Oman

Welcome to your Oman
IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Specialists in
unforgettable
travel experiences
Lusso launched in 2010 as the UK’s first specialist tour
operator selling luxury holidays exclusively through
independent travel agents.
In doing so we broke the mould and we haven’t stopped since. We are
continuously redefining what you can expect from a luxury tour operator.
Our team of specialists will work in partnership with your expert travel agent
to help you plan the perfect holiday, one that is carefully thought out and
seamlessly executed. At Lusso, high expectations and meticulous attention to
customer service come as standard.
At the heart of all we do are our travel advisors. True specialists in their craft,
most have over 25 years’ experience within the industry and travel regularly
to the destinations and properties within our portfolio, staying in the hotels,
taking the tours, talking to the locals and sniffing out those one-of-a-kind
experiences that make travelling with Lusso far more than just a holiday. Their
first-hand, up-to-date and intimate knowledge allows them to truly advise
you, from helping you choose the optimum room or suite to designing the
most complex of multi-centre holidays, complete with private transfers,
guided excursions and chosen activities.
Our close working relationships with all our partners mean that every effort
is made to confirm even the smallest of special requests, adding that allimportant
personal touch to your truly bespoke holiday. We are incredibly
discerning about the partners we work with, endeavouring only to use the best
of the best, from airlines and accommodation to local experts on the ground
who will take you to the heart of the countries they call home.
We also recognise the importance of complete peace of mind when you go
away on holiday. That’s why all our holidays that include flights are fully ATOLprotected,
with non-flight packages protected by way of a bond held with
ABTA, meaning your money is always safe in our hands.
At the end of the day our aim is simple – to help you create your ideal holiday
and to organise it flawlessly.
02
James Weaver
Managing Director
Contents
04 Oman. Oh Wow!
06 Muscat & Surrounds
08 Mountains & Deserts
10 The Musandam Peninsula
Want to discover more?
12 Salalah & The Dhofar Region
13 Arabian Days & Nights
Like a display in a shop window, this brochure merely gives a
flavour of what we can offer in Oman. It’s by no means a catalogue
of all the hotels we work with, the experiences we can arrange, or
the journeys we can create. In other words, if you don’t see what
you’re looking for here, don’t worry. Just ask your travel agent to
contact us with your requirements.

Click here for more information on Oman
Oman.
Oh Wow!
Musandam
With mile upon mile of pristine sandy beaches, soul-stirring
deserts, majestic mountains, ancient forts and a history
dating back many thousands of years, Oman is a marriage
of Arabian romance, proud hospitality and snap-to
efficiency. And though the country is booming, it remains
deeply rooted to its culture and heritage. It is a place of the
moment, beautifully poised between old and new – and
now is the time to visit.
UAE
AL HAJAR
MOUNTAINS
GULF OF OMAN
Nizwa
Muscat
All across the country you’ll be spoiled for choice when
it comes to accommodation, from grand palace hotels
and luxury desert camps to world-class spa, beach and
mountain resorts. The capital Muscat is full of must-see
attractions, the imposing Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
and tangled Muttrah Souk chief among them. Away from
the capital, traditional Omani life is on display in towns like
Nizwa, famous for its 17th-century fort and Friday livestock
market, where goats, cows and camels are paraded for sale
in front of crowds of local people.
SAUDI ARABIA
T H E E M P T Y
Q U A R T E R
OMAN
SHARIQIYAH
SANDS
ARABIAN SEA
Inland, the towering dunes of Sharqiyah Sands afford
desert safaris and a taste of Bedouin culture, while the
Al Hajar Mountains offer canyons and gorges to rival
Arizona’s. In the country’s far north, cut off from the rest
of Oman by the UAE, is the Musandam Peninsula, where
vertical cliffs plunge into mirror-calm waters and dolphins
can be spotted during traditional dhow cruises. Whereas
way to the south, in the region of Dhofar, you can barter
for bags of frankincense in the city of Salalah before
returning to the calm of your hotel’s private beach.
Salalah
Mirbat
Know Before You Go
Best time to visit Oman mostly enjoys a dry climate throughout
the year with the hottest temperatures occurring between June and
September. The best time to travel is between October and May,
making it a great winter sun destination. The south of Oman turns
green and lush during the khareef (monsoon season) from mid-June
to late August.
Average temp 32°C
How to get there Oman Air direct from London Heathrow •
Emirates from 7 regional airports via Dubai • Etihad Airways from
Manchester or Heathrow via Abu Dhabi • Qatar Airways from
4 regional airports via Doha • Turkish Airlines from 6 regional
airports via Istanbul
Average flying time 7 hours 25 minutes
GMT +4
Tourist office experienceoman.om
Julie Hammond
Reservations Manager
“Exceedingly safe and easy to get to, Oman has an awful
lot to offer. Gaze up at dramatic mountains with your
toes safely planted in a golden, sandy beach. Breathe in
the aromas of spices and perfumes from the captivating
souks. And discover Bedouin culture among towering
desert dunes.”
04
Private camp, The Empty Quarter

Click here for more information on Muscat & Surrounds
Contact your travel agent to book your Lusso holiday to Oman
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah
MUSCAT
Oman
Muscat & Surrounds
Muscat is an adventure in itself. Fronting the Arabian Sea and set against a
backdrop of the Al Hajar Mountains, it’s home to friendly locals, world-class hotels,
royal and Islamic wonders, labyrinthine souks and a slew of attractions both
ancient and modern.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Muscat was a merchant port as
early as 5000 BC and retains a
lingering medieval charm. The skyline
is dominated by the Sultan Qaboos
Grand Mosque, a dazzling affair
home to one of the world’s largest
chandeliers. The nearby Sultan’s
Palace forms the heart of Old
Muscat and is guarded on both sides
by a pair of 16th-century forts. We
recommend a walk along the scenic
corniche to the historic Muttrah
Souk, a tangle of backstreets offering
gold, silver, fragrances and textiles.
MODERN MUSCAT
Although Muscat has kept itself free
of soaring skyscrapers, that’s not to
say that the city has stood still. Like
his predecessor, the current Sultan
is extremely forward thinking while
always being careful to maintain the
city’s character. The result is a capital
with no shortage of modern marvels,
like the spectacular Royal Opera
House, the Stal Gallery of modern art,
and high-end hotels offering every
modern comfort imaginable.
NATURAL BEAUTY
The area around Muscat is replete
with natural wonders and adventurous
opportunities. Dive and snorkel off
the pristine Daymaniyat Islands;
swim in the blue-green waters of the
Bimmah Sinkhole along the coast
road to Sur; shower under waterfalls
at Wadi Al Arbeieen; enjoy a range
of watersports by the white sands of
Qurum; go off-road driving at Wadi Al
Khoud; or test your head for heights
at Majlis Al Jinn, one of the largest
underground caves in the world.
Don’t miss
TAILORED CITY TOURS
We’ll happily tailor city tours
around specific themes or
interests. Fanatical about food?
Visit local markets with an
Omani chef, then use what you
buy to create lunch together at
your hotel. Mad about music?
We’ll take you on a tour of the
resplendent Royal Opera House.
MEET THE PEOPLE
Omani people are renowned for their
generous hospitality and whether
visiting souks, dining out at restaurants
or walking the waterfront, Muscat
provides plenty of opportunities to
spend time with locals and not just
with ex-pats. A tour with a local guide
is a great way to meet people and get
under the skin of the city.
Barr Al Jissah is three resorts in one: the
adults-only Al Husn and family-friendly
Al Waha and Al Bandar. Facilities include
six pools, a lazy river and a sprawling spa.
The Chedi Muscat
MUSCAT
Home to the Arabian Gulf ’s longest pool, The
Chedi boasts minimalist Zen-like rooms, six
divine restaurants, a 1,000-foot private beach
and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Oman.
Al Bustan Palace,
A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
MUSCAT
Fit for a king, this former sultan’s palace
offers mountain and sea views, a threestorey
spa and an amusement park for kids.
Jumeirah Muscat Bay
MUSCAT
Jumeirah’s first resort in Oman is a serene
retreat in a private cove between the Al Hajar
Mountains and Arabian Sea. Perks include a
Talise Spa and sea views from every room.
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Click here for more information on Mountains & Deserts
Contact your travel agent to book your Lusso holiday to Oman
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Oman
Mountains & Deserts
Oman has no shortage of natural wonders, not least
the soaring Al Hajar Mountains, where twisting roads
reveal gaping gorges and spectacular canyons, and
the country’s vast deserts, where traditional Bedouin
culture survives intact to this day.
Anantara Al Jabal al Akdar
AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
On the edge of a canyon with soul-stirring
views of the Al Hajar Mountains, Anantara
offers sleek rooms with balconies, villas with
private pools and a host of exciting activities.
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AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
Although visible from Muscat, the
sheer scale of the Al Hajar Mountains
only becomes clear as you venture
along twisting mountain roads in a
comfortable 4x4, passing ancient
villages and steeply terraced orchards
irrigated by Oman’s famed aflaf
water channels, some of which
date back over 5,000 years. The
mountains contain Oman’s highest
peaks, including Jebel Al Akhdar,
famed for its terraces of roses and
pomegranates, and the towering Jebel
Shams, which offers jaw-dropping
views of Oman’s ‘Grand Canyon’.
Trekking, canyoning, climbing and ziplining
are among the many activities
on offer from hotels.
SHARIQIYAH SANDS
Home to some 3,000 Bedouin and
sculpted by the wind into beautiful
sweeping shapes, the towering
dunes of Shariqiyah Sands (formerly
Wahiba Sands) – some of which
stand over 100 metres tall – are
just a few hours from Muscat, yet it
remains a decidedly wild, peaceful
and otherworldly place. A number
of desert camps operate in the area,
offering 4x4 dune bashing, camel
riding, stargazing and wonderful
opportunities to learn about
traditional Bedouin culture.
Don’t miss
VILLAGE WALKING TOUR
Picturesque villages and
colourful orchards dot the
steep, terraced hillsides of
the Al Hajar Mountains. A
walking tour is a wonderful
way to experience local life
and often includes a visit to the
pomegranate orchards, where
you can taste and buy fruit
directly from the farmers.
THE EMPTY QUARTER
Oman is the gateway to the largest
sand desert in the world, the Rub Al
Khali or Empty Quarter, which covers
250,000 square miles of southern
Arabia, including parts of Oman, the
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Its sea
of rolling sand dunes has long held
travellers in its thrall, most notably
British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger,
who crossed the Empty Quarter twice
in the 1940s, and T. E. Lawrence, who
described it as ‘the great unsolved
question of geography’. Today,
Bedouin guides and luxurious mobile
camps offer travellers the chance to
experience the peace, beauty and
unimaginable scale of the Empty
Quarter for themselves.
Alila Jabal Akhdar
AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
High in the mountains, this boutique retreat
is immaculately designed, with a stellar spa,
cliff-edge infinity pool and activities ranging
from stargazing to via ferrata rock climbing.
Desert Camping
SHARIQIYAH SANDS
& THE EMPTY QUARTER
A night in the desert beneath a canopy of
stars is a truly unforgettable experience.
A number of different camps offer desert
adventures. Those who prefer more creature
comforts should consider permanent desert
camps like Arabian Nights Resort & Spa
or Desert Nights Camp, both of which offer
pools, restaurants and comfortable rooms
with fully plumbed bathrooms.
For a more authentic glamping experience,
we recommend either Canvas Club, Magic
Camp or Hud Hud, all of which run
glamorous, Bedouin-inspired camps that
melt into the desert landscape. They can
also arrange private mobile camps for just
you and your party set deep in the desert – a
truly personalised and highly exclusive
desert experience.
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Click here for more information on The Musandam Peninsula
Contact your travel agent to book your Lusso holiday to Oman
Oman
The Musandam Peninsula
RECOMMENDED HOTEL
Pleasantly isolated yet easy to access, the Musandam
Peninsula offers some of Oman’s most breathtaking
landscapes. Cliffs rise vertically from crystal-clear waters,
dolphins can be spotted during traditional dhow cruises,
and mountains unfold as if begging to be explored.
A REGION APART
Six Senses Zighy Bay
MUSANDAM PENINSULA
One of Oman’s most stunning
destinations is actually far removed
from the rest of the country. Jutting
into the Strait of Hormuz, the remote
Musandam Peninsula is separated from
the rest of Oman by the United Arab
Emirates, a legacy of Oman’s vast
former empire, which once stretched
as far as Zanzibar. It can be reached
from Muscat either by air or via a
scenic five-hour drive, though many
visitors choose to arrive via Dubai.
A UNIQUE LANDSCAPE
Musandam’s pristine coastline is set
against a backdrop of 2,000-metre
mountains and rocky sea cliffs hewn
by wind and water. The most dramatic
are called khors, deep and plunging
fjords that have earned Musandam the
moniker, the Norway of the Middle
East. Inland, winding roads cut into
the craggy mountains, leading to forts,
villages and ancient forms of rock art.
Don’t miss
A DHOW CRUISE
Cruises aboard dhows
(traditional Arabian wooden
boats) are frequently trailed
by dolphins and often include
island visits, swimming,
kayaking, BBQs and more.
You may even catch site of the
world’s only population of nonmigratory
humpback whales.
A PERFECT PAIRING
The region’s unusual geographic
arrangement puts Musandam within
90 minutes of Dubai by car, making the
peninsula very easy to combine with
the emirates’ star city. The contrast
between the bright lights of Dubai
and natural beauty of Musandam only
adds to the appeal, with resorts like Six
Senses Zighy Bay (see right) – which
blends sympathetically with its natural
surroundings – guaranteeing luxury on
both legs of the journey.
Surely the only resort in the world where
you can arrive by tandem paraglide flight,
Six Senses Zighy Bay is utterly idyllic and
blissfully secluded, tucked between the Al
Hajar Mountains and a mile-long sandy
beach. Built from stone and timber in the
style of an Omani village, it offers a range
of villas, suites and beachfront retreats, all
with private pools, colourfully cushioned
living areas, spacious bathrooms and
shaded outdoor dining spaces.
The spa is a knockout, offering everything
from personalised wellness screenings to
outdoor yoga with sunrise views. There
are six bars and restaurants, plus a raft of
activities that include microlight flights
above the coast and mountains, hidden
village treks, bespoke dhow cruises and
beach and underwater clean-ups.
A LAND OF ADVENTURE
The region’s crystal-clear coves
and sapphire-blue fjords offer
wonderful opportunities for kayaking,
paddleboarding, diving and snorkelling,
with spots like Lima Rock renowned
for their variety of fish, rays and exotic
marine life. The mountains, meanwhile,
are a haven for hikers and mountain
bikers, with adventurous paths providing
breathtaking views and dramatic drops.
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Contact your travel agent to book your Lusso holiday to Oman
Oman
Salalah & The Dhofar Region
With a number of fabulous beach resorts to its name, the southern cities of Salalah
and Mirbat are well worth including in any Oman itinerary, especially in summer,
when the cooling monsoon provides a respite from the heat.
A REGION OF CONTRASTS
Oman’s southernmost region is a land
of contrasts, home to breathtaking
beaches and islands rich in corals
and marine life, as well as deserts,
mountains and banana plantations.
It’s especially popular during the
summer months, when the khareef
(monsoon) turns the arid fields
and hills into a lush green land of
waterfalls and wadis.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Al Baleed Resort Salalah
by Anantara
SALALAH
This sophisticated resort on its own private
beach offers private pool villas, a sublime spa,
freshwater lagoon and a range of watersports.
Alila Hinu Bay
MIRBAT
A stunning marriage of contemporary design
and Arabic tradition, this beachfront resort
boasts a lavish spa, separate adult and
family pools and supremely stylish rooms.
Don’t miss
THE LAND OF
FRANKINCENSE
The best frankincense in the
world is harvested from trees
that thrive in Dhofar. Discover
the UNESCO World Heritage
Sites that help trace the history
of this remarkable resin.
HISTORY & HERITAGE
Dhofar’s capital, Salalah, is one of
Oman’s oldest settlements and was the
traditional seat of the Sultan. Around
the city are several fascinating historical
attractions, including the tomb of the
Prophet Job, the ‘lost city’ of Ubar, and
the Land of Frankincense, a series of
UNESCO sites that illustrate the trade
in frankincense that flourished in Dhofar
for over 1,000 years.
Itinerary
Arabian Days
& Nights
Experience the best of Oman
on this comprehensive
tailor-made tour. Discover
lofty mountain peaks,
towering desert dunes,
ancient Bedouin culture
and pristine beaches before
ending amid the marvels of
modern-day Muscat.
NUMBER OF DAYS
11
PRICES FROM
10 nights / 11 days from £4,795 per person
YOUR ITINERARY INCLUDES
Prices are based on two people sharing a
standard room and include breakfast daily,
dinner at Arabian Nights Resort & Spa,
economy flights from London and between
Muscat and Salalah, private transfers and
hotel accommodation as detailed.
DAYS 1-3 AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
Arrive in Muscat and transfer to Alila
Jabal Akhdar for a three-night stay.
Spectacularly perched on the edge
of a ravine, the hotel boasts a host
of ways to enjoy the surrounding
mountains, including cliff-edge dining,
caving adventures and hikes around
Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak.
DAY 4 SHARIQIYAH SANDS
Swap the craggy peaks of the
mountains for the sculpted dunes
of Shariqiyah Sands with a night at
permanent desert camp, Arabian
Nights Resort & Spa. Learn about
Bedouin culture and enjoy the likes
of fat biking, sand boarding and 4x4
dune bashing.
DAYS 5-7 SALALAH
Travel back to Muscat for an
afternoon flight to Salalah, then
transfer to Al Baleed Resort
Salalah by Anantara for a threenight
stay. Take time from relaxing
on the beach or by your private
pool to explore the wonders of
Dhofar, including the tomb of
the Prophet Job, the bewitching
Al Husn Souk in Salalah, and the
UNESCO-listed sites of the Land
of Frankincense.
DAYS 8-11 MUSCAT
Fly back to Muscat and check
in for three nights at Shangri-La
Barr Al Jissah – Al Waha. Shop for
souvenirs in the historic Muttrah
Souk, visit the breathtaking Sultan
Qaboos Grand Mosque, or book
a personalised city tour, tailored
around your own specific interests.
Transfer to the airport on day 11 in
time to catch your flight home.
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
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