Culture & heritage

A gentle one-hour ride on an Arabian horse through the farms and falaj channels of Al Hamra, with an introduction at the stables.

Three days: the Bimah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, turtle watching at Ras Al Jinz, the coast road, Wadi Bani Khalid, a night in the Wahiba Sands, then Ibra, Nizwa and Jabreen.

A day trip from Muscat: the Grand Mosque, Nizwa Fort and souq, a photo stop at Bahla Fort and Jabreen Castle.

A day trip from Muscat: the Royal Opera House, Barka fish market, Nakhal Fort and the warm springs of Ayn Al Thowarah.

Two days from Muscat: Ibra, the pools of Wadi Bani Khalid, a night at a camp in the Wahiba Sands, then back along the coast by Wadi Shab, the Bimah Sinkhole and Quriyat.

Five days: the Grand Mosque and Jabal Akhdar, Jabreen, Bahla and Nizwa, Wadi Bani Khalid and the Wahiba Sands, turtles at Ras Al Jinz, and the coast road back to Muscat.

Six days: Muscat, Nakhal and Al Hazm, Rustaq and Wadi Bani Awf, Misfat and Jabal Shams, then Nizwa, Bahla and Jabreen.

A day trip from Muscat by 4x4: Barka fish market, Nakhal Fort and springs, and the off-road drive through Wadi Bani Awf to Bilad Sayt.

Eight hours from Muscat: Nizwa Fort and souq, then up Jabal Akhdar to the terraced orchards of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib and Al Ain. Picnic lunch included.

Eight hours from Muscat: Bait Al Safah in Al Hamra, Wadi Nakhar and the rim of the canyon on Jabal Shams. Lunch at a local restaurant included.