A Family Adventure in Oman

Duration 10 days
Ideal time to visit October–April
Price guide
From
  PP
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Old traditional sailboat anchored at Muttrah Corniche. The old city with white and sand coloured cube-shaped buildings and mountains are in the background. From Muscat, Oman.
From desert adventures to thrilling treasure hunts and fascinating wildlife, Oman is a great destination for families. Following your family’s interests and sense of fun, perhaps you’ll choose to bookend your adventure with stays in Muscat, visit Wahiba Sands to experience “dune bashing” or explore Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to see turtles laying eggs on the beach.

Trip highlights

  • Learn about science at the Oman Children’s Museum
  • Enjoy some thrilling dune bashing in the desert
  • Observe nesting turtles at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
  • Hike in Wadi Shab hike or swim in Bimmah Sinkhole
  • Set sail on a private boat trip along the beautiful coastline
  • Go on a guided treasure hunt in Muscat's Mutrah Souk

Our bespoke trips include

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Privately guided tours
  • Private transfers
  • Meticulously selected experiences
  • Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance
  • Days 1–3 Muscat
  • Days 3–5 Wahiba Sands
  • Days 5–6 Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
  • Days 6–10 Muscat
A Family Adventure in Oman
Price guide
  PP
  • Days 1–3 Muscat
  • Days 3–5 Wahiba Sands
  • Days 5–6 Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
  • Days 6–10 Muscat

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–3

Family-friendly Muscat

Begin in Oman’s port city capital of Muscat where you can take in highlights including Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its 14m-long Swarovski chandelier and the largest hand-woven carpet on Earth. You’ll also pass the diplomatic quarter on your way to Old Muscat with its colourful Al Alam Palace which is flanked by two Portuguese forts, Al Mirani and Al Jalali, and you’ll visit Bait Al Zubair Museum.

Spend time at the Oman Children’s Museum which offers children the chance to delve into science and biology through interactive activities, and visit the village of Adam to meet some camels.

 

Village of Adam and camels

You will start your journey to Wahiba, with Nizwa being your first break. The former capital is the spiritual center of the country. You can make a stop at the fort and climb the tower to enjoy the wonderful view. Afterwards the journey continues to the village of Adam. There you will meet the owner of a small camel farm. For the Bedouins the camel is of great importance: it is their means of transport as well as a supplier of meat, milk and wool.

Days 3–5

Explore the secluded Omani desert

In Wahiba Sands you’ll spend a night under the stars in the secluded Omani desert before heading out for some adrenalin-pumping dune bashing with a skilled driver.

The gold-hued dunes seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, ever-shifting with the wind and the passage of time. Some stretch up to 100m (330ft) high – although those you’ll tackle on your excursion will be rather more modest.

Playing in the sandbox

After breakfast you will go dune bashing. Your driver will give you a demonstration of his driving skills on the dunes – he will of course adjust his style to the little passengers. After this exciting ride you will be picked up at your camp and have lunch in the house of a Bedouin family. In the afternoon you will return to your camp where you will spend one more night in your family tent.

Days 5–6

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Next it’s on to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve for an evening watching turtles laying their eggs in the sand, a truly memorable experience. En-route to the reserve, you will pass the evergreen dry river valley of Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most famous in the region as it never fully dries up. Large ponds are lined with lush green, shady palm trees and filled with turquoise- and sapphire-coloured water, tempting you to jump right in.

On your way back to Muscat, you can also stop for a short hike in Wadi Shab. A walk of about an hour along a creek with lush vegetation, and through a spectacularly deep and narrow gorge, will lead you to the freshwater pools.

Days 6–10

Final days exploring more in Muscat

Complete the circle and head back to Muscat for the last few days of your family adventure, stopping for a hike in Wadi Shab or a visit to Bimmah Sinkhole on the way. From the city, head out on a dolphin spotting cruise (keeping your eyes open for other marine life too), and embark on an exciting treasure hunt in a bright and colourful souk.

Final highlights

Dive in

Bimmah sinkhole

Younger children will love a visit to the Bimmah sinkhole, a limestone crater that was formed by the collapse of the ceiling of an underground river thousands of years ago. The sinkhole is fed with underground seawater and its turquoise water invites you for a refreshing swim.

Set sail

A private boat trip

Enjoy a special private boat tour as you set off dolphin watching from the nearby port. It is very common to see a variety of marine mammals, which happily dive up and down. After that, don’t miss the opportunity to jump into the water and spot the underwater life in full colour.

Find treasure

Into the souks

In the Muttrah district, your guide will start by taking you on a short walk for wonderful views of the old town. Muttrah, the traditional part of Muscat is a melting pot, surrounded by high cliffs on one side on the other the ocean. Next comes the treasure hunt in the souk, the oldest market in Oman. Follow the trail of the treasure map, and a present will await you.

Why book with Jacada

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.

Positive Impact

We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.

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