A guided road trip down the quiet south-east coast: turtles at Ras al Jinz, the white Sugar Dunes of Khaluf and three days in Dhofar.
Muscat to Salalah is a guided road trip along Oman's quiet south-east coast. You swim in Wadi Shab, watch turtles at Ras al Jinz and see the white Sugar Dunes at Khaluf, then follow the coast road to Salalah. Three days in Dhofar include the city, the cliffs and beaches of the west, and Jebel Samhan in the east. Travel between late June and September to see the region green during the khareef.
Who it suits: Travellers who want the Oman most visitors miss
Arrive at Muscat International Airport and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free to rest before the trip begins.
Overnight: MuscatStart at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its chandeliers and one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets. See the Royal Opera House, then walk through Muttrah Souq, scented with frankincense, and along the Corniche past the old port and its dhows. End at Al Alam Palace, the Sultan's ceremonial palace, between the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts.
Overnight: MuscatTake the coast road to Wadi Shab, where a short boat ride and a walk lead to green pools and a waterfall inside a cave, with time to swim. Then visit Tiwi, a quiet village of date palms and wadis.
Overnight: TiwiIn Sur, see the yards where wooden dhows have been built for centuries, the old watchtowers and the Al Ayjah lighthouse. After dark, a ranger takes you onto the beach at the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve to watch green turtles nesting.
Overnight: Ras al JinzDrive down the coast to the Sugar Dunes near Khaluf, where white sand dunes meet a turquoise sea. Cross the dunes by 4x4, then enjoy the views and the silence.
Overnight: Sugar Dunes (resort or camp)Drive the last stretch of the coast road to Salalah. The desert gives way to the greener landscapes of Dhofar, with coconut palms and banana plantations. Spend the evening by the Arabian Sea.
Overnight: SalalahVisit the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Al Husn Souq, scented with frankincense, and Al Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO-listed site of the old port. End the day at Mughsail Beach, where blowholes in the cliffs send the sea high into the air.
Overnight: SalalahHead west through cliffs, canyons and empty beaches. See the frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the white sands of Al Fazayah Beach and the Tomb of Nabi Ayoub, with views over the hills of Salalah.
Overnight: SalalahDrive up to Jebel Samhan for views over the desert and the sea, look into the huge Tawi Atair sinkhole and walk in Wadi Darbat, with its waterfalls and greenery. In the afternoon, visit Khor Rori, an ancient port of the frankincense trade.
Overnight: SalalahTransfer to Salalah International Airport for your flight home. Ask us about extra beach days before you leave.
Our classic first visit with an English-speaking guide: the Grand Mosque, the rim of Jebel Shams, Nizwa, a night in the Wahiba Sands and a night on the Daymaniyat Islands.
A self-drive road trip through mainland Oman, then a flight north to the fjords of Musandam. A guided version is available for an extra fee.
Short drives and days children remember: a swim at the Bimmah Sinkhole, a night in the dunes, turtles at Ras al Jinz and a snorkelling trip.
Tell us your dates and interests and we'll suggest the best fit. We reply within one business day.
