Oman – A Passage through Oman – Journeys for Women Collection

Duration
8 days
Group Size
12 people
Price
From £2250
Region
Middle East
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Overview

This women’s adventure through Oman offers an immersive introduction to one of Arabia’s most welcoming and culturally rich countries. Travelling throughout with a local English-speaking female guide, the itinerary explores coastal towns, desert dunes, mountain villages, and historic cities, while creating meaningful opportunities to connect with Omani women, families, and community initiatives.

From Muscat’s elegant seafront and the turtle beaches of Ras Al Jinz to the lush pools of Wadi Bani Khalid, the sweeping sands of Wahiba, and the cultural heart of Nizwa, the journey reveals Oman’s remarkable diversity of landscape and tradition. Encounters with the Sidab Women’s Group, shared meals in family homes, and guidance from women throughout the experience provide a personal and culturally rich perspective on the country, culminating in a sunset dhow cruise along Muscat’s historic coastline.

Highlights

Included/Excluded

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking female guide / tour leader
Meals as listed – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes (except when prepaid with any domestic flights)
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Tour Ratings

Fitness: 1/5
Unexplored: 2/5
Culture: 4/5
History: 4/5
Wildlife: 3/5
Tour-pace: 3/5
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Map and Tour Itinerary

This women-only 8-day guided small group tour through Oman blends cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and meaningful local connections. Explore Muscat, coastal Sur, and the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, alongside wadis, mountains, and the dunes of Wahiba Sands. Discover historic forts, traditional markets, and mountain villages including Nizwa and Misfah Al Abriyeen. Special encounters with Omani women, a Bedouin desert stay, and a sunset dhow cruise create an inspiring and immersive shared.

Itinerary Highlights
Turtle Watching at Ras Al Jinz

Witness green turtles nesting on the beach after their long migration.

Desert Experience in Wahiba Sands

Stay in a remote desert camp with Bedouin hospitality and stunning dune landscapes.

Scenic Drives through Omani Wadis

Swim in the turquoise pools of Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid.

Cultural Exploration in Nizwa

Visit the 17th-century Nizwa Fort, lively souk, and historic castles in Jabrin and Bahla.

Sunset Cruise in Muscat

End the journey with a scenic boat ride along the coast after visiting the Grand Mosque and Muttrah Souk.

  • Day 1 – Arrival in Muscat

Arrive at Muscat International Airport, where you will be met after immigration and customs and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest after your journey and settle into Oman’s relaxed coastal capital.

🛏️ Overnight: Radisson Panorama Hotel, Muscat or similar
🍽️ Meals: None

  • Day 2 – Muscat city tour and Sidab Women’s Group

Begin with a half-day exploration of Muscat, visiting the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the Middle East. Continue along the scenic Corniche to Mutrah Souq and pause for photographs at Al Alam Palace, flanked by the historic Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. A special highlight is a visit to the Sidab Women’s Group, an inspiring community initiative where women produce environmentally friendly fabric bags as an alternative to plastic. Learn about the project and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the women. Later visit Bait Al Zubair Museum before free time to explore Mutrah Souq independently.

🛏️ Overnight: Radisson Panorama Hotel, Muscat or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 3 – Muscat to Sur and Ras Al Jinz

Travel southeast along Oman’s dramatic coastline, stopping at the limestone Bimah Sinkhole, the white sands of Fins Beach, and the lush oasis of Wadi Tiwi. Continue to Sur, once famed for dhow shipbuilding, where you meet Mariam, a retired teacher and community activist, for conversation and lunch that offers personal insight into local coastal life. Proceed to Ras Al Hadd and check in at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. After dinner, visit the protected beach to observe nesting sea turtles, one of Oman’s most remarkable wildlife experiences.

🛏️ Overnight: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Resort or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Day 4 – Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands

Depart for Wadi Bani Khalid, considered one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman. The journey passes through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, revealing sweeping panoramas and traditional villages nestled into the landscape. From the parking area, a short walk leads along the wadi to deep turquoise pools shaded by palms, where there is time to relax or swim in the clear water.

Please note there is an approximate 500-metre walk from the parking area to reach the pools. In keeping with guidance from the Ministry of Tourism and out of respect for local village customs, ladies wishing to swim are required to wear shorts and a T-shirt that cover the body. Swimming in bikinis is not permitted.

Continue into the vast Sharqiya Sands, a sweeping landscape of undulating red and white dunes. After an exhilarating drive across the sand with experienced drivers, visit the home of a Bedouin family to experience traditional Omani hospitality and share a loc ally prepared meal. Later arrive at the desert camp, where the evening includes a barbecue dinner accompanied by Omani music and, seasonally, traditional dance beneath the desert sky.

🛏️ Overnight: 1000 Nights Desert Camp, Wahiba Sands or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Day 5 – Wahiba Sands to Misfah Al Abriyeen

Journey toward the interior, visiting Bahla, Jabrin Castle, and Al Hamra, one of Oman’s oldest surviving villages. Continue to the hidden mountain settlement of Misfah Al Abriyeen, where a heritage walk reveals terraced plantations and the ancient falaj irrigation system. Dinner is shared with a local Omani family at the guesthouse, creating a warm cultural exchange.

🛏️ Overnight: Misfah Old House, Misfah or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

  • Day 6 – Jebel Shams and Nizwa

Drive into the Al Hajar Mountains to Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak at around 3,000 metres, overlooking vast canyon landscapes often compared to the Grand Canyon. Continue to Nizwa, the historic cultural capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa Fort, famed for its massive circular tower and panoramic views across the surrounding plains. Dinner is served locally before settling into your hotel.

🛏️ Overnight: Ihyaa Inn, Nizwa or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and Dinne

  • Day 7 – Nizwa market, local home visit, sunset dhow cruise, and farewell dinner

Begin the morning immersed in one of Oman’s most vibrant cultural traditions, the Nizwa Cattle Market, held every Friday. As the sun rises over the ancient fort, farmers and traders from surrounding villages gather with goats, sheep, cattle, and camels for sale in a traditional open-air auction. Dressed in crisp white dishdashas and colourful turbans, participants circle the marketplace while auctioneers call out prices and animals are led through the crowd. The sounds of hooves on packed earth, lively bargaining, and animated conversation create an atmosphere that has changed little for centuries, offering a powerful insight into enduring Omani rural life. After the market, drive back to Muscat and visit a local family home for lunch. You will be welcomed into the traditional majlis, greeted with homemade juices, dates, and snacks reflecting the deep culinary influences of Oman and East Africa, particularly Zanzibar. Conversation with family members provides a warm opportunity for cultural exchange, followed by a home-cooked meal prepared using fresh local ingredients. In the evening, board a traditional wooden dhow for a sunset cruise along Muscat’s dramatic coastline. From the open deck, enjoy views of the Sultan’s Palace, historic Old Muscat, fishing villages, Riyam Park, and Mutrah Corniche while refreshments and dates are served on board. After returning to the marina, continue to a traditional restaurant for a farewell Omani dinner, marking the final evening of the journey.

🛏️ Overnight: Radisson Panorama Hotel, Muscat or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  • Day 8 – Departure from Muscat

After breakfast and time at leisure, transfer to Muscat International Airport for your onward journey home.

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast

Download the Information Pack

To download the tour full dossier, which includes a complete day-by-day itinerary breakdown and detailed tour information, fill in the details below.

Dates and Prices


Tour Code Start End Trip Status Pricing Per person
OWO/051226 Dec 05, 2026

Saturday

Dec 12, 2026

Saturday

Guaranteed £2,250.00


Single Room Supplement: £430.00
OWO/130327 Mar 13, 2027

Saturday

Mar 20, 2027

Saturday

Guaranteed £2,250.00


Single Room Supplement: £430.00
OWO/041227 Dec 04, 2027

Saturday

Dec 11, 2027

Saturday

Guaranteed £2,250.00


Single Room Supplement: £430.00

Feedback from our Travellers

Essential Info

Foreign Office Travel Warnings

Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.

We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At the time of writing the FCDO does not advise against travel to the areas of Oman that we visit on this tour.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Visa Information

At the time of writing US and Australian nationals require a visa for a tourist visit to Oman. British nationals can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.

British Nationals – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

US Nationals – https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel.html

Australian Nationals – www.smartraveller.gov.au

Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.

Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.

As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.

Passports

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.

We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.

For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Vaccinations & Protection

As with travel to most parts of the Middle East, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month you maybe advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent may also be recommended.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.

Local Conditions

When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.

The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.

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