What Makes it Special?
- Camp deep in the Empty Quarter, surrounded by silence and golden dunes.
- Hike at sunset across untouched sands and dine under starry desert skies.
- Visit traditional Bedouin villages, where daily life hasn’t changed for centuries.
- Spot flamingos at the serene Pink Lagoon, far from the usual Oman route.
- Set up camp for a night along Oman’s quiet southern coast.
- Watch turtles nest at Ras Al Jinz, guided by local experts.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Oman experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
If you’re keen to see a different side of Oman, the side that most visitors never reach, this adventure through the lesser-explored side of the country is a brilliant place to start. While most trips focus on the well-known highlights, this itinerary takes you further, into the quiet corners, wild landscapes, and remote coastal hideaways that show off Oman at its most untouched.
From camping in the vast Empty Quarter to spotting flamingos at a hidden lagoon, you’ll get a real sense of just how diverse this country is. You’ll explore Bedouin villages where time almost seems to stand still, watch turtles nesting, sleep under the stars where the desert meets the sea, and visit places where few other travellers go. But it’s not all wild and rugged – there’s a nice mix of comfort built in too, with handpicked hotels and time to unwind by the coast in Muscat at the end.
Each day is a chance to experience a whole new side of Oman, from dramatic wadis and ancient trading ports to wildlife encounters and unforgettable starlit nights in the desert. Mixing nights under canvas with charming accommodations, this itinerary is a great starting point for exploring the lesser-known magic of Oman.
8 hours from London
When to go
- September to April
Average temperature
- 29°C
Average rainfall
- Dry season: 9mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Oman holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Your adventure begins with a flight from the UK to Muscat. As you'll have a connecting flight to Salalah when you land, we'd recommend opting for the direct flight by Oman Air for ease. But, as always, chat to us and we'll help find the best option for you.
After landing in Muscat, you'll transfer to your connecting flight to Salalah. Your driver will be there to meet you and whisk you off deep into the Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand desert. This vast, untouched expanse is rarely visited, offering a true sense of isolation for the first stop on your Oman holiday. You’ll spend the night in a campsite surrounded by towering dunes and enjoy the silence of this extraordinary, off-the-beaten-track destination.
Today is dedicated to exploring the remote beauty of the Empty Quarter, admiring the huge expanse of sand dunes as you make your way to your next campsite. This evening, you’ll head off on a guided sunset hike to experience the desert at its most magical, with golden light illuminating the dunes. End the day with an authentic Omani dinner around the campfire and under the stars, feeling a million miles away from the distractions of modern life.
Leave the remote dunes behind today as you start the journey back to Salalah. You'll pass through traditional Bedouin villages along the way, where life has remained unchanged for centuries. Next up, you’ll visit the dramatic Mughsayl Blowholes, a natural wonder where waves erupt through the gaps in the rocks. Arrive at your hotel in Salalah, offering a welcome touch of comfort after your time camping in the desert.
Today, after your 4x4 hire car is dropped at your hotel, you'll follow the little-travelled coastal road to Mirbat, an ancient trading town with a rich history. Set up camp near the coast, enjoying the tranquility of this under-explored region. For dinner, we recommend sampling the 'catch of the day', freshly prepared by local fishermen.
Waking up in your camping spot, your adventure continues today with a visit to the little-known Pink Lagoon, a serene spot where flamingos and other seabirds gather in huge numbers. Few visitors make it to this remote area, so it’s wonderfully peaceful. After taking in the wildlife, you’ll continue your journey to Duqm, ready to spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
It’s time to head north today, travelling up through small fishing villages that tourists rarely get to enjoy, stopping at Masirah's striking white salt fields. Set up camp at Ras Ar Ruways, where the sea meets the rolling sand dunes in one of Oman’s most secluded locations. There's so much unspoiled beauty to enjoy in this area, you'll be well rewarded for your desire to get off the beaten track.
You’ll journey through the desert to Sur today, a historic port town with a strong maritime heritage. We really recommend paying a visit to the Dhow Factory, where traditional boats are still crafted by hand as they have been for centuries. After exploring, you'll continue to Ras al-Jinz Reserve, where you’ll spend the next couple of nights.
Today, if you're visiting during the right time of year, you’ll join a guided early-morning and late-afternoon tour at Ras al-Jinz Reserve in search of turtles nesting on the beach. Not only the perfect turtle spotting beach, there are plenty of other adventures to be had nearby. In between your tours, head off to explore the nearby mountains on foot or by bike, or perhaps be inspired by a traditional Omani cooking class.
Take the panoramic coastal route to Muscat today, stopping at hidden spots like Wadi Tiwi, with its lush plantations, and the striking Bimmah Sinkhole, a limestone crater filled with ocean water from an underground river. After a day of adventures, you’ll arrive in Muscat for a relaxing three-night stay.
The next couple of days are yours to spend however you wish. While away the hours unwinding on Muscat’s beaches or lounging by the pool at your hotel. If you’re after something a little more unique and adventurous, we could arrange a private snorkelling or diving trip to explore Oman’s rich marine life off the nearby Dimaniyat Islands, or you might choose to head out on a dolphin-spotting boat trip. Don’t miss the chance to venture into the city to soak up the culture and history of Oman’s capital, too; we can arrange a brilliant guide to help you squeeze the most out of your time.
Your adventure comes to an end today, as you’re transferred to Muscat Airport for your flight home. On the flight back to reality, reflect on the untouched landscapes, remote villages, and hidden wonders that made this journey a true adventure into Oman’s unexplored side.
Places you'll visit
We have hundreds of partner hotels across the world, with our tailor made trips you can pick from our range of beautiful hotels
What You're Saying
“
From our very first contact with Emma she listened carefully to what we wanted and put together a fabulous Oman holiday for us. Our expectations, and hopes, were high and our trip exceeded them. We travelled from city to town, mountain to desert, inland and on the coast, staying in a variety of hotels. The information and suggestions we were given really enhanced our time. Everything was wonderful! I cannot imagine a better trip to Oman than we had, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Emma for all the knowledge and expertise she brought to planning our holiday.
Sarah Whitworth
Trustpilot
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“
A truly wonderful trip to Oman, curated by Catherine of Holiday Architects. Oman exceeded our expectations on all levels and the trip that was put together was perfect. enough variety to be really interesting but not too rushed to be unable to enjoy it. Can not recommend the country and HA enough.
Charlie Horrell
Trustpilot
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“
Catherine’s extensive knowledge of the country and her well informed guidance ensured that we enjoyed a memorable holiday in Oman which more than met our expectations of it. Careful and considerate planning accompanied a fascinating six day tour starting and ending in Muscat included Nizwa, Wahiba Sands, Sur and so much of interest en route, was led by a knowledgeable and attentive driver who contributed much to our comprehensive Omani experience. There were no hitches, all that was planned for us by Holiday Architects was honoured faultlessly with professional skill, and we would have no hesitation in relying upon them again.
Ian Munro
Trustpilot
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“
Emma was very knowledgeable about Oman, listened carefully to what we thought we wanted to do and put together a great itinerary which met our requirements. All the information provided before departure was detailed and helpful. Everything ran very smoothly throughout the holiday - was impressed by the efficiency and we had a great guide/driver. Emma followed up shortly after our return to check that we had had a great time and all had gone well.
Amanda Ferguson
Trustpilot
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“
We decided to use the services of Holiday Architects for a trip to Oman, as I was impressed with the itinerary that Emma provided and her obvious detailed knowledge of the country that came across in our initial phone calls. I'm so glad we did as the actual trip was fantastic! Our trip covered four different areas - Muscat, Wahiba Sands, Nizwa mountain area and Salalah - in some quite spectacular hotels and with drivers/guides laid on by the local agents, Elite. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and are so glad we chose Holiday Architects!
Mrs Weekes
Trustpilot
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Catherine at Holiday Architects masterminded a superb week’s holiday in Oman. The itinerary took in Muscat, Wahiba Sands, the Nizwa area and the Jabal Akhdar. We had an excellent driver/guide who helped us appreciate the culture, history and friendly people of this amazing country. Thank you so much Catherine and Holiday Architects!
Katherine A
Trustpilot
”
Holiday Gallery
Meet our Oman experts
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Catherine and Emma are dedicated to all things Oman and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Catherine Williams
Destination Manager
Catherine’s explored Oman from top to toe. She's hiked the mountains, dived its coast and wandered the souks. She’s all about combining the great outdoors with local experiences and knows exactly how to plan a trip that's perfect for you.
Emma Higgins
Destination Manager
With a love for nature, culture and seriously good food, Emma was completely won over by Oman on her first visit. Since, she’s travelled from north to south, uncovering both classic sights and quieter corners that will make your holiday extra special.
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