Oman Discovery

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. Take a short, easy walk at Wadi Bani Habib, a village of old stone houses, 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, enjoy a short morning walk on the mountain, then drive down past Birkat Al Mouz 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. Check in at your hotel and rest.

In the evening, your guide drives you back to the town centre for Nizwa Souq, known for hand-carved khanjars (Omani daggers) and silver jewellery. Dinner at a local restaurant is possible (at your own cost).

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 towards Sur. At Al Kamil, turn off to Jalan Bani Bu Ali to visit the old Al Hamouda Fort.

Continue to Aseelah for a stop by the sea, then take the coast road to Ras Al Jinz, one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

Check in at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. At about 21:00, meet in the lobby and go out with the reserve's rangers to watch green turtles come ashore to nest. Overnight at the reserve.

Check out and drive to Sur to visit the yard where wooden dhows are still built by hand. It is a private yard with no fixed hours, so the visit can't be guaranteed. 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.