Shoppers and traders in the lamplit lanes of Muttrah Souq in Muscat

International destination

Oman for corporate offsites and incentive trips from India

Muscat ballrooms, desert camps in the Wahiba Sands and dhow cruises in the Musandam fjords, with non-stop flights of about three to four hours from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. ICE India plans offsites, incentive trips and conferences in Oman, with travel, accommodation, venues and local coordination arranged together.

Plan an event in Oman
Getting there
Non-stop flights of about 3 to 4 hours from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad
Best months
November to March, when Muscat highs are 25 to 31 °C
Suits
Offsites for leadership teams, incentive trips and conferences of 50 to 3,000
ICE India in Oman
Planned by ICE India, with vetted local partners on the ground.

Why companies choose Oman

  • Short flights from India

    Three to four hours from the main metros. Oman time is 90 minutes behind India, so a morning flight lands in time for lunch.

  • Ballrooms for large groups

    Muscat hotels hold up to 1,200 theatre-style in one hall, and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre has a 3,200-seat auditorium.

  • Desert, mountain and sea

    Dune camps in the Wahiba Sands, terraced orchards on Jebel Akhdar and the Musandam fjords all fit into one programme.

  • Forts, souqs and a grand mosque

    Nizwa Fort, Muttrah Souq and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque fill a heritage day between sessions.

  • Indian food is easy to find

    Muscat has long-established Indian restaurants, including pure vegetarian ones, so Jain and vegetarian guests are well served.

  • Easy to pair with the UAE

    Musandam is a three-hour drive from Dubai, so a Dubai programme can add a night in the fjords.

Oman for corporate groups

Oman suits companies that want a quieter, more scenic trip than the larger Gulf cities. Muscat is compact, with beach resorts and conference hotels along the coast, and the mountains begin on its doorstep.

A leadership offsite of 50 fits a resort at Barr Al Jissah. A dealer conference of 1,000 fits the ballroom at Al Bustan Palace or the Kempinski. Larger meetings move to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ICE India plans Oman programmes from India and works with vetted local partners on the ground. For group flights, hotels and visas to Oman, see corporate travel.

Visas for Indian passport holders

Indian passport holders need a visa before travel, applied for online with the Royal Oman Police. ICE India handles the group's applications together.

Tourist visa
Single entry, valid for 10 or 30 days, applied for on the Royal Oman Police e-visa portal.
Processing time
Usually a few working days, and longer in the winter peak. ICE India applies early for the whole group.
Documents
Passports valid for six months, photographs, a confirmed hotel booking and return tickets.
Visa-free entry
Indian passport holders with a valid visa or residence permit for the United States, United Kingdom, Schengen area, Canada, Australia or Japan, or residence in a Gulf Cooperation Council country, may enter for up to 14 days without a visa. They need a return ticket, a hotel booking and health insurance, and the stay cannot be extended.

Two experiences groups book in Oman: the Wahiba dunes and the Musandam fjords

A night in the dunes and a day among the fjords. Most programmes build their best evening around one of them.

Two 4x4 vehicles driving over the rippled orange slope of a dune in the Wahiba Sands

Dune drives, camels and a night under the stars

Wahiba Sands desert camp

The Wahiba Sands, also called the Sharqiyah Sands, lie two to three hours from Muscat by road. The highway is paved as far as Al Wasil, and from there convoys of 4x4s cross the dunes.

The afternoon is for dune driving, sandboarding, quad biking and camel rides. The evening is a camp dinner with Omani food, music and storytelling around a fire, under a very clear sky. A desert camp for a corporate group means an overnight stay and a seated gala dinner.

Time
An overnight stay, with a drive of two to three hours each way from Muscat.
Group size
Larger camps such as 1000 Nights have a pool and a hall for group dinners.
As the gala night
A seated dinner at the camp, with music by the fire and the awards on stage.
Food
Omani dishes and buffets, with vegetarian and Jain menus arranged in advance.
A traditional wooden dhow carrying passengers on calm water off Khasab in Musandam

The fjords of Khasab, snorkelling and dolphins

Musandam dhow cruise

Khasab, the capital of the Musandam peninsula, is called the Norway of Arabia for its fjords, where rugged mountains drop straight into the sea. Traditional dhows sail from the harbour past Khor Sham and its sheltered waters.

A full-day cruise stops for snorkelling at Telegraph Island and for dolphin watching, with lunch on board. Large groups charter several dhows to sail together.

Time
A full day of about six hours on the water, or a half day of three hours.
Group size
Dhows run shared or private, and a large group takes several together.
As the gala night
A chartered dhow with dinner on deck and the awards ceremony.
Food
Lunch and refreshments on board, with vegetarian and Jain menus arranged in advance.

Where to go in Oman

Muscat is the base for most programmes. Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar make day trips or overnight stays inland, and Salalah in the south is a different climate altogether.

The Muttrah corniche in Muscat curving along the bay at dusk, with light trails on the road
Tiered flower beds in the gardens beside Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat

The corniche, the Grand Mosque and the beach resorts

Muscat

Oman's capital stretches along the Gulf of Oman between the mountains and the sea. Muttrah has the corniche, the souq and the old fort, and Old Muscat has Al Alam Palace, whose exterior and gardens can be visited.

The large hotels sit on the coast at Al Bustan, Barr Al Jissah, Qurum and Al Mouj, and the Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House are a short ride away. Muscat is the base for most incentive travel in Oman, with Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar as inland extensions.

Where groups stay
Al Bustan Palace has 250 rooms and a ballroom for 1,200. Al Mouj has the 310-room Kempinski, and Barr Al Jissah has a beach resort cluster. The Grand Hyatt and the InterContinental stand in Shatti Al Qurum, near the beach.
An evening out
The Muttrah corniche suits a dinner on foot, with the old fort on the hill above it. Bait Al Luban serves Omani food in a restored stone building across from the fish market.
The Grand Mosque
The prayer hall holds about 8,000 and the courtyard up to 12,000. Non-Muslim visitors come in the morning, Saturday to Thursday, with arms and legs covered and hair covered for women.
Culture
The Royal Opera House Muscat opened in 2011, and the National Museum of Oman shows the country's heritage through interactive exhibits.
Visitors on the walls and courtyards of Nizwa Fort, with the palm oasis behind
Nizwa Fort lit up at dusk, with its round tower and a courtyard of visitors

A fort, a souq and a Friday market

Nizwa and the interior

Nizwa is the old capital of the interior, about two hours from Muscat. Its fort has a great round tower with views over the oasis and the mountains, and the souq next to it sells silver, dates and halwa.

On Friday mornings the cattle and goat market fills the square. It runs from early morning to about 9:30 am, so groups arrive before it ends. The busiest bidding is between 7:30 and 9:30.

The fort
Open Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm. On Fridays it opens from 8 to 11:30 am and again from 1:30 pm.
The souq
Separate halls trade in dates, halwa, weapons and handicrafts, so a group can split up and meet again at the fort. Silver and khanjars, the curved Omani daggers, are the best-known buys.
The market
Auctioneers walk goats and cattle in a ring while buyers bid, a lively hour for guests who have not seen one.
On the way
Nizwa sits on the road to the Wahiba Sands, so many programmes visit it on the way to the desert camp. Muscat is about 170 to 180 km away, under two hours by road.
The deep gorge of Wadi Muaydin and the rocky plateau of Jebel Akhdar
Green terraced gardens clinging to a cliff on Jebel Akhdar

The Green Mountain of the Al Hajar range

Jebel Akhdar

A cool plateau of terraced orchards growing pomegranates, apricots and roses. Rose-water distilleries are busiest when the roses bloom in April and May.

Groups walk the villages of Al Ayn and Al Aqr and stop at Diana's Point for the view. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, on the canyon edge, hosts groups of up to 150.

The climate
The plateau is cooler than the coast, which makes it a good break from Muscat heat on a longer programme. The Saiq Plateau, the heart of the mountain, is about two and a half hours from Muscat.
The resort
Anantara has 115 rooms, 82 with canyon views and 33 with private pools, and a ballroom for 150. The boardroom seats 14, with a large foyer for breakout sessions.
Private dinners
The resort sets up dinners in its fortress and poolside events on the canyon edge.
On foot
The harvest season brings spectacular views over the terraces. Trails cross the Saiq Plateau and link the terraced villages, with routes for every level of fitness. The villages of Al Ayn and Al Aqr keep their old terraces, stone houses and water channels, and Diana's Point looks over the whole canyon.
Green meadows and a river in Wadi Darbat near Salalah, under low cloud
A frankincense tree beside a stream and small waterfalls in Wadi Darbat

Khareef greenery, waterfalls and frankincense

Salalah

Oman's southern city turns green when the khareef monsoon arrives between late June and September, with mist on the hills and waterfalls in the wadis.

The Haffa Souq sells frankincense, the resin Dhofar is known for. Hilton Salalah Resort is the main conference hotel, with a ballroom for 150.

The season
The khareef runs from late June to about 21 September, with the greenest weeks from mid-July to mid-August. Mist covers the hills and valleys, and waterfalls run down the mountainsides.
The resort
Hilton Salalah Resort has 147 beachfront rooms and five meeting rooms, with the Al Balid Ballroom of about 2,600 sq ft. The Al Balid Lounge adds a reception space for 100.
Outdoor days
Wadi Darbat has lakes and boat rides, with picnic spots along the valley, and Al Mughsail Beach has white sand and blowholes that spray at high tide. The wadi is also home to wildlife, so a morning walk suits nature-minded guests.
Heritage
Frankincense from Dhofar is sold in the Haffa Souq, and the finest Hojari grade is pale green or silver-white and translucent. Stalls sell loose resin, with burners and gift boxes beside it.

Flights from the main Indian cities to Oman

Flights from India arrive at Muscat International (MCT) in Seeb, about 32 km from Muttrah and Old Muscat. Most corporate groups reach Oman through Muscat, with Salalah and Khasab served by domestic flights.

Reaching Oman
FromAirportNon-stop flightsOne-stop routes
MumbaiChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (BOM)IndiGo, Air India Express, Oman Air and SalamAir, about 2h 50mNon-stop
DelhiIndira Gandhi International (DEL)Air India Express and Oman Air, about 3h 35mNon-stop
BengaluruKempegowda International (BLR)Oman Air and SalamAir, about 3h 40mNon-stop
ChennaiChennai International (MAA)Oman Air and SalamAir, about 4hNon-stop
HyderabadRajiv Gandhi International (HYD)IndiGo, Oman Air and SalamAir, about 3h 25mNon-stop
KolkataNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU)No non-stop serviceVia Mumbai or Delhi
KochiCochin International (COK)IndiGo, Air India Express and Oman Air, about 3h 45mNon-stop
AhmedabadSardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (AMD)No non-stop serviceVia Mumbai or Delhi
ThiruvananthapuramTrivandrum International (TRV)Oman Air, Air India Express and Air India, about 3h 55mNon-stop
KozhikodeCalicut International (CCJ)Oman Air, Air India Express and SalamAir, about 3h 30mNon-stop
LucknowChaudhary Charan Singh International (LKO)Oman Air and SalamAir, about 4hNon-stop
Pune, Patna and other citiesLocal airportNo non-stop serviceVia Mumbai or Delhi

Hotels and venues for groups in Oman

Eleven hotels and resorts with meeting space for groups of 50 to 1,200.

Selected corporate venues in Oman
HotelAreaRoomsEvent venuesLargest indoor venue (sq ft, theatre)
Al Bustan Palace (Ritz-Carlton)Al Bustan, Muscat25014Al Majan Ballroom: about 12,960 sq ft, 1,200 theatre
Hilton Muscat Al BandarBarr Al Jissah, Muscat19811Barr Al Jissah Ballroom: about 10,850 sq ft, 850 theatre
Kempinski Hotel MuscatAl Mouj, Muscat31011Muscat Ballroom: about 11,630 sq ft, 1,200 theatre
Grand Hyatt MuscatShatti Al Qurum, Muscat2806 meeting rooms plus a ballroomAfrah Ballroom: about 8,070 sq ft, up to 800 guests
Grand Millennium MuscatAl Khuwair, Muscat29610Crystal Ballroom: about 12,710 sq ft, 800 theatre
InterContinental MuscatShatti Al Qurum, Muscat2706Jabrin Ballroom: up to 450 guests
Crowne Plaza Muscat OCECSeeb, beside the convention centre2956Al Adham Ballroom: about 5,120 sq ft, 450 theatre
Radisson Blu Hotel MuscatAl Khuwair, Muscat1535Al Batinah: about 1,410 sq ft, 100 theatre
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar ResortJebel Akhdar1153Al Ain Ballroom: about 2,580 sq ft, 150 theatre
Hilton Salalah ResortSalalah1475Al Balid Ballroom: about 2,600 sq ft, 150 theatre
Six Senses Zighy BayZighy Bay, Musandam821Boardroom: 20

Convention centres and large venues

Oman's largest conference venue is the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Seeb, with a 3,200-seat auditorium and a Grand Ballroom for 2,590. The Royal Opera House Muscat adds a 1,100-seat auditorium for a gala evening.

  • The tiered balconies and ceiling of the Royal Opera House Muscat auditorium

    Muscat

    Royal Opera House Muscat

    Oman's national opera house, opened in 2011. Its main auditorium converts into a shoebox-style concert hall, and the complex has a concert theatre, gardens and a cultural market.

    • Opera mode: 1,100 seats
    • Concert hall mode: 850 seats
    • Landscaped gardens and a concert theatre

Evening venues in Oman

Hotels, camps and halls that can host a full group for the gala dinner, an Indian meal or a team activity.

  • Gala dinner venues

    Hotel ballrooms, a convention centre and a desert camp. Capacities are for a seated dinner unless stated.

    • Al Majan Ballroom, Al Bustan Palace: 720
    • Barr Al Jissah Ballroom, Hilton Muscat Al Bandar: 700
    • Muscat Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel Muscat: reception for up to 1,500
    • Grand Ballroom, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre: 1,390
    • Turtle Beach, Barr Al Jissah: reception for up to 1,200
    • 1000 Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands

  • Indian restaurants for groups

    Muscat has long-established Indian restaurants, from North Indian fine dining to pure vegetarian South Indian. Jain menus are arranged in advance.

    • Mumtaz Mahal, Qurum
    • Woodlands, pure vegetarian
    • Saravana Bhavan
    • Vasanta Bhavan, pure vegetarian
    • Kurkum

  • Team activity and outdoor venues

    Outdoor and heritage places that suit whole-group activities.

    • Nizwa Fort and souq: guided group visits
    • 1000 Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands: camel rides, dune drives and sandboarding
    • Khasab dhows: private charters, snorkelling and dolphin watching
    • Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar: fortress dinners and poolside events
    • Wadi Darbat, Salalah: boat rides and picnics in khareef season
    • Al Mughsail Beach, Salalah: blowholes at high tide

What groups do in Oman

  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

    One of the largest mosques in the world, with a prayer hall chandelier and gardens. Non-Muslim visitors come in the morning, with covered arms and legs and covered hair for women.

  • Muttrah Souq

    One of the oldest markets in the Arab world. Silver, frankincense, pashminas and khanjars line its lanes by the sea.

  • Al Alam Palace

    The ceremonial palace in Old Muscat, between two Portuguese-era forts. The gates and gardens are open to visitors, though not the interior.

  • National Museum of Oman

    Interactive exhibits and artefacts on Oman's heritage and history, in the heart of Muscat.

  • Wadi Darbat

    A green valley of waterfalls and lakes near Salalah, with boat rides and picnic spots in khareef season.

  • Al Mughsail Beach

    White sand and clear water near Salalah, with blowholes that throw spray high into the air at high tide.

A sample programme in Oman

A sample incentive trip for 60 to 120 guests, with one working afternoon, a desert gala night and an Indian meal. ICE India tailors it to each brief.

Four nights, five days

  1. The gold and blue gates of Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat, with visitors at the railingsDay 1

    Arrival and Old Muscat

    Flights from every office land at Muscat and each is met at the airport. After check-in, the group visits the gates and gardens of Al Alam Palace, then has dinner on the Muttrah corniche.

  2. The domes and minarets of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque across a garden of flowering shrubsDay 2

    Grand Mosque and conference

    A morning visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, within the hours open to non-Muslim visitors. The afternoon is a working session in the hotel ballroom, and dinner is at Mumtaz Mahal in Qurum, a North Indian restaurant.

  3. A desert camp of white huts among trees, seen from above, with the dunes of the Wahiba Sands behindDay 3

    Nizwa and a desert gala night

    Coaches head inland to Nizwa Fort and the souq, then on to a Wahiba Sands camp. Dune drives and camel rides fill the afternoon, and the gala dinner is under the stars with live music and an awards ceremony.

  4. The white front of the National Museum of Oman under a blue skyDay 4

    Back to Muscat

    A morning in the dunes, then the drive back to Muscat. The afternoon is for the National Museum of Oman, and the farewell dinner is Omani, at a restaurant such as Bait Al Luban in Muttrah.

  5. A fort on a rocky hill above the Muttrah waterfront, with the bay in the foregroundDay 5

    Souq and departure

    A last morning at Muttrah Souq for frankincense, halwa and silver, then coaches to Muscat International for the flight back to India.

Food, souvenirs and shopping in Oman

Gifts and food are bought during visits already on the programme, so no day needs to be set aside for shopping.

  • Local food to try

    Omani food is slow-cooked and lightly spiced, and Muttrah and the Opera Galleria are the easiest places to taste it.

    • Shuwa, lamb cooked for hours in an underground oven, at Bait Al Luban, Muttrah
    • Mashuai, roasted kingfish with saffron rice, at Bait Al Luban or Kargeen Caffe
    • Harees and shuwa at Al Angham, Opera Galleria
    • Modern Omani dishes at Ubhar, Qurum
    • Omani halwa, made with brown sugar, rose water and spices
    • Kahwa, cardamom coffee, served with dates

  • What to bring home

    Frankincense, halwa and silver make easy gifts for colleagues and family.

    • Frankincense and a small burner, from Muttrah Souq or the Haffa Souq in Salalah
    • Omani halwa in a wooden box
    • Dates and date honey
    • Silver jewellery and miniature khanjars, from Nizwa and Muttrah
    • Rose water from the Jebel Akhdar distilleries
    • Bahla pottery

  • Where to shop

    Souqs for gifts, and malls for brands and easy air-conditioned browsing.

    • Muttrah Souq: silver, khanjars, frankincense and pashminas
    • Nizwa Souq: separate halls for dates, halwa, weapons and handicrafts
    • Haffa Souq, Salalah: frankincense
    • Muscat Grand Mall, next to the Grand Millennium
    • Mall of Oman, Muscat

When to go

The main season runs from November to March, when Muscat highs are 25 to 31 °C and every outdoor plan works. October and April are warmer, near 35 °C. In summer Muscat is very hot, so programmes move indoors, to Jebel Akhdar or south to Salalah.

Ramadan 2027 is expected to run around 8 February until 9 March. Hotels stay open and dinners follow sunset, so check live music and alcohol service with each venue.

June to September
Salalah's khareef season turns the Dhofar hills green, with the best waterfalls from mid-July to mid-August.
April and May
Roses bloom on Jebel Akhdar, and the rose-water distilleries are at their busiest.
Friday and Saturday
Oman's weekend. Business sessions run Sunday to Thursday.

Muscat on film

Muscat in 4KA short film of Muscat, the capital of Oman.

  • The acronym ICE stands for Impressive, Capable, and Efficient. It was so calm and well-managed that they were able to handle the whole event from scratch. The company is experienced in handling things such as negotiations, customisation, and creativity. Our event was managed by ICE India in such a way that our client was unstoppable in appreciating it. It is Mufaddal who is the backbone of ICE India and he has a wonderful team to support him in managing any event. We had a great time working with ICE India, and I am sure they will go far in this industry. A big thank you to the team at ICE India.

    Priti SinghLead - Human Resource, KlinEra

  • We engaged the services of ICE India for managing our Annual Meet at Hotel Novotel Hyderabad. We have been dealing with ICE India for many events and the fact that we have engaged them numerous times is an indicator of our satisfaction of their standards of service. The principle of the company, Mr. Mufaddal Dahodwala, personally gets involved in the event, right from the planning stage until execution. He adds tremendous value by giving his inputs on what & how to be done. His personal touch to the events is truly appreciated. The Hyderabad event was very successful and much appreciated by the attendees, a smooth flowing event without hiccups.

    Karthik RamanChief Distribution Officer, IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  • This was our first time organising a rewards and recognition event for our employees. Charmi's skill, experience and confidence help put us at ease and the result was a smoothly executed event much appreciated by all the employees.

    Suhas ShettyJ L Morison

Planning an event in Oman: questions

How do groups reach Salalah and Khasab?

By domestic flight from Muscat. Salalah takes about 1 hour 40 minutes on SalamAir or Oman Air, and Khasab about 45 minutes on Oman Air. Khasab can also be reached by road from Dubai in about three hours, via Ras Al Khaimah, with the border crossing handled by local partners.

Do we need 4x4 vehicles?

Yes, for the dunes of the Wahiba Sands beyond Al Wasil and for the plateau of Jebel Akhdar, where a police checkpoint turns back other vehicles. ICE India books 4x4s with drivers through local partners.

What should the programme plan around?

The weekend is Friday and Saturday. The Grand Mosque admits non-Muslim visitors in the morning from Saturday to Thursday, and the Friday goat market at Nizwa ends by about 9:30 am.

Can we combine Oman with Dubai?

Yes. Musandam can be added to a UAE programme by road, and Muscat is a short flight from Dubai. See Dubai.

I run a travel agency. Can ICE India help with Oman groups?

ICE India plans Oman programmes for corporate clients. Tourism boards and agencies that want help with the Indian market can read about India destination representation.

Compare destinations

  • Destination

    Dubai

    Five-star ballrooms, desert camps and non-stop flights from the main Indian cities.

  • Destination

    Abu Dhabi

    Ferrari World, the Grand Mosque and Yas Island, a short drive from Dubai.

  • Destination

    Doha

    A Gulf capital of museums, a souq and large conference hotels.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Dr. Thomas Liptak, albinfo, A.wahid47, Muiad123, Francesco Bini and NationalMuseumOman (CC BY-SA 4.0); Andries Oudshoorn, Eduard Marmet and Domenico Convertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ketan Mehta (CC BY-SA 3.0); Dr. Ondřej Havelka (CC BY 4.0); Chief National Guard Bureau (CC BY 2.0). Other photos are from ICE India and public sources, and remain the property of their owners.