14 November

Fabulous Oman tour combining sea, mountains, desert, oases and ocean

For an unprecedented week, from October 21 to October 28, MICE&more travelers discovered different facets of the amazing sultanate, which is considered the birthplace of the fabulous Sinbad the Sailor. It is the rarest case when during the tour there’s an opportunity to cover the whole country, especially such a large one as Oman. This was made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Oman, represented by the Oman Convention Bureau and their representative office in Russia, the extensive capabilities of the host company Pure Arabia and the national carrier Oman Air. We’ve finally seen with our own eyes everything that we’ve heard so much about and marveled at in photographs.

Lina Moskvina, founder of MICE&more and participant of the famtrip to Oman

– Our journey began with a flight on Oman Air. There’s a very comfortable five-hour direct flight from Moscow to Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. In addition, the visa-free regime between our countries allows you to travel quickly and easily, which is especially valuable today not only for individual tourists, but also for corporate clients. 

Upon our arrival at Muscat Airport, we were welcomed and accommodated in the very bright and modern W Muscat 5* hotel. It offers guests a variety of facilities, including a swimming pool, a spa and several restaurants. The bold, vibrant interior design is surprising and inspiring. Some rooms are so spacious that they can be used to host small events for up to 40 people. And the hotel’s ballroom is perfect for hosting events for 150 people.

The W Muscat 5* hotel, located on the coast, is a 20-minute drive from the airport with a short transfer to the marina. Our first activity on this trip was a yacht cruise in the Gulf of Oman. The trip runs for a half-day, which allowed us to recharge our batteries after the flight. The yacht took our group to the Daymaniyat Islands, home to a nature reserve with rare species of birds and turtles. They’re surrounded by a strikingly beautiful underwater world, which we managed to enjoy thanks to organized snorkeling. We got the chance to rest after swimming over lunch, organized by the attentive team on board.

After returning to the W Muscat 5* hotel, we had time to freshen up before a wonderful dinner at the Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-bar. Incidentally, it can be used for private events with DJ sets and cocktails.

The second day of the trip began no less vividly with a visit to the Amouage factory, a legendary perfume brand founded in 1983 that produces high-quality perfumes. A trip here is an introduction to the culture of Oman. Here you can learn about the history of this place, how the brand appeared and was formed, its concept and philosophy, and what unique ingredients are used to create perfumes today. There’s also an open production facility where you can see how perfumes are hand-crafted. And, of course, you can test the aromas and buy the one you like the most in the store. Popular gift sets and rare limited-edition fragrances can also be purchased there. In addition to excursions and shopping, the factory can be used as a venue for events. It’s a stylish, bright space that can accommodate groups of up to 50 people, and in the beautiful courtyard you can organize a coffee break or cocktails.

Unforeseen situations sometimes occur during events and you have to change your plans on the fly. It’s important to note the professionalism and flexibility of the staff of our host company, Pure Arabia, who quickly adjusted our program so it didn’t lose its saturation and dynamics when it turned out that our planned visit to the National Museum was impossible due to a sudden state visit. 

Instead of the museum, we went to get acquainted with the Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort 5* hotel. In essence, it’s an entire beach resort consisting of three hotels of different levels, aimed at both family vacations and the adult public preferring privacy. The complex boasts extensive facilities for holding events of various formats at the highest level. We managed not only to see the hotel, but also to chat with its team over lunch.

Before returning to the hotel, we visited the Royal Opera House, the cultural center of the capital, where all significant events take place. The theater building has its own unique aesthetics while its modern equipment allows for events of any genre, including business events for a multilingual audience, as there’s a screen on the seats in front of each guest that can display the translated text of speeches.

We capped off the day with a visit to Thalassa, a Greek restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Oman. I must say that it’s perfect – not just for individual travelers, but also for groups: it has a large terrace that allows guests to sit outdoors. The dinner was accompanied by a wonderful live-music program, so our evening ended with rousing dancing. It was absolutely amazing!

The next day started rather early as we had a long journey ahead of us and a closer acquaintance with Oman’s natural world: we journeyed to the oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid. Wadis are dried-up riverbeds where you can swim thanks to the clean water supplied by the spring. This is a very authentic leisure activity, popular with locals who come here with their families and friends. The beautifully refreshing, clean water allowed us to relax after the trip. And here on the bank we were treated to a picnic, just like the locals vacationing nearby.

After the water element, we went to explore the sandy expanses of the Wahiba desert. On the way, we stopped at a Bedouin house to get to know the culture and way of life of these desert-dwellers over a cup of traditional coffee. And then, having lowered the tire pressure of our SUVs, we set off to conquer the sand dunes. The highlight of the day was the sunset, which we watched while sitting on a high dune with a glass of sparkling wine. After admiring the spectacular views and enjoying a warm, heartfelt conversation about local traditions with our guide, Said, we went for an overnight stay at the Desert Nights Camp. The camp has separate cabins with living areas, full bedrooms, fully-equipped bathrooms, terraces and air conditioners. After settling in and freshening up, we went to dinner. Meat dishes are perfectly prepared here, and the lamb, cooked for seven hours in the oven with fragrant rice, was the perfect end to the day. Sunset and sunrise in the desert make for the most incredible and unforgettable experience, one that’s sure to make any event vivid and memorable. 

The next day, we had an equally-rich program: the City of Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. We visited the Old Fort in the very center of the city with an excursion. It’s definitely worth visiting here with a guide to immerse yourself deeper still into the country’s culture and history. And, of course, we didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Nizwa Souq local market, where you can buy both gastronomic souvenirs, having previously tasted everything, as well as the wares of local craftsmen. The Oriental Bazaar is always a very atmospheric and colorful place, where it’s a joy not only to stroll but also to take spectacular pictures. 

After Nizwa, we went to the mountain range Jabal al Akhdar, which means “green mountains.” The views that stretch out from there are incredibly inspiring. Our exploration of the mountains began with a visit to the Indigo Jabal Al Akhdar 5* hotel. It’s a brand new hotel that captivated us with its design and atmosphere. Despite its compact appearance it’s a resort boasting well-developed infrastructure, including a variety of rooms and suites with individual pools, several restaurants, an outdoor pool and a full-fledged spa complex. Plus, at the end of this year, the hotel will open a conference room to accommodate events. 

After the inspection and a hospitable lunch at Indigo, we went to the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort 5* hotel, where we planned to spend the night. It’s a very authentic premium brand that’s managed by Hyatt. Everything here is thought out to the smallest detail and allows you to soak in the atmosphere of this place – generous amounts of stone, wood and natural materials are used in the design, accentuated by water and fire. We felt the establishment’s special approach to its guests from the very first moment. Upon arrival, the hotel’s general manager greeted us and personally conducted an inspection so we could see all of its possibilities and variety of room categories: duplex, family, suites, rooms with sunrise or sunset views and a villa with a private pool. The highlight of the hotel is its observation deck, equipped with a telescope that you can use to watch the stars. After a wonderful dinner, during which many of us got the chance to taste camel meat for the first time, we of course went to look at the starry sky. The hotel employee responsible for being our astronomical guide told us about the location of the different constellations. The night was so clear that we could see Saturn and its rings through the telescope lens. What a way to end the day!

The next day, early in the morning, part of our group went on a hiking trip through the mountains. Jebel Akhdar is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several trekking routes of different levels of difficulty, a via ferrata, opportunities for cycling and yoga practice areas. The second part of the group stayed at the hotel to enjoy the infinity pool and a leisurely breakfast. But at noon we all reunited and went to Muscat, as we were awaiting a flight to another part of the country and the continuation of our journey. 

On the way to the airport, we stopped at the historic village of Birkat Al Mouz at the foot of the mountains. Its name translates to “banana creek” – banana and date plantations are located in the village and the active growth of the crops is ensured by a unique system of irrigation canals – falaj, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For corporate groups, the Pure Arabia host company can organize lunches or dinners on plantations surrounded by palm trees.

Five minutes from Muscat Airport, there’s a castle that combines aspects of various castles and fortresses in Oman. It houses the incredibly atmospheric Rozna restaurant, which is beloved by locals. The venue is actively used for events. It can be completely closed for a large gala dinner or have its separate rooms booked for a chamber lunch or small company dinner. 

After a colorful lunch, we headed south to the City of Salalah. The flight took just over an hour. We were met at the airport by a very charismatic guide – a 60+ year-old senior. On the way to the hotel, we listened with interest to his stories about the history of the region and the country as a whole – time flew by unnoticed. The eventful day ended with a leisurely dinner at the Alila Hinu Bay 5* hotel.

The final day of our program turned out to be no less exciting than all the previous ones. It started with an inspection of the Alila Hinu Bay 5* hotel, where we spent the night. Its remoteness from the city creates an atmosphere of privacy and seclusion, and the vast territory and variety of venues make Alila Hinu Bay 5* an ideal place for premium chamber events.

Next on our itinerary was exploring the natural beauty of the southern region of Oman. First, we visited Wadi Darbat, a natural oasis located 30 km from Salalah. Here you can spend the day enjoying a walk through the forest, a picnic by the lake or a jeep safari. Numerous camels have taken up residence in the local lands and wander calmly throughout the territory, periodically straying onto the highway and blocking the movement of cars. We witnessed just such an unusual traffic jam ourselves.

Then we journeyed along a winding road through the mountains to one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Oman – Fazayah beach. This secluded beach with pure-white sand, washed by the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, is a truly heavenly place. We were lucky enough to spend several hours here, swimming in the gentle sea, strolling along the shore and, of course, taking countless photos. Separately, it should be noted that in Oman, on public beaches (and Fazayah is just such a public beach), it’s important to follow the dress code: suitable bathing attire is a T-shirt and shorts. Our wonderful beach vacation ended with a picnic lunch, which was carefully laid out for us by the Pure Arabia team. 

Having absorbed this element, we then headed to Anantara Al Baleed Resort 5* – a premium hotel 20 minutes from Salalah Airport with extensive experience organizing and hosting events. After visiting the hotel, we had a cocktail at the beach bar and set off back to Alila Hinu Bay 5*, where we had a wonderful dinner at the Sea Salt restaurant.

On the final day of our long journey, two flights awaited us – from Salalah to Muscat and from Muscat to Moscow. During the connection at Muscat Airport, the Oman Tourism Office kindly arranged for us to relax in the Primeclass Lounge area. Lounge guests can relax in their room, go to the spa, visit a variety of restaurants, use the children's room, massage chairs and high-speed Internet. I didn't want to leave; quite the opposite – I wanted to continue luxuriating in this level of comfort. But home awaited us, and after a very reasonable flight lasting just over five hours, we landed in the Russian capital.

Our hearts and minds are still brimming with vivid impressions, while whole gigabytes of spectacular photos and videos live on in our phones’ memory. Absolutely every participant voiced their desire to return here with their family and friends, with a group or with colleagues in any format. It’s a veritable ocean of impressions that stays with you, conquers your heart and truly inspires you.

We wish to thank the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Sultanate of Oman, the host company Pure Arabia DMC and Oman Air for organizing our familiarization tour.

CONTACT DETAILS OF OFFICES IN DUBAI AND OMAN

Zaki Badawi, Managing Partner

E-mail: zaki@pure-arabia.com

Tel.: +971 50 506 31 41

Tel.: +995 568 519 519

Ameir Shubber // Oman Branch Manager

E-mail: ameir@pure-arabia.com

Tel.: +968 2439 8849

Tel.: +968 9591 8619