Jebel Akhdar Private Tour: Green Mountain Villages from Muscat

Walk through rose gardens and ancient villages on Oman's Green Mountain

A private 8-hour tour from Muscat to Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain) with an English-speaking guide, 4WD transport and hotel pickup. The route climbs from Birkat Al Mouz, an old village at the mountain's foot, through fruit plantations and rose gardens to Diana Point, then descends to Al Suwjara, a 500-year-old settlement built into the cliff face where houses are stone and mud and a wooden bridge connects the old village to the new.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jebel Akhdar and Villages

• Depart Muscat to Birkat Al Mouz
• Visit Birkat Al Mouz Old Village
• See Irrigation System of Al Kattmyn
• Drive up to Jebel Akhdar
• Walk through Jebel Akhdar hills and gardens
• Visit Diana Point
• Drive to Al Suwjara Old Village
• Explore Al Suwjara Village and Cliff Guest House
• Drive back to Muscat

The experience

The drive from Muscat takes you first to Birkat Al Mouz, a ruined village whose name means "Banana Pool" for the plantations that still cover the area. From there the road climbs to Jebel Akhdar itself, where the landscape opens into terraced gardens and orchards. You walk through the hills at your own pace, stopping at Diana Point, a named viewpoint on the mountain, to take in the valley below. The guide handles the route and the timing. You decide how long to linger at each stop.

Al Suwjara village sits on the mountainside and requires a short hike to reach the old settlement: you descend one side of the mountain, cross a wooden bridge, and climb the other side to the stone houses. The village is over 500 years old and has been rebuilt with modern rooms and bathrooms inside the traditional structures. The Cliff Guest House, built from stone quarried on the mountain, sits at the edge with views across the range. The tour ends with the drive back to Muscat.

The itinerary also includes the Al Kattmyn irrigation system, one of five UNESCO-recognized heritage irrigation systems in Oman. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and the 4WD vehicle handles the steep mountain roads. Pickup and drop-off happen at your Muscat hotel or accommodation.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all sites.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• transportation in a comfortable 4WD vehicle.
• an English-speaking Omani tour guide.
• pickup and drop-off at your Muscat hotel or accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day29 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 21:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Star Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is built as a private booking, so the pace and stops are yours to shape with the guide. The 8-hour day and mountain hiking suit travelers comfortable with walking on uneven terrain and climbing. The minimum age is 13, and the tour is not recommended for anyone with poor cardiovascular health, though it is suitable for all other fitness levels.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

What is Birkat Al Mouz and why is it on this tour?

Birkat Al Mouz is a ruined village at the foot of Jebel Akhdar, famous in Oman for its abandoned houses and the banana plantations that gave it its name. The tour stops here as the starting point before climbing the mountain.

Can I walk around Al Suwjara village, or is it just a drive-by?

You walk through Al Suwjara. Reaching the old village requires a short hike down one side of the mountain, crossing a wooden bridge, and climbing up the other side to the stone houses. The newer part of the village is accessible by 4WD, about 20 minutes' walk from the old settlement.

What are the rose gardens and fruit plantations like on Jebel Akhdar?

Jebel Akhdar, called the Green Mountain, is terraced with orchards and rose gardens across its slopes. You walk through the hills and stop at viewpoints like Diana Point to see the valley below. The guide leads the route but you set the pace.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Bottled water is provided, and you can arrange meals at the Cliff Guest House in Al Suwjara village if you wish to eat there.

What kind of vehicle is used, and is the mountain road difficult to drive?

A comfortable 4WD vehicle is used for the entire tour. The mountain roads to Jebel Akhdar are steep, which is why a four-wheel-drive is necessary. The vehicle handles the terrain, and the driver navigates the route.