Oman small group holiday
Highlights
Muscat | Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve | Hawiyat Najim Park | Bimmah Sinkhole | Wadi Shab | Sur | Wadi Bani Khalid | Wahiba Sands | Nizwa | Jebel Sham | Hajar MountainsDescription of Oman small group holiday
This Oman small group holiday follows a carefully crafted itinerary, starting and ending in the elegant capital city of Muscat, and taking in many of Oman’s natural and cultural highlights in between. With some wonderful adventures too.For cultural heritage, the Islamic forts, ancient mud brick houses, lively souks and Muscat’s architectural greats, Oman certainly proffers a collection of historical splendours. As well as the history of the Bedouin people, of course, with whom you will get to know the wild desert landscapes of Wahiba Sands, camping out for a night.
More spectacular natural wonders await at Jebel Shams, which translates as Mountain of the Sun and is highest peak in Oman at 3000m in Al Hajar Mountains. Here we take a short trek along the rim before heading to Wadi Bani Awf, also known as ‘snake gorge’. You can’t visit Oman without enjoying some of its Indian Ocean coast, with a trip to the celebrated Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, the traditional fishing town of Sur, as well as the coastal and urban chic environs of Muscat itself of course.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates, prices & availability
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Travel is an opportunity to experience different cultures, meet new people, taste weird and wonderful foods and – for many – to get close to wildlife you may have only seen in books or David Attenborough documentaries. We actively discourage the participation of travellers in any activities that exploit wild or domestic/working animals. Lately there’s been a rise in animal-related incidents around the world, and it doesn’t sit well with us. This trip visits the Ras Al Jinz nature reserve, which was established in 1996 to better protect the sea turtles and their natural environment. The protected area stretches over 120 square kilometres with a 45-kilometre coastline, extending for one kilometre into territorial waters. The governing body allows us to visit the turtle nesting in a controlled and protected environment that allows us to be curious whilst maintaining the delicate balance of this nesting ground.
We build, restore and equip using carefully sourced local materials and in a style that tells the cultural or geological story of the landscape. This trip stays in the first hotel built in the Sultanate of Oman. Whilst there is much new and developing infrastructure within Oman we find that the charm and ambiance of this local hotel is much more sustainable and authentic than those fast developing global chains. This trip also spends a night in the desert in a Bedouin Camp. By choosing local camps like this rather than hotels we are supporting local Bedouin Tribes and using accommodation facilities that blend with the environment rather than oppose it.
The Impacts of this Trip
We work to maximise the benefits generated by tourism for local economies and communities. Understanding local life is an important part of travel and on this trip, we source local activities which we believe are sustainable to the economy in that they allow the flow of income from visitors to be distributed to a greater audience rather than remaining concentrated with tourism providers. This could be as simple as a local market visit in Nizwa to a surprise visit to a local home.
We employ predominantly local staff and leaders within our operational teams. We also design and operate our trips to feature local suppliers or suppliers who directly benefit the local community and economy. We offer local people good working conditions, a fair wage, and empower them through training opportunities. All of our tour leaders go through an initial training program, which includes a module on responsible travel. This trip is operated by local Omanis who take pride in their culture and country. They observe traditional dress standards and local customs, and are not afraid to share their stories – you may even find yourself meeting the entire family!
Travel is an opportunity to experience different cultures, meet new people, taste weird and wonderful foods and – for many – to get close to wildlife you may have only seen in books or David Attenborough documentaries. We actively discourage the participation of travellers in any activities that exploit wild or domestic/working animals. Lately there’s been a rise in animal-related incidents around the world, and it doesn’t sit well with us. This trip visits the Ras Al Jinz nature reserve, which was established in 1996 to better protect the sea turtles and their natural environment. The protected area stretches over 120 square kilometres with a 45-kilometre coastline, extending for one kilometre into territorial waters. The governing body allows us to visit the turtle nesting in a controlled and protected environment that allows us to be curious whilst maintaining the delicate balance of this nesting ground.
We build, restore and equip using carefully sourced local materials and in a style that tells the cultural or geological story of the landscape. This trip stays in the first hotel built in the Sultanate of Oman. Whilst there is much new and developing infrastructure within Oman we find that the charm and ambiance of this local hotel is much more sustainable and authentic than those fast developing global chains. This trip also spends a night in the desert in a Bedouin Camp. By choosing local camps like this rather than hotels we are supporting local Bedouin Tribes and using accommodation facilities that blend with the environment rather than oppose it.
The Impacts of this Trip
We work to maximise the benefits generated by tourism for local economies and communities. Understanding local life is an important part of travel and on this trip, we source local activities which we believe are sustainable to the economy in that they allow the flow of income from visitors to be distributed to a greater audience rather than remaining concentrated with tourism providers. This could be as simple as a local market visit in Nizwa to a surprise visit to a local home.
We employ predominantly local staff and leaders within our operational teams. We also design and operate our trips to feature local suppliers or suppliers who directly benefit the local community and economy. We offer local people good working conditions, a fair wage, and empower them through training opportunities. All of our tour leaders go through an initial training program, which includes a module on responsible travel. This trip is operated by local Omanis who take pride in their culture and country. They observe traditional dress standards and local customs, and are not afraid to share their stories – you may even find yourself meeting the entire family!
3 Reviews of Oman small group holiday
Reviewed on 16 Feb 2020 by Diane Few
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult!
The Wadi, the dunes ,the
mountains, the people, the
food,the turtles, the guide and
drivers and the company.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take local currency
Avoid the Mutrah hotel
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It did support locals as we eat
out and had time to visit the
markets and souks.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Everything we saw and
experienced was amazing.
The route was perfect and every
day was well balanced with a
mixture of activities and time to
rest and absorb the beauty of
our surroundings.
The guide was
knowledgeable,friendly and
efficient with a great sense of
humour. The two other drivers
were also very competent and
great fun.
We saw so much in the week.
An absolutely wonderful trip.
Reviewed on 08 Mar 2020 by Marianne Gorman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being given the freedom to meet and engage with the local people. And the spectacular visits to the Wahiba Sands and the Grand Canyon.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Travel with an open mind and embrace all of the different exciting experiences you will experience.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think it did. Even to the point of communication with us, and sharing ideas.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really very good, if not excellent.
Reviewed on 07 May 2019 by Karen ORourke
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The tour was a mix of sea, cities, mountains and desert so very diverse and really enjoyable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you enjoy constant good weather, a fair bit of car travel but immersing yourself in all that a country has to offer this tour is perfect. Great scenery too.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not a lot
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A 5! The tour leader was excellent in sharing the culture and history of Oman.
Read the operator's response here:
We currently visit the Turtle Reserve in Ras Al Jinz on this trip and by choosing this activity we are supporting the continuing conservation of this project.
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