Oman's Mountains, Desert & Coastal Adventures

Welcome to Salalah & Discovering Dhofari Culture

On arrival at Salalah International Airport, you will complete the necessary formalities, collect your luggage and meet your driver for the transfer to your centrally located 4-star hotel. After checking in and settling into your accommodation, you will meet your guides in the hotel lobby and begin an exciting introduction to Salalah and the distinctive culture of the Dhofar region.

Your first afternoon includes a visit to the impressive Sultan Qaboos Mosque, one of Salalah’s most important landmarks, followed by time at the atmospheric Al Haffa Souq. This traditional market is filled with the fragrances of frankincense and perfume, alongside colourful clothing, handicrafts and locally produced gifts.

Continue to Al Baleed Archaeological Park, where you will begin to uncover Salalah’s fascinating history as an important centre of the ancient frankincense trade. You will also see Al Hosn Palace from the outside and stop at the colourful fruit stalls near Haffa Beach, where bananas, coconuts, papayas and other locally grown produce are displayed.

The tour then reveals Salalah’s beautiful natural surroundings, including Ayn Jarziz spring and the Ittin Mountains, where elevated viewpoints provide wonderful panoramas across the city and surrounding landscape. You will also visit the revered tomb traditionally associated with Prophet Ayub, or Job, an important figure in both Islamic and Christian traditions.

The day concludes with the opportunity to experience some of Salalah’s local flavours, including the popular grilled dishes found around Ittin Food Street. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for your first overnight stay.

Waterfalls, Mountains, Wildlife & an Evening Cruise

After an early breakfast at your hotel, depart at approximately 9:00 AM for a full-day exploration of eastern Salalah. Today’s journey combines mountain scenery, unusual geological formations, lush wadis, coastal views and an exciting range of outdoor experiences.

Begin at Wadi Darbat, one of Dhofar’s most beautiful natural attractions. Depending on the season and local conditions, the wadi may feature flowing water, green vegetation and cascading waterfalls. Here, you will have the opportunity to take to the water for a boating or kayaking experience, enjoying the peaceful surroundings from a completely different perspective.

Continue to the extraordinary Tawi Attair Sinkhole, also known as the “Well of Birds”. This vast natural limestone depression provides an impressive introduction to the geological forces that have shaped the Dhofar landscape. From here, travel higher into the mountains towards Jabal Samhan, one of the region’s most dramatic viewpoints. On clear days, the plateau offers far-reaching views over the mountains and towards the Arabian Sea, while at certain times of year clouds gather below the viewpoint to create a spectacular scene.

Lunch will be served in the Jabal Samhan area before the journey continues to Wadi Hinna, where you can see Dhofar’s distinctive baobab trees. These unusual trees, with their enormous trunks and striking silhouettes, appear almost out of place in the Arabian landscape and provide excellent photographic opportunities. You will also visit Ayn Hasheer, where a short walk leads through the natural surroundings towards one of the area’s impressive trees and seasonal water features.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy magnificent cliff-top views overlooking Salalah’s coastline before travelling to the marina. At approximately 4:30 PM, board a two-hour cruise and relax on the water as you admire the surrounding coastline. Keep watch for seabirds and marine life while enjoying the refreshing sea air and views from the boat.

Following the cruise, return to Salalah and enjoy dinner before being transferred back to your hotel. Throughout the day, the group will travel in two coaster buses accompanied by two local Omani guides.

Across the Empty Quarter to a Bedouin Desert Camp

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and store your main luggage securely, taking only the clothing and essentials required for your overnight desert stay. You will have a relaxed morning before departure, with the option to explore the neighbouring shopping mall or enjoy some time at the hotel swimming pool, subject to the appropriate supervision and safety arrangements.

At approximately midday, meet your desert drivers and board specially equipped 4x4 vehicles for one of the most exciting experiences of the programme. Accompanied by experienced desert guides, travel through the magnificent Al Qara Mountains, pausing to admire sweeping views across Salalah and the surrounding plains.

Continue towards Thumrait, an historic settlement positioned along the ancient caravan routes that once connected southern Oman with the wider Arabian Peninsula. Your journey then leads deeper into Dhofar’s desert interior to Shisr, traditionally associated with the legendary lost city of Ubar—often described as the “Atlantis of the Sands”. The archaeological site forms part of Oman’s UNESCO-listed Land of Frankincense and provides a fascinating link to the caravans that transported valuable frankincense across Arabia.

From here, venture into the vast Rub’ al Khali, better known as the Empty Quarter. One of the largest sand deserts in the world, its enormous dunes and seemingly endless horizons create a landscape unlike anywhere else on the journey. The adventure continues with exhilarating dune driving led by your experienced drivers, followed by the chance to try sandboarding down the soft desert slopes. Along the way, you may also see camels roaming across the open landscape.

As the afternoon draws to a close, find the perfect position to watch the sun sink behind the dunes, transforming the desert into shades of gold, orange and red. After sunset, arrive at your desert camp and enjoy dinner beneath the stars. Away from the lights of the city, the desert sky can provide an extraordinary setting for stargazing, conversation and reflection.

Experience traditional Omani and Bedouin-style hospitality before settling into your tent for an unforgettable night surrounded by the silence and tranquillity of the Empty Quarter.

Desert Sunrise, Frankincense Trees & Salalah’s Wild Coast

Wake early to experience a beautiful sunrise over the desert dunes before enjoying breakfast at the camp. After packing your belongings, begin the return journey towards Salalah, stopping at Wadi Dawkah to see the famous frankincense trees growing in their natural environment.

As part of the UNESCO-listed Land of Frankincense, Wadi Dawkah provides an important insight into the tree that helped shape the history and prosperity of southern Oman. You will learn how frankincense resin is harvested and why this precious aromatic product was once traded across Arabia and onwards to Africa, Asia and Europe.

Return to your Salalah accommodation and enjoy some free time before checking back into the hotel. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch, relax or visit the nearby mall before setting out again for a half-day exploration of western Salalah.

Begin with a stop connected to the production of frankincense before travelling towards Mughsayl, one of Dhofar’s most spectacular coastal areas. Visit Marneef Cave and the famous Mughsayl blowholes, where seawater is forced through natural channels in the rock and bursts dramatically into the air. The strength and height of the water depend on the tides, waves and seasonal conditions, making every visit slightly different.

Continue to Mughsayl’s beautiful white-sand beach, framed by mountains and the clear waters of the Arabian Sea. From a coastal viewpoint, you may also be able to see the secluded Masood Hidden Beach, tucked between the cliffs far below.

The adventure then continues by 4x4 towards Fazayah Beach. The journey itself is part of the experience, descending through rugged mountain scenery to a series of unspoilt sandy beaches and turquoise bays. There will be time to appreciate the wild coastal landscape, take photographs and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Dinner will be included during the excursion before you return to your hotel for your final overnight stay in Salalah.

Final Morning & Departure for Dubai

After enjoying your final breakfast at the hotel, check out and store your luggage securely. Depending on the confirmed flight and transfer timings, you will have a couple of hours of free time to relax, purchase some final souvenirs or revisit the nearby shopping mall.

Later, meet your driver and board your coach for the transfer to Salalah International Airport. After checking in for your 3:00 PM flight, it will be time to say goodbye to Oman and begin the journey back to Dubai, taking with you wonderful memories of Dhofar’s mountains, wadis, deserts, wildlife, cultural heritage and spectacular coastline.