If you’re looking for a beach holiday with a difference, why not consider Oman? Our Oman holidays give you the best break while experiencing an amazing, diverse culture. From sandy beaches to stunning mountains, Wadis, and more, there’s something for everyone with these trips, organised by Great Little Escapes. Call us now to find out more!
Oman is a beautiful destination where you’d definitely be getting away from the ordinary! With a seven-hour flight time, it’s one of the furthest destinations that we specialise in, but don’t let that put you off! You can fly to Muscat with direct British Airways flights from London. Oman Air is an awarding-winning airline, flying direct to Muscat from Heathrow and Manchester.
Nestled in the South East corner of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman offers a choice of mountains and wadis, sandy beaches, crystal clear water, bustling cities, and historic sites without the commercialism associated with some of its neighbours in the UAE. Oman is also popular as a twin centre holiday when coupled with a hyper-modern city in the United Arab Emirates. Its coastline spans the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Oman has a richness of culture which has played a part in developing the modern country that is visited today. This rich culture is seen weaving through every area of Oman. Like a rich tapestry, the culture is seen in its lively Souks. Indulge in aromatic fragrances and traditional jewellery, explore impressive, renovated Portuguese forts and beautiful architecture, and experience the arts.
Omani people take pride in their culture and heritage to the extent that they have an unparalleled number of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites. These include:
Day 2 - 2-Day Private Desert Tour - 2
Option One: Continue up the Atlas Mountains in 4x4 vehicles to visit the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza.
Option Two: Travel into the desert by 4x4 vehicles to Oung El Jemal to visit the film set in the desert that featured in the Star Wars films as part of the set for Mos Espa.
As you would expect, Oman observes Islamic traditions, but being on major trading route the population has been exposed to visitors over many years. Locals are tolerant, welcome, and friendly.
The Prices Exclude - 2-Day Private Desert Tour
Drinks
Horse Carriage Ride in Tozeur (Approximately 30 Tunisian Dinars per Person) This Is Paid Locally
Compulsory Christmas and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Supplements
Before getting to know all that Oman has to offer, I would have been surprised to discover just how much of a variety of wildlife and nature there is to experience in such a hot country. The first thing that comes to mind is desert when thinking of Oman. You, like me, might be surprised to know that there are:
Omani Culture and Heritage - Oman Page
Bat’ - A Collection of Tombs Dating Back about 3000 years
The Bahla Fort
Ras Al-Jinz - Home of Green Sea Turtles
The coastal waters are home to whales, dolphins, coral, and birds. The coves are home to marine turtles, while the mountains and deserts are home to rare animals such as wild goats, sand cats, Nubian ibex, and Arabian Oryx.
If you’re visiting Oman between June and the end of August, you’ll be in for a treat. If you visit the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, you’ll see one of the best places to see green turtles nesting, hatching, and escaping to the sea.
If you’re a keen diver, snorkeler, or birdwatcher, why not visit the Damaniyat Islands Nature Reserve? This nature reserve consists of a chain of islands spanning an area of 20km and exhibits fabulous coral formations. Here you might spot gulls, terns, ospreys, and sooty falcons. Also, rare hawksbill turtles nest on quiet beaches here.
Possibly the best nature reserve for birdwatching is Dhofar Lagoons, while the Jabel Samhan Nature Reserve in the Dhofar highlands is one of the last remaining places to visit Arabian leopards.
A Wadi is a place where there is a valley or dry river/lake bed. These fill with water after rainfall and are a spectacular sight! These areas are some of the most beautiful places in Oman.
There are several Wadis in Oman and here are the top five:
Leisure and Recreation - Oman Page
Dune Bashing
Sand Skiing
Diving and Snorkelling
Golf
Camel Racing
Climbing, Trekking, and Caving
Horse Racing
Kite Surfing
Off-Road Driving
In order to visit these Wadis, we encourage you to join one of the many excursion packages available. We recommend several. For more information, please get in touch. These excursions are a mixture of day trips and overnight stays. Some people chose to visit Wadis and nature reserves to see the turtles. We can arrange all sorts of options, so please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
The turtle reserve consists of the beaches from Ras Al Hadd to Masirah Island in the Al Sharqiyah South Governorate. The green turtle, which you’re likely to see here, is a rare breed that returns every year to lay its eggs on the same beach where they were born decades ago.
Ras Al Jinz is a quiet sanctuary for turtles where they lay their eggs, securing the continued survival of the species and protecting them from extinction. Apart from the turtle breeding season, which extends throughout the year in varying degrees, you can enjoy the beauty of the beach and view the magnificent tracks left by the turtles. A scientific centre has been established containing illustrative displays of the turtles laying their eggs. The reserve is 65 kilometres east of Sur City and can be reached through Al `Ayjah village. To visit the reserve, you must book in advance.
We recommend that if you choose to include a visit to this reserve, particularly if you’re staying a distance away, that you include an overnight stay. We can arrange this for you at time of booking.
Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales! Dolphin Watch tours begin with a transfer from your hotel in Muscat to the pier for a cruise along the Muscat coast to watch wild dolphins. Please note, we cannot guarantee a whale or dolphin sighting.
A typical desert tour might include visits to Wahiba Sands and
Wadi Bani Khalid. One tour offers the following:
Nature - Oman Page
Nature Reserves
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Mountains
Deserts
Coasts and Coves
Nightlife can be found mainly in the bars, restaurants, and hotels in the cities and outside in the resort hotels. Visitors who would rather not spend their evenings drinking in a bar or dancing the night away can watch the amazing sunsets at the beach in the Shatti al Qurm area. While there is no specific dress code, it is a good idea to dress modestly.
This is the prime organization for arts and culture in the Sultanate of Oman. The opera offers different programs that are culturally, artistically, and educationally diverse. It organizes various shows from Oman, the Arab region and the whole world. The shows vary between traditional dances, stage presentations, musical concerts, orchestra performances, and plays.
The Muttrah Corniche stretches in front of Muttrah’s lovely houses, architecturally beautiful mosques, and local authentic souks. It starts with the well-known Fish Market of Muttrah to the traditional famous Muttrah Souk and the ancient Muttrah Fort. It is one of Muscat’s most vibrant areas. Whether visiting the Muttrah souk, having coffee or tea in one of Muttrah’s cafes, or simply walking by the seafront, Muttrah Corniche is a unique, simple experience to spend night time in Muscat.
There are lots of cafes and restaurants that stay open until midnight. Visitors can enjoy desserts, Omani and international food, local hot drinks and fresh juices. The most famous cafes in Muscat are Moorish Cafe, Halwa Lounge Cafe, the Cake Gallery and others.
Women should wear tops with sleeves and a long skirt or trousers. Men are required to wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach or pool areas.
Wadis - Oman Page
Wadi Al Arbiyeen (Situated 1.8 miles away from Wilayat Qurayat in the Muscat Governorate) - This is One of the Most Beautiful Valleys of Oman
Wadi Al Shab (87 miles from Muscat on the Qurayat – Sur Coastal Road)
Wadi Ad Dayqah (One of the Most Accessible Wadis to Muscat Is Wadi Ad Dayqah, a Popular Tourist Attraction and Often Crowded on the Weekends)
Wadi Al Ta’iyeen (in the Al Sharqiyah South Governorate)
Wadi Bani Khalid (126 miles from Muscat)