Oman is often referred to as the hidden gem of the Arabian Peninsula. While the rest of the Peninsula is known for its vast deserts, Oman offers so much more – with pristine beaches, towering mountains, flowing rivers, and lush greenery. 

Oman offers unparalleled hospitality. Omanis are known for their friendliness and down-to-earth nature. Unlike some other parts of the Gulf, Omanis are generally very open to meeting foreigners and sharing their culture with others. 

 In addition, Oman’s unique Portuguese history and ancient empires have resulted in distinct architecture, culture, and traditions. It is truly a must-see destination! 

Group Tours to Oman 

YPT are currently working on a GCC tour for January of 2025 – where you can explore the undiscovered sites in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait! We offer a hop-on hop-off experience where you can combine Oman and UAE with the rest of the Gulf states on one ultimate Gulf tour!

Independent Tours to Oman

In case our group tour dates do not fit your schedule, you would like to travel alone, or you would like a bespoke Oman itinerary, YPT can help arrange a tour. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you require for an independent tour. Please contact us at tours@youngpioneertours.com to inquire about a custom tour to Oman!

Bespoke Tours to Oman 

 City to Desert Tour

While not all of Oman is covered in Desert, there are hundreds of kilometres of deserts to explore! From Muscat, you can travel south can partake in activities such as sandboarding, RV’ing, eating traditional Omani cuisine and share stories with Bedouins who call the desert home. Sunrises and sunsets over the dunes are particularly memorable and accommodation can be organized in comfortable glamping tents between dunes.

Wadi Tour

There are plenty of natural swimming spots in Oman to explore. YPT can organize tours that will take you to the highlights of Oman such as Wadi Shab and Bimmah sinkhole which are natural wonders of the nation. You can explore desert oases south of Muscat, visit the marvel of the Bimmah sinkhole and explore coastal towns on the Gulf of Oman

Cultural Tour

Oman is full of historical and interesting places that stretch back a hundred thousand years ago, long before the Sultanate of Oman was formed. In Muscat, you can visit the Muttrah area: with a seventeenth century fort that overlooks the city and the sea, visit the infamous Muttrah Souq for your clothing, perfume and souvenir shopping and explore the stark white Omani architecture. No visit to Oman is complete without a visit to Sultanate Qaboos Mosque, the Opera house, and a trip to Nizwa to explore the Nizwa Fort and Souq, selling Omani-made pottery and jewelry.

Scuba Tour

Oman is home to a range of wildlife and sea life that can be explored via scuba diving and snorkelling trips. There are many amazing places to dive such as in the Daymaniyat Islands – you can even swim with sharks! YPT can arrange a tour for you based on your level and can mix scuba diving with other tourism or exploration activities.

Filming in Oman Tour

Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Oman from big-budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Oman.

Sample Private Oman Tour Itinerary 

Day One- Muscat 

• Arrive in Muscat, Oman at your convenience. An important international trading route since the first century, Muscat has been home to numerous civilizations and empires, from the Portuguese to African and Arab influences.
• Transfer to hotel 
• Explore Muscat’s ancient forts and qasrs or palaces
• Dinner at a traditional restaurant in Muscat’s ancient quarter. 

Day Two – Muscat – Wadi Shab – Ras al Jinz

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and depart to visit Sultan Qaboos Mosque – one of the most impressive mosques in the world, and the grand mosque of Oman.
• You’ll then have the chance to meet with the women of the mosque’s Islamic Center. They’re famous for their tea and cookies, and we’ll have a tea break while getting to know them. 
• Depart for the famous wadis of Oman. Unlike the rest of the Gulf’s desert landscape, Oman has a plethora of breathtaking ravines and wadis, and water-filled valleys. 

Afternoon

• We’ll head to Wadi Shab. This massive natural area includes a trek through the wadi’s winding ravines and swimming areas. We’ll trek for about a kilometre before swimming in the Wadi’s famous waters. 
• Along the way, we’ll have a fresh-cooked Omani lunch in the beautiful Wadi. 
• In the evening, we’ll transfer to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. During a late night turtle spotting tour, we’ll have the chance to spot hundreds of Arabian sea turtles laying their eggs as well as watching hundreds of hatchlings enter the ocean for teh first time. 
• Dinner and overnight at the Turtle Reserve 

Day Three- Bimmah, Wahiba Sands 

Morning 

• After breakfast, We’ll start our adventure at the Bimmah Sinkhole, a crystal-clear natural swimming pool. We’ll swim with locals at the sinkhole before delving into an Omani picnic feast. 

Afternoon

• Begin making our way to the Wahiba Sands – capturing the imagination of travellers to Oman for centuries, this gorgeous orange-hued sands will be our home for the evening. 
• We’ll transfer to our luxury glamping accommodation at the Wahiba Sands via 4×4 – the desert camp consists of full-service beds and showers in traditional Omani tents. For those who aren’t faint hearted, we can take part in the Gulf Sport of Sand duning, in which 4×4 Vehicles are driven up and down sand dunes in a roller-coaster like amusement. 
• After freshening up, we’ll join the desert camp for a communal dinner of Omani delicacies cooked by the camp’s chef using traditional Bedouin cooking techniques. 
• Join our hosts for a night of stargazing and drinks around the campfire.
• Overnight at Wahiba Sands

Day Four – Nizwa – Misfat Al Abriyeen 

Morning

• Breakfast at camp and start your day by heading to the ancient city of Nizwa. Previously the capital of Oman, the city’s majestic architecture is nestled at the foothills of the Oman mountains. It is also the centre of Ibadi Islam, the unique form of Islam practiced by Omanis that is neither Sunni nor Shia. 
• We’ll have a tour of the Nizwa fort before having lunch at a local restaurant in the winding streets of Nizwa’s market. 

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head into the mountains for a walking tour of the ancient villages of Birkat al Mouz and Misfat Al Abriyeen. These ancient villages of mud houses located in Mountain-side oases showcase how Omanis lived before modernization. 
• We’ll then settle in for the night. Many of these mud houses have been renovated to be luxurious guest house hotels. We’ll stay in a traditional mud house hotel, and we’ll enjoy an Omani feast prepared by our hosts. 

Day Five- Jebel Akdar, Tombs of Baat, Muscat 

• After breakfast at our guesthouse, we’ll start the day early, as we begin our journey back to Muscat 
• We’ll drive through the winding mountains of Jebel Akhdar (also known as the green mountain). This mountain is said to be one of the favourite places of the late Princess Diana, who admired it for its breathtaking beauty. 
• On the way, we’ll stop at the prehistoric beehive tombs of Bat – this UNESCO world heritage site contains dozens of beehive shaped tombs that are more than 5000 years old. 
• Return to Muscat
• Dinner on the coastline 
• Overnight in Muscat

Day Six- Muscat 

• Tour concludes, additional excursions or tour extensions can be arranged. This tour also combines well with a tour to other Gulf destinations, such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, or Kuwait.

Oman Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Oman different from the rest of the Gulf? 

Oman is different than other Gulf Cooperation countries for a number of reasons. Firstly, many Omanis are a different sect of Islam. Oman is home to a sect of Islam known as Ibaidi Islam, which is different than Sunni or Shia. It is a fairly tolerant branch of Islam that is based on core principles of the Quran and is not concerned with politics in the way other more political forms of Islam may be. 

In addition, Oman has fewer oil resources than its neighbors. This means that the government is less wealthy, and the economic system functions more similarly to that of other western countries. You will find Omanis working in all positions, and you can meet Omani taxi drivers, tour guides, store workers and more. 

How do I get a visa for Oman? 

103 countries, including all EU and North American countries can enter the Sultanate of Oman visa free for up to 14 days.  

Most other nationalities can apply for an e-visa. You can use this visa eligibility checker to determine if you need a visa. 

Are their ATMs in Oman?

Yes, ATMs are widely available in Oman and work with foreign cards. 

What currency do they use in Oman?

Oman uses the Omani Rial, which is one of the strongest currencies in the world. One Omani rial is equal to 2.6 US dollars. 

Is Oman a religious country? 

Most Omanis are practicing Muslims. However, its political system is not as influenced by religion as other Arab nations. Many non-Muslim expats work and live in Oman and it is overall a very tolerant place.  

Is Oman safe for tourists?

Yes, Oman is very safe for tourists. 

What should I wear in Oman? 

It is best to dress respectfully in Oman. Men should cover their shoulders. Shorts are acceptable in many places, but pants should be worn in more conservative areas and during visits to mosques. Women should cover their knees and shoulders. During visits to mosques, women must cover to their wrists and ankles with loose clothing, and should bring a headscarf in their bag.

During trips to the desert, beaches, or swimming areas, shorts and western swimwear are acceptable for both genders. Bikinis are perfectly okay to wear for women. 

Is Oman safe for LGBTQ tourists? 

While homosexuality is illegal in Oman, there are many LGBTQ people in Oman, as there are in all other places in the world. LGBTQ travellers can travel to Oman, and there is little risk of detention or harassment. 

In general, as a Muslim country, public displays of affection, whether between heterosexual or homosexual couples, are criminalized and deeply frowned upon. Avoid public displays of affection, and be sure to ask your guide for any advice if you have questions. 

Can I drink alcohol in Oman?

Yes, alcohol is legal in Oman. However, alcohol licenses are fairly restricted, and only larger bars and hotels are typically given a license to sell and consume alcohol on their premises. 

Non-Muslim travellers can purchase or bring in up to 2 bottles of duty-free alcohol. However, it is illegal to drink or be intoxicated in public, so all alcohol should be drunk within the privacy of the hotel or desert camp. 

Can I interact with locals in Oman? 

Yes, Omanis are known for their hospitality and friendliness! Many Omanis speak English, and they are often more than happy to meet and get to know foreigners. As a Muslim country, sometimes Omani women are not comfortable speaking with unknown men, so it is always important to ensure that they are comfortable before striking up a conversation.