Oman is where frankincense-scented history meets raw desert drama and emerald wadis. Its maritime past echoes in Muscat’s old souqs, while centuries-old forts guard trade routes to the interior. The country’s diversity is astonishing: coral-rich islands off the coast, rose terraces high in the Hajar Mountains, and the monsoon-touched landscapes of Salalah.

For two weeks, you’ll trace an adventurous arc: snorkel with turtles around the Daymaniyat Islands, swim through caves at Wadi Shab, navigate Wahiba Sands, and peer into Oman’s “Grand Canyon” at Jebel Shams. In Nizwa, explore a fort famed for ingenious defenses; in Salalah, follow frankincense trails to waterfalls and white-sand beaches.

Practical notes: Oman welcomes visitors with excellent highways and low crime. Modest dress is appreciated, especially at mosques. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors most mornings (except Fridays). Self-driving is straightforward, but certain mountain roads (e.g., Jebel Akhdar) require a 4x4; guided tours are great value if you prefer to relax.

Muscat

Framed by jagged mountains and the Gulf of Oman, Muscat is graceful rather than glitzy—think gleaming mosques, a bustling corniche, and cliff-backed beaches. It’s the springboard to wadis and sinkholes east along the coast and the Daymaniyat Islands offshore.

Arrive via Muscat International Airport (MCT). Check flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A rental car keeps costs down and maximizes flexibility; taxis and ride-hailing are easy for city days.

Days 1–5: City Icons, Wadis, and the Daymaniyat Islands

• Muscat’s essentials: Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (go early; modest attire required), drive the coast to the cliffside Al Alam Palace area, and stroll Mutrah Corniche, lined with dhows and antique shops. The Mutrah Souq’s labyrinth still sells rosewater, frankincense, and silver.
• Wadi Shab + Bimmah Sinkhole (full-day): Hike a canyon of palms and aqua pools, then swim to a hidden cave waterfall. Pair it with the jade-colored Bimmah Sinkhole for a bucket-list day east of Muscat.
• Snorkeling the Daymaniyat Islands: Nine protected islets deliver clear water, soft corals, and frequent turtle sightings. Prime for first-time snorkelers and underwater photographers.
• Sunset by sea: End a Muscat day with a traditional dhow cruise to watch the coastline glow gold—rocky coves, sea-facing forts, and orange-pink skies.

Curated tours (Muscat base):

• Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour

  

• Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour - Top Landmarks in Just 4 Hours

  

• Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling Sharing Trip

  

• Omani Traditional Dhow Cruise: Sunset and Muscat Coastal View

  

Where to eat and drink: For a traditional Omani breakfast, try Bait Al Luban overlooking Mutrah Corniche—saffron-laced chai, dates, and rakhal (paper-thin bread). Mani’s Gourmet Café is a beloved stop for avocado toast, date pancakes, and good espresso. Come dinner, Kargeen’s garden setting is perfect for shuwa (slow-cooked lamb) and fresh juices; Rozna serves heritage dishes in a fort-style setting. Seafood fans should not miss Turkish House in Al Khuwair for simple, stellar charcoal-grilled fish and tahini salad. For a casual lunch, browse Mutrah Fish Market and try a grill station where your catch is cooked to order.

Recommended stays (moderate-friendly):

• Search Muscat stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Beach escape splurges: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa or Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
• Great-value city base near Mutrah: Mutrah Hotel.

Transit to the mountains (Day 6 morning): Drive Muscat to Nizwa via Highway 15—about 1.5–2 hours (160 km). Fuel for a compact car is roughly US$10–15 for the trip. Bus option: the Mwasalat coach takes ~2.5–3 hours; budget US$8–15. If you prefer to be driven, look for private transfers or tours starting in Muscat.

Nizwa

Once the intellectual heart of Oman, Nizwa is dominated by its perfectly round fort and a souq famous for silverwork, pottery, dates, and the Friday goat market. It’s your gateway to mountain adventures: terrace villages on Jebel Akhdar and the yawning canyon of Jebel Shams.

Days 6–9: Forts, Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams, and Wahiba Sands

• Nizwa Fort and Souq: Climb the 17th-century fort’s tower for views over date palms and mud-brick neighborhoods. In the souq, sample halwa and browse silver khanjars and hand-thrown pottery.
• Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain): A 4x4-only road leads to rose terraces, pomegranate orchards, and villages like Al Aqr and Wadi Bani Habib. Hike balcony trails that thread past terraces and stone houses. Note: a checkpoint enforces the 4x4 rule for safety.
• Jebel Shams & Wadi Ghul: Known as the “Grand Canyon of Arabia,” the rim drive delivers staggering views. The Balcony Walk (W6) is a moderate cliffside hike to an abandoned village, rewarding you with epic photographs.
• Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands) add-on: Spend an afternoon (or overnight) dune-bashing, sandboarding, and meeting Bedouin families. Pair it with a cooling swim at Wadi Bani Khalid.

Guided experiences (from/around Muscat–Nizwa corridor):

• Nizwa and Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Adventure

  

• Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Misfah Al Arbyeen-Jebel Shams - Private Full Day Tour

  

• Nizwa and Green Mountain Group Full day tour

  

Eat and drink: In Nizwa’s souq, try date varieties with tahini and halwa tastings. For a sit-down Omani meal, look for mandi (spiced rice with meat) and qabuli (rice with raisins and chickpeas). At Golden Tulip Nizwa, the on-site restaurant is a convenient stop after mountain days. If you overnight on Jebel Akhdar, savor slow-cooked mountain goat and fresh pomegranate juice—simple, hearty fare that matches the highland air.

Recommended stays:

• Search Nizwa stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Best-value in town: Nizwa Hotel Apartments (kitchenettes help stretch the budget).
• Resort comforts near the mountains: Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.
• Bucket-list splurge for Day 7–8: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort (sunset over canyons is unforgettable; 4x4 access required).

Optional desert day (group value):

• Full-Day Wahiba Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Group Tour

  

Transit to Salalah (Day 10 morning): Fly Muscat (MCT) to Salalah (SLL), ~1h40–1h50. Typical one-way fares run about US$60–140 depending on season. Compare and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis and rental cars are available on arrival.

Salalah

Salalah is Oman’s tropical outpost: coconut and banana stalls line the roads, coastal cliffs hide white beaches, and in khareef season (roughly June–September) the hills turn Ireland-green. Off-season, you’ll enjoy quieter wadis, frankincense history, and balmy seas.

Days 10–13: Frankincense Trails, Waterfalls, Beaches, and Desert Ridges

• East Salalah circuits: Wadi Darbat’s lakes and cascades, the clifftop ruins of ancient ports, and a run of beaches that feel wonderfully far-flung. Keep an eye out for camels wandering the coast roads.
• Beaches and blowholes: Explore Mughsail Beach and its natural blowholes (west of the city) on an extra half-day if time allows—limestone ridges dropping into aquamarine water.
• Frankincense heritage: Learn how resin shaped trade routes; the aroma follows you through souqs and traditional homes.

Guided day tours (Salalah):

• East Salalah Mountain Safari, Wadi Darbat, Beach, Camels, Dunes

  

• East of Salalah, Mountain Safari, Camels, Waterfall, White beach

  

Eat and drink: Try Bin Ateeq (Salalah branch) for homestyle stews and shuwa served in floor seating rooms. For beachfront sundowners and grilled seafood, Al Mina at Al Baleed Resort balances quality with ocean views. Casual days call for fruit stalls along the main roads—fresh coconut and sugarcane juice are local staples. If you want a coffee break by the sea, many cafes set up simple beach seating; ask locally for the nearest kiosk near Haffa or Al Haffa Beach.

Recommended stays:

• Search Salalah stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Resort by the ruins and lagoon: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.
• Midrange in the city with mall access: Salalah Gardens Hotel.
• Good value on the coast: Hilton Salalah Resort.

Day 14: Fly out

Fly Salalah (SLL) back to Muscat (MCT) for onward connections—about 1h40–1h50. Check fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have a final evening in Muscat, toast the trip with a sunset corniche stroll.

Extra Adventure Ideas (if you have a spare day)

• Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Full Day Tour

  

• Full-Day Private Wahiba Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Tour

  

Coffee & snack cheat-sheet (by city):

• Muscat: Bait Al Luban (Omani breakfasts), Mani’s Gourmet Café (espresso, all-day brunch), Dose Café in Qurum (specialty coffee and sweets). For a quick bite near the corniche, look for shawarma stands behind the souq.
• Nizwa: Souq stalls for halwa and dates; small mandi houses around the fort area for rice-and-meat platters; roadside bakeries toward Birkat Al Mouz for hot rakhal bread.
• Salalah: Fresh fruit stalls for coconuts and bananas; Al Mina (sea-view grills) for a relaxing evening; Bin Ateeq for Omani comfort dishes after a day of wadis.

What to pack for adventure: Closed-toe water shoes for wadis, a lightweight scarf for mosque visits, sun protection (high UV), a soft dry bag for phones, and a compact first-aid kit. For mountain and desert drives, always carry extra water and confirm 4x4 requirements.

In two weeks you’ll skim along Muscat’s cliffs by dhow, float through turquoise wadi pools, and stand at the edge of the Arabian world above Wadi Ghul. From Nizwa’s fort to Salalah’s tropical shores, this Oman itinerary balances thrills with cultural depth—made for adventurous spirits on a sensible budget.