Family Luxury Adventure Travel in Oman

Oman is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered! It has an intact traditional culture with mesmerizing souks and forts. It has untouched beaches, mountains and wadis, and the second largest canyon in the world. It has a magnificent coastline and huge empty deserts with golden dunes. Oman also has incredibly kind and friendly local hospitality, making it a must -see country!

Destination Highlights

Active Adventures

Oman is a dream for outdoor adventure lovers! There is dramatic hiking in the Jebel Shams mountain and Oman’s Grand Canyon – the second largest in the world! Snorkel with turtles near Muscat or go on a 4×4 adventure in the desert and then stay overnight in a tented Bedouin camp! Oman is always an adventure!

Omani Culture

Omani culture is rich and unique and has maintained its centuries-old traditional values. Hospitality is paramount and you’ll be welcomed with open arms everywhere! People wear traditional clothes like the dishdasha (men) and abaya (women). The souq scene is wonderful and the goat auction on Friday mornings in Nizwa is something not to be missed!

Beaches

Oman is blessed with some of the most stunning and secluded beaches you can imagine. Swimming in perfect seas along with opportunities to snorkel with turtles and to see turtles nesting in the moonlight at Al Sifah beach make for an unforgettable experience.

Highlights

  • Join the crowds at Nizwa’s Friday goat market!
  • Food surprises like rubroman, mishkak, halvah and the aptly named Chips Oman!
  • Beaches, beaches and more beaches! Most likely you’ll have the sand and surf all to yourself!
  • Snorkel with turtles or ride camels in the desert.
  • Hike in the second largest canyon in the world!
  • Shop for local treasures in the souks of Muscat and Nizwa

Oman Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arriva in Muscat. You can stay in the city or at the beach.

Day 2
Explore wonderful Muscat, with its Grand Mosque, traditional souks and royal palaces.

Day 3
Begin the day with a visit to the amazing fish market. Later visit oases filled with date palms, local villages, and Nakhl Fort.

Day 4
Travel to the mountains via charming mountain villages which blend into the mesmerizing palm tree filled landscape. Overnight in the wonderful city of Nizwa.

Day 5
A full day exploring the mountains, visiting ancient forts, awe-inspiring Jabrin Castle, pretty mountain villages such as Misfah, and enjoy non-stop incredible mountain views.

Day 6
Another day to enjoy time in the mountains, with great hiking options.

Day 7
A day of amazing explorations in the golden dunes of the Wahiba Sands desert. Overnight in the desert at a luxury desert camp!

Day 8
Journey along the coast stopping at secluded beaches, the amazing Bimah Sinkhole – a huge crater with blue green crater, and take an off road jeep adventure through amazing wadis.

Day 9
Snorkel with turtles at Daymaniyat Island, You could easily find yourself surrounded by twenty turtles or more!

Later, travel to Muscat airport, and either depart this astonishing country, or extend your journey either to Khasab in the far north of the country with its Norway-like fjords, or to Salalah, with its UNESCO sites such as the ancient ruins of Khor Tabri, its untouched villages since medieval times and its amazing frankincense trees!

Oman Trip Tips & FAQ's

What time of year is best to travel to Oman?

Winter! While summer (April – September) is prohibitively hot, winter is very pleasant and in the mountains it can even get a little chilly!

Is Oman good for a family trip?

Oman is super family friendly! Distances are short, making touring effortless and easy, the country is clean and safe, with excellent infrastructure, and the people are incredibly welcoming and friendly.

There is a high standard of accommodations and the cuisine is varied and very interesting!

What can a family do in Oman?

It’s more like what can’t a family do! Visit the markets and enjoy the bustle of Muscat and Nizwa, snorkel or swim in beautiful calm seas, spend a night or 2 in the desert or hike in the Omani Grand Canyon!

What is the food like?

Varied, interesting and tasty! Spices take center stage in most Omani dishes, as do fish, lamb, chicken, rice, and vegetables.

Some of the most popular Omani lunch and dinner entrees are: Mashuai (tasty fish dish), Meshkak (beef, lamb or chicken kebabs), Majboos (traditional saffron rice, meat and veggie dish), Mushaltat (soft flatbread stuffed with honey, meat, spinach or cheese), Harees (savory porridge) and Shuwa (a meat dish marinated in various spices then baked in an underground sand oven for 1-2 days).

In addition, you won’t want to miss out on trying fresh Omani Dates, Kahwa (coffee with a dash of cardamom), Laban (a yogurt and buttermilk blended beverage flavored with pistachios or cardamom), and Halwa (a sweet dish made with brown sugar, honey, eggs and various spices, then flavored with rosewater, nuts, chocolate or dates). Best of all might be Roob Ruman, a yogurt smoothie with a twist – it includes ice cream! It is wonderful.

Is Oman expensive?

Relatively yes. Accommodation is more expensive than in most Middle Eastern countries as is transport and guiding. But it’s worth it!