Muscat

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

A full day in the capital: the Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, Mutrah fish market and souq, Al Alam Palace and the National Museum.

A boat trip from Muscat to the protected Daymaniyat Islands to swim and snorkel over coral with reef fish, rays and often turtles.

Seven days with a guide: Muscat, the coast road to Sur, Wadi Bani Khalid and the Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar and Nakhal.

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.

Six days with a guide: Muscat, a wadi and the Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar and Nakhal. Oman’s essentials in under a week.

Six days with a guide: Muscat, Jabal Shams and the Grand Canyon, Nizwa, the Wahiba Sands and the turtle beaches of Ras Al Jinz.

Six days at your own pace in a rental 4x4: Muscat, a wadi and the Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar and Nakhal.

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.

Seven days in a rental 4x4: Muscat, the coast road to Sur, Wadi Bani Khalid and the Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar and Nakhal.