Have breakfast at the hotel, and then we depart for our full day tour of Muscat!

Stop 1: The Grand Mosque, where you will have the option of a guided tour, audio tour, or to wander on your own. The complex is a massive 430,000 sq ft, and includes the main prayer hall, where you will see an incredible interior with a 46 ft tall Chandelier. 

The last 30 minutes at the mosque will be spent with a Q&A at the Islamic Center, to ask your burning questions about their religion, practices, culture, and daily life. (This was a favorite on last year's tour!) 

*There is a dress code at the mosque

Stop 2: The Royal Opera House, which is a spectacular building inside and out. Get your cameras ready for the extremely large pipe organ on stage. The air conditioning in there is always a nice treat, too. 

Stop 3: A casual beach stop, where you can enjoy the breeze and dip your toes in the water, while we enjoy omani bread and karak tea. 

Stop 4: Lunch at a local restaurant, where we will sit down and enjoy local food and fresh juices. 

Stop 5: A museum in Old Muscat, where you can learn the history of Oman. 

Stop 6: We will be dropped off at Al Alam Palace, and will go for a short walk to see the exterior, the seaside, and marvel the nearby forts.

Stop 7: We will be dropped off at the Muttrah Souk, where you have the ability to shop and buy the recommended local goods for this area. If you aren't interested in shopping, the souk is situated on the Corniche, which is a beautiful walking area on the water, and you can watch the sunset. 

To end the evening, you will have the choice to come back to the hotel on the bus, or stay later at the Souk to shop. 

*Dinner will not be included on this night, as the day is long, and we want to give you the choice to end your evening early.

*This is our most strenuous activity, featuring an early departure and a challenging hike under the sun. Participants will navigate rocky terrain, scramble over rocks, and walk along paths that may have steep cliffs. Along the route, you'll encounter several freshwater turquoise pools ideal for swimming. However, please note that the rocks around these pools can be slippery, so careful attention to footing is essential. There will be areas where you may need to duck under overhangs and use both hands and feet for support during certain sections of the hike and swim. Life jackets are available for swimming, though they must be worn throughout the duration of the activity. The entrance to the optional cave at the end is narrow, particularly around the head area. Difficulty rating: 5/10.

Start with an early breakfast at the hotel, and check out of your room, because we're leaving the city! We have a 1.5 hour drive to Wadi Shab. (Maybe you can go back to sleep in the car-- but keep your eyes open for goats, donkeys, and camels on the way!) 

We will arrive to Wadi Shab as early as possible to beat the crowds, as it's the most popular wadi in Oman. 

The adventure, in detail:

It starts with a short (1 min) boat ride to the other side of the river, where we will then begin our walk. The walk begins on flat land, where you will be walking on small rocks. (Closed toed water shoes are recommended) 

After 10-15 minutes, we then arrive to the first swimmable pool, before the hike gets difficult. This will be the pool that we recommend to anyone that does not want to complete the hike all the way through. We can provide a guide to stay with this group, and the entire group will reunite here for a picnic lunch. 

We will then continue, and hike along the side of the gorge for an average pace of 20 minutes, followed by the scrambling portion of the hike, for an average pace of 20 minutes. 

We will then be rewarded with the main natural pool area to cool down and enjoy a swim. We will set up our spot in the shade, to relax, or leave your belongings. You will have the option to do the guided swim/slippery hike through the pools to the waterfall cave at the end (so much fun, but slippery!) or stay back and relax at the main pool without the guides.

For the extra adventurous traveler-- we can cliff jump and climb the waterfall face!

Once the swimmers return, we will dry off, have a quick snack to fuel our bodies, and hike back to the first pool to have a picnic lunch together as a group.

After lunch, change clothes and get ready, because we are driving to the desert! 

We will check into our desert resort, and hopefully drive to a gorgeous spot for the sunset. (Arrival time depends on the pace/duration of the wadi hike)

Dinner buffet is provided after sunset, and there will be an option to stargaze on top of a dune. 

Everyone's favorite day! 

Breakfast at the resort is included, and we have a lot of optional tours to choose from today:

A sunrise hot air balloon ride ($$$$)
A quad bike adventure ($$)
A camel ride for 10 or 30 min ($)
Pool time (free!)

Lunch will be provided either at the resort or at a local restaurant.

In the early afternoon, we will head to our sunset spot, where you have the option to relax, take photos, bury yourself in the sand, roll down the dunes, sled behind a vehicle, and more. It's so much fun!

We will return to the resort for a dinner buffet, and another option to stargaze. 

After our last breakfast in the desert, we will head towards the Zukait Tombs, which is a UNESCO world heritage site with beehive tombs from the BCE era. 

Next, we head to Al Hamra, which is an old abandoned village of mud brick houses. Here, we can explore the town, and enjoy the Bait Al Safe Museum, where locals demonstrate old Omani traditions. 

We will then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After, we will visit the Nizwa Fort and Castle, the most famous historical site in Oman.  The fort will offer panoramic views of the city and mountains, where we can enjoy the sunset.

We will then head to our new hotel for the evening, where dinner will be provided. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. 

We will go back into Nizwa, and focus on the souq, where it is especially nice to buy tea, coffee, dates, handicrafts, and spices.  We will have a tour and ample shopping time.

After, we will have a local lunch, and head towards the mountains. 

Our hotel is on top a cliff, with fabulous views all around. Take advantage of the wonderful amenities and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

The only plans we have for this day is a gorgeous mountain walk and lunch at a local restaurant. Other than that, its a free day. 

Take advantage of the pool and possibly a nearby spa. This hotel was a favorite last year, and everyone wished we had an extra day there, so we added it this year!

Wake up, have breakfast, and pack up to leave the mountains!

On our way back to Muscat, we will visit Al Suwjara village and have lunch. 

Once we check into our hotel in Muscat, we will be headed to a local home for a hands-on cooking class. We will of course enjoy the meal we prepared.

Have breakfast at the hotel, and get ready for a day in the sun!

After a 20 minute drive to the Marina, we will get on a boat to enjoy a day at Daymaniyat Islands, where we have 2 stops: One in the water for the best snorkeling, and one on a beach, for relaxing, or more snorkeling! This is a gorgeous place to visit, with beautiful turquoise water. Keep your eyes out for dolphins, turtles, and of course, Nemo and Dory!

Sandwiches, fruit, cookies, cold water, snorkel gear, and lifejackets will be provided. 

*Please bring your own towel*  

We will be done with the tour around 1:30, and will head back to the hotel to shower and change, because then it's time for a breathtaking sunset cruise on a dhow boat. 

After, it's time to say goodbye. We will have one last dinner as a group, at a local restaurant, family style. 

Breakfast is included. 

We will suggest times to leave for the airport before your flight, and let you know who you could ride with, but in order to give our guides a day off, we are not including airport transfers. Taxis to the airport will be very easy to get, from the concierge at the hotel, or the o-taxi app.