It was very clear to me from the start of planning my Oman trip that this country begged to be explored behind the wheel of a car. We are talking about routes that take you alongside scenic coastlines, wadi oases, arid deserts, rustic fishing villages, bone-rattling canyons, and more. 

Do you really want to let someone else drive you around and have all the fun? Get yourself a 4WD vehicle and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

Here’s a look at the ultimate Oman road trip itinerary to get your planning juices flowing.

8-DAY OMAN ITINERARY (SELF DRIVE ADVENTURE)

Ultimately, what you choose to see along the way will be dependent on what interests you and how much time you have. Are you all about history and exploring archaeological sites? Perhaps you are looking to put your feet up and enjoy the luxurious side of the Middle East? Or are you after all of the adrenaline-pumping activities? There are many Oman points of interest to satisfy all travelers. 

It wouldn’t be a DomOnTheGo adventure if we didn’t attempt to experience all three – which after a solid eight days of travel, I’d say mission well accomplished. However, with various things to do, your self-drive adventure in Oman can be shorter or longer than that.

Muscat – Sur Coastal Road

The juxtaposition of the calm waters of the Oman Gulf on your left with the rugged Eastern Hajar Mountains on your right will surely offer a great first impression and a teaser for what’s ahead. This is just one of the incredible stops on the Mur – Sur Coastal Road Oman drive.

See the Old Fort and Bimmah Sinkhole in Quriyat

Visit White Finns Beach

Explore the Wadis

Both offer the ability to hike through canyons in the Eastern Hajar Mountains, eventually arriving at a set of emerald swimming holes. If you opt to visit Wadi Shab, you can hike on foot, where you traverse boulders and take a break by wading the waters. It’s definitely an adventure activity you have to include in your Oman self-drive itinerary. If you have the time, you can check out both.

Stop in Qalhat

If you are interested in visiting more archaeological sites, make a pit stop in the town of Qalhat to check out the Mausoleum of Bibi Maryam. When you arrive in Sur, you will also have the opportunity to see the old shipyards and pop into any number of the castles and forts that are available to visit.

Check in with the Turtles

A fantastic final destination and resting spot for this leg of your road trip is the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Located on the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula, the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is home to the nesting site of thousands of endangered Green Turtles. A visit here gets you booked into a night and sunrise walk on the beach to see these majestic Green Turtles in action.

For a closer look at what you can expect during a visit and the top tips to ensure you maximize your experience, check out Visiting Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in Oman.

• Total Driving Distance: 247km
• Where To Stay: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

WAHIBA SANDS

Your ultimate Oman road trip itinerary continues as you follow the Omani coast inland to explore the desert region known as Wahiba or Sharqiya Sands.

If you have plenty of time, opt to take the coastal road to where it meets Interstate 23 – otherwise, cut inland and head directly towards Interstate 23. Take the opportunity to get a glimpse of real Omani life and visit the towns of Jalan Bani Buali and Jalan Bani Buhassan on the way. 

These aren’t touristy places and therefore offer a different perspective of what it’s like to live in and around the region. Explore the towns, find the souks and walk around the old prison cells of the forts.

Wadi Bani Khalid Cave & Pools

When you have had your fill of small-town Oman, make your way about 95km north to Wadi Bani Khalid Cave & Pools. This palm-lined oasis is one of the most popular places to stop on this stretch around the desert – and is far more developed and accessible than the wadis on the Muscat – Sur Coastal stretch. They even have lifeguards. 

If you just want to swim and laze about, feel free to do so. Up for a challenge and want to navigate your way deep into the canyon? The route is all yours. This is the perfect opportunity to squeeze some more adventure out of your day and cool down before heading off into the desert.

Discover Al Wasil

When you are ready to say goodbye to the oasis and say hello to dry desert sand, head back to the interstate and make your way north to the town of Al Wasil. It’s here where your desert adventure begins. Deflate your tires (more on this later) and start your drive out into the desert. 

One of the best ways to experience the region is to overnight via luxury camping in the Wahiba Sands. Your luxurious stay at Desert Nights Camp makes for an incredible pitstop before continuing with your adventures. 

Desert drives, dune-top sunsets, sandboarding, and stargazing are just a few of the fun activities that you can arrange when you get out there. Regardless of how you decide to spend your time, no road trip to Oman is complete without visiting the desert.

• Total Driving Distance: 246k
• Where To Stay: Desert Nights Camp

WESTERN HAJAR MOUNTAINS

After a quick drive back to Al Wasil, pump your tires up and start making your way north to the Western Hajar Mountains.

En route, you will pass the ancient city of Nizwa, which is a popular inclusion in many Oman itineraries that include a day trip from Muscat. It’s far more developed than other cities that have been on the route thus far and offers the ability to see more souks, ruins, and the Nizwa Fort. The gorgeous mountains, of course, surround it, which is where you are headed.

Make Your Way up to Jabal Shams

Put your driving skills (and nerves) to the test as you make your way up to the top of Oman’s highest peak – Jabal Shams (3,028m). The combination of paved and dirt roads offer stunning views of Wadi Nakhr Gorge – the Grand Canyon of Oman. If you have the time and are up for a hike, make your way to the little village of Al Khitaym and stretch your legs on the popular Balcony Walk.

Discover Jabal Akhdar

In addition to having a few climbing and hiking trail opportunities, Jabal Akhdar houses two of Oman’s most exclusive hotels – the Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort and the Alila Jabal Akhdar. We chose to stay in the latter, and the location combined with the service and overall experience was second to none.

Drive Through Wadi Bani Awf

The Western Hajar Mountains also gives those who are looking for a bit more adventure the opportunity to go full-on 4WD’ing through Wadi Bani Awf. The stretch from Al Hamra to Al Rustaq offers an epic bone-rattling and adrenaline-pumping ride through precipitous canyons and quaint mountain villages. 

The views are stunning, and the driving is likely to be some of the best fun you’ve ever had behind the wheel.

I’d highly recommend carving out a day to make the drive and treat yourself to a canyoning adventure in Snake Canyon. You’ll need harnesses, ropes, and other safety equipment. 

We synced up with Canyon Adventures and Tours who helped provide all of the necessary equipment and a great guide Mohammad – for a fantastic day out.

• Total Driving Distance 389km
• Where To Stay: Alila Jabal Akhdar

MUSCAT

Whether you choose to spend time in Muscat at the start or the end of your trip is up to you, but it definitely should be one of your stops on your ultimate Oman road trip itinerary. We opted to front-load our Oman road trip with all of our adventures, then use Muscat to relax and unwind.

Even if it’s just half a day, ensure that checking out the highlights of Muscat is included in your Oman travel itinerary. One of the must-see stops on your city tour should be the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. 

The grounds are stunning, and with the exception of the 8,5-ton chandelier dripping in Swarovski crystals, there is an understated grandeur about it.

Explore Muscat

Make your way to Muscat’s old port of Muttrah to check out the markets and get lost in the Muttrah Souq. Other points of interest include visiting the Al Alam Palace, the National Museum, and catching a show at the Royal Opera House.

Word of mouth led us to book a few days at the Chedi Muscat – and it did not disappoint. It houses one of the top restaurants in Muscat, the longest infinity pool in the Middle East, and service levels that probably rival many other top hotels you’ve stayed at. 

Looking for a place to kick back and get your downtime? This is it.

• Total Driving Distance (via Wadi Bani Awf): 307km
• Total Driving Distance 169km
• Where To Stay: The Chedi Muscat

KHASAB & MUSANDAM PENINSULA

The next stop on your ultimate Oman road trip should be to the city of Khasab to explore the Musandam Peninsula. This one is cheating a bit since it has a little fly-and-drive in Oman touch to it – while technically you can sit in the car for 6.5 hours and make your way through the UAE to get there, don’t waste your time. 

There are plenty of internal flights that are ready to shoot you from Muscat to Khasab. The best part is that you’ll barely have time to finish your refreshments before the plane begins its descent.

Marvel at The Al Hajar Mountains

As you fly into Khasab, you’ll begin to see why this region has been coined the Norway of the Middle East. The craggy, desolate Al Hajar Mountains resemble fiords jutting out into the blue waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Just don’t expect to see any glaciers carving mountains here; the creation of these peaks is a result of the shifting Eurasian and Arabian plates.

Stop in Khasab & the Musandam Peninsula

We skipped all of that and headed straight to the port to begin our Musandam Peninsula explorations. The best way to do this? Aboard a traditional Omani Dhow.

Explore the Musandam Peninsula

If you opt to take an overnight Dhow Cruise, your adventure continues as you fall asleep under the stars.

After brekkie, you can head back to Khasab for your return flight to Muscat to either catch your connecting flight back home or to enjoy more of what Oman has to offer.

• Total Driving Distance: 503km
• Total Flying Time: 45 minutes
• Where To Stay: On a traditional Omani Dhow

SELF-DRIVE ROAD TRIP IN OMAN: CONCLUSION

If you are familiar with my adventure planning process, then you know I like to do my due diligence. The Oman itinerary took a bit more effort and research to plan – this is mostly because the country isn’t as well documented as other global travel destinations.

Most of what I initially read involves basing yourself in the capital city of Muscat and experiencing what the country has to offer in a series of day trips. While technically this is feasible, you would be looking at a lot of time in the car combined with backtracking on your routes.

If you are already committed to spending that much time in your car, you may as well make better use of your time and get more from the stops along the way by taking on one of the above Oman road trips.

Ensure you have an enjoyable road trip by checking out the Best Time To Visit Oman. You’ll be please to know that this all-year destination will be a solid choice for your adventure. 

Equipped with this article that features several of the best stops to make during an Oman destinations trip and your driving skills, you’re guaranteed a great time on the road. From bustling cities with some luxurious hotels and natural wonders like mountain peaks and oases to archaeological sites, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.

TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: OMAN

Before planning any trip to Oman, you need to make sure you are prepared. These are some of the most important travel essentials.

Flights to Oman

Oman is accessible via Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport and Sohar International Airport. Check out Kayak to find the best deals on flights to Oman.

Accommodation in Oman

As a long-time rewards member, Hotels.com is my first stop when exploring accommodation options. Not only do they have great inventory, but you get a free nights stay after every 10th booking.

Car Hire in Oman

Compare Oman car hire options at RentalCars.com. Driving in Oman is epic, just be sure to check out the key things to know before driving in Oman.

Travel Insurance in Oman

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. (As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.)

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