Jebel Akhdar tour from Muscat: Green Mountain and Saiq Plateau

Climb to the Saiq Plateau and walk among terraced fruit gardens on the Green Mountain

This full-day tour from Muscat reaches Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain in the Hajar range 170 km inland, with a guide and private 4x4 transport. You stop at Nizwa Fort and its traditional souk, then drive through Sumail Gap and Izki to reach the Saiq Plateau, where terraced gardens grow pomegranates, apricots and lemons. Walks in Wadi Bani Habib and other wadis follow, with a picnic lunch in the shade and a return to Muscat by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nizwa Fortpassing by
2. Nizwa Souk1h

Explore Jebel Akhdar and Nizwa

• Drive from Muscat to Jebel Akhdar
• Drive through Sumail Gap and Izki
• Visit Saiq Plateau by donkey
• See terraced gardens and fruit orchards
• Picnic lunch under the shade
• Walk in Wadi Bani Habib and nearby areas
• Stop for photos at Nizwa Fort exterior
• Explore Nizwa Souk and markets
• Taste Arabian dates at date shop
• Return to Muscat

The experience

Jebel Akhdar sits at the heart of the Hajar Mountains and is reachable only by 4x4 from the main road. The plateau was reached by donkey for centuries. The drive from Muscat takes you through Sumail Gap and past Izki before the road climbs steeply to the Saiq Plateau, where the air cools and the landscape shifts to green terraced villages. National park fees are included, and your guide navigates the route and explains what you pass.

The tour builds around two stops before the mountain. Nizwa Fort, built in 1660, stands at the edge of the traditional souk where Omani vendors sell produce, spices and dates. You can taste varieties of Arabian dates at the date shops and photograph the market activity. Entry to the fort interior costs extra if you choose it. The exterior and souk are part of the tour. From there the road climbs inland toward the plateau.

Once on the Saiq Plateau, the day opens into walks through Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejaya, Al Ain and Aqur. The weather here is cool and dry, a sharp contrast to the heat below. Picnic lunch happens under the shade, and you have time to move through the wadis at an easy pace before the drive back to Muscat. The whole day runs seven to nine hours from pickup to drop-off at your hotel or port.

What’s included

• Transport by private 4x4 vehicle with a driver and guide.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Muscat.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• national park fees.
• local taxes and fuel surcharge.
• picnic lunch under the shade on the plateau.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Oman Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want English-language commentary throughout and prefer traveling as a private group rather than joining strangers on a shared tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Jebel Akhdar and why is it called the Green Mountain?

Jebel Akhdar is part of the Hajar Mountain Range, located 170 km from Muscat, and is known as the Green Mountain because of the green terraced gardens that surround its villages. The plateau sits high enough that the climate is cool and dry, allowing fruit trees like pomegranates, apricots and lemons to thrive in the terraced fields.

Can I visit inside Nizwa Fort, or do I only see it from outside?

Nizwa Fort dates to 1660 and you see it and the adjacent traditional souk as part of the tour. Entry to the fort's interior costs an extra 15 dollars per person and is optional. The exterior stop and the souk visit are included.

What walks happen on the Saiq Plateau?

The plateau includes walks in Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejaya, Al Ain and Aqur. These are easy-paced walks through the wadis, and picnic lunch happens under the shade during the day on the plateau.

How does the road reach the Saiq Plateau if it was only accessible by donkey?

A 4x4 road now climbs to the plateau, but the terrain is steep and requires a capable vehicle. For centuries, donkeys were the only way up. The modern road still follows a challenging route through the mountains.