A Family Adventure in Oman
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
- Days 1–3 Muscat
- Days 3–5 Wahiba Sands
- Days 5–6 Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
- Days 6–10 Muscat
- 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.
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.
Where you could stay
Muscat
Highlights
- Five restaurants each with their own personality
- Luxurious bedrooms with serene sea views
- Tailor-made treatments in the Talise Spa
- High-tech gym and outdoor tennis courts
Overview
Settings rarely get more spectacular than at Jumeirah Muscat Bay: a glittering Arabian Sea stretches out ahead of the property, which has 206 rooms each with their own view of the ocean, while the rugged Al Hajar mountains rise up behind the hotel, creating a sense of total privacy in this little corner of the Omani coastline.
Your room, whether a private summerhouse with its own pool or a deluxe bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows for admiring that enchanting ocean, will provide a calm space for relaxation, while the property’s three pools are a refreshing place to get active. The highlight here, though, is the private beach: soft yellow sands lapped by the calm waters of the Arabian Sea are a tempting prospect.
Savour the fruits of the ocean at the beachfront restaurant, Zuka, or spend cosy nights sipping cocktails in the intimate Anzo bar, where the views are just as good as the mixologists’ creations. Indulge in a hammam treatment at the Talise Spa, or play a game of tennis on the outdoor courts.
→ Find out moreMuscat
Highlights
- Balinese spa offering traditional treatments
- Six dining destinations serving a range of cuisines
- Exclusive Cigar Lounge for guests and members
- Three swimming pools
- Seafront location with easy access to the city
Overview
Traditional Arabic design meets contemporary chic at the Chedi Muscat. Sitting in prime position overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this sprawling property is an oasis of luxury in the country’s capital. Across 21 acres of lush lawns and bristling palms you’ll find 162 elegant Omani villas, each blessed with plush beds, unique artworks and views of the surrounding greenery to be enjoyed from your private patio.
Dining here is a real treat, with six distinctive restaurants to choose from, each in its own refined setting from poolside seating to a beachfront bistro, serving everything from traditional Middle Eastern platters to delicately flavoured Asian dishes and fresh Italian pastas. The Balinese spa offers treatments steeped in ancient traditions from Indonesia, Thailand, India and Tibet, and the three swimming pools are an idyllic place to cool off in the Omani heat. This award-winning property is an exceptional retreat by the ocean, with the sights and sounds of Muscat right on its doorstep.
→ Find out moreMuscat
Highlights
- Four swimming pools with kids and ladies-only options
- A sublime seafront spa
- Six drinking and dining options with global flavours
- Private beach with watersports
- Bright bedrooms with modern amenities
Overview
Tucked up against the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains and fringed by an azure ocean, Al Bustan Palace enjoys a spectacular location on the Muscat Bay coast. This 250-bedroom hotel sits within a haven of swishing palms and verdant lawns, characterised by a unique blend of Art Deco features and local Arabic design.
Regal bedrooms feature Omani artworks and sublime views of the surrounding seas and greenery, while beyond the main hotel building lies a private beach. Spend afternoons languishing on loungers, or get out onto the ocean with a choice of thrilling watersports activities. For something more sedate, book into the beachfront spa, which embraces Arabic rituals and tradition to help you truly relax with the sounds of the ocean as your guide.
Local and global influence make dining here an exciting experience: unique afternoon teas can be had beneath a 38-metre-high atrium, breakfast buffets are a feast by the beach, and local seafood is the star at the premium Pavilion restaurant. Even the youngest travellers are well served, with personalised fun and experiences available for families, too.
→ Find out moreVillage 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.
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.
Where you could stay
Wahiba Sands
Highlights
- Restaurant serving traditional Omani cuisine
- Private dining in the desert on demand
- Excursions to desert oases and local souqs
- Desert spa with a range of relaxing treatments
- Family games room for adventurers of all ages
Overview
Two hours from the capital but a world away from the buzz of the city, Desert Nights Camp promises evenings of seclusion and starry skies. Set amid the rusty orange dunes of the Omani desert, it comprises 55 bedrooms set across 10 acres of sand. Despite the remote location, each room has its own en-suite bathroom, while some come equipped with private terraces and their own plunge pools for cooling off in the desert heat.
Days can be spent adventuring on the dunes in a 4×4 or on a sandboard, or you can explore the local souqs in nearby villages and see the shimmering waters of Wadi Bani Khalid. Evenings, though, bring the real excitement with sunset camel rides and endless dark skies that shimmer with millions of stars, while Omani shuwa (barbecued lamb) is served in the onsite restaurant.
→ Find out morePlaying 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.
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.
Where you could stay
Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Highlights
- Luxurious tents with ocean views
- Direct access to the Ras Al Jinz Reserve
- Contributions towards turtle conservation
- Practical amenities such as fridges and coffee makers
- Access to a free private beach
Overview
Stay right in the heart of the action at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve’s own hotel, where simple but cosy bedrooms offer a place to lay your head after watching the region’s most famous reptiles in their natural habitat.
Families can enjoy accommodation in the air-conditioned Carapace Rooms, where there’s space for the whole clan to spend the night in twin, double or bunk beds. For something more romantic, choose a luxury eco-tent: pitched on a small hill a short walk from the reserve, with glorious views out to the ocean, these robust tents have en-suite bathrooms and their own dining spaces.
The onsite restaurant serves an excellent set menu each evening, and a breakfast buffet is quite the feast to set you up for a day of turtle conservation.
→ Find out moreFinal 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.
Where you could stay
Muscat
Highlights
- Five restaurants each with their own personality
- Luxurious bedrooms with serene sea views
- Tailor-made treatments in the Talise Spa
- High-tech gym and outdoor tennis courts
Overview
Settings rarely get more spectacular than at Jumeirah Muscat Bay: a glittering Arabian Sea stretches out ahead of the property, which has 206 rooms each with their own view of the ocean, while the rugged Al Hajar mountains rise up behind the hotel, creating a sense of total privacy in this little corner of the Omani coastline.
Your room, whether a private summerhouse with its own pool or a deluxe bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows for admiring that enchanting ocean, will provide a calm space for relaxation, while the property’s three pools are a refreshing place to get active. The highlight here, though, is the private beach: soft yellow sands lapped by the calm waters of the Arabian Sea are a tempting prospect.
Savour the fruits of the ocean at the beachfront restaurant, Zuka, or spend cosy nights sipping cocktails in the intimate Anzo bar, where the views are just as good as the mixologists’ creations. Indulge in a hammam treatment at the Talise Spa, or play a game of tennis on the outdoor courts.
→ Find out moreMuscat
Highlights
- Balinese spa offering traditional treatments
- Six dining destinations serving a range of cuisines
- Exclusive Cigar Lounge for guests and members
- Three swimming pools
- Seafront location with easy access to the city
Overview
Traditional Arabic design meets contemporary chic at the Chedi Muscat. Sitting in prime position overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this sprawling property is an oasis of luxury in the country’s capital. Across 21 acres of lush lawns and bristling palms you’ll find 162 elegant Omani villas, each blessed with plush beds, unique artworks and views of the surrounding greenery to be enjoyed from your private patio.
Dining here is a real treat, with six distinctive restaurants to choose from, each in its own refined setting from poolside seating to a beachfront bistro, serving everything from traditional Middle Eastern platters to delicately flavoured Asian dishes and fresh Italian pastas. The Balinese spa offers treatments steeped in ancient traditions from Indonesia, Thailand, India and Tibet, and the three swimming pools are an idyllic place to cool off in the Omani heat. This award-winning property is an exceptional retreat by the ocean, with the sights and sounds of Muscat right on its doorstep.
→ Find out moreMuscat
Highlights
- Four swimming pools with kids and ladies-only options
- A sublime seafront spa
- Six drinking and dining options with global flavours
- Private beach with watersports
- Bright bedrooms with modern amenities
Overview
Tucked up against the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains and fringed by an azure ocean, Al Bustan Palace enjoys a spectacular location on the Muscat Bay coast. This 250-bedroom hotel sits within a haven of swishing palms and verdant lawns, characterised by a unique blend of Art Deco features and local Arabic design.
Regal bedrooms feature Omani artworks and sublime views of the surrounding seas and greenery, while beyond the main hotel building lies a private beach. Spend afternoons languishing on loungers, or get out onto the ocean with a choice of thrilling watersports activities. For something more sedate, book into the beachfront spa, which embraces Arabic rituals and tradition to help you truly relax with the sounds of the ocean as your guide.
Local and global influence make dining here an exciting experience: unique afternoon teas can be had beneath a 38-metre-high atrium, breakfast buffets are a feast by the beach, and local seafood is the star at the premium Pavilion restaurant. Even the youngest travellers are well served, with personalised fun and experiences available for families, too.
→ Find out moreFinal highlights
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.
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.
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
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
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.