Experience the extraordinary: 7 days in Oman
A blend of the traditional and contemporary, Oman offers its guests a rich culture and modern marvels that intertwine seamlessly, summoning adventure seekers, nature lovers and history enthusiasts from across the globe.
Oman’s charm lies in its contrasts — jagged mountain spines plunging into turquoise coves, sun-baked deserts unfurling into cool wadis flanked by fishing villages and ancient traditions rippling beneath the surface of modern cities. Yet Oman isn’t a relic of the past — it’s alive, and the kind of place that feels tailor-made for every type of traveller, whether they’re history enthusiasts, nature lovers, adventure seekers or foodies.
With so much to uncover, it would be easy to breeze past the magic hidden in plain sight. That’s where Exodus’ expert local guides come in. Exodus Adventure Travels has more than 50 years of experience bringing rich stories, local insights and the authentic moments travellers might otherwise miss. Here’s what it’s like spending an unforgettable week in Oman with Exodus.
Day one: Muscat’s palaces, craggy coastlines and Mutrah Souq
The journey begins in Old Muscat, meandering through narrow streets towards the Bait Al Zubair Museum — a treasure trove of gleaming khanjars (traditional daggers), intricate jewellery and ceremonial garb revealing Oman’s extraordinary history.
Nearby – beyond the blue-and-gold façade of Al Alam Palace, the Sultan’s ceremonial headquarters – discover the weathered walls of Jalali and Mirani, two 16th-century Portuguese forts bearing the scars of maritime skirmishes long past.
Later, hop aboard a traditional teak dhow for a cruise along Muscat’s craggy coastline before taking to the ancient alleyways of Mutrah Souq on the city’s lively corniche — it’s loud, it’s chaotic, and a glorious way to wrap up your first day discovering Oman.
Day two: Marble minarets, turquoise craters and moonlit turtle trails
Explore Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque’s cavernous prayer hall, where a 21-tonne Persian carpet stretches wall-to-wall, hand-tied by 600 artisans and lit softly by a Swarovski chandelier dangling from the domed ceiling. Leaving the capital behind, the landscape yawns open into the Bimmah Sinkhole — a collapsed limestone crater plunging deep into the earth, cradling a pool of water so vividly turquoise it seems to glow from within.
The journey then snakes through sleepy villages towards Wadi Tiwi’s towering cliffs, revealing lush date palms, tangled vines and hidden pools, with a gentle walk along the town’s ancient aflaj irrigation channels peeling back layers of history. After a picnic lunch of fresh flatbreads, sweet dates, spiced rice and zesty salads, the trip continues in Sur, a coastal town where open-air dhow yards are still alive with the clatter of hammers and saws. The day’s final wonder awaits at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Under the soft red glow of conservation-friendly torches, watch as endangered turtles drag their massive shells onto the sand, digging nests and laying eggs before vanishing back into the ink-black surf.
Day three: Sparkling oasis pools and exhilarating desert drives
As the journey pulls towards the desert, there’s one last gasp of green — Wadi Bani Khalid’s crystal-clear pools, cradled between towering cliffs and fringed with palm trees rippling lazily in the breeze. Then the landscape shifts. Gone is the greenery, replaced by the vast Sharqiya Sands, where you’ll hop aboard a 4WD to crest along impossibly steep dunes before sliding down in wild, gravity-defying arcs.
In the early evening, the desert reveals its softer side as the group arrives at a traditional canvas tent camp. Here, around a crackling fire, stories are swapped and laughter rises into the dark beneath a blanket of stars burning brightly overhead.
Day four: Bedouin wisdom and mud-brick ruins
After breakfast, the trip picks up with a meeting you won’t find in the guidebooks — a visit with a Bedouin family for stories of migration, tradition and survival over kahwa, Omani spiced coffee and sticky sweet dates. Next, it’s off to the Hajar Mountains, where the landscape shifts once more. Birkat Al Mouz, translating to “Pool of Bananas,” emerges, its crumbling mud-brick ruins resting among lush plantations of date palms and – yes – bananas. By late afternoon, the road curves into Nizwa, Oman’s ancient capital, where you’ll check into accommodation full of cultural charm, ready to rest for the road ahead.
Day five: Fortresses in the sky and canyons carved by time
The day begins at Jabrin Castle, a 17th-century stronghold full of intricate ceilings and hidden staircases. The past looms even larger at Bahla Fort – Oman’s only UNESCO-listed fortress – its massive walls stretching skyward, cracked and weathered but defiantly intact.
Then, nature takes over with a climb to what feels like the edge of the world — Wadi Nakhr, often called the “Grand Canyon of Arabia,” but in reality, far rawer than its American cousin. A hike along the rim reveals jaw-dropping vistas, with Exodus’ guides pointing out hidden details among the cliffs and gnarled shrubs. More active visitors can continue upwards to Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak. As the sun begins to set, head to Misfat Al Abriyeen, a living, breathing mountain village clinging to terraced hillsides full of palms, pomegranates and bursts of wildflowers.
Day six: Markets, mountains and a final hot spring
At Nizwa’s early-morning cattle market, watch as men in crisp white thobes circle goats, cows and camels amid a sharp volley of negotiations. Nearby, Nizwa Fort’s colossal round tower anchors the city, bringing sweeping views over a patchwork of date palms, spiky mountains and the sprawling souq below. Next, the trip winds through the bone-white cliffs of Wadi Bani Awf, eventually softening into the village of Bilad Sayt — a hidden patch of green tucked into mountains dotted with mud-brick houses emerging from the rocks.
The week’s final chapter unfolds at Nakhal Fort, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, where you can slip into the mineral-rich springs as Oman’s sun dips behind the peaks.
Day seven: A fond farewell — or a new beginning
After heading back to Muscat, a leisurely final breakfast of flaky Omani bread dragged through sticky-sweet honey and plump dates with strong, spiced coffee is the ideal moment to reminisce over the week’s discoveries.
With Exodus, your trip to Oman isn’t only about the places you’ve visited. It’s about the moments in between — the stories shared over tiny cups of coffee, the unexpected laughs, the bonds formed with fellow travellers who began as strangers and ended seven days later as friends. Today’s final goodbye isn’t the end — it’s the start of new friendships, fresh perspectives and that itch to keep exploring, wherever the next adventure takes you.
Book your Week in Oman tour with Exodus, or discover more ways to explore the sultanate here.
Linger for longer: 11 days in the dunes
For an off-road experience like no other, look to Exodus and its Oman Desert Odyssey tour. Spend 11 days discovering the dunes of the desert, wading through turquoise lagoons and wild camping under the stars while exploring the very heart of Oman. Watch on in wonder as you encounter animals of all kinds, from gazelles and flamingos to camels and dolphins; then gaze at the age-old castles and forts that still stand before you. From Muscat to Salalah, and everywhere in between, the Oman Desert Odyssey tour will have you spellbound.
Book your Oman Desert Odyssey tour with Exodus here.
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