Extensive Journey through Oman

Arrive at Muscat International Airport. Immigration and customs are quick and simple. In the arrivals hall, your Travel Store driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. Overnight in Muscat.

After breakfast, we pick you up at 7:30 and drive to Marina Bandar Al Rowdha for a two-hour dolphin-watching cruise. Several kinds of dolphin live off the Muscat coast. Sightings can't be guaranteed, but a morning at sea is a fine start to the day.

After the cruise, drive to the old town and visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum with a fine collection on traditional Omani life. Stop for photos at Al Alam Palace, flanked by the Portuguese forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani, then drive along the Corniche to Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest souqs in Oman, its narrow lanes scented with frankincense and sandalwood. Then back to your hotel; the rest of the day is free.

We pick you up from your hotel at about 8:30. Start at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Oman, known for its chandeliers, fine craftsmanship and the single hand-woven carpet that covers the prayer hall. Visitors are welcome Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 to 11:00, except on holidays. Women need to cover their hair, arms and legs; men should wear long trousers.

Drive inland to Birkat Al Mouz, a village at the foot of Jabal Akhdar, for a short photo stop, then climb the mountain road. Jabal Akhdar, the 'Green Mountain', is part of the Western Hajar range. On the Saiq Plateau, about 2,000 metres up, farmers grow pomegranates, apricots, grapes and walnuts on terraces watered by springs and falaj channels. Visit Wadi Bani Habib, a village of old stone houses with small waterfalls nearby, and finish at Diana's Point, named after the Princess of Wales, who came here in the late 1980s.

Check in at your hotel; the rest of the day is free.

After breakfast, walk the marked trail through Wadi Bani Habib and the terraced villages along the rim. Jabal Akhdar is known for its roses, and you can visit a distillery where rose water is still made. The rest of the day is free.

After breakfast, drive down to 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.

Drive towards Jabreen, stopping on the way for photos of Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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.

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, check out and drive to Al Hamra to visit Bait Al Safah, a privately owned museum of Omani village life. Then head for 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 and your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel, then check out and transfer to the airport in good time for your flight.