Horizon Travel & Tourism - Camping Adventure Tour Of Oman

Camping Adventure Tour Of Oman

Wadi Al Arbeieen - Wahiba Sands - Jebel Shams

Duration

7 Days & 6 Nights

Theme

HTT Specials

Transfer Type

Private

Country

Oman

Overview

Embark on an exhilarating camping tour of Oman that takes you through diverse landscapes, ancient towns, and breathtaking natural wonders. From exploring fishing villages to traversing desert dunes, this itinerary offers a comprehensive experience of Oman's rich culture and stunning scenery. High-Level Itinerary: Day 1: Depart from Muscat in 4WD vehicles to Wadi Arbayeen, passing through Quriyat and its ancient fort. Explore the Fish souk and spot wildlife along the waterfront. Continue to Wadi Arbayeen for swimming and snorkeling. Journey through picturesque villages to reach Wadi Shab for a scenic walk and swim. Camp at Tiwi Beach. Day 2: Drive along the coast to Sur, visiting Bibi Miriam's mausoleum and the town's highlights. Explore Wadi Bani Khalid's rock pools before venturing into Wahiba Sands. Enjoy dune bashing and visit a Bedouin community. Camp in the desert. Day 3: Cross Wahiba Sands, visiting a Bedouin house en route. Explore coastal villages and watch flamingos at Ras Bantawt. Camp on the coast. Day 4: Transfer to Khaluf and then continue to Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. Overnight stay in Nizwa. Day 5: Visit Nizwa Souq and the fort before driving to Jebel Akhdar. Explore mountain villages and terraced gardens. Day 6: Visit Misfah al Abriyyin and Wadi Nakhr for hiking and canyon exploration. Ascend Jebel Shams for panoramic views and a mountain sunset.

Day 7: Hike the Balcony Walk at Jebel Shams, offering stunning canyon views. Drive through Wadi Bani Awf, known for off-roading and mountain driving. Return to Muscat in the afternoon. This camping tour offers a blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and natural beauty, showcasing the best of Oman's diverse landscapes and heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart by 4wd vehicles to the spectacular coastal side of Oman. We proceed towards the fishing town of Quriyat through the stark mountain terrain. Drive through this fishing village visiting the 400 year old Quriyat Fort before heading for the Fish souk where a variety of fish is traded for local consumption as well as export. Drive along the picturesque waterfront. There is a good chance of spotting Flamingos and Eagles at an inland stream. Driving via Mazaara, we then start on an adventurous route cutting through the mountains. At the end of the route Wadi Arbayeen awaits with its deep pools of water set among the date palms. Little after Wadi Arbayeen, the gravel road begins and offers some of the most spectacular views of the Gulf of Oman, as it now runs parallel to the coast all the way to Sur. Our stop is at Bimah Sinkhole where you will see a natural crater in the limestone created due to the collapsing of a cave roof. At the bottom of this sinkhole is clear green brackish water, in which you can also swim & snorkel. Another lovely opportunity to swim out in the open is a little further at the Fins Beach. Next, you will continue travelling through the villages of Dibab and Finns and arrive at Wadi Shab – wadi meaning ‘gorge between cliffs’. Your guide will take you for a visually breathtaking, easy walk through the wadi. Your walk will take you past the green grass, banana and mango trees. The narrow winding, old rock paths will bring you to a series of streams and pools. You will have the opportunity to swim through a pond of crystal clear water and swim through a narrow keyhole, surfacing inside a magnificent cave, which contains an inspiring waterfall. After you are refreshed you will travel to the white sands of Tiwi Beach where we will set our camp for the night.

Overnight stay in Wild Camping

Day 2

After breakfast we will drive along the coast arriving at the mausoleum of Bibi Miriam at Qalhat, where you can view Bibi Miriam’s tomb and the ruins of the ancient town of Qalhat. Driving past the huge plant of Oman LNG, you will arrive in Sur. Sur is where the traditional wooden Omani dhows are made. It also features many fine old homes with carved doors and arabesque windows. It offers great photo opportunities. We proceed to visit Wadi Bani Khalid through the Eastern Hajar mountains. At Wadi Bani Khalid, we will take an easy walk to the brilliant blue rock pools and there will be time for a refreshing swim in the Wadi before continuing on to Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba’s are desert in a romantic sense of the word rolling sand dunes, varying from deep red to a rich honey color, stretching as far as the eye can see. This is the traditional home of the nomadic Bedouin. At Wahiba you will experience 4W driving on the sand dunes as well as a visit to a Bedouin community. Experiencing the sunset at the top of the dunes.

Overnight stay in Safari Desert Camp in Desert

Day 3

In the morning begins the journey, which will take you across the magnificent Wahiba Sands. It’s a wonderful crossing of the Wahiba sands. The track is often easy to follow but the wind brings sometimes sand that covers it. We head first to the south and then south-east. The northern part of this desert is made of almost parallel high dunes. On our way we will visit Bedouin house were will have Omani coffee and dates. Reach the village of Qihayd, located on the edge of the Arabian Sea. Drive ahead to Mahawat, Lunch at Mahawat local restaurant. We proceed to watch Flamingo Birds in Film More adventure awaits you today as we head As we travel through Film, Al Khaluf We set up our camp on the Ras Bantawt.

Overnight stay in Wild Camping

Day 4

After breakfast you will be transferred to Khaluf, Lunch at a local restaurant. we proceed on our way to Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. staying overnight at Hotel in Nizwa. Day at leisure and overnight stay in the hotel.

Overnight stay in Al Bustan Inn Hotel

Day 5

After breakfast we will visit the traditional Nizwa Souq where there will be an opportunity to purchase and see many traditional Omani things. Nizwa is a major city of Oman located at the foot of the mountains in the interior. In the past it was the capital of the country and remains the cultural center of the country for mountain people. The Souq was rehabilitated some 15 years ago.

Friday is the market day, called ‘Souq Al Jumaa‘, and brings visitors from the nearby mountains as well as Bedous from the desert side. The livestock Souq is particularly worth a visit. But you find also the Fish Souq, vegetable souq, meat souq, as well as some people selling mountain honey, dates, incense, and anything you might need. And than we will, Visit the fort of Nizwa, the fort of Nizwa was rehabilitated recently. It has a defensive part (the so called citadelle) and a housing part (which was designed or the Imam and the scholars). From the top of the citadelle e have stunning views over nizwa and its palm cove, the largest of the country. The underfloor of the fort was occupied by prison cells. These have been equipped to receive a museum about local culture. The museum is small but very well done. It is worth a visit! And then we will drive to Jabel Akhdar green mountain 2000m high were we will have four villages walk. Throw forest old villages & we will see beautiful tresses. We start this tour with Oasis village of Birkat Al Mauz. After crossing a check post located at the foot of the mountain, you start the ascent up the mountain. The drive up the mountain offers some splendid panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and brings you to the Saiq plateau. Jebel Akhdar is also extremely famous due to its large plantations of roses, apricots and pomegranates besides a variety of other fruits & vegetables found on the slopes of the mountain in terrace-like gardens.

Overnight stay in Green View Hotel at Jebel Akdhar

DAY 6

After a relaxed breakfast, start your journey, To visit Misfah al Abriyyin, a picturesque village strapped to the side of a mountain, hiking for 1 hours. As you walk around this beautiful village where time has come to a standstill, you will be moved by the simplicity and friendliness of the people. Proceed to Wadi Nakhr. hiking for 1 hours, which is the river bed emerging from a canyon alongside the village. This is the start of the Wadi Nakhr Gorge which winds for several kilometers into the Jebels to become the Grand Canyon of Oman. After the Wadi Nakhr off-road, ascend to Jebel Shams, the tallest peak in Oman at 10,000 feet. From the rim of the canyon you can see Nakhr village, 2km directly below. You will meet the Shuwawis (mountain people) hawking blankets and carpets. Later descend and see the beautiful mountain sunset.

Overnight stay in Jebel Shams Resort in Jebel Shams

Day 7

After breakfast, hiking for 5 hours - Balcony walk. There are three hiking routes at Jabal Shams: Al Nakhur Rim Hike (W6 Route), Al Khitaym to Wadi Ghul Hike (W6a Route) and the Jabal Shams Summit Hike (W4 Route) This is the most recommended route for casual hikes as it is an easy hike through the rim of the ‘Grand Canyon’ starting from Al Khitaym village. This is the village at the end of the road at Jabal Shams, right at the edge of the canyon. As you get in the village and past the ‘stalls’ set up by the villagers, you will notice the white, red and yellow flags indicating the start of routes W6 & W6a. The route takes you from Al Khitaym village through the rim of Al Nakhur Canyon, with spectacular views of the canyon and villages in the bottom. The route is well paved with a gentle downward slope, taking you past a couple of corners that are worth a stop to take in the view, all the way to an abandoned village called “Al Sab” where you can see traces of terraced gardens, towers and houses. Overall, the roundtrip hike from Al Khitaym to the abandoned village of Al Sab shouldn’t take you more than 2.5 hours, and is an easy hike suitable for all levels (even for the younger ones.

After the crossing of the adventurous Wadi Bani Awf drive which is very picturesque and involves off-roading and mountain driving. It is considered to be one of the best off-road driving terrains in Oman. Break for a lunch in a local restaurant

After this, return to Muscat later in the afternoon (tarmac road all the way). We will drop you off at the place of your choice.