Self drive tour of Oman
This 8 day self-drive Oman holiday begins with a Muscat stopover. See the impressive Forts, Royal Palace and Corniche of Muscat before heading south to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Visit spectacular beaches, swim in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman and spend time in the wilderness of the Wahiba Sands. This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what's possible. You may add more days to each stopover to enjoy Oman at your own pace.
Best time to self-drive: during the winter months from October to March when the weather is warm and cool. Avoid the hot summer months between June and August.
Prices are seasonal, include hotels, breakfast, self-drive 4 x 4 Nissan X Trail, and transfers. Starts from:
GBP 687 per person sharing a twin room, Standard Class Hotels
GBP 765 per person sharing a twin room, Superior Class Hotels
Airfares are extra..
- Day 1: Arrival into Muscat.
- Day 2: Muscat touring.
- Day 3: Self drive from Muscat via Quriyat and Wadi Shab to Ras Al Hadd..
- Day 4: Self drive from Ras Al Hadd Via Wadi Bani Khalid to Wahiba Sands.
- Day 5: Self drive from Wahiba Sands to Nizwa.
- Day 6: Nizwa touring
- Day 7: Self drive from Nizwa to Jebel Shams
- Day 8: Self drive from Jebel Shams via Al Hamra and Wadi Bani Awf to Rustaq / Muscat
Day 1: Arrival in Muscat.
On arrival, you will be met at the airport for a transfer to your chosen hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Muscat.
Distance and journey time: 28 km, 30 mins
Day 2: Muscat touring.
Muscat Sightseeing of Muttrah, Muscat, Al Bustan & Ruwi and souks.
Drive through the beautiful embassy quarter of Muscat en-route to the Natural History Museum. Visit the Omani Museum then on to Muttrah, a delightful quarter of Muscat, complete with traditional souk and fish market. From Muttrah, drive through Muscat Old Town. Stroll around the palace of HM Sultan Qaboos and the forts Jalali and Mirani and Muttrah Corniche.
Overnight in Muscat.
Day 3: Self drive from Muscat via Quriyat and Wadi Shab to Ras Al Hadd..
Your car will be delivered to your hotel today at 0900 hrs.
Embark your 4wd vehicle to drive to Sur. This tour along the coastline to Sur offers breath-taking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman. Arrive at Quriyat, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea. The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower.
Continue along the coastal road overlooking superb white beaches hundreds of metres long. Arrive at Fins beach (White Beach) and stop for a short swim. Continue to 'Wadi Shab'. Shab in Arabic literally means 'Ravine between Cliffs “shallow green pools and abundant shade give Wadi Shab a perfect setting for a picnic.
Continue driving to Ras Al Hadd. Overnight at Carapace Ras Al Jinz. Later in the evening see turtles coming ashore to lay eggs.
Distance and journey time:
Muscat to Fins Beach: 154 km, 1.30 hrs
Fins Beach to Ras Al Hadd: 95 km, 1.20 hrs
Day 4: Self drive from Ras Al Hadd Via Wadi Bani Khalid to Wahiba Sands.
Drive through small villages and towns before arriving at Wadi Bani Khalid. This journey through the mountain offers a panoramic view of the beautiful landscape below. You will pass many pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Here the road winds down to the wadi alongside a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation & ends at a village. Park your vehicle at this point & continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. After lunch, continue driving to the great desert of Oman Known as the "Wahiba Sands". The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes is host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouin tribe who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the sands.
Overnight at the Wahiba Sands.
Distance and journey times:
Ras Al Hadd to Wadi Bani Khalid: 165 km, 2 hrs
Wadi Bani Khalid to the Wahiba Sands: 48 km, 1 hr
Day 5: Self drive from Wahiba Sands to Nizwa.
Take Route 28 from Ibra. Stop to visit Sinaw, up the mountains to Izki and head upwards to Nizwa.
Overnight in Nizwa.
Distance and journey times:
The Wahiba Sands to Sinaw: 110 km, 1.20 hrs
Sinaw to Nizwa: 106 km, 1.30 hrs
Day 6: Nizwa touring
Full day exploration of Nizwa.
Overnight in Nizwa.
Day 7: Self drive from Nizwa to Jebel Shams
Early morning visit to the souks before departing west along the mountains via Tanuf, Bahla Fort and Jabrin Castle - the finest of Oman's castle built in the late 17th Century, which became a seat of Omani learning. This castle has extremely well-planned layouts with room for the Wali - the ladies room, the kitchen, the MAJLIS. Most of the ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings with Islamic motifs. The view from the top of the castle is really mesmerising. Drive to Jebel Shams or the majestic Green Mountains of Jebel Akhdar.
Overnight.
Distance and journey times:
Nizwa to Bahla Fort: 40 km, 31 mins
Bahla Fort to Jebel Shams: 59 km, 1.15 hrs
or Bahla Fort to Jebel Akhdar: 107 km, 1.40 hrs
Day 8: Self drive from Jebel Shams via Al Hamra and Wadi Bani Awf to Muscat.
Follow the signs for Al Hamra. Take the turn signposted Bilad Sayt (Balad Seet). This stretch is all sealed. Arrive at Sharfat al Alamayn viewpoint. From here there is a long descent into Hatt. Good for walks around the village. After Hatt, go to Bilad Sayt for a short walk. Continue on track into Wadi Bani Awf. Follow the signs to Rustaq and Muscat.
Jebel Shams to Al Hamra: 41 km, 1 hr
Al Hamra to Rustaq: 131 km, 3 to 4 hrs
Rustaq to Muscat: 133 km, 1.30 hrs