Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands Holidays

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.

Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands holiday ideas

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Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands Guide

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What are the best ways to discover Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands?

Encapsulating a whole heap of dazzling landscapes and historic sights, Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands holidays are as varied as they come. From the towering jagged peaks of the Western Hajar Mountains and the historic town of Nizwa, with its ancient livestock market and famous fort, to the unspoilt Oman coastline rich in marine life, and the magnificent sloping golden dunes of the Wahiba Sands, there are a million and one ways to immerse yourself into this incredible region. The town of Nizwa is one of Oman’s oldest settlements and it’s slowly gaining momentum with well-informed travellers. The ideal rustic addition to a stay in Muscat, Nizwa is also a strategic springboard for historic wonders like the whimsical Jabreen Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bahla, a fortified oasis town steeped in legends and stories of dark magic. Expeditions up soaring mountain roads through giant wadis are also within easy reach. Spend a few nights amid lofty peaks and plunging valleys in Jebel Akhdar and laze by the pool surrounded by the natural world, or take things up a notch and hike your way to incredible 360 degree vistas. The Wahiba Sands lie east of Nizwa and offer a different sort of adrenaline high; stay in an Arabian desert camp under the immense starry sky, soar over giant sand dunes in a 4x4 or slow things down on a sleepy camel trek across the rippling landscape.


Why should you book a Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands holiday with us?

The vast diversity between regions across Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands holidays requires major flexing of planning muscles. Our travel team is prepped, primed and ready to help you tailor an Oman trip that embodies everything you’ve ever imagined (and even things you didn’t). Whether your dream is to barter your way through a historic souq, sail among dolphins, tiptoe through historic ruins or relax from deep within the mountains – we’ve got you covered. Our local concierge on the ground knows how to arrange the best, most authentic experiences and they have the sort of inside knowledge money can’t buy, which is a serious advantage when exploring such a diverse region.


Who are Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands holidays best for?

It might not be an obvious family destination, but Nizwa, the Mountains and the Wahiba Sands holidays are perfectly geared up for mini travellers. Incredible natural landscapes and the culture of traditional Arabia will open up the world view of pint-sized explorers. There’s also plenty to keep them entertained – from constellation spotting, camel trekking and sand dune surfing in the Wahiba Sands to bargaining for mementos in Nizwa’s souq and roaming the town’s beautiful fort. History lovers will be in their element exploring the imposing Nakhal Fort at the foot of the Western Hajar range or navigating Tanuf Ruins, the fascinating remnants of a village abandoned in the 1950s. Adrenaline enthusiasts will find enough here to get their pulse racing too – climbing and abseiling Snake Canyon makes for a wild ride and off-road driving in Oman’s desert interior will deliver a rush that’s hard to match.

Best places to go in Oman



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