From Golden Dunes to White-Sand Beaches: A Getaway to Oman and Zanzibar

On arrival in Muscat airport this morning, pick up your hire car and drive two hours to your first destination: Oman’s second-largest city, Nizwa. Settle into your modern and well-located hotel and enjoy a spot of relaxation after all that travelling. This afternoon is yours to play with. You can continue kicking back in your hotel or head out to one of the nearby palm groves. Some of our favourites in the area include Misfah Al Abreyeen, Al Hamra and Birkat Al Mouz. Spend this evening exploring the beautiful architectural heritage of Nizwa. Despite its recent modernisation, the city has lost none of its historic character and originality. The walkway around the fort in the old town offers a panoramic view of the Hajar massif and the dome of the mosque of Sultan Qaboos.

Today you’ll be heading south into the golden dunes of the Wahiba Desert. Along the way, we recommend making a stop at one of the most picturesque markets in the Middle East: a traditional livestock market located at the foot of a fortress where all the men still wear traditional dress. Continue on to the desert and settle into your beautiful safari-style camp. This afternoon you’ll be met by a knowledgeable local guide who knows the desert like the back of his hand. Set off in a 4x4 to explore the magnificent golden dunes of Wahiba, stopping to admire camels meandering through the wilderness and, later, to enjoy a meal in the family home of your guide. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local customs and traditions and for them to share a few tips and recommendations for your onward travels.

After a delicious breakfast in the desert, jump back into your hire car and travel to the charming fishing village of Sur. Along the way, make a stop to visit the crystal-clear waters of Wadi Bani Khalid, a natural pool set in a narrow valley at an altitude of 2,000ft. The surrounding scenery of mountains and desert is breathtaking. Continue on to your destination and settle in for the night in a simple but comfortable hotel. Spend the rest of today discovering Sur. This historic village, nestled between the mountainous foothills of the Hajar ash-Sharqqi, a lagoon and the shores of the Gulf of Oman, was a port of call for sailors and pirates heading for Africa in ancient times. Sur also rubs shoulders with Al Ayjah, a tiny village renowned for its production of the traditional dhow sailing boats.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast at your hotel this morning before heading up the beautiful Gulf of Oman to Muscat, passing between oases, mountains and the ocean. The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours, however there are plenty of wadis worth stopping at along the way. These river-valley oases, often hidden away in deep canyons, are home to natural pools surrounded by palm groves and are often located near charming little villages. Settle in for two nights in a comfortable contemporary hotel in Qurum, an upscale neighbourhood overlooking the ocean. After a busy day on the road, spend the rest of today relaxing in your new home and tucking into a delicious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Today is all about discovering vibrant Muscat. The Omani capital sits between the desert and the sea. Head out with a knowledgeable expat guide who has become a real local after living here for so long. The tour is relaxed, informal and designed around you. You can visit a collection of beautiful sites, including the Mutrah souq, the waterside promenade and Riyam Park with its huge monument of a censer (incense burner) that has become the symbol of the city.

The time has come to bid farewell to Oman and journey to the beautiful Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, just off the east coast of Africa, which was once an Omani principality. The flight is direct and takes around five-and-a-half hours, giving you plenty of time to reflect on your adventure so far and get excited for part two. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to a beautiful hotel on the north of the island. Spend the rest of this afternoon relaxing on the white-sand beaches of the Indian Ocean and, when dinnertime comes around, tuck into a delicious traditional dinner (grilled fish is a staple here).

The next two days are yours to spend relaxing on the paradisal north coast of Zanzibar. Here, stretches of powdery white-sand beach blend beautifully with crystal-clear turquoise waters. In the far north is the village of Nungwi, which overlooks a dazzling lagoon and is renowned for its diving and snorkelling spots. This is also a hub for the production of dhows, the same traditional sailing boats you caught a glimpse of back in Oman. We can also arrange for you to embark on a snorkelling expedition in the Mnemba atoll, a conservation area teeming with tropical marine life.

Today, you’ll swap your resort on the north coast for a historic residence in the heart of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City, on the east coast. Enjoy one last dip in the sea before being collected and privately transferred to your new destination. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. You can head out for a wander around town or put your feet up in your hotel with a soothing cup of mint tea, ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.

Today is your last full day in Zanzibar and there’s not a moment to waste. Wake up bright and early for a delicious breakfast in your hotel before heading into the heart of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a passionate local guide. Stone Town showcases a blend of Swahili, Indian and Omani cultures and is filled with beautiful cobbled streets lined with grand palaces and houses with intricately-carved wooden doors. The former palace of the sultans and the old slave market are reminders of a tragic part of its history. Exploring with a local guide is a great opportunity to learn a little more about the island’s fascinating past and exciting present.