Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands Tours

If you can tear yourself away from the immaculate five star hotels on the Muscat coast, the north of Oman splits neatly into three categories - mountains, deserts and coastline - a combination of which makes for a fantastic road trip in a comfortable 4x4, either on a self-drive adventure or with a knowledgeable driver/guide. The magnificent Western Hajar range runs along the coastline of northern Oman in total contrast to the flat and featureless scrubland of the UAE to the west. Where there are mountains there are wadis, and Oman has some of the most dramatic of these gorges in the world, and massive canyons too - a haven for adrenaline junkies looking to climb, abseil or tackle some of the best via ferrata in the world. If you are feeling adventurous, the best way to reach the Hajar Mountains from Muscat is off-road via Wadi Bani Awf (not one for self-driving). Visit the famous fort at Nakhl, perched spectacularly on a rocky prominence, before heading deep into the mountains, passing the towering cliffs that mark the beginning of Snake Canyon and the photogenic village of Bilad Sayt before heading and up and over the Jebel Shams region. If you arrive in the mountains on a Thursday, we recommend getting up early on the Friday to visit the famous Nizwa livestock market, which starts at dawn. From the mountains, head to the Wahiba Sands for a taste of desert living - camel rides, sundowners and stargazing included - before returning to Muscat. Read more