Oman Trekking

Arrive in Muscat, the capital of Oman; a modern, clean and laid-back city that is less high-rise than most cities in the Gulf. Surrounded by the Gulf of Oman and dramatic mountains that naturally restricted its growth the modern city has spread out into neighbouring valleys and up the coast, and orientation can be confusing. Old Muscat is dominated by the Portuguese fortresses of Merani and Jalali built in 1587 and the Sultan's Palace.



For those arriving on time today our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 12pm for the welcome meeting and to take us on a guided tour of Muscat and our first walk. We start with the Bait Al Baranda Museum, proceeding to see Al Alam Sultan's Palace from the outside. To get our legs moving after the flight we plan a short and beautiful guided walk from Riyam Park to Muttrah with great views over the old town. We will also have the chance to visit the bustling souk in Muttrah.

If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Muscat International Airport (MCT), which is a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Please note that if you wish to join the tour of Muscat today, you must arrive at the hotel by 12pm. If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least 90 minutes to clear the airport, so the latest your flight can arrive is 10am. Should you miss this, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.



Today's easy 3 kilometre trek is expected to take around two hours with 200 metres of ascent and descent.

After an early start we visit the impressive, modern Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Photography is permitted. Woman are required to cover their arms, ankles and hair (head scarf required - not opaque). Men are required to cover their legs. We then leave Muscat and start our 3 hour scenic drive into the Western Hajar Mountains. The Al-Hajar Mountains run through the spine of north-eastern Oman, separating the high desert plateau from the coastal plain. After a picnic lunch near Al Khatim village we start our trek along the spectacular balcony walk to the abandoned village of As Sab and return the same way. This dramatic introduction to Oman is probably the most famous hike in the country, winding around the cliffs high above the Wadi Ghul-Nakhar Valley (Oman's own Grand Canyon) a kilometre below. On rocky terrain, the uneven path is narrow at times with drops on one side but never sheer and it is possible to keep away from edge. We return the same way to our first campsite (about 1900metres) near Al Khatim village on the Al Qannah Plateau in time for dinner under a star-filled sky.



Tonight is our first wild camping experience and each time will be supported by a dedicated crew who will prepare our delicious food and make and break camp. The seating will be in traditional Omani style with cushions on the floor and toilets are al-fresco!



Today's easy to moderate 8 kilometre trek is expected to take around four hours with 100 metres of ascent and descent.

This morning after breakfast, we pack our picnic lunch, water and start a superb hike that leads firstly around the rim of the Grand Canyon, then steadily ascending to the top of the Jebel Shams massif. The remote and wild mountain scenery of Oman is nothing short of stunning and as we make our way across the Al Qannah Plateau we also enjoy views into Wadi Sahtan and Wadi Bani Awf. Jebel Shams itself is the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula, rising to an altitude of 3004 metres above sea level. The terrain is rocky underfoot and there are some sheer drops over parts of the Grand Canyon. Jebel Sham's south summit stands at 2997m and this is the one we are permitted to access, as the North Summit and true highest point is part of a military base with restricted access. Here we meet our trusty 4WD vehicles that we will use over the following week to traverse the wild mountainous interior on a mixture of unsurfaced and surfaced roads. It is a short drive to our next wild camp spot, again at around 1900 metres.



Today's challenging 9 kilometre trek is expected to take around six hours with 1100 metres of ascent.

After breakfast at the camp, we drive an hour to the beautiful village of Misfat al Abriyyin, notable for its traditional architecture and farming practices. A true mountain oasis, the village is a splash of green in the otherwise barren landscape, with terracing and gardens fed by ancient irrigation systems and mud houses built on solid rock. For thousands of years self-sufficient oases have flourished in the folds of rocks, using an ancient irrigation system known as falaj. These are water channels that never dry up, often contoured round wadis or tunnelled through the cliffs in order to tap the water table. Upkeep of the life-giving falaj is a community responsibility and contributes to maintaining harmony within a village. Our hike today follows old donkey trails from the village at 900 metres, and we make our way steadily ascending stopping occasionally to take in the views behind us as the landscape opens up. As we reach the plateau at around 2000m we gain spectacular views over Wadi Bani Awf and Balad Sait village a thousand metres below. The final 4km are towards the edge of the plateau and we are spoilt with dramatic views to the north and south. Finally our hike ends at Sharaf al Alamayn (2050m) where the trail intercepts the HAAT road and our 4WDs are waiting. We drive for around an hour to our hotel (with its welcoming shower and comfortable beds!) on the outskirts of Nizwa, the capital of Oman from 751 to 1154 AD and still regarded as the cultural capital.



Today's challenging 13 kilometre trek is expected to take around six to seven hours with 1050 metres of ascent.

We start the day with an exploration of Nizwa including the centuries-old Friday cattle auction, a fascinating insight into Omani rural life that draws villagers from all around. The souqs are also worth a visit and local craftsmanship is particularly famous for the khanjar - a curved dagger originating from Oman still worn by men for ceremonial occasions. We continue to the 17th century fort, built to guard the Sumail Gap during the struggle between the Sultan and the radical Imams. Nizwa was the centre of Imam Resistance right up until the 1950s when the Sultan had to call upon the help of the British to quell the rebels.



Leaving Nizwa we drive (30mins) to Birkat al Mouz village for a gentle 4km walk to learn more about village life and date palm cultivation. We then drive (1.5hrs) into the mountains for our hike in the spectacular limestone massif of the Jebel Akhdar. The trail starts at the top of a mountain in Al Jaria and leads us to the abandoned village of Bani Habib. We pick our route carefully descending into the wadi, keeping our eyes peeled for Gazelles. The mountain views are excellent and we finally reach the bottom of the wadi and our camp near the abandoned village.



Today's moderate 12 kilometre trek is expected to take around 4 hours with 250 metres of ascent and descent.

A short drive after breakfast brings us to the start of today's short and easy hike. The Jebel Akhdar is centred on the Saiq Plateau - an extensive plateau ringed by craggy summits and cut by deep wadis. The temperate climate here allows the cultivation of crops that cannot survive the heat elsewhere: peaches, walnuts and pomegranates all flourish, along with scented Damask roses which are used to produce the region's celebrated rose water. From Saiq village we walk to Al Aqor, through a beautiful scenery of terraced farmlands, between traditional villages where we gain further insight into local life, with great views into Wadi Muhaydin. The trail leads uphill to a summit before descending.



This afternoon we drive south for three hours and gradually the Wahiba Sands begin to rise before us. A vast sea of sand stretching 180km by 80km, the Wahiba is an alluring landscape of undulating red and white dunes rising up to 200 metres, home to the Bedu nomadic tribesmen. Time permitting we plan a short trek through the dunes in the late afternoon light, the ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer's delight. Finally we reach our camp and enjoy a night under an Arabian desert sky.



Today's easy 4 kilometre trek is expected to take around 2 hours.

Despite its barren appearance, the desert is actually home to a rich variety of life that is sustained by heavy mists that descend at night. At first light you should be able to see myriad tracks of dung beetles, snakes, birds and other small mammals. Fauna found in the Sands includes dragonflies, wolf, two species of Ruppell's fox, wild cats and white-tailed mongooses. Some 115 species of birds have been recorded here and it is one of the few remaining refuges for the elusive Arabian and Sand Gazelles.



We leave the desert and drive for an hour to Wadi Bani Khalid where we start our 2-day classic traverse of the Salma Plateau to the Gulf of Oman. Located deep in the Eastern Hajar mountain range, Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the largest and most picturesque wadis in Oman. Today is a challenging hike as we are mostly ascending to our wild camp on the 2200m Salma Plateau, close to Majlis Al Jinn - the second largest cave in the world. We start the hike picking our way up the canyon above the rock pools and watercourse fed year-round by spring water. As we gain height the gradient becomes steeper. Along the way there are beehive tombs said to be more than 4000 years old. It may be necessary to hop in the 4WDs once we reach the plateau, depending on the camp location. Tonight we enjoy our last night under the stars.



Today's challenging 18 kilometre trek is expected to take around 9 hours with 1650 metres ascent and 275 metres descent.

This morning we leave the high plateau and start our descent along ancient donkey tracks into the stunning Wadi Tiwi. At first we wind our way, gradually descending the upper slopes and the welcoming sight of the deep blue sea should come into sight. The wadi then opens up beneath you, 1000m deep, and we carefully pick our way zig-zagging through the upper reaches down into the canyon. At the wadi bottom the spring water flows year round, from pool to pool, feeding the verdant vegetation and crops of mangos, bananas, date palms and figs. Finally we meet our 4WDs at the village of Al Aqur and drive the short distance to Wadi Shab and our hotel for tonight. We bid farewell to our 4WD drivers.



Today's challenging 14 kilometre trek is expected to take around 7-8 hours with 150 metres ascent and 1550 metres descent.

After breakfast we travel by bus to the start of our last walk; a beautiful hike up the Wadi Shab gorge where we discover an oasis with natural swimming pools, turquoise rock pools and caves - all surrounded by steep canyon walls. To complete the final section (optional) you need to swim through several pools to reach a peaceful cavern dramatically lit from above. We return the same way.



A two hour drive on the coastal highway brings us back to Muscat. Upon return to the city this afternoon, we have the opportunity to take an optional trip on a timeless dhow vessel, thus appreciating the beauty of Muscat's coastline from the sea. Departing from the marina in Old Muscat the dhow returns after a glorious sunset. Dolphins can often be spotted in abundance in the waters just off Muscat's shores year-round.



Today's easy 8 kilometre trek is expected to take around 4 hours with 200 metres ascent and descent.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Muscat.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Muscat at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Muscat International Airport (MCT), which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel.