Oman: One week road trip, exploring the hidden gem of the Middle East

Oman, with its blend of traditional Arabian culture and breathtaking landscapes, remains one of the Middle East’s best-kept secrets. This 7-day journey takes you from the elegant capital of Muscat through dramatic wadis, coastal towns, desert expanses, and mountain heights, showcasing the remarkable diversity of this enchanting sultanate.

Day 1: Discovering Muscat’s Charms

My Omani adventure begins in Muscat, a city where modern architecture harmoniously embraces ancient traditions. The morning starts with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, whose enormous prayer hall houses a handwoven Persian carpet covering 4,343 square meters. The chandelier, adorned with over 600,000 Swarovski crystals, leaves me speechless.

After lunch of fragrant biryani at a local restaurant, I explore the Mutrah Souq, navigating narrow alleyways filled with frankincense, silver jewelry, and handcrafted khanjars (traditional daggers). As evening approaches, I stroll along the elegant Mutrah Corniche, watching fishermen bring in their daily catch while the setting sun bathes Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts in golden light.

Day 2: Wadi Shab: Nature’s Hidden Gem

Departing Muscat, I drive south along the coastal highway toward Wadi Shab. The contrast between the azure Gulf of Oman and the rugged brown mountains creates a mesmerizing backdrop for the journey.

At Wadi Shab, a short boat ride across the mouth of the wadi begins my adventure. The hike through the gorge reveals increasingly lush vegetation as I follow the winding path alongside turquoise pools. After about an hour’s walk, I reach the wadi’s highlight: a series of deep, swimmable pools. The final reward comes after a short swim through a narrow gap between rocks: a magical grotto with a waterfall cascading from the ceiling.

In the late afternoon, I continue to Sur, checking into my beachfront hotel as the sun sets.

Day 3: Sur and the Eastern Coast

Sur, once a major maritime center, still proudly maintains its shipbuilding heritage. My morning begins with a visit to the dhow building yard, where skilled craftsmen construct these traditional wooden vessels using methods passed down through generations. The Maritime Museum provides further insight into Sur’s seafaring past.

After enjoying fresh seafood for lunch, I take a short drive to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Though the main turtle viewing happens at night, the visitor center offers fascinating information about these ancient creatures. As darkness falls, I join a guided tour to witness green turtles laying eggs on the beach – a profound, humbling experience that unfolds under a canopy of stars.

Day 4: Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands: Desert Magic

Leaving the coast behind, I head inland toward the desert. My first stop is the stunning Wadi Bani Khalid, an oasis that defies the surrounding arid landscape. Unlike the hike required at Wadi Shab, this paradise is easily accessible. Emerald pools nestle between smooth boulders, fed by a constant stream flowing from the mountains. The main pool, vast and deep, provides a refreshing swim beneath limestone cliffs. Small fish nibble gently at my feet as I wade through shallower sections.

After a picnic lunch in the shade of date palms, I continue to the Wahiba Sands. The landscape transforms dramatically as rippling copper-colored dunes replace rocky outcrops. My 4×4 vehicle navigates deep into the desert, where a traditional Bedouin camp awaits.

After settling into my goat-hair tent, I embark on a dune-bashing adventure, the vehicle climbing and sliding down massive sand hills. As the afternoon heat subsides, I attempt sandboarding down gentler slopes, collecting more sand in my clothes than skill points.

As night falls, the desert reveals its most spectacular feature – a sky ablaze with stars untainted by light pollution. Sitting around a campfire, enjoying lamb slow-cooked in an underground sand oven, I listen to ancient Bedouin tales while the vast silence of the desert envelops us.

Day 5: From Desert to Mountains: Nizwa and Misfat Al Abriyeen

Bidding farewell to the desert at dawn, I journey toward Oman’s mountainous interior. My route takes me first to Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. The imposing Nizwa Fort dominates the cityscape with its massive circular tower, built in the 17th century as both a defensive structure and the seat of administrative power.

Climbing the fort’s steep stairways rewards me with commanding views of the surrounding date palm oasis and distant mountains. Inside, exhibits showcase traditional Omani crafts and weaponry. The adjacent souq specializes in silver handicrafts, particularly the intricate khanjar daggers that symbolize Omani heritage. I spend time wandering through the market stalls, admiring pottery, copper goods, and the region’s famous halwa (a sweet gelatinous dessert flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts).

In the afternoon, I continue my journey to Misfat Al Abriyeen, an ancient village perched on the mountainside. Misfat feels frozen in time, with stone houses clinging to the hillside amid a surprisingly verdant setting. The village’s ingenious falaj irrigation system channels water from mountain springs through terraced gardens of banana, papaya, and pomegranate trees.

I spend the evening exploring narrow lanes between mud-brick houses and walking through palm plantations. My overnight stay in a renovated traditional house offers authentic charm with modern comforts, and dinner features home-cooked Omani specialties shared with fellow travelers.

Day 6: Jebel Shams: The Grand Canyon of Arabia

Today brings the most dramatic scenery yet as I head to Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest mountain. The winding road climbs steadily, offering increasingly expansive views until reaching the plateau near the summit at nearly 3,000 meters.

The main attraction is the breathtaking Balcony Walk, a path that skirts the rim of Wadi Ghul, often called Arabia’s Grand Canyon. The trail hugs the canyon edge, with heart-stopping views of the thousand-meter drop to the canyon floor. Abandoned stone villages cling impossibly to the opposite cliff face, testaments to human adaptation to extreme environments.

After a picnic lunch in this dramatic setting, I spend the afternoon hiking and photographing the ever-changing light on the canyon walls. My accommodation, a simple mountain resort, offers welcome warmth against the surprisingly cool mountain evening.

Day 7: Nakhal Fort and Return to Muscat

For my final day in Oman, I begin the journey back to Muscat. Taking the tiniest tracks between the mountains navigating from one oasis to another and taking an important detour to visit Nakhal Fort. Perched atop a rocky outcrop, this magnificent structure stands as one of Oman’s most picturesque forts. Unlike the rounded tower of Nizwa, Nakhal’s irregular shape follows the contours of the hill it occupies, creating an organic blend of architecture and landscape.

The fort’s strategic position offered defenders panoramic views of the surrounding Al Batinah plain, and today those same views provide visitors with spectacular photo opportunities. Inside, restored living quarters showcase how the fortress functioned as both a defensive structure and a residence for the local governor.

By mid-afternoon, I return to Muscat, completing my circuit of central Oman. As I reflect on my journey over a final cup of Omani coffee flavored with cardamom, I’m struck by how this country has preserved its cultural authenticity while embracing modernity. In just seven days, I’ve traversed centuries of history and some of the most diverse landscapes the Arabian Peninsula has to offer: from coastal elegance to desert expanses and mountain grandeur, all connected by the warm hospitality of its people.

Oman may not top many travelers’ lists, but this hidden gem deserves a prominent place on any adventurer’s itinerary.