Oman Adventure

9 days (Muscat)

Destinations visited: Oman, Muscat

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Explore the geographical diversity and fascinating culture of Oman

This trip brings together the dramatic coastline and the picturesque interior of Oman. Using different modes of transport over a variety of terrains, it shows off the truly beautiful nature of this country. The trip takes us on a fantastic boat trip up through Bandar Khayran with its numerous private coves. We continue on down the northerly coastline staying at White Sands Beach at Fins and exploring the beautiful Wadi Shab before reaching the Turtle Reserve at Ras Al Jinz, home to the Green Back Turtles. We then head inland to the famous Wahiba Sands desert before getting to the old capital Nizwa and some fantastic walking in the Hajar Mountains. Our trip would not be complete without visits to old ruins, magnificent castles and the unique falaj irrigation systems. This trip is the perfect way to get a taste of the best Oman has to offer.

Highlights

Boat trip into secluded coves of Bandar Khayran
See Green Back Turtles in Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Visit Wahiba Sands Desert
Walk in Jebal Akhdar Mountain Range known as Oman’s Grand Canyon
Magnificent castles and old ruins
Traditional markets and souqs
Muscat

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Muscat

Please make your own way to the hotel by taxi or ask us for the cost of a private transfer. The first and last night in Muscat are included at a standard 3 star hotel. For these nights you will be free to do as you please.

Day 2 Boat Trip to Bandar Khayran

You will be picked up from your hotel in Muscat and enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Muscat including Muttrah Souq, the Grand Mosque and the new Royal Opera House. This afternoon you will be transferred to the Bander Rhowda Marina. You depart on our boat to explore the dramatic coastline of the capital and you will see the sites of Muscat from the sea and hopefully see dolphins. You head for Bander Khyran which is full of secluded bays and sandy beaches, where your tents will be erected and you will have a chance to relax on the beach and snorkel before sundown. (Overnight camping)

Day 3 Quriyyat and Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Heading out of Qantab, a village near your camp, you head south along the coast to the fishing town of Quriyyat where you are able to stroll along its promenade and visit its historic fort. Continuing along the coast, you will visit the Bimah sinkhole, one of the wonders of Oman and the twin wadi’s of Tiwi and Shab. The afternoon is taken up exploring the wadi’s, clambering over big boulders and swimming in their deep pools. This evening you head to the turtle reserve at Ras Al Jinz to see the Green Back Turtles. (Overnight hotel)

Day 4 Sur and Wahiba Sands desert

Leaving the camp after breakfast and a quick swim, you arrive in Sur mid-morning. Here we have the opportunity to wander around this famous boat-building town. Home to the Arabian dhow, Sur is rich in tradition and it is possible to see the traditional boat building methods still being used today. Leaving the port you head to the Sharqiya Sands region, home to the Wahiba Sands desert and Wadi Bani Khalid. You visit the old domed mosque at Jalan Bani Bu Ali near the town of Al Kamil. Proceeding alongside the desert you head into the hills and onto Wadi Bani Khalid. This wadi is one of Oman’s finest and gives you a great opportunity to explore the depths of the wadi. You have an opportunity to just relax by the crystal waters, or swim through the different pools and clamber over the boulders into the heart of the wadi itself. Mid-afternoon you head into the sands. Driving through the sands you pass camels and Bedouin settlements on your way to your Bedouin style camp some 25 kilometers in the sands. This evening you enjoy a magnificent sunset over the desert before dinner. (Overnight Bedouin style safari desert camp)

Day 5 Jebal Shams. Walk approx 2 hours

Early risers get a chance to see the sunrise before breakfast. You head out of the desert and head north towards the Hajar mountain range. En route visit the old settlement at Mizfa, near Ibra. You continue to the foot of the mountains, where wyou are able to wander around the deserted village of Birkat Al Mawz. We head through Nizwa and onto the highest peak in Oman, Jebal Shams. The views are quite spectacular from the summit, some 3000m above sea level. Enjoy a late afternoon stroll around the rim of the canyon before settling down for the night. (Overnight permanent tented camp)

Day 6 Nizwa

This morning you head down the mountain into the old capital of Oman, Nizwa. As it is Friday you have the privilege of seeing one of the most famous sights in the area - the camel and goat market. Watch the Omani people trade their wares against the backdrop of this stunning town. After lunch the afternoon is free to explore Nizwa. (Overnight hotel)

Day 7 Jebal Akhdar. Walk approx 5 hours

Spend the morning exploring the forts of Nizwa, Jabrin and Bahla, as well as the ruins at Tanuf and the Al Hotta Caves before heading up Jebal Akhdar, Oman’s Green Mountain. There are lots of trekking opportunities this afternoon. The trekking is not compulsory and other activities are available in these locations. (Overnight hotel)

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Day 8 To Muscat via Hajar Mountains

After breakfast you begin your off-road drive through the Hajar mountain range. This drive is one of the best off-road drives in Oman and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views across the range and through the wadis below. You reach Nakhal on the far side of the range for lunch, and stroll around its beautiful fort before heading back to Muscat in the late afternoon. (Overnight hotel)

Day 9 Trip concludes in Muscat

After breakfast your trip concludes. Please make your own way to the airport or ask us for private transfer costs.

Additional Information

Inclusions

8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Accommodation on a twin share basis in hotels and in tents
Gear package including sleeping bag and sleeping mat
All internal transport by 4*4
All group camping gear and camp staff for the 1 night camping
Bottled water
All park entrance fees and trekking permits
English speaking driver-guide

Summary

9 day trip
5 nights hotels
1 night camping
2 night permanent campsite

Trip Main Activities

Adventure Touring
4WD
Day Walking

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry your water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

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