Rugged limestone mountains plunge into the turquoise waters of the Strait of Hormuz, creating a coastline of deep fjords that earned Musandam the nickname “Norway of Arabia.” This remote tip of Oman remains one of the Middle East’s best-kept secrets, where dolphins escort traditional dhows, and mountain villages sit far from the modern world.

Begin in Khasab, the peninsula’s main port, where a private dhow cruise glides through the fjords of Khor Ash Sham, passing stone fishing villages reachable only by sea and watching for playful pods of dolphins. Stop to swim and snorkel in sheltered coves, visit the remote village of Kumzar with its unique language, and picnic on deck as the cliffs glow in the afternoon light. On land, a private 4×4 expedition climbs Jebel Harim, the peninsula’s highest range, for sweeping views and glimpses of ancient petroglyphs and centuries-old terraced settlements. The journey ends in the seclusion of a luxury cliffside resort such as Six Senses Zighy Bay, with spa rituals, private beach time, and a tandem paraglide from the mountain ridge down to the shore.