11-Day Oman Odyssey: Muscat, Wadis, Desert, and Musandam Dhow Cruise

Muscat•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

11 days

Fitness Level

Comfortable walking on uneven terrain with short hikes (45–90 minutes), stairs in forts, and optional dune climbs; heat tolerance is important.

Overview

This private 11-day journey threads Oman’s best contrasts: wadis you can swim, a night in the dunes, high mountain rims, and a dhow cruise through Musandam’s cliff-bound fjords. It’s an immersive, steady-paced way to see the country’s wild edges and living history without losing the comforts of a guided trip.

11-Day Oman Odyssey: Muscat, Wadis, Desert, and Musandam Dhow Cruise

Jeep

Other

City Tour

Sightseeing Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

Dawn lifts over Muscat in a soft wash of peach and gold as the city exhales into the day. The coast road pulls east, skimming limestone bluffs and the cool shadow of the Hajar Mountains. At Bimmah Sinkhole, the earth yawns open—sea-fed water winks in the light and dares you to jump. Farther on, Wadi Shab tightens into a sculpted gorge. The path pads over river stones and palm roots, a steady 45-minute walk that ends in clear pools. The canyon beckons you forward; warm, turquoise water presses you to swim deeper until a slit in the rock opens into a secret chamber where a waterfall whispers down the walls.

Adventure Photos

11-Day Oman Odyssey: Muscat, Wadis, Desert, and Musandam Dhow Cruise photo 1

Adventure Tips

Dress codes matter

Carry a light scarf and wear shoulders/knees-covered clothing for visits to souqs, villages, and forts; swimwear is fine at wadis and beaches but cover up before and after.

Hydrate like a local

Heat and low humidity sap energy fast—sip water constantly and add electrolytes, especially on wadi walks and desert days.

Footwear for rock and water

Pack sturdy walking shoes for canyon paths and light water shoes or sandals with grip for wadi pools and the dhow day.

Passport ready in Musandam

Carry your passport for flights and occasional checkpoints in Musandam; keep a digital backup on your phone.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Green turtles (Ras Al Jinz)
Spinner dolphins (Khasab fjords)

History

Nizwa served as Oman’s capital in the 17th century under the Yaruba dynasty, which built the iconic Nizwa Fort. In Musandam, the Portuguese-era Khasab Castle guarded the Strait of Hormuz trade routes.

Conservation

Follow guides’ instructions at Ras Al Jinz—no flash, keep distance, and stay behind nesting turtles. Pack out trash in wadis and conserve water in villages where falaj irrigation sustains crops.