A Classic One-Week Oman Road Trip from Muscat: A Complete 2WD Itinerary
Scribbled by Claire ⬩ 04 Aug 2026
Planning your first trip to Oman? If so, then this detailed seven-day 2WD Oman road trip itinerary is for you. Check out all of northern Oman’s biggest sites and cities, mountains, wadis and forts, with add-ons, tips, recommendations and more!
After three months and 20,000 kilometres criss-crossing this wild country by car, we desperately want people to understand why we keep returning to Oman, over and over again.
Lots of people (including us) rave about the off-roading: all those twisty mountain passes and remote desert dunes get all the coverage, when, in fact, most of Oman is covered in high-quality, paved roads.
This country is magnificent to traverse and, even without a four-wheel drive car, you can still experience so much of what makes it special.
We’ve designed this particular one-week route from Muscat for first-time visitors to Oman who want to stay almost entirely on the tarmac with a two-wheel drive (there are plenty of optional off-road and free camping suggestions if you fancy it, though).
The route is simple to drive and well-signed, with no difficult or rough roads. It’s well-suited for budget travellers, as two-wheel drive vehicles in Oman cost a fraction of their four-wheel drive counterparts.
Within one single week in Oman, this road trip will take you via some of its most famous sites, including two of the most renowned and beautiful wadis in Oman. There are also opportunities to observe turtle-nesting, hike endless burnt-orange sand dunes, chill on Muscat’s beaches, explore unimaginably grand forts, and stand atop the highest mountain in Oman, Jebel Shams.
Below is the full day-by-day route, with driving distances, lodging suggestions for every stop, and optional add-ons if you’ve got a few extra days to play with. There are secret viewpoints, quirky extras, hand-picked accommodations, detailed maps and places you won’t see on any other itinerary. If you’re travelling on a budget, we’ve also included GPS coordinates for the best two-wheel drive wild camping spots along the way.
This sounds immensely cheesy, but it includes everything you need to fall in love with this country the way we have.
IN THIS GUIDE //
Roadtrippin’ From Muscat
This Oman Road Trip from Muscat
– Road Trip Map
Oman Road Trip Itinerary
– Day 1: Muscat to Sur
– Day 2: Sur to Ras Al Jinz
– Day 3: Ras Al Jinz to Wahiba Sands
– Day 4: Wahiba Sands to Nizwa
– Day 5: Nizwa to Misfat Al Abriyeen
– Day 6: Misfat to Jebel Shams
– Day 7: Jebel Shams to Muscat
With a Spare Day
Arriving Back in Muscat
Where to Stay in Muscat
Itinerary Google Map
Where to Next?
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through these links we may make a small commission at zero cost to you. It helps us pay for the upkeep of this blog. Thank you!
This 2WD Road Trip From Muscat
The one-week itinerary starts in Muscat and does not need any specific vehicle or any off-roading skills. It also doesn’t require wild camping at each location (although you can) as there are quality hotels and guesthouses at every stop.
We’ve driven this route more times than we can count over the past five years, refining it, and adding new cafes with the best berry tea, the prettiest alternative viewpoints and wanders, and lesser-visited village visits (while also noting places that aren’t worth your time).
This is specifically a 7-day 2WD (two-wheel drive) Oman itinerary from Muscat. Although we’ve included a small amount of time at the end of the route to see a bit of Oman’s capital, it’s worth scheduling in a few extra days if you want to explore more.
If you’re intending to explore Muscat as soon as you arrive, just switch it up and start the road trip after.
Road Trip Map
The map below shows two routes; this post relates to the red ‘Classic’ 2WD one.
It is possible to combine both the Classic 2WD and Off-road routes and make a full, two-week adventurous road trip. If you are interested, check out our off road Oman itinerary (the blue route below).
For a first-time trip to Oman, we highly recommend this two-wheel drive route to get a well-rounded and varied view of this country.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Muscat to Sur
Day 2: Sur to Ras Al Jinz
Day 3: Ras Al Jinz to Wahiba Sands
Day 4: Wahiba Sands to Nizwa
Day 5: Nizwa to Misfat Al Abriyeen
Day 6: Misfat Al Abriyeen to Jebel Shams
Day 7: Jebel Shams to Muscat
Optional extras: Jebel Akhdar or Rustaq Loop
–
Total direct distance: 1000 kilometres (620 miles)
Total drive time: around 14 hours
–
We’ve always found the best car rental prices for Oman on DiscoverCars. It’s our go-to car comparison website for every road trip because they have such good insurance. You can save loads of money and get great-priced comprehensive coverage.
Day 1: Muscat to Sur
〈 Route: Muscat → Wadi Dayqah → Bimmah Sinkhole → Wadi Shab → Sur 〉
This day is pretty jam-packed, so get an early start if possible.
Head east though Muscat and down the coast. A big chunk of this drive is on Route 17, a mostly coastal road with epic sea views one side and the vast eastern Hajar Mountains on the other.
110 kilometres
Wadi Dayqah Dam (optional)
Created in 2012, the Wadi Dayqah Dam and resulting emerald-tinted lake is a lovely stop for a picnic or to stretch your legs. The scenery and vistas are magnificent with soaring peaks on all sides reflecting off the water. You can also walk on the dam itself – kids seem to love it! There are bathroom facilities, benches and ample parking.
If you are running late, you could miss this stop as it is a little off the main route, however we recommend including it if possible and think it’s a bit cooler than the Bimmah Sinkhole, mentioned below.
For a more scenic, mountainous route to the next stop, there’s a shorter but slower off-road option than the standard Google Maps paved route that links the two. It starts at 23.093180, 58.851913 and joins the main road at 23.107815, 58.982429. This was one of our favourite areas to explore and has one of the best wild camp sites in the whole of Oman, in my opinion. The dirt road is well graded and does not require a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle.
58 kilometres
Bimmah Sinkhole (Hawiyat Najm Park)
This is a quick stop, right off the main highway.
The sinkhole, as per the name, is literally just a massive hole in the ground – it’s quite cool but not so exciting that I’d schedule much time there. This can be a very brief stop if you don’t swim and just pop in for a photo!
The name ‘Hawiyat Najm’ actually means ‘falling or shooting star’ in Arabic, because it is believed the hole was created from the impact by something from the sky, however scientists say it’s just a simple case of collapsing limestone, like the cenotes in the Yucatan, Mexico.
Just like in cenotes, the azure-coloured, part-salt part-fresh water at the bottom is perfect for swimming and is actually quite cold, temperature-wise. It’s quite deep at the far end, so watch your kids carefully (there’s no lifeguards). Also be prepared to be eaten by tiny fish (I absolutely hate this).
The stairs down to the water are well constructed and okay for young children if you keep an eye on them.
30 kilometres
Wadi Shab
A highlight of most day trips from Muscat, Wadi Shab is an adventurous, beautiful hike to some of the prettiest wadi pools in Oman. It’s a scenic 45-minute walk through ancient irrigation systems with sheer canyon walls, ending with several pools and a swim to a cave with a waterfall.
This is one of the few natural attractions in Oman that you technically must pay to enter. A man in a boat will float you two-minutes across the year-round flowing wadi to the trailhead and then pick you up when you are done (you can often wade/swim across but it’s not the done thing unless you’ve missed the last boat back).
If you are considering it, we have written an in-depth guide to the Wadi Shab hike that talks about opening hours, the best times to visit, the boat ride across, getting to the cave at the end, how long and difficult the hike is, getting lost on the route, parking, plus loads of tips.
50 kilometres
Sur
Sur is a laid back coastal town famous for handcrafted dhows (traditional Arabian wooden boats).
There are some decent supermarkets, hotels, and fair few restaurants in Sur, as well as some nice walking routes along the seafront. We’ve detailed more things to do below on day two, since you’ll likely have little time today on this itinerary!
WHERE TO STAY IN SUR
Despite its size and proximity to a plethora of famous sites, Sur isn’t exactly rammed full of luxury accommodation. There are several main ‘tourist grade’ hotels:
Best Western Sur and Sur Grand Hotel.
If you are looking for a moderate, comfortable hotel with a decent breakfast, we recommend these. The Sur Grand is our choice when there’s little price difference (breakfast is great here and the oceanfront setting is lovely).
Tour groups use these hotels, though, so you’ll possibly see a few obnoxious tourists walking around in inappropriate clothing (seriously, every single time we’ve stayed).
Camping Near Sur
We have camped multiple times around Sur and recommend it for budget travellers. The beaches to the north of Sur are pleasant and popular with campers.
For specific wild camping locations, the prettiest options are the nearby beaches at Fins (22.876232, 59.230173; 22.882761, 59.226109) or Qalhat (anywhere along the beach area away from the archaeological site). If you want some real isolation and adventure, plus have spare time, head up onto the mountain plateau and search for a spot (you’ll need a 4WD for this, though).
–
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR OMAN TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Thailand, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily.
Find out more about why we fully recommend them!
–
TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
Day 2: Sur to Ras Al Jinz
〈 Route: Sur → Ras Al Hadd → Ras Al Jinz 〉
Assuming you don’t pop back north to hike Wadi Shab in the early morning, take your time today because the driving distances are substantially less. This short route follows the coastline around to the east towards the turtle-hatching beaches.
Take a little time to explore Sur – it’s a slightly rough-around-the-edges feeling, white-washed fishing town with a few worthwhile spots to meander around. It’s also the city where I’ve spotted the most mosque minarets on the skyline simultaneously!
For a nice wander in the morning, walk (or drive if it’s too warm) from the corniche/Sur Beach (there are parking laybys along the front that don’t get busy during the day) around the coast to the Dhow Factory (a shipyard where dhows are still constructed in a method almost identical to hundreds of years ago) and the Maritime Museum.
Before you leave Sur, pop just to the east of the city to the fishing village of Al-Ayjah (it’s basically still in Sur, just over the bridge). Here you’ll find decent views of Sur and can visit the Al-Ayjah Lighthouse, Castle and watchtowers.
As you drive east and leave Sur, there are more beautiful coves and beaches; consider checking out Al Shiya Beach for unreal azure waters. There are more secluded coves with lovely pale sand, but these generally require a slightly more rugged car for access. Check out Pink Beach, next to Ras Al Hadd for a nicer option (although it’s not actually pink sand – it’s just some interesting pink shells).
50 kilometres
Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz
Between April and August, more than 20,000 turtles lay their eggs in the sands of Oman. Five of the seven species of sea turtle nest on the shores, including the endangered green turtle and critically endangered hawksbill turtle, meaning there are strict regulations along the beaches.
Oman is one of the finest places in the world to watch the turtle nesting and hatching, and the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz is the most popular place in Oman to do this. One of the advantages of wildlife tourism in Oman is that you can observe the turtles in relative peace, unlike places like Costa Rica (which is often a completely mismanaged shitshow).
The best time of year to visit is between May and September, although excursions are offered all year around. You should make a reservation if you do not stay at the reserve. The cost is 12 OMR per non-resident tourist.
The nesting tours are commonly late at night or early morning, so do not schedule an early start the next day (or plan for a very early start, if you see what I mean).
WHERE TO STAY IN RAS AL JINZ
The easiest accommodation option in the area is the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, which offers rooms and eco-tents. These are expensive but adjacent to the beach where the turtle tours are; the room rate includes the cost of the nesting tour. There is also a museum and research laboratory on site.
Honestly though, the SAMA Ras Al Jinz Resort is far nicer than the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Hotel (especially when considering the price tag – although the latter’s room rate does include the cost of a guided tour).
Access to the beach without a guide is limited between 5pm to 5am and camping is restricted in beach areas around the turtle nesting sites (pay attention to the signs). Ensure you camp up on the cliffs, as far from the beach as possible to reduce the amount of light that the turtles see. I’ve seen horrendous David Attenborough footage of baby turtles following artificial light into roads and being squashed by cars.
GOT MORE TIME IN OMAN?
Explore some wadis:
Take a look at our 13 favourite wadis
Hike Oman’s favourite Wadi Shab
Live in a fairytale at the Wadi Damm pools
Drive through rivers in Wadi Dayqah
Explore the quirky white pools of Wadi Abyad
or the magnificent waterfalls of Wadi Darbat
Explore the cities and mountains:
Feel intrepid on an Oman offroad mountains itinerary
Discover what dramatic means with this Salalah itinerary
Explore Oman’s cultural heart in Nizwa
See some offbeat spots around Sur
Prepare with our Oman driving guide
Max out your time with these Muscat day trips
Check out Muscat’s best viewpoints
–
Day 3: Ras Al Jinz to Wahiba Sands
〈 Route: Ras Al Jinz → Wadi Bani Khalid → Wahiba Sands 〉
This is a day of contrasts – aqua-blue wadi pools to rolling, deep orange sand dunes.
First, head back towards Sur and continue along Route 23 until you reach the junction just before the tiny settlement of Romail. Here, take the turning to Wadi Bani Khalid, a lovely family-friendly, two-wheel drive access canyon with beautiful pools. It’s one of Oman’s most popular for a reason.
Once you’ve finished hanging out and exploring the wadi, retrace your route and head towards Bidiyah, the primary gateway to the dunes playground of Wahiba Sands (or wherever your chosen camp is nearest).
163 kilometres
Wadi Bani Khalid
Wadi Bani Khalid is the perfect wadi choice for a first-time visitor to Oman. It’s located on the inland side of the eastern Hajar Mountains around 120 kilometres from Sur (a 1.5-hour drive).
The site has some decent infrastructure, like manicured paths, bridges, signage and shelters, which is a rarity in rural Oman. There’s even a few bits of playground equipment for kids!
Despite this, it has a bit of adventure for adults if you continue on behind the flat pools at the beginning, where the canyon narrows and there are these beautiful channels of deep blue water. It’s also ideal for anyone looking for a bit of relaxation and beauty rather than strenuous hiking.
This is one of the most popular day trips from Muscat and the surrounding areas, so arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds and, if you have the chance, plan for a week day – not Friday!
The drive from Sur to Wadi Bani Khalid is reasonably long, so get an sensible start, no later than mid-morning, and aim to leave the wadi no later than mid-afternoon.
44 kilometres
Wahiba Sands
The next stop on day three of this itinerary is Wahiba Sands (also called Sharqiya Sands), which is another super popular trip from Muscat, around a one-hour drive south of Wadi Bani Khalid.
The glowing orange sand dunes appear endless and, looking at the area on Google Satellite, you can see why. It’s a never-ending, undulating, rust tinted sand-ocean that covers 4,800 square miles. Parallel strips of dune, one hundred metres high, line up in a remarkably systematic fashion due to the wind direction, producing a highly distinctive view that’s definitely worth seeing if you’ve never visited sand dunes before.
Accessing the dunes independently is straightforward, but only if you are a confident driver on loose sand with a four-wheel drive vehicle. There are no permits or restrictions for entry, however it can be a tricky place to navigate. It is highly recommended that you do not drive here off the heavily used tracks unless you are part of a convoy.
However, if you choose to stay in an organised desert camp with a two-wheel drive car, you can opt for a pick-up by your chosen lodging. The meeting point for the pick-up is commonly the tiny settlement of Al Raka, right at the edge of the dunes, adjacent to Bidiyah (but not always – check this). You can safely leave your car there for the night (you can safely leave your car anywhere in Oman, to be honest!).
WHERE TO STAY IN WAHIBA SANDS
There are several overnight options in Wahiba Sands. The most popular is an organised desert camp; the second is a wild camping experience. If you want to drive yourself, both choices require a four-wheel drive vehicle and a moderate level of sand-driving competency.
There are lots of desert camps depending on your budget and what experience you want.
Be aware, the costs are relatively high compared with desert camps in places like Wadi Rum in Jordan and Erg Chebbi in Morocco. Consequently, wild camping is a great budget alternative with a four-wheel drive, just be careful not to get your car stuck in the dunes!
If wild camping is not an option then these are some suggested camps:
Thousand Nights Camp: this camp is the classic and most popular choice – it’s the furthest out in the desert and offers beautiful rooms with loads of activities (ensure you book these in advance).
Sama al Wasil Desert Camp: this comes highly recommend by friends of ours. It’s pretty, they have an outdoor cinema, and apparently the food was spectacular.
Day 4: Wahiba Sands to Nizwa
〈 Route: Wahiba Sands → Nizwa 〉
This Muscat road trip ends with three consecutive nights in and around the Nizwa area, along the southern edge of the western Hajar Mountains.
It’s no secret – this is my favourite area in Oman and a place I’ve spent many, many weeks exploring remote wadis, driving off-road mountain passes, photographing looming forts, getting properly lost in abandoned mudbrick villages, and hiking through balmy date palm orchards.
There is just so much to do for every type of traveller and it has fantastic lodging options for anyone wanting a characterful or comfortable hotel stay, too. This means we’ve kept the structure of these three nights flexible. You could choose to spend:
⬩ all three nights in Nizwa and day trip all the sites from there if you like a home base;
⬩ two nights in Nizwa and one in Jebel Shams or Misfat Al Abriyeen, or
⬩ one in Nizwa, one in Misfat al Abriyeen, and one in Jebel Shams.
None are better than the other – it just depends on whether you want to keep moving each day or whether you need a bit of a break. All three locations have high quality choices for accommodation.
We’ve written this itinerary as if you’ve chosen the third option above, staying overnight at each stop, but it’s so easy just to return to your comfy Nizwa hotel at the end of each night instead.
182 kilometres
Nizwa
The old town of this conservative, culturally significant city is a popular spot, especially on a Friday for the morning market.
The uniquely circular Nizwa Fort dominates the old town and the souq is far more amicable and less tourist-oriented than the Muscat equivalent on the Mutrah corniche. The old town has narrow, winding streets, traditional architecture, and feels very much like you’ve stepped back in time compared with Muscat (it’s probably similar to the Oman you have been picturing in your mind).
The city is also excellent for stocking up on supplies, sleeping well, and having a meal out. The accommodation varies from newly built, modern hotels to beautiful heritage homes with distinctive design and décor.
The drive from Wahiba sands is around 2.5 hours, and it will take some time to leave your choice of desert camp. We’d estimate you arriving in Nizwa around mid-afternoon (maybe 2-3pm?). This means that, in the afternoon, you’ll likely have enough time to check out the imposing Nizwa Fort, the old town streets, and the souq (perfect timing since the fort looks so lovely in late afternoon sunlight).
I’ve never not been given multiple free halwa variants, dates and coffee in the indoor section of the souq – it’s a very friendly place!
WHERE TO STAY IN NIZWA
We’ve stayed in a lot of hotels in Nizwa and recommend the below:
IntercityHotel Nizwa (+$$): the most modern hotel in Nizwa, with clean, simple rooms and super easy parking right next to a Lulu Hypermarket and the Nizwa Grand Mall. This hotel goes up in price a lot last minute, so if you’re looking to book, do it early.
Antique Inn ($$): quirky heritage hotel with some serious character, adjacent to Nizwa Fort and Souq. Parking can be a little tight if you arrive late in the evening and some rooms don’t have a window – upgrade to a King Suite if you can (I think the double rooms in this hotel are a little overpriced). Breakfast is excellent and the views of Nizwa old town from the terrace are fantastic.
Nizwa Inn (-$$): simple, clean and friendly hotel with nice modern rooms, ours always had nice views across the desert towards the mountains. The entrance is a little slippery, be careful! The location is convenient, right opposite the Nizwa Grand Mall.
GOT EVEN MORE TIME IN OMAN?
Go camping:
Sleep under the stars at these amazing wild camping locations
Plan your trip with our Oman camping guide
Camp atop Oman’s highest mountain
or camp in the whitest of Oman’s deserts at the Sugar Dunes
or have a totally unique adventure:
Spot the most remote beehive tombs in Oman
Wander around Oman’s most photogenic fort
Learn about livestock at the Nizwa goat market
Take a look around Oman’s most unique fortification
Drive up Oman’s most famous mountain
Find a way into Bat’s 5000 year-old tombs
Figure out which of Oman’s UNESCO sites are worth visiting
Take a chill day on one of Muscat’s beaches
–
Day 5: Nizwa to Misfat Al Abriyeen
〈 Route: Nizwa → Jabreen Castle & Bahla Fort → Tanuf → Al Hamra → Misfat Al Abriyeen 〉
Day five can be as relaxed as you want it to be.
For today, we devised a route around our favourite two-wheel drive adventures and sites surrounding Nizwa, but feel free to edit this to include anything you’re most interested in! There are more detailed ideas in our specific post about Nizwa, so choose how much you’d like to do with your time.
44 kilometres
Jabreen Castle
The ever-so grand Jabreen Castle, built in 1675, is absolutely worth its very reasonable entrance fee.
It has one of the best renovations I’ve ever seen in an Omani fort – there’s been genuinely thoughtful effort put into this magnificent building. Each room is decked out with historical artifacts and traditional furniture, and all the quirky features of the castle (like the pits and traps!) are all demonstrated, which makes for a more engaging experience.
The castle also has huge ramparts – the views from the top are outstanding across the mountains and date plantations. On the top floor, there are these unique painted ceilings with intricate Islamic calligraphy and, from there, I found the castle large enough that finding my way out was disorientating!
It was originally a home as well as a fortification and you can genuinely tell that it’s not like the other forts in the country. It’s really quite special.
For more information, check out this little write up about our visit to the castle.
9 kilometres
Bahla Fort
Bahla Fort, the only UNESCO designated fortification in Oman, is one of the oldest and largest in the country, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is an exceptional instance of a fort from the medieval Islamic era.
You’ll have to use your imagination a bit here, since there’s not a lot of information as you wander around the site and it’s not really renovated like Jabreen. However, I found that the architecture and grandeur easily make up for this. It’s one of those special places, one that piqued my imagination and helped me imagine medieval battles and wars and the power that this mighty structure must have commanded. It’s just absolutely huge!
It’s possible to get a tour to enhance your imagination further – you and your guide might well be the only ones there.
23 kilometres
Quirky Optional: Tanuf Ruins
A slightly off-beat stop on this itinerary is the ruins of old Tanuf. This site houses the remnants of a small town that was bombed by British forces in the 1950s during the Jabal Akhdar War, resulting in a network of abandoned mudbrick buildings sandwiched between the road and mountains. Search for ‘Tanuf Castle Ruins’ on Google Maps.
Free entry, no opening hours.
If you are in a four-wheel drive vehicle, check out nearby Wadi Tanuf for one of our favourite off-road wadi driving routes.
24 kilometres
Al Hamra
The 400-year-old, Yemeni-style, multi-storey mudbrick houses of Al Hamra make this a very worthy stop. (Many people recommend visiting Birkat Al Mouz, but I prefer the rawness of Al Hamra).
Wandering the warren of stony streets is the highlight of Al Hamra; I’ve heard it described as being reminiscent of the old ‘wild west’. It’s labelled as abandoned by some, but it’s actually sparsely populated.
Spend time here during sunset on the plateau above the old town and watch the kids do tricks on their horses (my favourite kind of evening). Alternatively, check out Bait As Safah, a tiny but very cool museum in a renovated mud house in the centre of the old town. If it’s cool enough, take a short walk around the palm plantation oases and check out the aflaj and greenery at Al Hamra Farms Path.
At minimum, check out the Al Hamra Viewpoint.
5 kilometres
Misfat Al Abriyeen
Just five kilometres north of Al Hamra is the picturesque village of Misfat al Abriyeen (or Misfat al Abriyyin).
This village is a can’t-miss destination for most tourists. It’s been developed in a really tourist-forward way – everything is curated with visitors in mind. With friendly locals, photogenic architecture, meandering walks through the fruit trees, terraced fields, and the slow bubbling of the aflaj (irrigation) systems, it’s kind of perfect.
The road up is steep but very short (around five kilometres), and totally doable with a normal two-wheel drive car – it’s entirely paved. The views on the way up across to Al Hamra are magnificent and there are various little picnic spots to stop off at, like here: 23.129037, 57.298056.
There are quite a few things to do at Misfah, but the main appeals are the more strenuous W9 wadi hike (marked by the ubiquitous yellow, red and white flags) and more casual wanders through aflaj and orchards. The wadi route is a rare, excessively green hike in Oman – it does gets rockier as you head up out of the village, but there are so many trees!
ACCOMMODATION IN MISFAT AL ABRIYEEN
There are a handful of quality guest houses and heritage homes in the village of Misfat Al Abriyeen. They are all pretty expensive, but the rates normally include dinner, breakfast and sometimes air conditioning.
The location is what sets these lodgings apart from the rest (and justifies the price). Staying overnight in one of the most beautiful villages in Oman, surrounded by date palms and the sounds of aflaj channels is evidently worth paying for. These are our two highlights from the area:
Misfah Old House: this simple, traditional Omani guesthouse is the most popular choice in the village.
Al Misfah Hospitality Inn: probably the nicest place to stay in the village; this hotel has killer views, an amazingly helpful and friendly host, plus beautifully decorated rooms.
BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR A 2WD OMAN ROAD TRIP
Technically, this two-wheel drive road trip can be done at any time of year if you are staying in hotels.
If you are camping, the summer will be uncomfortably warm. Choosing to follow this itinerary in the summer months of May to September means that it will be horrendously hot outside. Even if you stay in hotels, come prepared to feel uncomfortable, especially by the coast where I can only describe the air as ‘soupy’ (not the good, ramen type soup, but the gross, thick, mushroom soup type).
We have seen some tarmac washed away a few times during strong rain storms in spring/summer, but it’s rare.
For hiking, the cooler months in Oman are best; between December and February provides the mildest weather with blue skies and minimal rain.
For photography, winter has the least haze (the air has a combination of sand and dust in during summer that makes visibility a bit rough).
If you spend time in the mountains, be aware that they can be quite chilly in the winter months (we’ve been cursed with ice on our tent more than once).
–
Day 6: Misfat Al Abriyeen to Jebel Shams
〈 Route: Nizwa/Misfat Al Abriyeen → Jebel Shams 〉
This is the day to head into Oman’s mountains, specifically Oman’s highest!
Set your navigation to the ‘Jebel Shams Resort’ on Google Maps, which takes you up to the correct part of the mountain (there’s lots of different sections of the Jebel Shams area, many only suitable for four-wheel drive cars).
The road towards the top of the mountain is unpaved, but is not rough or excessively steep, so is suitable for a two-wheel drive vehicle (although clearance is helpful). It’s been continuously improved over the years as infrastructure has increased on the mountain.
Currently, there are a lot of works and development going on near the peak, so there’s always traffic and it’s not some remote, isolated, scary place to drive, even though there’s no tarmac.
46 kilometres
Jebel Shams
Oman’s highest mountain, overlooking the vast Al Nakhr Canyon, is a must on most tourist’s tick-lists.
It’s a popular spot, particularly in summer when the temperatures are comparably balmy at an elevation of nearly 3000 metres. Staying overnight on the mountain is a common preference to catch the sunrise and sunset. After all, Jebel Shams means ‘Mountain of the Sun’ in Arabic, being the first point in Oman to see the sunrise (apparently).
There are several official, particularly scenic hikes, including the famous ‘Balcony Hike‘ or ‘W6’ which traverses the inner edge of Al Nakhr Canyon, the 1000-metre-deep gorge that drops abruptly from the rim of Jebel Shams. The other, far more strenuous hike heads to the actual mountain peak and is called the W4 hike. The trailhead is right behind the Sama Jabal Shams Resort.
WHERE TO STAY ON JEBEL SHAMS
There are several resorts/hotels on the top of the mountain, along with a plethora of decent wild camping opportunities.
The most popular are the Jebel Shams Resort and Sama Jabal Shams Resort.
Both are right atop the mountain, with great access to the best views and usually cost almost the same price. As with several other popular touristy areas in Oman, hotels on the mountain are not the best value for money, but are perfectly decent for one night.
If we had to choose, we’d currently recommend the Jebel Shams Resort as it has the best location.
60 kilometres
Optional Rogue: Wadi Damm
So, this optional choice is a bit off-tarmac and not fitting with the two-wheel drive vibes here. It’s all a bit rogue, if I’m honest, but if I didn’t give you the information, you wouldn’t be able to decide if it’s for you.
Wadi Damm’s pools are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen in Oman and get comparatively few visitors. They are around 40-60 kilometres from the top of Jebel Shams to Wadi Damm so, if you drive up to the top of the mountain, check out the rim-edge viewpoints and leave, you’ll have time to hike to the Wadi Damm pools, too. It’s only around two hours for the walk.
The pools are also really close to the super-cool beehive tombs of Al Ayn, which are part of a 4000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you could also pop via there!
Sounds epic, right? Well the thing is, it definitely is amazing, but the drive is a little hairy. However, it does not require four-wheel drive or much clearance. So, if you fancy it, here’s what you need to know:
⬩ Do not take the route that Google Maps sends you. It’s a relatively new road and is the shortest route, but is a little rougher and isn’t ideal for smaller cars (although it didn’t technically require 4WD the last time we drove it in 2026, so you could be brave and try it).
⬩ Instead, take the dirt track route via Ar Ruhbah that branches off the main road here: 23.173467, 57.149058. It’s still rough but totally do-able if you have a normal car (clearance is extremely helpful, though). We saw all sorts of two-wheel drive, lower clearance vehicles around there (there’s even a government building at the other end of the road). This route has 11 kilometres of off-road section in total.
⬩ The Ar Ruhbah route is showing as shut on Google Maps, but Google is wrong – ignore it and drive on through (it’s been marked like this for ages).
⬩ The newish Al Ghafat Road leading towards Damm is incredible, with views for miles.
⬩ The total route is around 60 kilometres from Jebel Shams to Wadi Damm via the longer option.
WHAT APP IS BEST FOR GPS AND NAVIGATION IN OMAN?
We use Google Maps for all our navigating in Oman. In conjunction with Google Satellite view, we were able to accurate route even in the most remote areas.
Occasionally, Google can get confused if there are new roads or if it thought a road was closed, but over all it was really good at navigating through some pretty sketchy non-roady stuff (a few years ago, it did weirdly direct us to a massive pile of camel bones well away from any road, though).
This Oman road trip follows main, paved roads and it would be very difficult to get lost and Google Maps is precise. There is more information about road conditions and navigation in our guide to driving in Oman.
–
Day 7: Jebel Shams to Muscat
〈 Route: Jebel Shams → Birkat Al Mouz → Wadi Qurai → Samail Castle → Muscat 〉
The final day is a comfortable drive back to Muscat from your choice of lodging in either Jebel Shams, Misfah or Nizwa.
The trip is quite long at around 3.5 hours total, however there’s not much to do up on Jebel Shams in the morning, so you can set off a little after sunrise and have loads of time in your day. (Alternatively, you may be leaving from Misfah or Nizwa, which are significantly closer to Muscat).
100 kilometres
Birkat Al Mouz
On the way to Muscat is Birkat Al Mouz, a small town at the base of Jebel Akhdar. Its name means ‘banana pond’ in Arabic apparently which I’m guessing is from its fertile grounds, water supplies and fruit growing history!
It’s a pretty little place and is home to several of the five ancient UNESCO designated falaj irrigation systems that Oman is known for.
There are a couple of abandoned settlements here with short easy hikes, some date palm wanders, and a cool castle filled with guns, called Bayt Ar Ridaydah.
The two abandoned villages are called Harat (Old Town) and Harat Burj Al Maqaseer – if you have time, check them both out. If not, I’d explore the latter and get a quick coffee nearby.
40 kilometres
Wadi Qurai
This very minimally visited wadi is a lovely little hike that follows a wiggly falaj all the way up a valley to some pretty blue pools that supply the lower village with water.
The walk is around 45 minutes each way and it’s literally impossible to get lost – there’s just one canyon. The only thing I’d say is that following along directly on the falaj can get a little slippery, so be extra cautious because there are some drops down that would be less than pleasant to fall in. I actually dunked my foot in the falaj by accident too and it was even more slippery – be careful. Overall, though, this hike was very easy and I’m just a bit incompetent.
Wadi Qurai is literally right off the road back to Muscat, so if you want to get one last mountainous canyon hike in, this could be the one! It’s totally suitable for a two-wheel drive car, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to avoid the occasional crowd without the need to go off-road.
30 kilometres
Samail Castle
Samail Castle is a super rogue option on this itinerary, but one that I absolutely adored. If you’re all fort-ed out by this point, then give this one a miss, but I think it’s spectacular.
The fort is basically empty, but there’s something so striking about its setting on this giant rocky outcrop surrounded by a huge wadi plantation and mountains from all sides. It’s massive, and I found its design and location absolutely, unimaginably photogenic.
It’s been listed as ‘closed for maintenance’ since May 2026 but I’d keep checking back for its re-opening dates.
With a Spare Day
As I mentioned near the beginning of his behemoth post, you may end up with a spare day if you’re not vibing with driving to Jebel Shams or turtle-spotting.
If so, there are a few distinctive options that you can do instead (or you can simply add a day on at a Wahiba Sands camp or Nizwa).
Jebel Akhdar
This is one of Oman’s most popular destinations, but there’s one enormous issue – you absolutely have to have a full four-wheel drive vehicle because there’s a Royal Omani Police checkpoint on the only road up that ensures it.
However, lots of people with two-wheel drive cars do still visit via a hired driver and either do a day trip, or stay overnight in one of the surprisingly fabulous hotels on the plateau.
We’ve spent a fair amount of time up there and think it’s worth visiting (and the insane luxury hotels worth paying for).
The Rustaq Forts Loop
This is a cool little day trip from Muscat that takes you on paved roads via four forts: Nakhl, Al Awabi, Rustaq and Al Hazm.
Along this route, there are loads of other cool things to do, like explore some paved areas of the Hajar Mountains (there are a few from the northern side of the mountains, near these forts). For example, driving into Wadi As Sahtan, the Ghubrah Bowl or Wadi Bani Kharus are all paved.
These all provide an incredible opportunity to visit remote mountain villages without ever leaving the tarmac, and can be combined with a visit to some, or all, of the forts above.
Arriving Back in Muscat
Your seven-day road trip is over!
However, there are loads of things to do in Muscat (worth at least a couple if days), so either at the end or the beginning of this itinerary, try to schedule some time in to explore my favourite city in the world!
We’ve written a huge two-day guide that covers everything you need to know, but just for a quick overview, ensure to visit:
⬩ The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (exquisite, open from 8—11am, closed on Fridays – so time your visit well)
⬩ Mutrah, the fort and the corniche
⬩ Old Muscat and one of the museums there
⬩ Qurum, for modern day Omani life and high-end food
⬩ Beaches – there’s one for everyone
⬩ An Omani restaurant like Ramssa, Rozna, or Bait Al Luban
⬩ Maybe a snorkelling trip to the Daymaniat Islands
⬩ Check out a few city viewpoints, like the Al Bustan Viewpoint, Yiti Viewpoint, Bandar Al Khairan Viewpoint, or the Wadi Kabir Heights Viewpoint
Where to Stay in Muscat
Muscat has loads of great value hotels. We’ve stayed in around twenty different ones within the city and they generally offer super high-quality rooms for really great prices.
These are our current, 2026 picks:
⬩ W Muscat: we’ve actually only stayed at The Intercontinental next door to The W (which was lovely, too) but I really wished we’d stayed at the W. It was lively and seemed like so much fun and the pool area was awesome. To be fair, if you can afford either of these hotels, you’re in for a win because they’re both in the best location in Muscat (the Intercontinental is literally in between the beach and the Opera House – you’ll likely get a view of one or the other!).
⬩ The Aloft Muscat: this spot is a bit out of the way, but it’s where we’ve stayed for the majority of time on our most recent visit and perfect if you have a car. It’s mad value for money, recently built so the rooms are immaculate, and our included breakfast was vast and varied. I just cannot get over how good the quality-to-money ratio was – we kept extending our stay and they kept offering us free stuff, like pizza, in the evenings. The hotel also has a popular bar/club thing so it’s actually kind of lively with Muscat residents.
⬩ The Golden Tulip Muscat: this quite traditional Omani-feeling hotel chain in Al Khuwair is in a prime location in the centre of town and has really decent rooms for often incredibly low prices. We regularly return here purely because it’s affordable, opposite our favourite restaurant, and also has great underground parking.
⬩ Al Bustan Palace (The Ritz Carlton): Okay, so I definitely haven’t stayed here. I probably never will. But, if I had the money, there’s no doubt I would; it’s the definition of luxury. Also, if this is in your budget range, check out The Chedi Muscat, too.
⬩ The Sheraton Oman Hotel: this isn’t my favourite hotel (that would be the Aloft, above), but it’s one of a few comfortable hotels located in the Old Town/Mutrah area. It’s clean, decent enough, and I’d stay there again if it was the location I was after.
⬩ Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat Oman: near the airport and cheap as chips for the money if you have a car to get around. Really decent modern rooms, easy parking and all-around pleasant stay.
⬩ Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat: excellent little apartment rooms, perfect if you live out of the supermarket like we do! Once again, fantastically located in a quiet area just outside the busy Al Khuwair area.
Itinerary Google Map
Below is a Google Map with markers for everything mentioned throughout this post.
⬩ Yellow: things to see and do
⬩ Orange: hotel options
⬩ Red: restaurant and cafe suggestions
⬩ Green: camping sites
⬩ Blue: cities, towns and villages
⬩ Blue route: 2WD itinerary route
To save this map, select the star next to the title.
HAVE WE HELPED YOU PLAN YOUR MUSCAT ROAD TRIP?
If you’ve found our content helpful, consider booking your rental car (if you need one!), through the company we always use – Discover Cars. They’re the absolute best and have been our rental companion (and savior, thanks to their insurance) in many destinations across the world.
Also, consider booking your accommodation through Booking.com – we use them exclusively when travelling in the Middle East.
Alternatively, leave us a tip to say thank you.
Help like this makes it easier to pay for the upkeep of this site and ensures our small business survives the onslaught of AI!
Thanks for reading.
–
Where to Next?
For a first-time trip to Oman, this road trip checks all the boxes; bright blue wadis, historic villages, sweeping dunes, towering forts and incomparable mountains. And all this, without a four-wheel drive car!
If you have more time, want an outrageous adventure, or are considering getting a four-wheel drive after reading all this, check out our sibling Oman itinerary that ventures into the Hajar mountains and Wadi Bani Awf, or consider a trip south to beautiful Salalah, home to the best beaches in the country.
Whatever you do, we hope this itinerary helps you plan your holiday.
Have an amazing trip!
Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running.
Thank you, Claire + Nick
Fantastic itinerary, I took plenty of notes. Thank you!
No problem, thanks so much! I’ll try and update it with all the info from our recent trip soon 🙂