Oman Tours & Vacations

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations

Overview

A small group tour to Oman is the best way of combining breathtaking natural beauty with a well-preserved cultural heritage. Peaceful and tranquil, Oman occupies the south-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, where it has long been an important gateway for trade between Africa and Asia. Our group tours and adventure holidays in Oman are one of the best ways to explore what is arguably the ...

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Group tours

Travel to Oman with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS

Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of private tours we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

HIGHLIGHTS OF OMAN

BEST EXPERIENCES

Surf the dunes on 4WD at sunset

Surf the dunes on 4WD at sunset

The Empty Quarter offers the iconic rolling dunes you'd expect of the desert. For those who like to get the adrenalin pumping, take your 4WD 'off-road' and surf the sand until you find your own isolated spot to enjoy the setting sun over the dunes.

Seek out dolphins in Muscat Bay

Seek out dolphins in Muscat Bay

You will hopefully see some of the many dolphins that live in and around Muscat Bay during a morning boat tour where it’s possible to see spinner, bottlenose and common dolphins. Then travel to Bandar Khiran bay, one of the best snorkeling spots in Oman.

Enjoy a homecooked meal with locals

Enjoy a homecooked meal with locals

Connect with local Omanis through the most ancient of pastimes, eating! Be welcomed into the home of a Muscat local for a delicious homecooked meal and cultural exchange experience. This supports families who wish to show visitors daily Omani life.

Camp under the stars

Camp under the stars

One of the country’s most isolated desert areas where majestic wind-blown dunes tower above the desert floor and the sun turns them a multitude of ever changing hues. This is a fantastic place to go to camp in the silent beauty of the desert.

Experience Wadi Ghul

Experience Wadi Ghul

Wadi Ghul, located at Jebel Shams, is colloquially known as 'Oman's Grand Canyon' and for very good reason. The 1000m sheer drops are not for the faint of heart, but those okay with heights will be rewarded with breathtaking views and truly memorable walks.

Discover the mysteries of Bahla Fort

Discover the mysteries of Bahla Fort

Believed to be the home of genies, Bahla is steeped in legend and witchcraft. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is set within the oasis town of Bahla, flanked by high mountains, and was built by the Banu Nebhan tribe in the 12th century.

Admire the Hajar Mountains

Admire the Hajar Mountains

Rising over 2000 metres above the surrounding countryside, the Hajar Mountains hide within them a rugged network of wadi channels that have carved an array of dramatic canyons and caves, some of which have cliff dwellings along the canyon rim.

Discover a beautiful desert oasis

Discover a beautiful desert oasis

A short drive from the heart of the desert brings you to Wadi Bani Khalid. A picture perfect oasis located in a canyon, surrounded by date palms and crystal clear natural swimming pools. Have a wander or do some canyonning if you're feeling more adventurous.

Discover the Lost City of Ubar

Discover the Lost City of Ubar

Visit the 'Atlantis of the Desert' that caught the attention of great explorers like Betram, Lawrence and Thesinger. There is not a great deal to see here, but the reality of being able to visit a place so shrouded in mystery makes it quite an exciting visit.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Empty Quarter

Rub' al Khali directly translates to "Quarter of Emptiness" and it is no surprise as it is the largest sand desert on Earth. The arid sands span 250,000 square miles, covering much of the southern Arabian ...

Muscat

The ancient city of Muscat, the capital of Oman, sits between crystal-clear blue waters and the Hajar Mountains, with the evocatively named Empty Quarter beyond. It offers the visitor an insight into ...

Nizwa

A palm oasis situated in a plain and surrounded by Oman’s highest mountains, Nizwa was the capital of Oman from 751 to 1154 AD and is still regarded as the country’s cultural centre. It was ...

Salalah

Salalah is the capital of Dhofar, Oman’s southernmost province, and is a vibrant, colourful place that has its roots in the profitable frankincense trade that proliferated in the region. An important ...

Wahiba Sands

The Wahiba Sands are one of the country’s most isolated desert areas where majestic dunes blown by the wind tower above the desert floor. As the sun moves through the sky the sands reflect a multitude ...

Jebel Akhdar & Jebel Shams

The limestone peaks of Al Hajar form the highest mountain range in eastern Arabia, paralleling the coast of the Gulf of Oman and stretching south-eastward in a 700 km arc. Rising up out of the surrounding ...

OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY

Luxury | Tented Camp

1000 Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands

1000 Nights Camp is the only one of its kind at Wahiba Sands, where you can travel further into the sands away from the main 'traffic' of this now quite busy area. The deluxe camp has 73 hand-made…
Luxury | Hotel

Al Bustan Palace, Muscat

Experience an Oman luxury hotel where you can enjoy in an array of water sports, savour exquisite cuisine and, just minutes away, discover the rich history and traditions of an Arabian nation. A recent…
Luxury | Resort

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Jebel Akhdar

Built to fit in with the rugged and dramatic surroundings of the Al Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is an eco-friendly hotel with stunning views over the gorge and sumptuous grounds filled with…
Luxury | Hotel

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Jebel Akhdar

Al Jabal Al Akhdar is part of the fabled Al Hajar Mountains and is home to the highest 5 star luxury resort in the Middle East. 2,000 metres above sea level, the Anantara is placed on the edge of a…
Simple | Wild Camp

Empty Quarter Wild Camp, Empty Quarter

Your wild camp will be set up this evening in a remote area of the desert in a truly epic location. And what an experience it will be... The size of the dunes, the colour of the dunes and the scale on…
Luxury | Tented Camp

Hud Hud Shared Camp - Wahiba Sands, Wahiba Sands

Despite being mobile tents the Hud Hud Camps are designed with luxury and sustainability in mind. No electric light, other than solar, is used throughout the night providing a romantic candle lit…
Simple | Wild Camp

Khaluf Wild Beach Camp, Khaluf

Your camp will be in the desert dunes close to the coast. Watch the most stunning sunset, sit around a campfire and catch shooting stars, seemingly without another soul alive in the universe. This…
Luxury | Resort

The Chedi, Muscat

The Chedi arguably Oman’s finest ‘design’ hotel. The minimalist style of the hotel's low-rise buildings, spread throughout the beautifully landscaped gardens, derives from traditional Omani…

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WHEN TO GO

You should come prepared for hot sunny days and the heat is generally dry. As ever you can expect extremes in the desert, though temperatures should never be too hot or too cold. In the British summertime the heat can be extraordinary and our general advice if travelling then is get near some air conditioning!

Best Time To Visit Oman > 

Meet the expert, Dan

Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Daniel by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Omani food is often overlooked which is a shame as it's a sumptuous blend of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. My favourite dish and bit of a national icon is the wonderfully fragrant Shuwa.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations 

 There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Oman though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

 Currency 

In Oman the official unit of currency is the Omani Rial (OMR). 

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com

Cultural Sensitivity 

 On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

Oman is a Muslim country, and it is important that, as guests of the country, we respect the local customs. When in Muscat we will visit the grand mosque of Sultan Quaboos. While at the mosque, both ladies and gentlemen will need to dress conservatively.
Ladies will need to cover their heads with a scarf and wear a loose fitting, long sleeved shirt that covers arms as well as long skirt or trousers. Gentlemen are asked to wear a long-sleeved collared shirt with long trousers.  

Language & Religion 

Arabic is the official language of Oman, and English and Asian languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and Baluchi are also widely spoken. Swahili is spoken by some, a legacy of Oman´s former East African presence. English is widely used in business. 

 Islam is the official religion, although other religions are tolerated under the country´s Basic Law. Muslims make up 86 percent of the population.
Three-fourths of the Muslims are Ibadis, a minority sect dating from the 8th century. Most of the remainder adhere to Sunni Islam and the rest to Shia Islam. Indian Hindus account for 13 percent of the population. There are also small numbers of non-Omani Christians. 

Time 

Oman is 4 hours ahead of GMT. 

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com 

Food and drink 

The food is mainly Arabic, Lebanese, Turkish, and Indian. Many Omanis make a distinction between "Arabic" food and "Omani" food, with the former being the description of the standard dishes found throughout the Arabian Peninsula.  

Omani food tends to be less spicy and served in quite large portions - whole fish are not uncommon at lunch in some local restaurants. As benefits of a country with a long coastline, seafood is quite a common dish, particularly shark, which is surprisingly tasty.  

Travelling Solo In Oman

All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.