Day 1 : Muscat
Bid farewell to your group tour (if on one) and make your way to your hotel in Muscat for an overnights stay.
Meal plan: n/a
4 days
Ask us for pricing
This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
Intro
Separated from the rest of Oman by a broad strip of UAE territory, Musandam sits at the northeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Dubbed the ‘Norway of Arabia’, the Omani territory boasts a magical landscape of craggy cliffs and dramatic fjords that jut out into the Strait of Hormuz. Coast down its maze of calm and quiet khors in search of dolphin pods and basking sharks, swim in its turquoise waters, float down its lazy lagoons and bask in the peninsula’s great wilderness from atop Jebel Harim.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Dramatic fjords and beautiful khors of Oman's 'Norway of Arabia'
- Bustling city and port of Khasab
- Musandam's highest peak, Jebel Harim
- Khasab's impressive fort and museum
Places Visited
Muscat - Musandam - Khasab - Jebel Harim
What's Included
Arrival & departure transfersGround transport with driver
Domestic flights (Muscat - Musandam - Muscat)
Accommodation
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks
Day 2 : Muscat - Musandam
Rise early for breakfast, before heading to Muscat International Airport for a domestic flight to Musandam. On arrival, meet your Travel the Unknown representative and transfer to your hotel in Khasab. Later, head up Jebel Harim, the highest point in Musandum, on a 4x4 mountain safari. Feast your eyes on spectacular wadis and valleys, and stop at the picturesque lagoon of Khawr Najd. Return to Khasab to visit the exotic palm-covered Al Khalidiya Park. Overnight in Khasab.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, the Musandam peninsula boasts a largely inaccessible landscape that can only be viewed from traditional Dhow boats. Musandam is often dubbed the ‘Norway of Arabia’ due to its dramatic fjords, rocky khors and cliff carved roads. It is abundant in marine life, particularly dolphins, which can usually be seen close up on snorkelling and diving excursions.
Capital of the Musandam province, the charming and quaint port city of Khasab is a lively spot. A melting pot of cultures, you are likely to hear Arabic, Portuguese, Hindi and English spoken on its streets. Its picturesque harbour draws visitors from far and wide. Piracy has been a tradition in the area for over 200 years and even now smugglers in fibreglass boats dash across the Strait of Hormuz to the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas. Armed with televisions and cigarettes, they trade them for goats, sheep and oxen, destined for the UAE.
Jebel Harim or ‘Mountain of Women’ is Musandam’s highest peak. At 2087m high, it gained its moniker from the days when local women would seek refuge on the mountain’s cliffs to hide from rival tribes and pirates. Following the road up to the summit, there are incredible views of the Strait of Hormuz and Dibba; as well as a number of impressive fossils, and petroglyphs scratched into boulders.
Capital of the Musandam province, the charming and quaint port city of Khasab is a lively spot. A melting pot of cultures, you are likely to hear Arabic, Portuguese, Hindi and English spoken on its streets. Its picturesque harbour draws visitors from far and wide. Piracy has been a tradition in the area for over 200 years and even now smugglers in fibreglass boats dash across the Strait of Hormuz to the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas. Armed with televisions and cigarettes, they trade them for goats, sheep and oxen, destined for the UAE.
Jebel Harim or ‘Mountain of Women’ is Musandam’s highest peak. At 2087m high, it gained its moniker from the days when local women would seek refuge on the mountain’s cliffs to hide from rival tribes and pirates. Following the road up to the summit, there are incredible views of the Strait of Hormuz and Dibba; as well as a number of impressive fossils, and petroglyphs scratched into boulders.
Day 3 : Explore Musandam
After breakfast, board a traditional dhow for a relaxing half-day cruise. Sail through Musandam’s famous fjords, pass white-sand beaches and catch sightings of colourful fish and search for dancing dolphin pods. Anchor at Telegraph Island and enjoy a gentle swim or snorkel as well as a cup of coffee and fresh fruit onboard. Later, travel back to shore for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Musandam's sights. Explore Khasab and its 17th century fort, Wadi Qadah and the traditional stone houses as well as the ancient rock carvings of Tawi. Overnight in Khasab.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Originally built by the Portuguese to control passing maritime trade, Khasab Fort is home to one of Oman’s best ethnographic museums, featuring traditional Omani handicrafts, antique jewels and colourful rugs and crockery. The 17th century fort also boasts an older circular tower, which was intended to provide additional protection, as well as a couple of dhows at its entrance. Note the impressive craftsmanship of the larger dhows, which demonstrate the rare and traditional coconut thread method of boat building.
Day 4 : Musandam - Muscat - Departure
After a relaxed morning, transfer to Khasab Airport for your flight to Muscat and onward journey.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Oman Odyssey (13 days)
Souqs, canyons, Turtle Beach & the Wahiba Sands
Essential Oman (7 days)
Wadis, mountains, ocean, desert sands, and local hospitality on a grand scale in Oman
Magical Musandam (4 days)
Discover the "Norway of Arabia"