Sur Grand Hotel

Luxury Beach + 1 more + 2 more

Dubai & Dhows

Oman, Dubai

From Dubai’s skyline to Musandam’s fjords, this is Arabia at its best.

13 days

from £6,140 pp

Gentle Oman

Classic Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

A relaxed journey through Oman’s desert, mountains, and culture.

9 days

from £3,345 pp

Unexplored Oman

Wildlife & Nature Off-the-beaten-track + 2 more + 3 more

Experience Oman, beyond the usual tourist trail.

13 days

from £4,065 pp

Classic Oman

Classic Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

Explore the highlights of Oman in one unforgettable trip.

10 days

from £3,980 pp

Ultimate Oman

Wildlife & Nature Ultimate + 3 more + 3 more

Our most comprehensive 16-day grand tour of Oman.

16 days

from £6,580 pp

Go Local in Oman

Wildlife & Nature Go Local + 2 more + 3 more

Experience the real Oman, with locals leading the way.

11 days

from £5,320 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Oman

Hiking in Wadi Shab

Wadi hiking is a very popular activity in Oman, for both travellers to the country and locals on days out. Down the coastline east of Muscat there are a few wadis that wend down from the mountains, but the walks and swimming that Wadi Shab provides are among our favourite. You start by catching a little boat over the mouth of the river to reach the hiking trails, then you have miles ahead of glorious footpath to explore. The route is dotted with pools for you to slip into to cool off, and if you keep going far enough you'll reach waterfalls and caves all flanked by dramatic rock scenery. The paths through the wadi are mostly flat so the walking itself isn't particularly technical – although it is rocky so sturdy footwear is definitely advised – making it a perfect if you have young ones in tow too.

Turtle Watching

Green turtles nest on the knuckle of the Arabian Peninsula where it juts into the Indian Ocean near Sur, a headland known as Ras al-Jinz (Headland of the Genies). Turtle watching is more regulated than in the past, and you’ll need to join a group heading down to the beach from the Ras al-Jinz Visitor Centre. Turtle watching in Oman can be a bit disappointing; partly this is because group sizes can get large and unwieldy and partly because it’s not unknown for the turtles to be denied the space and privacy they need when nesting. In addition, although some turtles nest year-round, the main nesting season is June to September, which is the height of summer and too hot for most people to consider visiting Oman!

Sur

As you wonder through the streets of Sur, your eye will be caught by traditional architecture everywhere – pointed windows, wind towers and intricately carved wooden doors all compete for your attention. Eventually, it seems, all streets lead to the harbour where you’ll see traditional dhows riding at anchor. A stroll around the harbour and along the beach will probably pass at least one dhow under construction, the master shipwright ordering his men around, employing techniques largely unchanged for centuries.