Day Trips & Excursions in Muscat

Spend a day exploring the forts and 'falaj' (water channels) of Oman's enchanting Dakhiliyah region on this 8-hour private trip from Muscat. Traveling by 4x4 with a driver-guide, venture deep into this mountainous region, and explore 17th-century Jabreen Fort, considered the country's most beautiful castle. Continue to Nizwa, Oman's former capital, to visit Nizwa Fort and Nizwa souk, famous for its silver stalls. Before returning to Muscat, check out one of Oman's largest 'falaj' systems, and stroll around the deserted village, water channels and banana groves of Birkat Al Mauz.

Seeing Oman outside Muscat is difficult without a hire car due to limited public transport. This full-day private tour lets you sample its mountain scenery, villages, and perfume heritage with ease, and come away with a balanced take on traditional Oman. Tour the Amouage factory where perfumes using frankincense are made, and discover the old town of Fanja and Wadi Al Tayyin gorge, all with a guide for background insight.

Travel to Wadi Shab, one of Oman's most popular and beautiful landscapes, on a private day trip. On the way to the port city of Sur, stop at the Bimmah Sinkhole. Continue on to Wadi Shab, with its rock formations, waterfalls, cliffs, and natural pools. After the pools, take a swim at Fins Beach before heading back to Muscat in the private vehicle.

See the highlights of Muscat in the company of a guide on this half-day tour. Depart from your hotel in a private vehicle and head out into the city. Stop by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Opera House in the Al Qurm neighborhood, Mutrah Market, Al Alam Palace, and more. As you explore, learn about the city from your guide.

Combine two stops in one tour on this full-day excursion. First, take a morning drive through the Hajar Mountains to Nizwa. Visit Nizwa Fort, a 17th-century caste with a huge, cylindrical tower which was once used to help defend the city. Then travel to Jabal Shams ("Sun Mountain") where you can see the country's highest mountain loom over Wadi Ghul, Oman's version of the Grand Canyon.

Venturing into Oman's Wahiba Sands isn't recommended for inexperienced off-roaders, so making your own day trip from Muscat won't do this vast desert justice. With this private full-day tour, experience desert scenery and life close-up with a guide for cultural insight and to introduce you to local Bedouins. Plus, visit Wadi Bani Khalid, a shady oasis of palms and pools. A boxed lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Oman's northeast coast serves up scenic 'wadis' (river gorges), fishing villages, and beaches, yet they're hard to reach from Muscat without local knowledge and a rented 4x4. Make the most of the region on this 4x4 private tour to Wadi Shab with a guide to show you round. Enjoy the wadi's pools, admire Fins Beach, Bimmah Sinkhole, and more, and relax with lunch and hotel and port transfers all included.

An independent trip to Jabal Shams - the mountain overlooking Oman's Grand Canyon - isn't recommended for anyone but experienced mountain drivers. This private 4x4 tour from Muscat lets you see this deep canyon without any driving worries. With a driver-guide, focus on the passing scenery, marvel at the vast canyon - officially Wadi Ghul - from the summit, and visit Nizwa Fort and other scenic spots. Plus, entry fees and lunch are included.

Delving into Oman's Wahiba Sands desert and 'wadi' river gorges alone isn't advisable for inexperienced off-road drivers. This private day trip solves the issue: transporting you into the sands and Wadi Bani Khalid aboard an expertly driven 4x4 so you can concentrate on the scenery. Speed over the Wahiba's dunes to meet Bedouins and ride a camel, and then relax at the mountains, palms, and natural pools of Bani Khalid.

See the historical highlights of Oman's interior on this small-group tour from Muscat, without having to worry about transportation and with a guide to bring the sights alive. Board an air-conditioned minivan and after a stop to tour Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, trace the Hajar Mountains south to visit Bahla Fort, Jabreen Castle, and the fort and souk at Nizwa. Lunch and return hotel transfers are included.

Discover and learn about two highlights of north-east Oman on this private full-day excursion from Muscat, without any worries about transportation. Follow the scenic coastal roads southward, and admire the natural wonder of Bimmah (Hawiyat Najam) Sinkhole. Then, opt to relax, trek or swim at Wadi Shab, a river gorge laced with palms, waterfalls, and deep pools. Lunch and return hotel and port transport are included for your convenience.

Spend a day exploring Oman's natural wonders on this full-day excursion.Visit Jebal Shams, which means "Sun Mountain," since it is the highest mountain in Oman. See Wadi Nakhr, Oman's Grand Canyon, and take a short hike or mountain bike ride inside its walls. You'll also have the opportunity to visit local villages and shop for souvenirs along the way.

A DIY trip to Oman's Green Mountain (Jabal Akhdar) from Muscat means hiring a car and braving mountain roads. With a personal driver-guide, this private tour lets you simply admire and learn about this mountain plateau and its gorges and valleys. Visit the top to see canyons, fruit orchards, rose plantations, and hill villages; and finish at Nizwa's fort and souk. Lunch and transport from Muscat hotels and port included.

Unless you're an expert mountain driver and hire your own 4x4, exploring Oman's Jebel Sham mountain and its neighboring Grand Canyon isn't advisable independently. This private tour makes it easy, with a driver-guide to navigate the off-road trails up and around the steep-walled canyon. Plus, it allows side trips to Nizwa and mountain villages, and includes time at Muscat's Grand Mosque, so you get the most from your day out.

Discover the Oman of old with its pretty forts and oasis villages on this full-day trip to Nizwa Fort from Muscat. With an informative guide, depart Muscat by air-conditioned coach or minivan, tracing the jagged Hajar Mountains to visit picture-postcard, 17th-century Nizwa Fort. Take a guided tour of the battlements and turrets, and browse for silver jewelry and handicrafts at Nizwa souk. Then, pass through palm-ringed oases towns such as Bahla to visit Jabreen Fort, one of Oman's most enchanting castles and famous for its murals and wood carvings.

Get out of the city and enjoy Oman's nature on this full-day tour. Depart from your Muscat hotel in a private vehicle and make your way to Wadi Shab. In the company of a guide, hike through mango trees and shallow pools. Swim in a cave and admire waterfalls. Stop at notable spots along the way, including a fort.

Soak in Oman's untouched beauty on a full-day trip by 4x4 from Muscat. Cruise by mountains, beaches, and bays, and stop to see and swim at Bimah Sinkhole, a natural underground pool. Walk along the palm-filled ravine of Wadi Shab, choose to bathe in its pools, and visit beachside villages such as Tiwi, Finns, and more. A delicious picnic lunch, transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Visit the Green Mountain (Jebel Akhdar) and experience its beauty and traditional culture with a driver-guide to provide background and negotiate the mountain roads on this private full-day tour. Pass the Hajar Mountains on the drive from Muscat, and visit Nizwa Fort, Nizwa souk, and hill villages on route. Then, ascend to the Green Mountain's plateau to drink in the panoramas over the fruit farms, ravines, and hamlets below.

Unless you hire a car, it's near-impossible to explore the Omani coast south of Muscat alone in a day. This private tour lays everything on, with air-conditioned transport and a personal guide to ensure you cover and hear about the sights. Visit the turquoise Bimah Sinkhole, ancient ruins and villages, and opt to trek and swim in the pools of Wadi Shab, a river gorge lined with palms and waterfalls.

Explore Nakhl Fort and the Ath Thaurwah hot springs on this full-day, private tour from Muscat. See the rocky, 200-meter-high mountain peak known as Nakhl Fort, then visit the Ath Thaurwah hot springs for sightseeing and lunch. Along the way, travel along the scenic Batinah coastline, featuring Barka and its bustling Fish Souq.