10 DAY OMAN ITINERARY

Oman is one of our favourite countries. It’s beautiful, culturally and historically rich, full of friendly, welcoming people, and perfectly set up for a self-drive road trip. It also manages to cater equally well to an adventure-seeking budget camper or a luxury-loving traveller. This middle eastern country offers an incredible variety of experiences: from stunning coastline and deserts to lush wadis and the dramatic mountains of the Eastern and Western Hajar, no two days are the same on an Oman road trip.

So, whether you’re a budget camper or luxury-loving traveller, we’ve put together the ultimate 10 Day Oman Itinerary for you. It’s perfect if you’re visiting Oman on the 10 Day Tourist Visa, and acts as an ideal introduction to the country. In this itinerary we cover many of the best places to visit in Oman, picked after two separate trips and 6 weeks of travel. We’ve also included daily accommodation suggestions, as well as alternative camping options. Opt for one or the other depending on your budget, or mix-and-match for a truly memorable experience.

Given the significant price difference between renting a 4WD and a 2WD, and their varying capabilities, we’ve designed a completely separate itinerary for each. This 10 Day Oman Itinerary is specifically for those road tripping Oman in a 2WD. If you fancy getting off-road, check out our alternative 10 Day 4×4 Oman Itinerary.

Got longer in Oman? Lucky you. After visiting everywhere outlined in this 10 day Oman itinerary, we suggest you head south to Masirah Island and Dhofar Governorate. Check out our Essential Salalah and Dhofar Guide to plan your ultimate Oman road trip!

Finally, we recommend reading our Oman Road Trip Guide for more practical information, especially if you’re planning on camping.

Use the map below to follow this Oman road trip itinerary. Switch between satellite and terrain view for more detail.

This 10 day Oman itinerary covers many of the best things to see and do in Oman, taking you to wadis, deserts, beaches and mountains, as well as historical and cultural sites. While this itinerary is specifically for a 2WD road trip, not all sections are on tarmac roads so care is still required at times. Opting for a car with as much clearance as possible is a good idea, especially if you’re planning on camping. If you arrive early enough on Day 1, you could start straight away on the Day 2 itinerary. This would give you an extra night in Muscat at the end of the trip before flying out on Day 10.  

We recommend pre-booking your car hire to pick up/drop off at the airport (assuming you’re flying in/out of Muscat). Public transport is pretty limited. It’s best to pick up your car straight away so you can get around Muscat easily. We always get great deals booking through Holiday Autos.

You can arrange a tourist SIM card at the airport with Omantel or Ooredoo. Then, once you exchange money or withdraw Omani Rials at an ATM, you’re ready to hit the road. Google Maps works great for navigating throughout Oman, and Maps.me is also handy (especially for offline use).

Muscat International Airport is about 30km west of Muttrah, the historic port area of Muscat and a real highlight. If you’re arriving late, or might be a bit frazzled after a long flight, it’s probably best to book accommodation closer to the airport and drive into Muttrah the following day. We stayed at Muscat Hills Hotel on our last trip, a quick and easy drive less than 8km from the airport. There are numerous other options nearby, too.

Alternatively, base yourself in or near Muttrah for your 2 nights. Naseem Hotel, while nothing fancy, has a perfect location on the corniche. We stayed here on our first trip to Oman in 2014 and loved being able to stroll right out into the heart of old Muttrah. Request a room at the front for wonderful harbour views! Riyam Hotel and Mutrah Hotel are also pretty close by. If you’re looking for luxury, check out Kempinski Hotel Muscat, W Muscat, Crowne Plaza Muscat, or the crème de la crème, The Chedi Muscat.

We recommend booking a hotel for your first night in Oman. However, if you’re keen to camp straight away there are a couple of promising spots marked on i-Overlander (iOS/Android) (although we can’t vouch for them ourselves). You could scout out Muscat Beach or Darsait Beach. Note that these areas, as with many camp spots in Oman, may be busy at the weekend (Friday and Saturday) with families picnicking or groups socialising until the wee hours.

First up, visit the serene Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (8am-11am Saturday to Thursday). Completed in 2001, it is grand and opulent, yet entirely elegant and tasteful. The main prayer hall is home to a 21 tonne single-piece Persian carpet, hand woven and designed perfectly to fit every contour, nook and cranny of the floor. Hanging from the central dome is a 14 metre high chandelier, complete with 600,000 crystals and an inner staircase for cleaning. Outside, Indian sandstone arched walkways are lined with decorative niches, each telling the story of traditional Islamic art and design through the ages, and from all around the world. Take your time strolling the grounds.

Men and women must cover arms and legs, and women must also cover their hair.

Spend the rest of your day wandering the Muttrah corniche and the many alleys of Muttrah Souq. This is a beautiful spot, full of character and history. The setting is very picturesque, low-rise buildings nestled between the port on one side and mountains dramatically situated behind. Fruit juice cafes line the corniche, and the outdoor courtyard of the Royal House Restaurant is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. Climb up Muttrah Fort for a view over the neighbourhood, particularly lovely at sunset.

If you want to stock up on any supplies, best to visit a supermarket here. There are many Lulu or Carrefour hypermarkets around, just search on Google Maps to find your nearest.

Heading south from Muscat on the main Road 17, your first stop will be at Bimmah Sinkhole (approx 125km/1.5 hours). Make a very early start if you want to beat the crowds (the gates open at 8am). There are steps down into the sinkhole and you can swim in the clear, salty water. The sinkhole is surrounded by a landscaped park, complete with picnic tables and toilet facilities.

Continue for another 38km south on Road 17 and turn off for Wadi Shab, one of the most picturesque spots in all of Oman! The car park is below an underpass. From here, take the short boat ride across the water (1 OMR per person return) to the start of the wadi hike. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to reach the main pool, with a bit of easy scrambling and walking along falaj (water irrigation channels). From the main pool you can swim through a narrow crack in the rocks (sometimes completely underwater) to reach a hidden cave and mini waterfall. When you’re done, head back the same way. Allow at least 3 hours from start to finish.

This is one of Oman’s most popular tourist spots, so visit early or during the week to avoid the crowds.

Carry on south on Road 17 all the way to Sur (50km), a picturesque coastal town famous for its maritime history and dhow (wooden fishing boats) building traditions. It’s a sleepy little place that’s perfect for a sunset stroll along the corniche. Or you can get up close with dhow boats at the building yard. Be respectful and as inconspicuous as possible though – it’s still a working shipyard.

Take your time wandering the sleepy streets, harbour and shore of Al Ayjah and Sur in the morning. There’s a picturesque lighthouse and three watchtowers at opposite ends of the curved bay at Al Ayjah, just across the suspension bridge from Sur.

From Al Ayjah, continue east on the coastal road. Stop off at Khawr Jirama lagoon for a wander then head on to Ras Al Hadd (40km). This area is the eastern most point of the Arabian peninsula, where the land makes a 90° turn and heads south. There’s a small community and a beach curving around the coast.

After wandering around Ras Al Hadd, head south on the main road, turning off towards the coast for Ras Al Jinz after about 11km. This whole area is the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, a protected area which sees thousands of turtles nesting on its beaches every year. Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead Turtles all come ashore under cover of darkness, to dig a hole in the sand, then lay and bury their precious eggs. General access to the beach here is restricted to the daytime – it’s vital not to disturb nests or leave any rubbish on the beach. 

The Turtle Reserve runs guided tours at 5am and 9pm to see the females nesting and (if you’re lucky) baby turtles hatching and making a dash for the ocean. Turtles come ashore throughout the year, but the highest concentration is during the summer months (when it’s actually relatively cool compared to much of the rest of Oman). Given the times of the turtle nesting tours, the most convenient place to stay is at the reserve itself. However, there are cheaper options nearby.

You must be very careful camping around here, especially close to the nesting beaches at Ras Al Jinz. DO NOT camp on the beach, only on the cliff top and as far away from the edge as possible. The beach is closed from 5pm to 5am and rangers will likely visit you. You must keep light pollution to a minimum, as this could disturb the female turtles and stop them from laying their eggs. It could also disorientate the hatchlings and prevent them from making it to the sea. If you want to see the turtles on the beach, please only go on the guided tour offered at the Turtle Reserve. Don’t go by yourself or with any other locals who may offer.

From Ras Al Jinz, retrace your steps as far as Sur, then head south on Road 23, turning off for Wadi Bani Khalid after about 147km. It’s another 30km to the car park, then a short, easy walk to the first pools. This is one of the most popular wadis in Oman, so get here early and during the week if you want any kind of peace.

Whilst very beautiful, at first it doesn’t seem quite as ‘wild’ as others like Wadi Shab or Wadi Damm. But carry on beyond the first set of pools, leaving the little restaurant, lifeguard and viewing platforms behind, and you’ll find the real deal. Climb up the rocks on the right side of the pools and carry on for 5-10 minutes. Soon you’ll reach more delightful pools, mini falls and lush ferns, with the canyon walls towering above on either side.

Your first sight of the expansive Sharqiya Sands (more commonly known as Wahiba Sands) is up next. You’ll have to leave your 2WD car on the tarmac and jump in a 4WD to get to your chosen desert camp for the night.

Options vary from simple barasti huts and bedouin style tents to luxurious glamping. Dinner and breakfast are usually included, as is sunset watching on top of the dunes and camel riding (if that’s your thing). A transfer by 4WD to your camp may cost extra – check when you book. Badiya or Al Wasil (50km from Wadi Bani Khalid) are common jumping off points from the main road, but your chosen camp will give you exact instructions of where to meet. We enjoyed our stay at Nomadic Desert Camp on our first Oman trip in 2014, but if we had the budget, Desert Nights Camp would be our top choice!

After being dropped back at your car, continue west all the way to Nizwa (180km). This is the largest city in the region and was once the capital of Oman. It’s an attractive place, with the fort, souq and Al Qala’a Mosque clustered around the centre. We suggest two nights here: one day to explore Nizwa itself and the other to visit surrounding sites.

An atmospheric souq and one of the oldest in Oman. It’s perfect for wandering and a bit of souvenir shopping. There are indoor and outdoor areas, with numerous sections dedicated to fresh produce, household goods, Nizwa pottery, textiles, khanjar daggers, dates and much more. On Friday mornings the goat market takes place, with men and women from all around descending on the town to trade livestock. You can visit the souq in the morning, from 6am till 1pm, or later from 4pm till 10pm. On Fridays, the souq is only open in the morning, from 5am till 11am. 

Next door to the souq is Nizwa Fort, with its impressive drum-like tower. It’s beautifully restored, and one of Oman’s most treasured historical sites. The views from the top are wonderful, overlooking the city, mountains, and attractive dome and minaret of the nearby Al Qala’a Mosque. There’s a small museum and plenty of rooms to explore. The colours are particularly nice in the late afternoon, the fort and surroundings basking in a golden hour glow.

Nizwa Fort is open 8am till 6pm, closing between 1130am and 1.30pm on Fridays. Entrance is 5 OMR for non-Omanis (2 OMR for Omanis).

Day 7 of this 10 day Oman itinerary delves into the history of the country. It’s a day to explore significant sites and scenic spots around Nizwa, including two restored forts, Tanuf ruined village and atmospheric Manah old town. 

To start your day’s explorations, head north on Road 21 and turn off for Old Tanuf (20km). This ruined village of mudbrick houses is in an attractive setting, tucked below the mountains at the mouth of Wadi Tanuf. You can wander among crumbling houses, all that’s left after a 1950s bombardment by the British RAF at the behest of Sultan Sa’id bin Taimur during the Jebel Akhdar War.

Carry on looping west on Road 21 to Bahla (23km), home to an impressive fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its size is commanding, completely dominating the landscape. From a distance it looks like a giant child’s sandcastle – square with high sided walls and numerous round towers. Around the fort is a traditional mud-brick village, equally fascinating to explore, and palm groves. The citadel and fort date from the 12th to 15th centuries, however extensive renovation and restoration work has been carried out, leaving it in great condition today. It’s open daily from 9am – 4pm, 8am – 11am on Fridays.

One last fort to visit, just 10km south of Bahla. Jabrin Fort is surrounded by date palms, a beautiful sight against the ochre mountains. It was built in the late 17th century and includes design features different to those seen at Nizwa or Bahla. The interior has intricate painted ceilings, hidden rooms, and numerous staircases and passageways. Entrance tickets (0.5 OMR, card only) include an excellent audio guide, making a visit to Jabrin more rewarding than Bahla if you’re interested in learning about the local history and culture. The view from the top over the surrounding landscape is wonderful, too.  It’s open daily from 9am – 4pm, 8am – 11am on Fridays.

Leaving Jabrin Fort, head east back towards Nizwa, turning south to Manah and its historic neighbourhood of Harat Al Bilad (47km). While many old houses across Oman are left to ruin when their former residents move to more modern homes, Manah old town is being preserved. A government initiative is helping to restore the traditional buildings, and locals act as gatekeepers to the area and informal guides. You can wander the labyrinth of alleys to explore the mudbrick houses and old mosques. Access is from 9am-5pm (closed 11am-1pm Fridays) and costs 2 OMR (1 OMR for Omanis).

From Manah it’s 22km north back to Nizwa, completing your loop of historical and cultural sites for the day.

A magical little village tucked away amongst date palms and mountains, a real highlight of this 10 day Oman itinerary. Misfat Al Abriyeen is a great place to relax by the shaded falaj, or, you can venture out on a day hike.

Retrace your route north and turn off approximately 14km after passing Tanuf, following the signs for Al Hamra and continuing all the way to the car park above Misfat Al Abriyeen (49km). From the car park, walk down the steps into the village proper – an utterly charming collection of tall mudbrick houses, tumbling down the hillside. Many are abandoned, the walls crumbling away and revealing straw, sticks and stones muddled together. But plenty others are still lived in, with homes having been handed down through the generations. Carry on down the stone steps and narrow passageways and you’ll soon find yourself in the shade of hundreds of date palms, water flowing by in the ingenious falaj irrigation systems.

The terraced plantations below the village are a delight to wander amongst. If you’re up for a longer hike, follow the yellow, white and red painted markers along trail W9 (or just look up the route on Maps.Me). The trail eventually leads to a high plateau overlooking Wadi Bani Awf (9km one way/9-10 hours return walk). If you are able to arrange a pick-up at the other end, it’s possible to carry on to Sharaf Al Alamayn along trail W10h (7-8 hours one way from Misfat), or Bilad Sayt on trail W8 (9-10 hours one way from Misfat). While you may not have time to complete the whole route, we highly recommend walking even just a little of this trail!

Misfah Old House is the only accommodation option in the village itself, and a lovely one at that. The original house has been in the family for three generations and, along with a neighbouring building, has been turned into guesthouse/homestay style accommodation. The rooms all vary slightly. Most have shared bathroom facilities, while a limited number are ensuites. We have stayed in both room types, enjoying the balcony of our ensuite room as well as the charm of the shared bathroom room, complete with gorgeous windows. The breakfast terrace overlooking the date palms is serene, and dinner is served on the rooftop terrace (both meals are included in the room rate). The dates from the village are some of the best we’ve ever tasted – we bought four tubs on our last visit!

Prepare yourself for an awesome mountain drive (do-able with care in a 2WD), epic views, and a stunning walk along the upper cliffs of Wadi An Nakhur, Oman’s Grand Canyon!

After breakfast in Misfat Al Abriyeen, head back towards Al Hamra and follow the road west to Ghul village, at the start of Wadi An Nakhur and the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There are usually some colourful hand woven rugs for sale on the corner of the road, and lovely views over to the old abandoned houses of Ghul. They are built into the mountainside, blending seamlessly with their surroundings (bar a few Omani flags draped over them). There are lush palm plantations and fields below the houses too. A very scenic spot.

After stretching your legs and maybe picking up a rug, carry on up the twisting mountain road all the way to the top. It’s about 50km in total from Misfat Al Abriyeen. The views are spectacular. It certainly is possible to drive this road in a 2WD (we saw plenty up there), but do be careful. At the top, carry on to the small village of Al Khitaym, stopping off regularly for views down into the wadi, across to Jebel Shams (one of the highest mountains in Arabia at 3000m), and beyond.

Park up by Al Khitaym village, pack some snacks and water, and get started on the Balcony Walk. This is officially known as route W6 and takes you on a stunning walk along a balcony-like ledge high above Wadi An Nakhur. It’s a relatively easy 7km return walk, leading to the abandoned village of As Sab, and back the same way. Allow about 3 hours, including time to explore the village. Like the walk at Misfat Al Abriyeen, there are painted markers to follow. The views along the walk are fantastic, an absolute must-do on this 10 day Oman itinerary!

Whether you’re camping or staying at one of the resorts up top, be sure to catch sunset and sunrise from the edge of the rim. It’s a wonderful sight.

If you’re visiting Oman on a 10 day tourist visa, you are likely flying out on this day. Therefore, your final day itinerary will depend on your flight departure time. We’ve outlined a plan based on a full day’s adventure, getting back to Muscat late in the day. If you need to get back to Muscat airport earlier, driving from Jebel Shams straight to the airport is a 250km journey, taking around 3.5 hours. 

After watching sunrise over the mountains, head back down the road you came, all the way to Bahla, then west on Road 21. Turn off the main road for Al Ayn (approx 109km from Jebel Shams). Continue for another 27km to the village. Here you’ll see a row of stone beehive tombs on the crest of a small hill beyond the houses and fields, the mighty Jebel Misht rising behind. Park up as close as you can and continue on foot to the tombs themselves. These date from the 3rd millennium BC, and are another UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are in remarkable condition and the views are wonderful.

From Al Ayn, continue another 14km to the start of Wadi Damm. In a 2WD it’s best to park up on the road, entering the wadi on foot. Pack a picnic and your swimming gear, for a stunning wadi pool awaits! The wadi walk is about 1 hour to the best ‘hidden’ pool, passing numerous petroglyphs (pictorial rock carvings) on the way. These are believed to date from around 600BC – quite incredible! Look out for a particularly impressive collection on a wall on the left behind the falaj, around 15 minutes walk in (before the dam wall). There are more on the right too, but they have some graffiti around them unfortunately. You can spot more on the right further up the wadi if you keep your eyes peeled, not long after the rope/cave section.

To reach the hidden pool, complete with natural shower and cascading curtain of ferns and moss, carry on beyond the first pool of water (about 30 minutes walk from the road), which at first glance seems to be the end point. If the water levels are low, use the rope that is attached to the wall to climb up and drop down the other side. If the water levels are high, you can reach the other side by heading through the cave on the left (or swim through the pool and use the rope technique). Continue walking for about 30 minutes, sticking mainly to the right side of the wadi, until you reach a solitary palm tree. Just beyond here you can drop down into the stunning pool.

Allow about 3-4 hours for your Wadi Damm adventure (the return walk itself takes about 2 hours).

Return to the main road from Wadi Damm, then follow the motorway all the way back to Muscat via Road 21 and 15. It’s about 260km to the airport and takes around 3 – 3.5 hours to drive.

Your 10 day Oman road trip has come to an end! But just like us, you’ll be back, right?

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