Forts of Oman

At about 8:00, your guide and driver meet you at your hotel with a four-wheel drive. Begin at the busy fish market in Barka, then drive inland to Nakhal Fort, once held by the imams of the Bani Kharous and the Ya'aruba dynasty. Restored and furnished with traditional furniture, crafts and old objects, it has finely carved ceilings, doors and windows, and the roof looks out over the whole valley. Below the fort, the old village leads to the warm springs of Ayn Al Thowarah at the end of the oasis, where you can sit by the shallow water among date palms under steep peaks.

Then comes Wadi Bani Awf, one of the most rewarding off-road drives in Oman: a graded track through the mountains, often with water in the wadi. Stop above Bilad Sayt, a village set among green terraces. Continue to Al Hamra, an old village of mud-brick houses at the foot of the mountains, for a short stop.

Then drive up the mountain. Jabal Shams, the 'Mountain of the Sun', is the highest peak in Oman at 3,009 metres; its old name is Jabal Al Qanah. Villagers here weave heavy woollen rugs in bright colours. Walk to the rim of the canyon known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. Then drive to your hotel for dinner and the night.

After breakfast, explore the villages scattered across the mountain, then drive down to Jabreen. Jabreen Castle, built in the late 17th century, became a centre of Omani learning and is often called the finest castle in the country. Walk through the wali's rooms, the women's quarters, the kitchen and the majlis, under ceilings painted with Islamic motifs, and climb to the roof for the view.

Drive on towards Nizwa, stopping on the way for photos of Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Nizwa, visit Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'rubi to guard the route to the interior. Its huge round tower dominates the town, which grew up around it. A narrow, twisting staircase, barred by heavy wooden doors studded with metal, leads to the top and a view over the whole oasis. Then walk through Nizwa Souq, known for hand-carved khanjars (Omani daggers) and silver jewellery. On Fridays there is a lively goat and cattle auction. Check in at your hotel; the rest of the day is free.

Check out and drive towards the desert. On the way, stop in Ibra for photos of the old mud-brick houses; on Wednesdays the town has a women's market. The road to Wadi Bani Khalid then crosses the mountains, with wide views and small villages along the way, and winds down past a large, palm-fringed pool to a village. From there a short walk leads to the deep blue-green pools of the wadi, where you can swim. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. A café by the pools serves lunch and juices (at your own cost).

In the afternoon, drive on to the Wahiba Sands. Your driver takes you across the dunes to the desert camp for dinner and the night.

Breakfast at the camp. At about 8:30, meet your guide at the camp reception and drive out of the desert to Sur, then follow the coast road towards Muscat, with views over the Gulf of Oman and long white beaches.

Stop at Wadi Shab, Arabic for 'ravine between cliffs'. Green pools and plenty of shade make it a good place for a picnic; a cold picnic lunch can be arranged at extra cost. Walk as far into the wadi as you like, then drive on to the Bimah Sinkhole, a large natural limestone sinkhole filled with clear water, where you can swim.

Further along the coast, stop at Quriyat, a large fishing village between a lagoon and the sea, its harbour still guarded by an old watchtower. Then on to Muscat, where we drop you at the airport or your hotel.