Wahiba Sands Long Weekend: A Short Escape into the Desert

One Night, A Different Landscape

Wahiba Sands sits close enough to Muscat for a genuine short break, yet far enough to feel like an entirely different country. This two-day format is built around a single overnight stay deep in the dunes, bookended by a coastal detour on the way out and a mountain wadi on the way back, giving travelers a compact taste of Oman’s desert, coast and interior without committing a full week to it.

It suits couples or pairs who want a well-paced desert weekend to pair with a longer Muscat stay, rather than a full multi-day touring itinerary.

Why Wahiba Sands

Wahiba Sands, also known as Sharqiya Sands, is one of Oman’s defining landscapes: a vast expanse of red and white dunes stretching across the country’s eastern region, home to Bedouin communities who still live seasonally among the sand. A single night here, away from artificial light and city noise, offers a level of stillness that few destinations near a capital city can match. Combined with a coastal stop at Bimmah Sinkhole and a limestone wadi pool on the return leg, this short itinerary threads together three distinct Omani landscapes in the space of two days.

Trip Overview
  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night
  • Hotel: Arabian Nights Resort and Spa, Wahiba Sands (half board: breakfast and dinner)
  • Transfers: Two-way transfers on a seat-in-coach (SIC, shared) basis
  • Sightseeing included: Day 1, Bimmah Sinkhole, Fins Beach, and photo stops at Wadi Tiwi and Al Ayjah Lighthouse. Day 2, Wadi Bani Khalid
  • Pricing basis: Based on two travelers sharing a room
  • Single room supplement: OMR 40.000 per room

Note: booking deadlines and rates shown below reflect a prior offer period. Confirm current dates and pricing at time of enquiry.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Muscat to Wahiba Sands via the Coast

Departure from Muscat is by shared (SIC) transfer along the coastal route. The day’s stops include the Bimmah Sinkhole, a limestone crater with striking blue-green water at its base, and a swim stop at Fins Beach. The route continues with photo stops at Wadi Tiwi and the Al Ayjah Lighthouse before arriving at Wahiba Sands for check-in and an overnight stay at Arabian Nights Resort and Spa on a half-board basis, with breakfast and dinner included. The evening features a live barbecue dinner in the desert accompanied by live oud music.

Day 2: Wadi Bani Khalid and Return to Muscat

The second day includes a stop at Wadi Bani Khalid, known for its clear, deep blue pools set among the mountains, before the return transfer to Muscat.

  • One night at Arabian Nights Resort and Spa, Wahiba Sands, on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner)
  • Live barbeque dinner with live oud music on Day 1 evening
  • 20% discount on spa treatments at the resort
  • Two-way transfers (seat-in-coach basis) with sightseeing at Bimmah Sinkhole, Fins Beach, and photo stops at Wadi Tiwi and Al Ayjah Lighthouse on Day 1
  • Wadi Bani Khalid sightseeing on Day 2
  • Pricing based on two travelers sharing
  • All applicable taxes
  • Personal expenses of any kind
  • Single room supplement of OMR 40.000 per room applies for solo travelers
  • This package is priced for two travelers sharing a room; solo travelers should budget for the single room supplement.
  • Transfers run on a seat-in-coach (shared) basis rather than a private vehicle, worth noting for travelers who prefer a private transfer.
  • Confirm current booking deadlines and seasonal availability at the time of enquiry, as offer periods and rates are updated periodically.

Tours Enquiry