Zahara Tours

Zahara Tours is one of the longest-established travel companies in Oman. It started in 1971 and describes itself as a pioneer of the tourism business in the sultanate. Today it handles individual travellers, groups, conferences, cruise passengers and special-interest trips, and it is licensed by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and recognised by international travel bodies including IATA, SITE and ASTA. The Muscat office is in Al Khuwair, on Dohat Al Adab Street.

For visitors staying in Muscat, the most useful part of the programme is its range of guided day trips. A nine-hour Wahiba Wilderness tour heads into the desert, with a visit to Bedouin houses and a stop at Wadi Bani Khalid. An eight-hour trip takes in Nizwa Fort and its market, the village of Birkat Al Mauz and the mountain scenery of Jebel Akhdar, while a nine-hour alternative pairs Nizwa Souq and its round-tower fort with Wadi Al Nakhr and the village of Misfah. Closer to the city, a three-hour dolphin-watching cruise leaves from Muscat, and a mountain oasis hike in Al Hamra lasts five to six hours.

Tours use multilingual guides and deluxe air-conditioned vehicles, which matters on long drives in the heat. Booking ahead is wise in the peak season from October to April, especially for desert trips, and the company can tailor itineraries for private groups. Confirm exactly what is included, such as lunch, entry fees and hotel pick-up, when you book. Full-day tours start early to make the most of the cooler morning hours, so expect a pick-up soon after breakfast and a return in the late afternoon or early evening.

Zahara suits first-time visitors who want a trusted local operator, families who prefer not to drive mountain roads or sand tracks, and travellers with limited time who want to see the interior in a day. Groups and incentive travellers can also arrange larger programmes, and cruise passengers can ask about shore excursions timed to fit a day in port. For desert and wadi trips, bring sun protection, water, comfortable shoes and modest clothing.

To book or ask about itineraries, call the Muscat office on +968 2440 0844 or email [email protected]. The office is in Al Khuwair, close to Grand Millennium Muscat and ibis Muscat, although most tours include pick-up from hotels.