Oman, January 2026
After many years, I am back in Oman.
Back then, I only had a day trip from Dubai. But that was enough to make me determined to come back for longer.
This winter, the time had finally come. I had 10 days (including two travel days) and wanted to see as much of the country as possible.
And, of course, relax a little by the pool in the sun.
I was able to experience a lot. The country blows you away with its diversity. The coast on the Gulf of Oman (Indian Ocean), mountains up to 3,000 meters high, wadis, deserts and, of course, Arab culture. And friendly people to boot.
I went on four private tours (just a guide and me) and saw many beautiful things. Of course, I was also able to learn a thing or two about the country from talking to the guides.
I have divided the report into sections covering the hotel, the wadis, the sinkhole, the desert, Muscat, Nizwa, and the mountains. Finally, a few words about the trip, which is quite long and quite exhausting. But it's worth it.
I chose the Hilton Muscat Al Bandar. It's not the cheapest, but it's very nicely laid out.
The hotel is located southeast of the capital Muscat, about a 45-minute ride away on the expressways.
The hotel actually consists of three hotels occupying a private bay by the sea. The outdoor facilities with pools and restaurants are correspondingly spacious. As there was a small hiccup at check-in, I also got a room with a sea view. This isn't absolutely necessary (you're not there during the day and you can't see anything at night), but it's still nice.
The grounds are very well maintained and spacious, and there is plenty of room. You don't have to reserve a lounger by the pool or on the hotel's private beach. There are more than enough.
I booked all-inclusive and can eat and drink anywhere. That's convenient.
Wadis are river valleys. Sometimes with water, sometimes without. Those that carry water often have small pools where you can swim. They are very picturesque and have been beautifully shaped by nature over many years. I visit three wadis (four, to be precise, but at Wadi Dayqah we only look at the reservoir and the dam): Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Al-Arbieen, and Wadi Shab. Wadi Shab was the most impressive but also the most difficult to explore: a long path over pebbles and boulders led uphill from pool to pool, while the valley became increasingly narrow.
As you might expect, a sinkhole is a hole in the ground. A pretty big one, in fact. Groundwater has washed away the soil here, causing the earth above to collapse. You can swim in it, but you don't have to.
Deserts are always very impressive. The contrast between yellow and blue, the vastness, the silence. Oman has a desert, and Wahiba Sands is located near Muscat. I had to go there.
Sightseeing in Muscat is, of course, a must. I see a few special highlights of the city that the residents are rightly very proud of.
I have to get up early. I'm being picked up at 6 a.m. so I don't miss the cattle market (goats and cows) in Nizwa. There is also a large souq and a large fort with an enormous watchtower. Afterwards, there is even more culture to enjoy with the mountain villages of Misfat Al Abriyeen, Al Hamra, and Ghul before heading into the mountains.
Oman has many mountains, and on all our tours we drive through very mountainous scenery. One special mountain tour goes to Jabal Shams, which rises to 3,000 meters. We climb to 2,000 meters and look down into a magnificent canyon, the Grand Canyon of Oman. Very impressive scenery.
Here is an overview of the places visited. Activate the map by clicking or touching it. Clicking or touching an image above the map shows the location.
Karte 2026_01_oman
The journey is very tiring. From Berlin, there is a 6.5-hour flight to Dubai (just over seven hours back). From there, you continue on to Muscat. The flights depart at night, so you are on your feet for a long time. With a longer transfer time in Dubai (approx. 5 hours), the total journey time is a good 14 hours.
