Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Muscat. Transfer to the 4-star Holiday Hotel for three nights.
Day 2 Full-day excursion including picnic lunch. Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, market and souk. Continue to Al Hazm fort (under restoration) and historical Rustaq. Pass along picturesque wadis (dry riverbeds) to Nakhl. Return via the natural springs at Ain Thowarah.
Day 3 Visit Muscat’s Natural History and Omani museums, and Muttrah. In the Old Town view the Sultan’s palace and ancient Portuguese-built forts. Optional 4-wheel-drive soft adventure to Wadi Al Khoud.
Day 4 Transfer to Nizwa, through the Hajar Mountains via the oases of Fanjah and Birkat Al Muz. Visit Nizwa’s 17th-century fort and souk, Bahla’s UNESCO-listed fort (under restoration) and Jabreen. Overnight at the 4-star Golden Tulip Nizwa.
Day 5 Return to Muscat. Afternoon flight to Salalah. Two nights at the 5-star Hilton Salalah.
Day 6 Full day tour of East and West Salalah including Taqa, Jobs Tomb, the old frankincense port of Samhuram and Khor Mughsail.
Day 7 Morning at leisure. Optional tour – Salalah Museum and souks. Fly to Muscat for the onward overnight flight to London.
Day 8 Arrive London Gatwick.
Extension - United Arab Emirates
Spend five nights discovering the United Arab Emirates.
Days 7–8 Fly to Dubai. Transfer to the 4-star Lotus Hotel for two nights including a Dubai city tour.
Days 9–10 Transfer to Abu Dhabi for two nights at the 4-star Al Diar Regency. On Day 10 – an orientation tour of Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE.
Day 11 Transfer to the garden oasis city of Al Ain for one night at the 4-star Mercure Grand Al Ain. Tour of Al Ain – a city surrounded by striking red sand.
Day 12 Morning at leisure. Transfer to Dubai for the return flight to London via Muscat.
Day 13 Arrive London Gatwick.
