Close Details
Day 1: Join tour Muscat
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2: Drive to Jebel Akhdar: walking on the Sayq Plateau
Before we depart the city this morning we will pay a visit to Muscat's Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the Middle East and a magnificent structure that is capable of accommodating some 20,000 worshippers. This incredible building is decorated throughout with grey and white marble, intricate tile work and stained glass, whilst its main prayer hall is covered in a Persian carpet that took 600 weavers 4 years to make. Please be aware that you will need to be appropriately dressed for this visit and that ladies will need to cover their heads, arms and legs. After our visit we continue towards the dramatic landscapes of the Jebel Al Akdar, the highest mountain range in Oman. We will spend the afternoon walking on the Sayq Plateau, taking in the spectacular views and the breathtaking land-scapes of this surprisingly fertile plateau. Despite the desolate and barren nature of these mountains, small settlements cling to these canyons, nestling amongst their lunar-like landscapes and, as we walk towards our first night's camp, we pass through timeless vistas peppered with these tiny settlements.
Approx walking time: 3 hours
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Walk to Wadi Bani Habib
Drive to Jebel Shams After breaking camp this morning we head from Al Jarir, down towards the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib, nestling amongst the inner slopes of the mountain. The old stone village seems to emerge from the very rock that surrounds it and, as we stand at the bottom of the wadi surrounded by steep walls of towering granite, we are swamped by the sheer majesty and immensity of this landscape. After a chance to explore a little something of the now deserted village we continue on to the new settlement of Wadi Bani Habib, where we rejoin our 4WD vehicles for the journey on to Jebel Shams (the Mountain of the Sun). The highest point in eastern Arabia, Jebel Shams rises some 3000 metres above the surrounding plains and forms the central section of the Al Hajar Mountains, a region that was the scene of some of the most intense fighting during the Jebel Akhdar War of the 1950s.
Approx walking time: 4 hours
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Grand Canyon walk
Drive to Nizwa Today we enjoy one of the highlights of our journey, a trek through the dramatic landscapes of Oman's Hajar Mountains, where we are treated to some truly breathtaking views of the country's rugged interior. This includes a walk through Oman's very own 'Grand Canyon', the stunning Wadi An Nakhar, whose sheer scale dwarfs us as we hike along the canyon's edge. Almost a 1,000 metres deep, the canyon rim is located 2,000 metres up Jebel Shams and its ancient rocks are embedded fossilised remains, evidence that this huge canyon once lay at the bottom of the ocean. After taking lunch in Wadi Ghul we rejoin our vehicles and drive on to Nizwa, one of the country's ancient capitals and once the central power-base of the Omani Imamate. Our journey to Nizwa takes us through the Sumail Gap, the old gateway through the mountains to the riches of the east and an important route for the old camel caravans that once plied their trade along the ancient silk routes. We spend this evening in a hotel close to the centre of the city.
Approx walking time: 4 hours.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Visit Nizwa souk and fort then drive to Wahiba Sands
We will visit Nizwa's bustling souk this morning, where a constant cacophony of sights, sounds and smells assail the senses. Here you can find life continuing much as it has for generations, where crowds of traditionally dressed Omanis, ruminating cattle and hyper-active goats present a priceless image of Omani life that has endured for centuries. We also visit Nizwa's magnificent 17th century fort, an imposing edifice whose 40 metre high walls present us with some expansive and unrestrictive views across the surrounding countryside. After taking lunch in a local restaurant we then leave the city and drive southeast, towards the alluring landscapes of Wahiba Sands. Covering over 15,000 square kilometres, these endless dunes present an ever-changing ocean of colours and contours, with some of them towering some 100 metres above the surrounding desert. These seemingly inhospitable sands are home to the nomadic Bedu, who roam the land tending their goats and camels, or live in the small fishing villages that lie besides the rich waters of the Arabian Sea. Sunset promises some stunning photo opportunities amidst this spectacular scenery, so we will take a walk this evening across the dunes, to enjoy the serenity of the setting and take dinner with a local Bedouin family.
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: AM dune walk. PM drive to Ras Al Hadd
Early mornings in the desert are a time of activity. Mists are a curious phenomena of the sands, spreading across the dunes and wadis at night, to disappear in the early mornings. The remarkable dew drinking beetle, living just below the surface of the normally scorching sands, utilises this time to gain valuable sustenance. Just before sunrise they burrow to the surface, creating runnels in the sand to collect the dew from the rapidly disappearing mists. There is an opportunity this morning to take a camel ride through the sands, following in the footsteps (and camel tracks) of the nomadic Bedouin. In spite of its inhospitable feel, the sands contain a remarkable amount of life. As well as the Bedu they are home to an exotic diversity of fauna including dragonflies, wolf, two species of Ruppell's fox, wild cats and white-tailed mongooses. Some 115 species of birds have also been recorded here and it is one of the few remaining refuges for the elusive Arabian and Sand Gazelles. After lunch we then drive on to Ras Al Hadd, the easterly most point of the country and one of the largest nesting sites on the planet for green turtles. Some 13,000 turtles come ashore to nest here, negotiating their way across thousands of miles of ocean, to emerge from the waters to lay up to 100 eggs amongst the soft sands. We will have a free afternoon around this spectacular area, then after dinner we will be escorted to the beach, where we will hopefully catch a rare glimpse of one of these incredible creatures nesting.
Approx walking time: 4+ hours.
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Drive to Wadi Tiwi, via White Beach and the dhow shipyards in Sur
Following the coastline north this morning we head next for the dhow shipyards at Sur. Once a major trading port with East Africa, Sur is steeped in the seafaring origins of Oman and we will visit its shipbuilding yard today, where traditional dhows are still being constructed much as they have for generations. We also visit the nearby small fishing village at Ayega, now a quiet community of old merchant houses, but once a stronghold of the rebellious sheikhs. After picking up some fresh fish for dinner we then head for the sands of White Beach, where we spend the afternoon enjoying the warm turquoise waters and golden sands of the Gulf of Oman. There should be ample opportunity to relax and swim amongst the warm coastal waters, before we head for our camp at Wadi Tiwi, to spend the evening amidst the groves and fruit trees of this beautiful setting.
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Walk in Wadi Shab. Drive to Muscat and board dhow
After breakfast this morning we travel the short distance to Wadi Shab, an oasis of freshwater pools and swaying palms that provides us with a lovely gentle walk through lush vegetation and past streams and pools to a swimming hole at the base of some hidden caves. Returning to the vehicles we then continue following the craggy coastline back to Muscat, where we board a traditional wooden dhow for an overnight cruise around the coast. Oman's maritime traditions lie at the heart of its cultural heritage. The skill of their seafarers, coupled with the ingenuity of their boat builders, saw Omani merchants following the monsoon winds to the Malabar coast of India, to trade frankincense and horses for Indian teak and Chinese silk. At their peak over 100 oceangoing ships would be lay at anchor off Sur, awaiting the arrival of the southwest monsoons to begin the 2000 mile journey east. This evening we won't be travelling quite so far, but as we sail away from Muscat in the glow of the setting sun, we do nonetheless follow a tradition that has en-dured for centuries. This evening we will camp out either on the dhow or at a remote beach location, sleeping beneath the same blanket of stars that once looked down on men like Shihab Ahmadbin Majid, one of the greatest of Oman's navigators.
Approx walking time: 2 hours
Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming is available on this daySwimming available
Day 9: Sail back to Muscat: visit Sultan's Palace and Mutrah souk
After enjoying an opportunity swim, snorkel and kayak from our dhow, we then return to Muscat later this morning, to take a tour of Oman's captivating capital. An old walled town and arguably the Gulf's most attractive city, Muscat is surrounded by a horseshoe ring of mountains on the landward side that naturally restricts the growth of the city. Its seaward side is dominated by the 16th century Portuguese fortresses of Merani and Jalali, whose crenelated parapets present an imposing site against the stark rocks and the blue waters. We'll visit the ornate palace of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and view the dominating forts that once protected the harbour, before heading to Mutrah souk. The souk is one of the best in the region, containing a glittering array of merchandise, from Omani daggers and silvertipped canes, to the aromatic spices of frankincense and myrrh. This afternoon has then been left free for you to enjoy a little time exploring this lovely city at your own pace. You might like to return to the souk, or just wander along the Corniche. Other options include possible visits to the Beit Al Zubair museum and the Natural History museum to learn a little of Oman's fascinating heritage, both ancient and modern.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Fly to Khasab. PM city tour
This morning we fly north, up to the remote Musandam Peninsula and the coastal town of Khasab. The capital of the Musandam region, the town itself is almost lost amongst the wide oasis of date palms that surround it. Home to some 16,000 people, its population swells in the summer months, when local people migrate along the coastline and descend from their isolated herding existence in the Ruus al Jibal Mountains to help with the annual date harvests. This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the town with a local guide. Built by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 17th century, Khasab was once a supply point for ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, supplying the Portuguese with water and dates for the onward journey. Trade these days seem to revolve around the illegal smuggling of goats and sheep from Iran, in exchange for electronic goods and American cigarettes. A daily flotilla of high powered boats make the perilous journey across the strait, loaded up with livestock one way and contraband the other. Each evening the harbour becomes a hive of activity as they begin the return journey, trying to avoid the dangers of the everpresent tankers and the Iranian coastguard.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Dhow cruise around the coast
Today we enjoy another dhow trip, this time exploring the calm turquoise waters of Khor Ash Shamm, where creamy limestone cliffs rise up into the surrounding arid peaks and the distinctive lines of sedimentary strata can clearly be seen. Sailing past the fishing villages of Nadifi and Qanaha, we head for Telegraph Island, from where the first telegraphic message was carried from Karachi to London in 1865. It is said that the expression 'round the bend' derives from the loneliness of this little island: the British telegraph operators apparently joked about being sent 'round the bend' (in the fjord) from Khasab to Telegraph Island! With every chance of spotting dolphins playing in the fjord, we sail past the villages of Seebi and Sham, to stop and swim in the warm waters and enjoy a relaxing lunch, before we head back to Khasab. Please note, this trip will not be exclusive to Explore and you will be sharing the voyage with other travellers.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Jeep safari to Jebel Harim (2087m)
After breakfast we venture by 4WD into the lonely, barren interior of the Musandam. Taking a long, winding road up to Jebel Harim (Mountain of Women) we follow a switchback trail up onto the Sayh Plateau. The highest mountain on the Musandam, the views from up here stretch far off into the distance, providing us with some of the most spectacular vistas on the peninsula. We then drive onto the viewpoint at Khawr al Najd, where we get a magnificent view of the fjord coastline spread out before us. Occasionally we come across a verdant area in the arid landscape, where goats graze upon lush green grass and occasionally there is a tiny collection of houses in this otherwise sparsely populated region. These distinctive houses are called Bait al Qofil or 'Lock Houses' and they are built of local stone, acacia wood and earth and gravel mix roofs. Such dwellings have raised slabs for sleeping, sitting and storing goods and unusually the floor is sunken to around a metre below ground level. Two substantial locks prevent entry by strangers when the household members migrate down to the coastline in the summer for fishing and date picking, hence the name 'Lock House'.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Tour ends Abu Dhabi
This morning we drive across the border into the UAE, where our tour will end on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Included meals: Breakfast
