Horizon Travel & Tourism - Salalah Camping Tour

Salalah Camping Tour

MUSCAT - NIZWA - EMPTY QUARTER - SALALAH

Duration

13 NIGHTS AND 14 DAYS

Theme

Adventure

Transfer Type

Private

Country

Oman

Overview

This 14-day Oman tour itinerary takes you on a journey through the diverse landscapes of the country, allowing you to experience its rich culture and natural beauty. Starting in Muscat, you will explore the city's historic landmarks, including the Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, and Al Alam Palace.

The tour then takes you to Nizwa, Al Hamra, and Jebel Shams, where you can witness the stunning views of the mountains and traditional mud houses. From there, you will travel to the Empty Quarter, one of the largest sand deserts in the world.

After exploring the desert, you will make your way to Salalah, the coastal town famous for its souqs and Frankincense Museum. You will then travel to Shuwaymiyah, Qahal, and Al Khaluf, where you can experience the traditional Omani way of life.

The tour will end with visits to the Wahiba Sands desert, Bimmah Sinkhole, and Wadi Shab before relaxing at Finns Beach. You will stay in camps set up in most of the places, offering you an immersive experience of Omani culture.

Overall, this 14-day Oman tour itinerary is an ideal choice for those seeking adventure, cultural experiences, and stunning natural beauty.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Muscat and check in at the hotel. Muscat is an old walled town, surrounded by a horseshoe ring of mountains on the landward side that naturally restricts the growth of the city. The seaward face of Muscat is domino led by the Portuguese fortresses of Merani and Jalani (built in 1587) with their crenelated purpose.

Day 2

Muscat is arguably the Gulf's most attractive city, with much to offer the visitor. We make a morning orientation tour of the National Museum (telling of Oman's heritage both ancient and modern) the Merani and Jelani Forts and the Royal Palace, leaving the afternoon free to explore as your interests take you. Proceed for an evening sunset dhow cruise through the picturesque harbor and along the jagged coast by "dhow the traditional sailing craft famous throughout the region.

Day 3

Heading south, we- travel by 4WD vehicle through the mountains, passing the dramatic craggy peaks of the Jebel Akhdar ("Green Mountain") range, the highest mountain range in Oman. Despite its desolate and barren nature; small settlements cling to the plateau areas, nestling in the lunar-like landscape. For thousands of years, self-sufficient oases have flourished in the folds of rock, using an ancient irrigation system known as Falaj. These are water channels that never dry up, often contoured round wadis or tunneled through the cliffs to tap the water table. Upkeep of the life-giving falaj is a community responsibility and contributes to maintaining harmony within a village. We stop en route to view the AI Hamra mountain range; at 300qm, Jebel shams (mountain of the suns) is the high-test peak in Oman. Along the track to the summit of Jebel Shams, we encounter an astonishing view down a sheer drop of 1000m to the bottom of the "Grand Canyon", Oman's very own (and equally spectacular) version of its American counterpart; at the bottom of this vast void, a wadi winds peacefully through the landscape. According to one theory, the canyon was once a huge cave, and evidence of fossils and shells suggests that the canyon base was at one time covered by a shallow sea. We reach Nizwa, the capital of Oman from 751 to 1154 AD and still regarded as the cultural capital. Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 4

We spend a full day exploring some of the many highlights of the surrounding area. We begin with Nizwa Fort and Souq and at the entire ruined village of Tanuf, destroyed during the Jabal war and where a famous brand of mineral water is now drawn and bottled. We also visit the impressive Jabrin Fort, a 17th-century fortified palace built in a vast oasis of palm trees, with commanding views of the whole valley. It was once a seat of learning and is noted for its painted wooden ceilings and interesting stairways. We also visit Bahla, whose golden fort can be seen long before arriving at this small town, fumed for its excellent potters. There may be time to explore the interesting souq, browsing the array of dazzling treasures. Bargain hard as behind the flashing eyes of an Omani trader is an acute businessman who knows you want to buy!

Day 5

Our long journey south toward Salalah begins today. We travel along the main route through the center of the country, passing through the arid scenery of this sparsely populated country. The vast golden emptiness of the terrain and desolate scrubland is occasionally interrupted by oil fields and small settlements. Skirting the edges of Arabia's "Empty Quarter" (Rub'AI Khali) , a vast expanse of barren rock, salt flats, gravel beds, and golden dunes covering the lower third of the Arabian peninsular, we touch on "the essence of Wilfred Thesinger's two great desert journeys. We visit the ancient site of Ubar and overnight camp at the edge of the Rub' A I Khali.
Overnight wild camp with all meals

Day 6

Continuing our journey southwards, the terrain gradually changes from flat gravel plains to the highlands as the road meanders up to the Qara mountains. Peppered with small, crude, round buildings with walled enclosures, the area is inhabited by the Qara people, who live a simple life eking out a living from the land. We reach the dramatic southern coastline and continue to the white sand beach at Mughsail, and follow the coastal road to camp near the coastal village of Taqah. This attractive fishing port has some traditional merchants' houses and extensive coconut groves that fringe a perfect beach.
Overnight at camp with all meals.

Day 7

This morning we drive to Sumhuram (at present closed for renovation, However, the groups are visiting through the side entrance) and visit the ancient archaeological site which was once associated with the Queen of Sheba. In ancient times Sumhuram was a famous port on the Incense trail through the deserts of Arabia to Mesopotamia. The rare Frankincense tree grows in profusion in this area. Its gnarled bushes are tapped for a resin, which, when dried, can be burnt to produce a heady scent. We continue in our 4WD vehicles to Bin Ali's Tomb - the famous local imam - and cemetery. We then continue our journey to the garden city of Salalah where we can observe the slow pace of life, the Dhofar seem to have plenty of time on their hands and often groups of 1urbaned men can be seen sitting under the shade of tamarisk - tree sipping cups of bitter Arabic coffee. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8

Today marks the start of cur unique traverse following the route of Bertram Thomas in 1928, through tribal areas along the desolate Arabian Coast. Traveling through flat and desolate desert landscapes. We see the acute juxtaposition of modern Oman's oil industry with a traditional desert way of life which has hardly changed. We descend a 300m escarpment- from the crystal plateau to the coastal village of Shuwaymiyah, where we set up camp for the night with all meals

Day 9

We aim to walk in the beautiful Wadi Shuwaymiyah, following the Wadi inland to a verdant grove of palms marking the water source. Alternatively, you may choose simply to relax on the white sand beach. Shuwaymiyah village itself is a sleepy place, well known locally as a center for basket weaving. Overnight in camp with all meals.

Day 10

A visit to the curious pink lagoons of Qahal is included today. The high salt content of these stagnant pools, which are cut off from the sea, breeds algae which makes the water appear pink. In winter it is sometimes possible to see flamingoes visiting the lagoons. The area is also home to many other species of birds. From here we proceed to Ras Madrakah where the granite rocks of the rugged lunar landscape contrast starkly with the white sandy beach. Our wild camp with all meals is set up over here facing the Arabian Sea.

Day 11

Continuing towards our night stop we sample. the vastness of the desert and pass rocky coastal plains with beautiful ocean views to the right with occasional palm trees dotting the landscape. It is not uncommon to spot spoonbill herons and ducks lazing in the shallow lagoons. The landscape transforms from low plains to large black dolomites, standing in contrast against the ochre sandstone escarpment. These are some of the oldest rocks in Oman. We follow a graded coastal road alongside empty white beaches and small traditional villages. We may picnic at AI Khaluf, a small fishing village with traditional houses, where millions of small pink seashells litter the beach; it is sometimes possible to view dolphins here.
We reach the Wahiba Sands, a vast sea of sand covering about 15,000 sq kilometers.Overnight stay at camp in the desert.

Day 12

The endless dunes are generally rusty red. at the base and honey-colored on the top - an alluring landscape of changing contours and colors. The sands are home to Bedu, nomadic tribesmen who roam the ICI1d with goats and camels or live in small fishing villages. Skirting the eastern part of the Wahiba Sands, we continue north to the town of Ashkaharah. by the coastal road we reach the town of Sur, once a major trading port with East Africa. We visit the dhow boats, used throughout the 19th century, which are still built today. Sur now represents the seafaring origins of Oman. We also visit the nearby small fishing village at Ayega. Our final camp at Finns Beach provides more wonderful opportunities for swimming. Overnight stay in Finns Beach.

Day 13

We pick up Wadi Shab to a series of freshwater pools. Before continuing our journey to the saltwater Bimmah Sinkhole near Dibab for a lunch at a local restaurant and a swim. Then we drive to Muscat and enjoy our final night in Oman.