The trip kicked off with a visit to the Ras Al Shajar Sanctuary, a unique area renowned for its biodiversity and home to wildlife such as the Arabian gazelle, the red fox, Arabian Lynx and many endemic birds. Next up, was a trip to Wadi Ash Shab – the highlight was the scenic swim to a hidden cave which is home to a stunning secret waterfall. The group then headed back to Muscat for dinner overlooking the city’s port, followed by a tour of Muttrah Souk old-fashioned bazaar, before returning to the Crowne Plaza Muscat for the night.
A full day of adventure exploring Jebal Al Akhdar (which translates to Green Mountain) - part of the Al Hajar Mountain range. With stunning views of the canyon and the many small villages in the surrounding area, the group saw natural waterfalls form post-rainfall and experienced the hospitality offerings from the area. Following a long day outdoors, the group returned to Dusit D2 Resort for a traditional family style dinner.
The day started with a walk through an old Omani village and a tour of Nizwa’s historic fort. After this, the group headed to Misfah Old House – the country’s oldest inn. The highlight was the Inn owner's guided tour of his father’s traditional home, which he converted into a museum, as it was like stepping back in time. The rest of the day was spent exploring the old village, and sampling local delights such as Omani coffee, traditional spiced tea and honey – concluding with a scenic traditional dinner on the Inn’s rooftop restaurant.
The day kicked off with a traditional Omani breakfast at Misfah Old House, before heading off for some off-road canyon driving. The vast and imposing canyons were an incredible sight to behold and drive through, with several stops to hike and explore such as the Snake’s Belly Canyon. An unforgettable experience on the way back to Muscat, was visiting a camel reserve to meet and learn about the beautiful animals from their local caretakers. The day concluded with a visit to the Shangri-la’s luxury car museum, which includes exclusive viewing of the hotel owner’s private collection of luxury vehicles.
No better way to wake up on the final morning than to see the sunrise over Jumeirah Muscat Bay — which boasts unparalleled views of a stunning private bay. The best way to get close to the Omani culture is visiting the spectacular Grand Mosque with a guided tour to learn about the country’s history and heritage.