Oman: Mountains, Deserts & Wadis
Self-Drive Tour through Northern OmanOman is a country rich in history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm-hearted people. Experience the majestic beauty of the Hajar Mountains, enjoy the magical atmosphere of comfortable desert camps, and discover imposing adobe buildings, picturesque wadis, lush oases, and charming villages. At Wadi Bani Khalid, you can swim in natural pools, observe turtles laying their eggs in Ras Al Jinz, and – if there happens to be a project underway – watch the skilled craftsmen building a traditional wooden dhow in Sur.
This self-drive tour is perfect for curious explorers who value well-organised travel while enjoying the freedom of an individual pace. Good physical condition, confident driving skills, and basic knowledge of English are required. Oman is not only very safe but also exceptionally family-friendly, making it an ideal destination for adventurous families with inquisitive children. Of course, upon request (for an additional fee), a driver or a driver-guide can be arranged.
The most popular time to travel to Oman is between October and March/April, when rainfall is minimal, daytime temperatures range between 20°C and 30°C, and the sun shines from a cloudless sky. Between May and September, during the Omani summer, the climate is hot, humid, and rainy – a weather pattern that may be unfamiliar to European travellers. Nevertheless, Oman can still be visited during this period.
Travel itinerary
- Meet & greet at Muscat Airport
- Transfer to the hotel
- Premium: Overnight at W Muscat****
- Deluxe: Overnight at Sheraton Oman****, Muscat
- Pick up your car (at the hotel)
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Explore the Bait Al Zubair Museum (Omani cultural history)
- Stroll along the Corniche, photo stop at Al Alam Palace (royal residence)
- Walk through the Muttrah Souk (traditional handicrafts)
- Premium: Overnight at W Muscat****
- Deluxe: Overnight at Sheraton Oman****, Muscat (B)
- Traditional fish market in Barka
- Drive through Wadi Bani Auf
- Visit the authentic villages of Bilad Sait, Misfat al Abreen, and Misfah
- Continue to the Jabal Shams plateau (approx. 3,000 m a.s.l.)
- Dinner at the hotel
- Premium: Overnight at Sama Heights****, Jabal Shams (B, D)
- Deluxe: Overnight at Sama Heights****, Jabal Shams (B, D)
- Walk along Oman’s “Grand Canyon” (good head for heights required)
- Visit the traditional pottery workshops of Bahla
- Explore the historic Jabrin Fort
- Premium: Overnight at Golden Tulip****, Nizwa
- Deluxe: Overnight at Golden Tulip****, Nizwa (B)
- Visit Nizwa Souk (with Friday livestock market)
- Tour Nizwa Fort
- Visit the traditional village of Birkat Al Mauz (banana plantation, falaj irrigation system)
- Discover the mountains of the “Green Jabal Akhdar”
- Walk through Wadi Bani Habib (ghost villages)
- Premium: Overnight at Golden Tulip****, Nizwa
- Deluxe: Overnight at Golden Tulip****, Nizwa (B)
- Discover the oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid
- Walk to the natural pools (opportunity for swimming)
- Drive towards the desert and meet the escort vehicle
- Enter the Wahiba Sands
- Visit a Bedouin village (opportunity to meet the locals)
- Enjoy sunset in the dunes
- Dinner at the camp
- Premium: Overnight at Desert Night Camp, Wahiba Sands
- Deluxe: Overnight at 1000 Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands (B, D)
- Return to the main road with escort vehicle
- Visit the open-air museum in Sur (restored 8th-century dhow)
- Tour a dhow shipyard
- Enjoy panoramic views of Sur from the watchtower
- Late evening turtle-watching excursion (with ranger and other lodge guests)
- Dinner at the lodge
- Premium: Overnight in a Luxury Eco Tent, Ras Al Jinz Eco Lodge
- Deluxe: Overnight at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve****, Ras Al Jinz (B, D)
- Pass small fishing villages along the coast
- Photo stop at the Bibi Miriam Mausoleum in Qalhat
- Visit Wadi Shab
- Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole
- Drop off rental car at Muscat Airport (B)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lunchbox / Picnic
- Tasting
- Night
Options to extend your trip
We recommend extending your stay with a beach holiday in Muscat.
If you would like to explore other regions of Oman – such as the land of frankincense, Dhofar, or the fjords of Musandam – we suggest combining different travel modules. We’ll be happy to create a tailor-made program just for you.
Prices (per person)*
Included Services (Premium Option)
Not included: International flights°, visa, beach days extension, fuel ca. 150€, entrance fees ca. 75€, parking, fines, accident excess, car cleaning fees, tolls, optional chauffeur, meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, personal expenses.
*Turtle tour is shared with other lodge guests.
Prices (per person)*
Included Services (Deluxe Option)
Not included: International flights (ask us for an offer), visa, beach extension, fuel ca. 150€, entrance fees ca. 75€, parking, fines, accident excess, car cleaning fees, tolls, optional chauffeur, meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, personal expenses.
*Turtle tour is shared with other lodge guests.
Authentic and sustainable
- Many opportunities to interact with the Omani population
- Visit to a Bedouin family in the Wahiba Sands
- Many overnight stays in Omani hotels and camps with sustainability strategies (e.g. W Muscat is LEED-certified, Bedouins from the Sharqiya region work at the 1000 Night Camp, and the camps in Ras Al Jinz are committed to nature conservation and animal welfare)
- 100% CO2 compensation via Atmosfair (= 390 kilograms per traveller, excluding flights)
Important information
Entry (as of May 2025): For Luxembourg citizens with a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the departure date, is in good condition, and has at least two blank pages. No visa is required for stays of up to 14 days.
As of May 2025, no vaccinations are required (a yellow fever vaccination is only required when entering from yellow fever-infected areas). However, we recommend keeping your standard vaccinations up to date and consulting your family doctor before any long-distance travel. With your travel confirmation, you will receive a personalized link with information and recommendations; with your travel documents, you will receive further information about the destination country.
The minimum age to drive a rental car is 21 years, and the maximum age is 75 years. An international driver’s license and a valid credit card (as of May 2025) are required to rent the vehicle.
For air travel, our prices are generally based on special and tour operator fares from the airline(s) selected for the respective trip. We would be happy to provide you with a quote for the flights that are suitable for this trip.
Our flight recommendation stated in the travel description is based on the following scientifically proven findings: The combustion of fossil fuels results in the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. It also causes air pollution, which in turn leads to health problems. The extent of emissions depends primarily on the distance, stopovers (emissions are highest during takeoff and landing), and the type of aircraft.
Almost all hotels offer Wi-Fi, but network coverage is not always perfect. Please note that some hotels only offer non-smoking rooms. In the desert camps, Wi-Fi is usually only available in public areas.
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We strongly recommend purchasing travel cancellation insurance that also covers COVID-19. Furthermore, travel health insurance that covers treatment (including quarantine) for COVID-19 is mandatory for Oman. There are currently no restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this can change at short notice.
This tour is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments. If applicable, please inform us of your mobility impairment before booking and clarify with us whether we can accommodate your individual needs.
Planet B is a Bollig Tours brand. The General Terms and Conditions of Bollig Tours applies.
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