Oman in Style with Anantara

As with all of our holidays, your journey begins with included UK airport lounge access, leaving you feeling relaxed for your overnight to Muscat.

Arrive in Oman’s capital, where you’ll be greeted at the gate by a personal assistant, who’ll look after your luggage. Then, after some Primeclass Arrival Lounge refreshments, you’ll enjoy a dedicated Fast-Track immigration service, followed by a private transfer to your luxury hotel – the Chedi Muscat. The next day, a guided tour will take in the city’s highlights, including the spectacular Royal Opera House and the Grand Mosque (closed on Fridays), which hosts up to 20,000 worshippers. At the bustling Mutrah Fish Market and the labyrinthine Mutrah Souk you’ll find everything from spices and antiques to clothes and household goods. There’s also time for photo stop at the Al Alam Palace – the ceremonial palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos – a building flanked by 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jilali. Your day ends back at the Chedi where the pool and spa serve up some well-deserved relaxation.

Enjoy a final delicious breakfast at the Chedi Muscat before a guided sightseeing transfer sees you into the Al Hajar Mountains. The route is spectacular, passing first through coastal plains before arriving at Nakhal – an ancient oasis watched over by a fortress, recently restored to its former glory. Then, via an off-road track, you’ll arrive at spectacular viewpoint, 2,000 metres above the desert floor, before stopping at Nizwa where, alongside an included lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll head out to the old mountain village of Misfat Al Abreeyn. It’s then a scenic drive to your luxury desert hotel. Indeed, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is one of Oman’s finest resorts – an ultra-luxury retreat, which rises castle-like from the fabled crags of Green Mountain. Here, the likes of fine dining and spa indulgences are enjoyed alongside sweeping canyon views. You’ll then have a full day to relax, or head into the mountains in search of adventure. There’s everything from cultural visits to guided hikes.   A simple lunch in a local restaurant or a packed lunch is included.

Departing after breakfast, today’s guided tour begins in the city of Nizwa – a former capital of Oman. Morning in Nizwa is a particularly special time, as the fortress reflects the early-day sunshine and the famous souk-trading centre bustles with local artisans selling Bedouin handicrafts. You’ll then continue to the ancient settlement of Birkat Al Mauz for a stroll among its verdant banana plantations before returning to Jebel Al Akhdar – the green jewel of the Al Hajar range. Pausing for lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll then take in the views of remote valleys dotted with villages and terraced fruit orchards – peaches, apricots, figs and grapes all grow here between July and September – which are fed by a traditional irrigation system and strung out along the mountain slopes. As evening approaches, it’s time to return to the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar where you’ll enjoy dinner and some time to relax. A simple lunch in a local restaurant or a packed lunch is included. 

Having explored Oman’s spectacular interior, now it’s time to head to the southern coast. First, you’ll retrace your steps to Muscat with an included transfer, before boarding a flight to Salalah, where you’ll be met and brought to the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara for a five-night stay. Idyllically situated between and lagoon and its own 250-metre-long private beach, this luxury retreat offers the perfect ending to your Oman holiday. 

To help make the most of your stay, we’ve included two superb excursions to enjoy between your hotel’s spa treatments, pool-side relaxation and world-class fine dining. The first is a full-day tour, including lunch, to the Rub’ al Khali – the world’s largest sand desert, evocatively known as the Empty Quarter – and the fabled Lost City of Ubar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 175 kilometres from Salalah, this ‘Atlantis of the Sands’ features the ruins of an ancient city, once buried beneath the dunes. Taking it all in in the company of an expert guide, you’ll also pause at the UNESCO-listed Wadi Dawka, a place known for its large collection of Frankincense trees. Your other included tour is a 2-hour dolphin-watching experience, where these incredible marine mammals feed and play in the warm waters off the Dhofar coast. 

After a final delicious breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home via Muscat.