There is so much to thrill your children on this luxury family escape to Oman. From treasure hunts in Muscat’s souks and a private dhow safari, to wadi-bashing through dunes and exploring forts and villages in the mountains, this is an adventure that will bring your wildest Arabian Nights fantasies to life.
Oman makes a fabulous winter break with warm and sunny weather.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on a family of four travelling for 9 nights and does not include international flights.
2 nights in Muscat, 2 nights sailing in the Daymaniyat Islands, 2 nights in the Wahiba Sands, 3 nights in the Jabal Akhdar
What makes this Oman family journey special?
- Get lost in the souks and spice markets of Muscat
- Snorkel among turtles and dolphins aboard a luxury private dhow in the Daymaniyat Islands
- Go dune-bashing and sand boarding in the dunes of the Wahiba Sands
- Stay at one of the Middle East’s most iconic hotels
- Follow walking and mountain biking trails to ancient villages and forts in the spectacular Hajar Range
Your Oman private family holiday itinerary
Souks and Spices
Muscat
The Omani capital Muscat makes an enchanting introduction to this wonderful country. Its grand mosque and spice markets are fascinating, but there’s a lot else we can curate. Mutrah Souk, the oldest market in Oman, is the perfect spot for an exciting treasure hunt. We’ll provide you with a map adapted to your children’s ages and interests, which you can follow through the winding alleys and spice vendors to find a special surprise.
If you’d like an authentic taste of Omani culture, we’ll arrange for you to visit a local home to learn the secrets of its cuisine. Kids are welcome to join for a hands-on cooking class that will introduce you to classic dishes like majboos (rice with meat and vegetables) and halwa (a sugary sweet that little ones will love). Before digging in, you’ll learn how to make these specialties from a local chef.
Dhow safari
Daymaniyat Isalnds
Live out your Sinbad the Sailor dreams as you board a stylish Omani dhow, exclusively yours for the next three days as you explore the beautiful Daymaniyat Islands. An archipelago of nine islands two hours from Muscat, its limestone rocks and coral reefs are home to nesting turtles and a myriad of indigenous and migratory birds, its waters are home to several species of whale. Spend your days snorkelling its shimmering coral reefs, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, e-foiling or simply watching dolphins ride the bow wave of your dhow. If you are qualified, we can also kit you out with scuba gear and have a dive master join you to explore the reefs below.
Into the desert
Wahiba Sands
Back on shore, you’ll drive south along the coast and past the extraordinary Bimah Sinkhole before turning away from the sea to climb through the Hajar Mountains and on to the Wahiba Sands. This vast area is a stunning desert of parallel valleys and sand dunes inhabited by camel-tending Bedouin. Your private camp is located deep in the desert, away from other tourists, and you’ll have two nights to explore. While here, enjoy the adrenaline rush of bashing through dunes in a 4×4 and sandboarding, or take it slow as you sway on the back of a camel towards a dune-top sunset.
Nearby Wadi Bani Khalid, one of Oman’s most dramatic wadis, offers an authentic encounter with a little-visited community and the chance to see how villagers eke out a living in such a harsh environment. Stop to chat with a local Bedouin family over coffee and dates, before enjoying a picnic lunch by a swimming hole. Back in camp, relax around the campfire with a delicious barbecue beneath skies filled with a million stars.
Mountain majesty
Jabal Akhdar
Your time in Oman finishes on a high, quite literally, as you climb into the mountains for a stay at the remarkable Alila Jabal Akhdar which, perched on a lofty crag, surely has some of the most bewitching views of any hotel. Here you can be as active or as relaxed as you choose, and we’ll tailor activities to suit the age of your children. There are fabulous walking and mountain biking trails to enjoy that wind through the mountains to medieval villages, or let our guides bring history and culture to life for your kids with a visit to Nizwa with its labyrinthine ancient fort and intriguing livestock market.
Where you'll stay on your Oman family adventure
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Ritz Carlton Al Bustan Palace
Set on a private beach overlooking the Gulf of Oman, and sheltered by the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains, the Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace is a luxurious beachfront resort that’s perfect for families looking for a relaxing base near Muscat. Blending opulence and Omani heritage, its elegant accommodations, grand Arabian architecture and lush gardens create a serene atmosphere. Guests here enjoy fabulous amenities from an award-winning spa to fine dining options and a wide range of water sports.
Ibra Dhow
The Ibra is a stylishly remodelled wooden Omani dhow sleeping up to eight guests in four en-suite air-conditioned cabins. It comes with a tremendous crew, and, while often used for marine expeditions in the Daymaniyat Islands, is available for charter along the Omani coastline. On board you’ll find masks and flippers for snorkelling, two paddle boards and a tender, and she can be kitted out with a diving boat and instructor, fishing tackle, kayaks and jet skis. Fill any down time with long lingering meals, playing board games and burying yourself in a book from the small but well-provisioned library.
Hud Hud Private Wahiba Sands Camp
Reminiscent of a traditional Bedouin camp, but with all the contemporary comforts, Hud Hud’s private camp in the Wahiba Sands offers an unparalleled and fully sustainable immersion into the surrounding desert. Equipped with proper mattresses, crisp cotton linens and traditional furnishings, each spacious tent comes with a private bathroom tent furnished with a wash basin, shower, soft towels and a selection of soaps and lotions. In camp, you’ll have a large majlis to relax in, decorated with cushions and rugs, books, boules and board games. Dinners are magical, served under the stars beside a crackling fire along with candles, china crockery and linen tablecloths.
Alila Jabal Akhdar
Perched 6,500 feet up in Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is a remote and luxurious high-altitude hideout that feels worlds away from the ordinary. Built from local stone and inspired by ancient Omani forts, the resort seamlessly blends into its dramatic surroundings—sheer cliffs, deep gorges, and endless views of the rugged terrain. The infinity pool teeters on the edge of a canyon, while the spa draws on age-old wellness rituals to restore body and mind. Days here can be spent hiking through terraced farms, exploring hidden wadis, or tackling the resort’s via ferrata climbing route.
Customise your luxury Oman family holiday
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Relax among the fjords of Musandam Bay at the plush Six Senses Zighy Bay
Dive or snorkel the Damaniyat Islands on an overnight cruise aboard a stylish dhow
Follow the frankincense trail to the mythical desert city of Ubar in Oman’s Empty Quarter
Add a few days to take in the glamour of Abu Dhabi or Dubai
Pair Oman with Cochin & the idyllic Kerala Backwaters as you explore two ancient centres of the spice trade
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Oman specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Asia team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
“The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”