Venturing off the beaten track

Arrival at Muscat airport in the morning. Welcome by your local guide (English-speaking).

Tour of Muscat on arrival: the Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboos, photo stop at the Royal Opera House, then discovery of Old Muscat. Photo stop in front of the Al Alam Palace and the two 17th-century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali.

Free time to visit the Matrah souk, one of Oman's oldest markets (around 200 years old).

In the afternoon, arrival at your hotel in Muscat and check-in.

- Lunch and dinner on your own

- Overnight at the Royal Tulip Hotel (4*) or similar

We'll start the day with a visit to the village of Barkha and its fish market.

We continue by 4X4 to Wakan village.

Before our amazed eyes unfold numerous agricultural terraces, where grapes, pomegranates, apricots and certain legumes grow. A 1.1 km path has been built, with 700 steps leading up to the top of the mountain.

In the afternoon, we'll take a stroll through the village.

- Lunch at leisure, dinner at the hotel.

- Overnight at Sama Wakan Heritage Home or similar

This morning, we branch off into the mountains to begin our exciting journey off the beaten track, into the Wadi Bani Awf.

We visit the village of Bilad Sayt, reputed to be the most enchanting village in Oman. Enjoy its picturesque atmosphere.

Then on to Jebel Shams, Oman's highest point at 3,009 metres. An incredible sight at any time of day. Enjoy the spectacular view from the "Grand Canyon".

Arrive at your hotel in Jebel Shams and check into your room.

- Lunch on your own, dinner at the hotel.

- Overnight at Sama Heights or similar

In the morning, we take a spectacular walk on the balcony of Jebel Shams.

In the afternoon, we visit Nizwa, the oldest city in the Sultanate of Oman.

Photo stop in front of the pre-Islamic fort of Bahla (UNESCO site).

Then we'll visit Jabrin Castle, a large rectangular building with 5 floors and 55 rooms.

- Lunch and dinner on your own

- Overnight at Antique Inn Nizwa (Heritage Home) or similar

Departure for a visit to Nizwa: the city is built along modern and traditional architectural lines.

Visit Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Arabi.

Then visit the souk, the beating heart of the city for hundreds of years.

Arrival in the Wahiba Sands desert, a vast expanse of orange-hued dunes. You can venture out among the high dunes and admire an unforgettable desert sunset.

Arrive at camp and settle in.

Dinner under the stars at camp.

- Lunch on your own, dinner under the stars at the camp

- Overnight at Safari Desert Camp or similar

Visit Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman's most beautiful Wadis with its impressive canyons (swimming possible).

Visit to a dhow factory in Sur. You'll discover a wide variety of sizes and models of typical Omani boats.

Then a photo stop in front of Aiya's luminous house.

Stop at Wadi Tiwi, a spectacular gorge, narrow and deep. Carved out of the mountain, this gorge winds its way between high cliffs down to the sea.

Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole, a natural depression where turquoise water lies dormant. Local legend has it that a meteorite fell here.

Arrival in Muscat and check-in.

- Lunch and dinner on your own

- Overnight at Royal Tulip Hotel (4*) or similar

Free morning.

Check-out around noon.

Depending on departure time, transfer to the airport with an English-speaking driver. Flight to Paris CDG.