can use the bicycles provided to navigate the complex. Scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and sailing are among the water sports available at a private marina at one end of the bay. Additionally, snorkeling is excellent right off the beach.

The Six Senses Spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments, two Arabian hammams, a sauna, a steam room, an ice room, a gym, and more.

A contemporary brasserie, a seafood restaurant, service by the poolside around the sizable central pool, a hilltop restaurant with breathtaking views of the bay, and a variety of private-to-order dining options are available as dining options. Additionally, two bars offer both cocktails and tapas.

Because we love it

Visitors have the option of driving, taking a ten-minute scenic speedboat ride, or even being escorted by the hotel’s expert paraglider.

The post Luxury Hotel on the Musandam Peninsula first appeared on Oman Tour Guide.

The lavish Al Bustan Palace has the most amenities, including more than half a mile of sand beach and 200 acres of tropical gardens sprinkled with palm trees.

The resort is located in Muscat and offers lodging in stylish, elegant rooms that seamlessly blend contemporary style with opulence from the past. All of the rooms offer breathtaking views of the mountain, the ocean, or the lagoon pool, and those that have a view of the lagoon even have direct access to one of the lagoon pools.

Authentic Omani food is served in a Bedouin village at one of the hotel’s four restaurants, which also feature indoor and outdoor seating and serve Asian, French, Italian, Chinese, and Chinese cuisine. During the evenings, a piano bar is open as well as a bar by the pool.

The hotel offers a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving. Also possible are boat trips and dolphin watching. There are four large outdoor pools, one of which has an infinity edge overlooking the beach and Indian Ocean, four tennis courts, a mini golf course, and a putting green among the amenities available on-site. The Six Senses spa has 17 treatment suites.

Kids are well taken care of with a dedicated kids’ pool, a Ritz Kids program, a zip-lining playground, and even the availability of traditional Arabian bedtime stories.

because we love it

Al Bustan Palace is a luxurious hotel with a private bay that overlooks the Gulf of Oman and spectacular mountains. It is situated on the coast just outside of Muscat.

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah

The opulent Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort, which is made up of the Al Bandar and Al Waha hotels and overlooks a private bay and is backed by rough mountains, is situated outside of Muscat.

Cuisines from all over the world are available at your choice of nine restaurants and six poolside bars or cafes. Highlights include the open kitchens at Samba, the gorgeous outdoor terrace at Tapas & Sabah, and the Italian cuisine at Capri Court.

There are many options for water sports, and a dive center offers scuba instruction. Dolphin and whale watching tours in the Gulf of Oman are also offered for those who want to travel further afield. There are three pools, two private sand beaches, and a “lazy river” that meanders between the two hotels at the resort. Four tennis courts, the CHI luxury spa, a mini golf course, and a gym complete the service offering.

Additionally, there are wonderful family-friendly amenities like kids’ meals at the Surf Café, a Little Turtles kids’ club, and a teens’ club with games like beach volleyball and beach soccer.

Because we love it

The resort can perfectly accommodate both families, couples because it is split into two hotels, and has many private spaces for each.

The post Luxury hotel in Muscat first appeared on Oman Tour Guide.

The Wahiba Sands, a vast area of the Omani desert, is where Desert Nights Camp is located. It is the ideal desert retreat with a touch of luxury.

The lodging consists of 30 Bedouin-style tents, four of which are semi-detached and two of which are designed specifically for families. These tents elevate the experience of desert camping. The tents are furnished with cozy beds as well as exquisite rugs, furniture, and lanterns from the Sultanate of Oman. Indulgent touches like bathrobes and slippers ensure that every comfort is nearby in the equally opulent bathrooms.

After a day in the dunes, you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the Oasis Bar or authentic Arabian food at the Two Dunes Restaurant. There is a ton to do both inside and outside the camp. Activities range from quad biking and dune bashing to a sunset camel ride and dune bashing. The desert, and more specifically the Wahiba Sands dunes, serves as their playground.

because we love it

Each tent has a terrace with breathtaking views, and the camp will lend you a barbecue if you ask nicely.

The View

Just now, my vision got better. After an eight-month renovation, this eco-retreat now has 30 stylish pods spread out over a larger area, all with breathtaking views, where it previously had 15 tents, some of which were in the second row behind the first. of the impressive landscape of the canyon.

Although there is, still a strong focus on environmental issues, guests can now unwind knowing that the hotel adheres to a philosophy of minimal impact while providing much greater levels of comfort. The king-size beds and private bathrooms in the rooms are tastefully furnished.

View Restaurant, which serves a variety of Omani and international dishes and is also all about the sights (if you haven’t guessed, that’s the topic here), is accessible via a walkway that runs alongside the canyon.

Outside of the field, nearby activities include hiking, donkey rides, mountain biking, and excursions to local historical and cultural sites. Additionally, it is the ideal location from which to investigate Jebel Shams Mountain.

Because we love it

The majorities of Oman’s significant charters are close by and are located near Nizwa. Before climbing Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest mountain, stop by the Al-Hoota Caves, one of the biggest caves in the world.

Alila Jabal Akhdar

One of Oman’s (many) highlights is the breathtaking Hajar Range, which is anchored by the magnificent Jebel Akhdar, also known as the “green mountain.” With the opening of the Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel in 2014, the mountains are no longer just a place to explore on the way between the capital Muscat and the historic market town of Nizwa.

Alila Jabal Akhdar was built to blend in with its surroundings using traditional Omani construction methods, to let visitors take in the breathtaking mountain views whenever possible.

There are two villas and 84 suites in total, all of which are comfortably furnished in a modernized Omani design. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, an Alila Spa, and a restaurant serving top-notch Arabic and classic dishes from around the world. Other activities include cooking classes and cultural tours.

Families can take advantage of “Play Alila,” a special kids’ club for kids ages 4 to 12. Mom and dad can unwind and enjoy it all while the kids have a blast with the Xbox and Play Station, animal games, and other daily activities. Parents of young children can also use a babysitting service.

Because we love it

Because this is the best place to explore Oman’s Hajar Mountains, which are breathtaking.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

The five-star resort is the highest in the Middle East because it elevates 2,000 meters above sea level. The tranquil Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat International Airport and is ideal for a getaway.

The 115 opulent rooms and villas at the resort come with views of the gardens or canyon rim, an oversized bathtub, a separate rain shower, a walk-in closet, and a digital concierge service. The private pools and customized butler services found in each of the villas provide the ultimate in luxury.

The resort offers a variety of foods and beverages to enjoy both inside and out, from the Italian pool bar and restaurant to the Arabic Grill and Moroccan Sky Lounge.

Two indoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, and separate thermal suites for men and women with salt and steam rooms are among the amenities offered at the Anantara Spa. Along with a fitness center, tennis court, kids club, teen club, and even a library with an interactive museum, there is a separate pool outside.

There is a much longer list of things to do nearby if you get bored with the hotel’s amenities. These activities include stargazing, biking, hiking, and archery. For those interested in culture, a trip to the nearby village of Birkat al Mouse, which is 400 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, should be enough to fill their days with history.

Why We Love It

The resort’s edge features the well known “Diana’s Point,” which provides breathtaking views of the canyon.

The post Luxury Hotel in Nizwa, the Mountains, and the Wahiba Sands first appeared on Oman Tour Guide.

8:00 in the morning

Walk around the fish market

Seeing the shouting merchants and the fisherman returning with his catch to the busy fish market is an experience not to be missed. Here, as in the entire port district, preserved from the bustle of the rest of the city, you can still breathe a village atmosphere, with the old ‘dhow’ boats anchored in the port.

10:00 in the morning

Shop for incense at the Mutrah Souq

Mutrah Souq is the most attractive souq in all the Gulf States. Sheltered by a maze of alleyways, hundreds of stalls brimmed with merchandise: gold, silver, cloth, dates, spices: everything is sold here. Our advice: buy incense, because here you will find the best in the world. The use of incense is particularly important in Oman: Boswellia sacra, the tree most famous for its aromatic resins, grows in the south of the Sultanate in the Dhofar region. The highest quality incense is translucent white and has medicinal properties, especially for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In the souks, it is found in the form of chewing gum. To create the fragrance, sandalwood, myrrh, and musk are combined with the other, darker resin varieties.

3:00 pm

Explore the grand Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The mosque was established in 2001 and, with its elegant mesh-covered golden dome, serves as a symbol of modern Islamic architecture. Everything about the mosque was designed to be large-scale: inside, 20,000 worshippers can pray at once on the largest handmade Persian rug in the world, measuring 230 feet long by 197 feet wide; above them, a massive Swarovski crystal chandelier hangs 164 feet above the ground beneath a staggering 46-foot-tall mosaic dome. The gardens are equally lovely. The Sultanate’s only mosque that welcomes non-Muslims provides insight into Omani religious customs, particularly Ibadism, a moderation of Islam that emphasizes tolerance and brotherhood and is still followed by the vast majority of Omani people.

4:00 p.m.

Visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum

The former residence of Sheikh Al Zubair offers a lovely exploration of popular arts and traditions, with representations of all the Sultanate’s regions and the rituals and practices of the various communities. Cutlery, jewelry, and ceramics all depict the Sultanate’s previous way of life.

6:00 pm

Mutrah’s old town and Corniche

The locals dress according to tradition, with the men donning a long white robe called a “dishdasha” and a “kurma” (an embroidered round hat) and the women donning an “abaya.” The Indian-style wooden homes that line the waterfront serve as a reminder of Oman’s past and the vast history of international trade in the region. As the sun begins to set, stroll along the corniche and mix with the crowds of people and families who come out at night.

9:00 pm

A Night at the Opera

The Royal Opera House made its debut in 2011 as a masterpiece of sophisticated design and brilliant whiteness, the first establishment of its kind in the Arab world. It was the sultan’s dream project as an aesthete and music enthusiast.

The post Travel Around One Day in Muscat first appeared on Oman Tour Guide.

That you were able to avoid the great British Christmas fever had me laughing as I ran across the sand on a train of one-humped camels through the wadis. Oman is the ideal location for a “Christmas getaway” if you’d rather trade in Brussels sprouts for beach views due to its stunning coastline, fascinating culture, breathtaking desert scenery, and some of the best hotels in the world. Given that December temperatures typically hover around 22°C, you might be opening presents on the beach this year (a new Santa hat is required to go with the irresponsible Speedos). What makes Oman a good place to spend Christmas?

Essential Muscat

In contrast to its opulent Emirati neighbors, the capital city of Oman is a breath of fresh air. Muscat has charming old forts, lavish hotels, sandy beaches, and lovely souks. It is located between the ocean and the breathtaking Hajar Mountains. The second-largest hand-woven Iranian carpet in the entire world, measuring an astounding 230 feet by 200 feet, is located inside the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a lavish place of worship with 20,000 seats that deserves the spotlight instead.

whole some Salalah

Frankincense, myrrh, and, uh, desert-dwelling banana trees are among Salalah’s well-known exports. Not to mention some gorgeous beaches with white sand and lots of palm trees. It’s the ideal location for a peaceful Christmas vacation in Oman; unwind in one of the region’s top-notch spa hotels while enjoying delectable lunches of fresh seafood and snorkeling among vibrant corals. This is also the entrance to the Empty Quarter, a vast desert filled with towering dunes that stand several hundred feet tall and where Wilfred Thesiger spent time with traditional Bedouins before penning his classic Journey to the Arabian Sands.

Stroll through the beautiful wadis

Several lovely wadis, which are small oases with turquoise waters, rock caves, and waterfalls sprinkled with swaying palms, are dispersed throughout Oman. With breathtaking views, abundant biodiversity, and a submerged cave, Wadi Shab is especially spectacular. Within a one-hour, forty-minute drive of Muscat, the wadi provides fantastic opportunities for swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and camping as well.

Excursion to the Hajar Mountains

The Hajar Mountains, the highest mountain range on the eastern Arabian Peninsula, are a simple day trip from Muscat and offer some difficult hiking. Discover Jebel Shams, the tallest mountain in the Hajar range, which provides breathtaking views of the desert and the deep Wadi Ghul, also known as “The Grand Canyon of Arabia.” The nearby old city of Nizwa, known for its high-walled souk and surrounded by a lush palm tree oasis, is also worth visiting.

Cheerful and bright Midnight Mass

Although Oman is primarily a Muslim country—which is not surprising—religions of various faiths frequently pray together because of the populace’s diversity and laid-back attitude, which includes a sizeable ex-pat community. We can make arrangements for you to attend midnight mass in enchanted Muscat before taking a dip in the sea on Christmas Day if you want to do something a little different but don’t want to compromise your tradition of doing so.

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