Travel Guru - Beyond Muscat

Travelguru David Wickers says:

In recent years Oman, and particularly Muscat, has become well known for luxury winter sun escapes. The flying time is the same as Dubai (7 hours with a 4 hour time difference) but there the comparison ends. Oman offers high standards of accommodation but is much more about tradition and culture. Even if you don't venture far from your hotel, you will return feeling you have had a taste of Arabia.

The beachside hotels in Muscat are impressive but I urge you to consider touring or at least including some excursions into your schedule. There is much to see beyond the city. Within a couple of hour's drive you can be in the Hajar or Green Mountains which are truly spectacular. Or head south and explore the Wahiba Desert - "proper" desert with fabulous dunes and all sorts of sand associated acivities. Better still, stay overnight and experience the desert under star filled skies - magical.

If you have more time, see more of the country by taking a 90 minute flight south to the Dhofar region or north to the Musandam Peninsula. Both are relatively new to the tourist map and offer distinct contrasts.

Beyond Muscat

Tailormade touring and cruise holidays

Exclusive travelguru.tv bonus offer: Choice of three complimentary Muscat excursions

Touring Suggestions

Working with an experienced specialist tour operator, we will tailormake your perfect Oman itinerary. Below we feature some of the most popular tours to inspire you. These are individual tours inclusive of return flights with Oman Air from the UK, bed and breakfast accommodation and all transfers. Many more options are available. The prices shown are lead prices for guidance only - please contact us for an up to the minute quotation.

With each of these tours, we offer with compliments, your choice of one of the three following excursions:

Private Muscat City Tour
A half day tour with a driver/guide to include the Grand Mosque, Bait al Zuabir Museum, Muttrah Harbour and the souq.
Dolphin Watching
An early morning group tour spotting dolphins and possibly even whales just a few kilometres off Muscat's rugged coastline.
Twilight Dhow Cruise
A two hour cruise with a group. See Muscat through the eyes of the ancient seafarers.

Oman - The Musandam Peninsular & Interior

13 days from £2,950pp

Experience the flight into Khasab through the mountains
Dhow cruise aroudn the fjotds of Musandam
Experience a night in the Wahiba Sands at the Desert Nights Resort
Visit Nizwa and Jabrin

Oman - The North and The Dhofar

12 days from £2,995pp

Visit Nizwa
Jebel Ahkdar and surrounding villages
Experience the Wahiba Desert
Salalah
Mirbat, Taqa and Khor Rori

Hotel Stays

In addition to the above suggested tours, we can also quote for hotel stays in Muscat at any of the hotels featured in the video.

Unique Experiences

To add an extra special touch to your stay in Muscat, the following unique experiences can also be arranged:

Wadi Bashing day trip - 580kms by 4WD
Wahiba Wilderness day trip - 550kms by 4DW
Oman's Grand Canyon day trip - 560kms by 4WD
Forts & Palaces by Catamaran
Deep Sea Fishing
Bird watching tours

Cruise the Persian Gulf on MS Island Sky

Save an extra 5% on published prices

One of our favourite small ships, the MS Island Sky will be cruising the waters of the Persian Gulf from January to March 2011 offering two fascinating itineraries both accompanied by guest lecturers.

Click here to see the travelguru.tv video report on MS Island Sky with John Carter

Oman and Beyond - departs 12 January 2011 (Salalah to Dubai) and 15 February 2011 (Dubai to Salalah)

13 nights from £3,445pp

Persian Gulf Odyssey - departs 25 January 2011 (Dubai to Muscat) and 05 February (Muscat to Dubai)

11 nights from £3,045pp