Private Jebel Akhdar tour from Muscat: Mountains, gardens & ruins

Mountain villages and fruit orchards on a single day from Muscat

A private 8-hour tour from Muscat to Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain) with visits to the ruined village of Birkat Al Mouz, the UNESCO-listed Al Kattmyn irrigation system, and Al Suwjara Village. You climb through rose gardens and fruit plantations, walk the valley views at Diana's Point, and explore centuries-old stone houses built into the mountainside. An English-speaking guide and 4x4 vehicle handle the terrain and the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore villages and Jebel Akhdar mountain

• Travel from Muscat to Birkat Al Mouz
• Explore Birkat Al Mouz ruins and banana plantations
• Visit Al Kattmyn irrigation system
• Ascend Jebel Akhdar and walk through orchards
• Visit Diana’s Point for valley views
• Hike to Al Suwjara old village
• Explore Al Suwjara village and Cliff Guest House

The experience

How do you reach the old villages and mountain gardens without spending a full day on logistics? A private 4x4 pickup from your Muscat hotel takes you straight to Birkat Al Mouz, a ruined village off the old Muscat-Nizwa road where banana plantations once thrived. From there, you move upward to Jebel Akhdar itself, the "Green Mountain", where the landscape shifts to rose gardens and fruit orchards spread across the slopes. The guide walks you through the hills to take in the panoramic valley views, including a stop at Diana's Point, where the terrain opens up and the scale of the terrain becomes clear.

Al Suwjara Village is the day's final stop, and it requires some effort to reach. The old village sits across a wooden bridge and down one side of the mountain, then back up the other: a climb that rewards you with stone houses over 500 years old, built directly into the cliff face. The newer part of the village sits about 20 minutes' hike away and is accessible by 4x4, but the old settlement is where the architecture and the history live. The Cliff Guest House there, built from stone quarried from the mountain itself, shows how the village has adapted: it started as a single room and now holds seven rooms with modern bathrooms, though the traditional stone construction and mountain views remain the core of the place.

The Al Kattmyn irrigation system, one of five UNESCO-recognized heritage irrigation systems in Oman, sits along the route and demonstrates how water moves through the mountains to feed the gardens below. The guide explains how it works as you move through the day. Fuel and water are provided, and the 8-hour loop returns you to your hotel in the Muscat area by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Muscat hotel.
• transportation in a 4x4 vehicle.
• an English-speaking tour guide.
• fuel and water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 9 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Landscape Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so commentary flows naturally for English-speaking travelers. The 4x4 vehicle and guide handle all navigation and the steep terrain, which means you focus on the walk and the views rather than the driving: a setup that works well for anyone with moderate fitness who wants to explore the mountains without managing a rental car on mountain roads.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 9 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Birkat Al Mouz and why is it called that?

Birkat Al Mouz, located off the old Muscat-Nizwa road, translates to "Banana Pool" because the area was historically home to many banana plantations. It is now one of the most famous ruined villages in Oman, and the tour includes a stop to walk through the remains.

How do you get to the old houses in Al Suwjara Village?

The old village requires a climb down one side of the mountain, a crossing of a wooden bridge, and a climb up the other side to reach the stone houses. The 4x4 can drive to the newer part of the village, but the ancient settlement is accessible only on foot.

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

Jebel Akhdar, the "Green Mountain," is covered with fruit plantations and rose gardens that spread across the slopes. The tour includes time to walk through the hills and take in the panoramic valley views from different vantage points, including Diana's Point.

What is the Al Kattmyn irrigation system?

The Al Kattmyn system is one of five UNESCO-recognized heritage irrigation systems in Oman. It channels water through the mountains to feed the gardens and plantations below, and the guide explains how it functions as part of the day's route.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, so you can arrange a meal stop in one of the villages or bring your own provisions. Water and fuel are provided throughout the day.