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Oman11 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Oman Encompassed including Salalah

An 11-day small-group journey through Oman, from the frankincense souks of Salalah and the legendary Lost City of Ubar to the dunes of Wahiba Sands, the forts of Nizwa, and a turtle-watching sunset at Ras Al Jinz — for groups of up to 12 travellers.

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As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

When referring to the Arab world, there’s a differentiation between the Middle East and North Africa, and the Gulf. The latter’s oil-rich states are often characterised by glittering high-rise developments, shopping malls, five-star hotels and industrial quantities of air-conditioning. Indigenous populations are often outnumbered by poorly paid guest workers, and little remains of traditional culture. Oman is an exception. The mostly benign absolute monarchy of the late Sultan Qaboos saw an insular conservative kingdom evolve to adopt a more modern outlook. However, as much as Oman has used its oil revenues for infrastructure development, it has retained its traditional culture and identity. This Oman guided tours explores barren deserts and rugged coasts, as well as verdant oases and lush plantations. From remote mountain villages and simple farms to ornate tribal palaces, impressive mosques and modern cities, Oman displays its many faces. If you think you know the Gulf prepare to think again.

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The journey

Oman Encompassed including Salalah

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
MAP

The highlights

  • Frankincense Trail & Ancient Heritage

    From the 2,000-year-old ruins of Sumhuram and the port of Khor Rori to the UNESCO-listed Al Balid Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land in Salalah, this tour follows the ancient incense route at every turn. The legendary Lost City of Ubar — unearthed by satellite and excavated by Sir Ranulph Fiennes — forms the centrepiece of a journey through one of the ancient world's most important trading corridors.

  • Desert Landscapes & Dune Adventures

    Take to 4WD vehicles to cross the vast Al Nejd gravel desert and penetrate the edge of the Rub' Al Khali — the world's largest sand desert — for panoramic views from the dune crests. Two nights in the Wahiba Sands at a desert camp, complete with exhilarating dune driving, camel riding, and lunch at a Bedouin house, deliver the full Arabian desert experience.

  • Forts, Souks & Living Culture

    Oman's extraordinary legacy of Islamic architecture and tribal governance comes alive through a sequence of unforgettable sites: the great circular fort at Nizwa, the intricately decorated Yaruba dynasty castle at Jabrin, the ancient walled town of Bahla, and the restored hilltop fort at Nakhl. Atmospheric souks in Nizwa, Muttrah, and Al Hafa complete the cultural picture, offering silver jewellery, frankincense, and handcrafted textiles.

  • Wadis, Canyons & Natural Wonders

    Oman's geological drama unfolds at every stage — from the luminous turquoise pools of Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab to the narrow limestone Snake Gorge of Wadi Bani Awf and the vertiginous rim of the Jebel Shams canyon. The Bimmah Sink Hole and the coastal blowholes at Al-Mughsail Beach add further spectacle to a tour that showcases the full breadth of Oman's natural landscape.

  • Wildlife Encounters & Coastal Life

    The night visit to the Ras Al Jinz Green Turtle Sanctuary — where ancient females come ashore after ocean crossings of thousands of kilometres to nest on the beach — is one of the tour's most powerful moments. Sur's historic dhow shipyards, a sunset cruise in Muscat harbour, and the marine heritage displays at the Museum of the Frankincense Land add a rich coastal dimension to the journey.

Trip highlights for Oman Encompassed including Salalah

Full itinerary · 11 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

  • Departure
    2 Oct 2026 → 12 Oct 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Contact for availability
  • Departure
    30 Oct 2026 → 9 Nov 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,590 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    4 Dec 2026 → 14 Dec 2026
    Sold out
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Closed
  • Departure
    3 Jan 2027 → 13 Jan 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    5 Feb 2027 → 15 Feb 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    19 Mar 2027 → 29 Mar 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    9 Apr 2027 → 19 Apr 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    1 Oct 2027 → 11 Oct 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    29 Oct 2027 → 8 Nov 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,950 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now
  • Departure
    3 Dec 2027 → 13 Dec 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,590 pp
    Single supp. +£595
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Oman journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • Domestic flight from Salalah to Muscat
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerar

Budget separately for

  • 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)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Oman Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Oman that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Oman Encompassed including Salalah. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“Guides were excellent especially Said and Khalid on main tour.”
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Nigel Grunshaw, UK

“Excellent guides that went out of their way to learn many aspects of their culture.”
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Eric Firkins, UK

“The accommodation was of a high standard and conditions higher than to be expected for some of the locations in the middle of nowhere.”
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Traveller from the UK

“Both Salim and Hamed were excellent guides. 1000 Nights Camp was excellent.”
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Mark Brand, UK

“Great driver/guide, looked after us really well. We really enjoyed our time in Oman - it's a country we've wanted to visit for some time. The itinerary was relatively relaxed and we were able to organise our time to suit local conditions i.e. visiting the fort and souk at Nizwa during the evening rather than next morning All in all another great trip with UD.”
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Veronica Hinchliffe, UK

“Mohammed in Oman was absolutely excellent - helpful,knowledgeable, patient, accommodating, well organised, very competent and very welcoming.”
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Traveller from the UK

“Mohammed was an excellent and knowledgeable guide as well as a safe and competent driver (including Said, his assistant/second driver).”
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Cheryl Lickiss, UK

“Our guide Muhammed was great and a safe v good driver. The tour was wonderful. I like the fact it was a very small group only x 4 people in total. I would not have chosen this tour had there been more people. It was perfect in one vehicle.”
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Iiona Lazar, UK

“I loved the time spent at the Ras Al Jinz turtle sanctuary, where I saw at least one turtle laying eggs, several having done so and either covering the nests or returning to the sea, and a number of hatchlings scurrying down the sand. It was very special. I enjoyed both occasions where I spent time in the desert - the Empty Quarter and Wahiba Sands. I really enjoyed the 1000 Nights camp”
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Lorena Sutherland, UK

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”
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Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Want to customise this tour?

Make Oman Encompassed including Salalah your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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When referring to the Arab world, there’s a differentiation between the Middle East and North Africa, and the Gulf. The latter’s oil-rich states are often characterised by glittering high-rise developments, shopping malls, five-star hotels and industrial quantities of air-conditioning. Indigenous populations are often outnumbered by poorly paid guest workers, and little remains of traditional culture. Oman is an exception. The mostly benign absolute monarchy of the late Sultan Qaboos saw an insular conservative kingdom evolve to adopt a more modern outlook. However, as much as Oman has used its oil revenues for infrastructure development, it has retained its traditional culture and identity. This small group tours to Oman explores barren deserts and rugged coasts, as well as verdant oases and lush plantations. From remote mountain villages and simple farms to ornate tribal palaces, impressive mosques and modern cities, Oman displays its many faces. If you think you know the Gulf prepare to think again.

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£1,995

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Start planning your Oman adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Oman specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Start planning your trip+44 (0)191 2316005

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 2 October 2026; 30 October 2026; 3 January 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flight from Salalah to Muscat; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Oman. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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