Oh man, Oman!

Written By Wessel de Werk

A week off, short flight, and a world away from Europe

Sometimes you want to escape Europe without the hassle of a long-haul flight. Oman is now super accessible by both direct flights or with a stopover in for example Dubai - and it won’t disappoint.

Day 1 & 2: Arrival and Muttrah’s Charm
We flew to Oman via Dubai. Arriving early morning, we grabbed a few hours of sleep, then set out to explore the Muttrah district. The vibrant Muttrah Souq and the historic fort are perfect introductions to Omani culture. Dinner at Bait al Luban—already on our Blue Planet tips list—left us exhausted like a grilled camel. Early bedtime was a must after the overnight stop in Dubai…

Day 3: Nizwa Fort and Jabal Shams Mountains
We picked up our rental—a mighty 4x4 (definitely needed!)—and headed to Nizwa, a stunning fortress town nestled in the mountains. The Nizwa Fort and Souq are must-visits, but check opening times… they’re closed during the day! Goat lovers should aim for Friday when the famous goat market buzzes with life. Since we prefer sheep, we visited on Sunday instead (not that there were any sheeps…). Later, we drove to the Jabal Shams mountains, staying at Sama Heights Resort & Spa, a great base with good food and incredible views but weirdly enough no Spa. Pro tip: fill up your tank in Al Hamra; gas stations are scarce nearby, and your 4x4 guzzles petrol like I guzzled beer the night before departure.

Day 4: Birthday Trekking in Jabal Shams Canyon
Turning 30 didn’t stop us! The Balcony Trek through Jabal Shams canyon is a must-do: 2.5 hours down and back up with breathtaking views. Good hiking shoes are essential, as some spots can be slippery. I even attempted a split (not my forte) and had to carefully hop back! Lunch at an oasis surrounded by furry goats was a memorable birthday treat. Afterwards, we explored Wadi Damm (a 45-minute trek each way) and capped the day with a stunning sunset at Sunset Point.

Day 5: Desert Dreams in Wahiba Sands
Next stop: two nights in the desert! The route through Wahiba Sands requires driving 40 km off-road, so our 4x4 was a lifesaver. At a local Shell, we let our tires down halfway, filled up the tank, grabbed water, and hit the dunes. We arrived at 1000 Nights Camp—a seriously cool desert retreat in the middle of nowhere! The camp offers a desert escort service—to pick you up in Bidiya and guide you through the desert—but we wanted to embrace the adventure and drive ourselves. After a 4-hour drive, we chilled by the pool and walked into the desert for another epic sunset.

Day 6: Camel Ride and Stargazing
We braved the camel ride—fun but not a repeat for me! The camels handled the heat effortlessly, while our guide Ahmed was drenched in sweat, making his traditional Djellaba look like a wet T-shirt. Riding camels through a place where you’re surrounded with wild camels felt like walking a cat through a lion’s den. If you’ve never tried camel riding, it’s worth experiencing once. The rest of the day was spent relaxing poolside, followed by a magical sunset in the dunes and unforgettable stargazing.

Day 7 & 8: Desert Drive Back and Muscat Farewell
The return journey involved another 45 km through desert terrain, then reinflating tires at Abdul Ahad’s Air Service (he’ll deflate or inflate for you for 1 Omani Rial). We chose the shorter 2.5-hour route via Nizwa instead of the 3.5-hour coastal drive via Sur, giving us extra time in Muscat before our 04:55 flight home. A short night? Yes—but we’re used to that!

Where We Stayed

  • The W Muscat – Decadent luxury worth every penny.

  • Sama Heights Resort & Spa – Stunning location and food, simple service, no nightlife vibes.

  • 1000 Nights Camp Oman – Unique desert experience with fantastic service and friendly staff.

Travel Tips

  • Rent a 4x4—it’s pricier but absolutely essential.

  • Download navigation apps like TomTom or free OsmAnd; we had an eSIM with good coverage, but offline maps were lifesavers.

  • Before heading into the desert: deflate your tires (Abdul helps!), fill your tank, stock up on water. Driving yourself is doable, exciting, and safe!

  • Safety: Oman felt very safe. If you’re LGBTQ+, just avoid public displays of affection, and you’ll be fine.

Oman may not be a familiar destinations, but its a great place to visit for a short trip. Mountains, desert, culture, and stunning sunsets always offers a fresh adventure. Ready to add Oman to your travel list?

Wessel de Werk