A Night under the Stars

At about 9:00, your guide and driver meet you at your hotel for the drive inland towards the desert, through small villages and towns. 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.