The Royal Cavalry of the Sultanate of Oman

For something truly spectacular a performance by the Royal Cavalry of the Sultanate of Oman who recently performed at the Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday with 100 horses and the cavalry band who play an unusual instrument – the bagpipe. Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, Sultan of Oman, during his college days at Sandhurst in 1963 fell in love with the bagpipes. They perform a colorful musical ride in an Arabic tradition in uniform as well as national clothing. There are also 28 women in this spectacular musical band performing this amazing show!

Omani Nights

In recent times Omani cuisine has become extremely popular around the world and guests will dine on the finest contemporary dishes prepared by our renowned chefs, accompanied by fine refreshments. Entertainment during dinner will be provided by a DJ and musicians playing Arabic music with an impressive AV show of Omani scenes shown in the background.

Omani entertainment is exotic, colourful, stimulating and alluring and only the best performers will take to the stage! To begin the evening a narrator sitting at the side of the stage will read a well-known tale from Oman (Sindbad the Sailor) while actors play out the scenes on centre stage. A spectacular fire show will take place.

Bird Watching

The Oman Convention & Exhibition precinct itself is situated next to a significant natural wildlife area. With huge flocks of migratory birds from each of its different regions and almost 500 species identified, Oman has several bird breeding and migratory sites of global significance.

Camping

Camping is possible across Oman, from do it yourself weekends in the mountains or along the coast, or perhaps in a luxury Bedouin camp watching the stars. Enjoy camping on mountain tops, in the desert, in A’Sharqiyah Sands or in the Empty Quarter, in Dhofar, the Damaniyat Islands or on a secluded beach.

Caving

Oman abounds with caves of different sizes, topography and ruggedness. Some caves can be accessed by amateurs while others will need more significant training, experience and specialised equipment.

Camel and Horse Riding

Enjoy this authentic Arab sport. Races takes place regularly where camels reach speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour on specially built tracks. Horses symbolise integrity and pride and Oman is famous for raising and breeding horses. Horse racing is a favourite pastime of the Omanis.

Cruises

Oman is a coastal nation therefore a number of cruise options are available. Many tour operators also organize a variety of activities such as dolphin watching or sailing or cruise to many of the island destinations scattered throughout Oman.

Desert Activities – A’Sharqiyah Sands

Deserts differ in their nature and quality of sands. They can vary from the very soft to the very coarse to dense. Experience the Badiya Challenge Race where participants climb sand dunes from a low area to the top in the shortest possible time. Other desert activities include sand surfing, dune bashing, and sleeping in luxury camps under a star studded night sky.

Dolphin and Whale Watching

Dolphin pods visit the shores of Oman in large numbers. A variety of dolphin species gracefully frolic and swim in the blue waters of Oman. The biggest and most substantial population of the Arabian Sea Humpback Whales make their habitat in Omani waters. Whale species that visit Oman include Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Pygmy Killer Whales and Killer Whales.

Golf

Oman is home to world-class golf courses, the Muscat Hills Golf Course and Country Club, Al Mouj Golf Course designed by Greg Norman within The Wave precinct, and the Ghala Valley Golf Course, neighbouring the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Kitesurfing and kiteboarding

An adventure surface water sport that has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard.

Mountain Climbing

Oman hosts the second highest mountain range in Arabia with the Hajars reaching 3,009m above sea level. Its mountains are a challenge for any mountaineer with their towering heights, rocky and steep slopes and rugged tracks. In Oman, there are several climbing areas and their diversity corresponds to the climber’s skill with paved paths for beginners and the very rugged for the experienced climber.

Scuba Diving

Oman is one of the most popular diving destinations in the region. It has an exceptional diversity of marine life and a number of marine cliffs, small islands, bays, caves and coral reefs, as well as shipwrecks. It has many accredited scuba diving courses and is a year round venue for diving enthusiasts.

Trekking

The hiking and trekking season runs from September to May, but the best time for hiking is between October and April. Although the terrain can be tough, hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy Oman’s wonderful mountainous nature. Different excursions of varying degrees of difficulty are available, from wandering around Muttrah to walking over the groove edges of Al Shams – the country’s highest mountain. There is a national network of marked trails for independent adventure seekers as well as many tour operators who provide comprehensive tours.

Turtle Watching

Thousands of sea turtles migrate annually to the shores of Oman from the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and Somalia to lay their eggs in some of the largest nesting sites in the world. Oman hosts five of the seven species of sea turtles including the Hawkesbill, Olive Ridley and Green turtles. Watching freshly hatched baby turtles make their way to the sea for the first time is among the most popular tourist activities at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.

Shopping

The most authentic Omani shopping can be experienced at the traditional souks – time-honoured markets that take pride in nearly every town across the country. Early morning is the best time to visit when heated conversations in Arabic whirl through the intricate laneways, tangled in the fragrance of frankincense and sharp spices. Souks are more than just a place to shop, they are a place to meet up with old and new and embrace vibrant culture and customs.

The capital city Muscat, is bustling with new shopping malls that have recently opened. Additional shopping malls with international brands are also planned to open in the near future. Below, is a list of the most visited shopping malls and the approximate distance to and from the venue