Northern Oman Road Trip

The classic self-drive loop of northern Oman, starting and ending in Muscat. It links coastal wadis, Sur, the Wahiba Sands, the forts of Nizwa and the Hajar Mountains.

The Northern Oman Road Trip is the most common way to explore Oman on your own. The roads are good, signs are in both Arabic and English, the area is safe, and renting a car gives you far more freedom than a group tour. From Muscat, head southeast along Route 17 coastal highway, passing the Bimmah Sinkhole, Fins Beach, Wadi Shab, and Wadi Tiwi (reaching it requires a hike and a swim), and the ancient city of Qalhat. Continue to Sur, the home of Oman's traditional dhow sailing ships. In the evening, go to Ras al Jinz to watch green sea turtles nest. Then take Route 23 inland to the emerald pools of Wadi Bani Khalid and spend the night at a camp on the edge of the Wahiba Sands. Driving into the dunes requires a 4WD vehicle and deflated tyres. Continue through the old town of Ibra to Nizwa, where you can visit the Friday livestock market and Nizwa Fort. Nearby sites include Bahla Fort, Jabrin Castle, and the ancient village of Misfat al Abriyyin. Next, climb Jebel Shams to see the 'Grand Canyon of Arabia', or go up to the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) to see its rose terraces. Finally, return to Muscat via Route 15. The whole trip covers about 1,000 to 1,200 km and is best done in 5 to 9 days. The road up Jebel Akhdar has a checkpoint, and only 4WD vehicles are allowed. The final stretch of Jebel Shams is gravel. Fuel stations are scarce in the desert and mountains, so fill up whenever you pass one. In summer, avoid outdoor activity in the afternoon.

Northern Oman Road Trip

Along the route