Fly to Muscat. Transfer to the Chedi Muscat on the shores of the Gulf of Oman. Stay for 2 nights in a Serai room.
Morning city tour including the Grand Mosque*, Bait Al Zubair museum and the Royal Opera House, the largest in the Middle East. Drive along the corniche to visit the fish souk and the colourful Muttrah souk, stopping at Al Alam Palace and the 16th-century forts of Mirani and Jalali for photo opportunities. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Morning visit to the Nizwa round tower fort and Nizwa souk. Continue to Birkat Al Mauz, a pretty village where you can enjoy a walk through the lush date plantations. Proceed to Wadi Al Madeen checkpoint, which leads to Jebel Al Akhdar, the highest mountain in Oman. Overnight at Alila Resort in a mountain view suite. (B, D)
Day at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. (B, D)
Early morning departure to Sharqiya Sands, stopping en route at the bustling Sinaw market and the old village of Munziff in Ibra. Arrive in Sharqiya Sands and watch the sun set over the dunes. There will also be an opportunity to visit a bedouin family home and experience traditional Omani hospitality. Stay 2 nights in your own luxurious private desert camp. (B, D)
Morning drive over the dunes to the picturesque Wadi Bani Khalid, a long series of plantations and villages that lie in or close to the wadi floor. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to your private camp for dinner. (B, D)
Leave for Muscat via Sur. Visit the fish jetty and dhow factory before stopping at Fins beach and Bimah sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater filled with bright blue and turquoise water. Continue to Wadi Arbayeen and its refreshing deep pools of water set among date palms before continuing to Muscat, where you will stay 1 night at the Chedi hotel in a Serai room. (B, L)
Transfer to Muscat airport for your flight to next destination. (B)