Oman
Oman is the Middle Eastern destination that travelers who know the region consider its best kept secret. While Dubai builds upward and Abu Dhabi invests in culture, Oman does something more subtle and arguably more impressive: it preserves its heritage, its landscapes, and its way of life with a quiet confidence that makes the entire country feel like a well kept private estate.
The landscapes are extraordinary. Canyons carved into desert mountains reveal hidden oasis pools of emerald green water. Sand dunes the color of burnt orange stretch to the horizon in the Wahiba Sands. The Musandam Peninsula, separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE, has fjord like inlets where dolphins play in the turquoise water. And the coastline, stretching over a thousand miles, has some of the most pristine and least visited beaches in the region.
Where to Go
Muscat, the capital, is one of the most elegant cities in the Middle East. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its massive prayer carpet (the second largest in the world) and Swarovski crystal chandelier, is stunning. The Royal Opera House Muscat hosts world class performances in a building that blends Islamic architecture with modern design. The Mutrah Souk, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world, winds through narrow passageways selling frankincense, silver, textiles, and spices.
The wadis (valleys with seasonal water) are Oman’s natural treasures. Wadi Shab, about two hours from Muscat, requires a boat ride and a hike through a canyon to reach pools of turquoise water surrounded by rock walls. Wadi Bani Khalid has larger, more accessible pools that are popular with locals and visitors alike. Swimming in these natural pools, surrounded by desert mountains, is an experience unlike anything in the typical Middle East itinerary.
Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain) in the Hajar Mountain range rises to over 9,800 feet and has a microclimate that supports rose gardens, fruit orchards, and terraced villages. The views from the canyon rim are spectacular, and the temperature is 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the coast.
The Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands) offer the classic Arabian desert experience. Luxury and traditional camps sit among the dunes, offering sunset camel rides, dune bashing, stargazing, and the profound silence of a desert night. Ras al Jinz on the eastern coast is one of the most important turtle nesting sites in the Indian Ocean, where endangered green turtles come ashore to lay eggs year round.
Where to Stay
The Chedi Muscat is a minimalist luxury resort with the longest swimming pool in Oman and a serene, Asian influenced aesthetic. Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel, sits in a dramatic bay surrounded by mountains. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is perched on the edge of a 6,500 foot canyon with infinity pools overlooking the void. In the desert, Canvas Club and Arabian Oryx Camp offer luxury tented stays in the Wahiba Sands.
Let Us Plan Your Oman Trip
Oman is the Middle East for travelers who want authenticity over spectacle. It combines beautifully with Dubai for contrast, or it stands powerfully on its own. We will arrange a route that captures the mosques, the wadis, the desert, and the coast, with the right guides and the right hotels at every stop.
