Oman Desert Adventure: Wahiba Sands & Empty Quarter
Group Tour
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Overview
Oman is one of Arabia’s true gems - a land of rugged coastlines and vast deserts where tradition and progress go hand in hand.
This wonderful adventure takes us from the heart of its picturesque capital, deep into mountains and deserts of the Bedu and the old Omani Imamate. We will take in the breathless landscapes of the Hajar Mountains and the shifting sands of Wahiba, explore the old forts of Jabrin and Nizwa and journey into the vast emptiness of the Rub Al Khali, the Empty Quarter. ...
Oman is one of Arabia’s true gems - a land of rugged coastlines and vast deserts where tradition and progress go hand in hand.
This wonderful adventure takes us from the heart of its picturesque capital, deep into mountains and deserts of the Bedu and the old Omani Imamate. We will take in the breathless landscapes of the Hajar Mountains and the shifting sands of Wahiba, explore the old forts of Jabrin and Nizwa and journey into the vast emptiness of the Rub Al Khali, the Empty Quarter.
It is a journey of incredible contrasts, following in the footsteps of the pioneering explorers of old and taking in some of the richest natural and cultural highlights that Arabia has to offer.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
4WDs in the desert, minibus may be used for your tour of Muscat.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights x Superior
4 nights x Simple
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this trip we will be in hotels, and wild camping in two-man domed tents for the camping nights. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Muscat
Day 1 Tour starts in Muscat
The tour starts from Oman’s International airport to coincide with the suggested Group Tour flights. We will head straight to the magnificent mosque of Sultan Qaboos, one of the largest in the Arab world, whose grand marble halls are capable of holding some 20,000 people. After which we will begin our guided tour of the city. One of Arabia’s most picturesque cities, Muscat lies within the protective embrace of a ring of horse-shoe mountains that run down into the glittering waters of Muscat Bay. We will drive along the engaging sea-front to the Al Alam Palace and the 16th century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. We will also have a chance to visit Muscat’s renowned Muttrah souk, one of the best in the region. There will be free time in the afternoon for those that want to explore independently, or time to rest and freshen up.
Day 2 Muscat – Al Hamra
Day 2 Muscat – Al Hamra
This morning we will leave in good time and head to the Seeb fish market to witness firsthand the hustle and bustle of the market traders as they barter over the “fish of the day”. Continuing out of the city in 4WDs, we will head towards the Hajar Mountains, following the Batinah coast through the foothills to the picturesque setting of Wadi Bani Awf, and a picnic lunch amongst the hills of Oman’s rugged interior. This afternoon we then head to Misfath Al Abreen, one of Oman’s best kept secrets for a walk through the beautiful oasis. Taking in the stunning scenery and walking through the falaj (irrigation) system, seeing how the village farms and manages its agricultural land. We arrive at our mountain top camp later this afternoon.
Day 3 Grand Canyon Walk - Drive to Nizwa
Day 3 Grand Canyon Walk - Drive to Nizwa
This morning we will experience one of the most notable hikes in the country, the Balcony Walk. This follows a stony donkey track, and winds around the rim of the mountain to the abandoned village of As Sab, a total of around 6 km. This hike offers amazing views over the Grand Canyon of Oman, Wadi Nakhur. The trail is narrow, with loose stones and at times uneven underfoot. We then continue on to Al Hamra and its incredibly atmospheric old town, where there are mud houses dating back 400 years which are still occupied. After lunch we drive down to the oasis city of Nizwa, once the capital of the powerful Omani Imamate. This afternoon we visit the famous Nizwa fort, built in the 17th century to guard the Sumail Gap during the struggle between the Sultan and the Radical Imams. This fort is one of the best examples of defensive architecture in the country, and it’s worth climbing to the top of the tower to get a great view of the old town and modern city with it’s surrounding date plantations.
Walking Distance: 6km, 3-4 hours
Day 4 Nizwa - Jabreen - Tanuf village - Nizwa
Day 4 Nizwa - Jabreen - Tanuf village - Nizwa
This morning we will visit the bustling Nizwa souk before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Bahla Fort, for a brief photo stop. We continue on to the impressive fort at Jabreen, possibly the finest of Oman’s 17th century fortresses, whose exquisite painted wooden ceilings provide eloquent testimony to the skills of the fort’s original builders. After pausing to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our journey to Tanuf village where we explore the historic ruins. Inhabited until the 1950's, the village was damaged and subsequently abandoned during the Jabal Akhdar Wars. We then return to Nizwa for a leisurely evening before preparing for our upcoming wild camping adventure.
Day 5 Drive to Wahiba Sands
Day 5 Drive to Wahiba Sands
Departing Nizwa this morning, our desert journey takes us on towards the vast, open landscapes of the Wahiba Sands, over 10,000 square kilometres of shifting sands and towering dunes that are home to isolated settlements of semi-nomadic Bedouin. Our journey will take us via the market town of Sinaw, where we will stop to strech our legs. We will continue into the seemingly endless sea of the Wahiba, driving through an ever changing landscape of colours and contours as we make our way on to our remote desert camp.
Day 6 Drive across Wahiba Sands to Khaluf
Day 6 Drive across Wahiba Sands to Khaluf
This morning we will drive out across the shifting sands of Wahiba towards the coast, and the pink shell beaches and white dunes of Khaluf on Oman’s eastern coast. Far from being devoid of life, these breath-taking desert landscapes are home to a rich array of wildlife, from the remarkable dew drinking beetles that haunt the predawn desert, to foxes, gazelles and over 100 species of birds; That said, in this vast landscape they can be very difficult to spot, so we will need to keep our eyes peeled! The drive will take four to five hours and we stop for lunch along the way, arriving in Khaluf in time to set up camp late afternoon. As we settle down for another evening under an Arabian sky, our drivers will prepare a delicious al fresco dinner.
*Depending on the weather, the group may need to camp slightly further away from the beach
Day 7 Drive to Duqm via Sirab beach
Day 7 Drive to Duqm via Sirab beach
Today provides an ideal opportunity to make the most of Oman’s rugged coastline. We drive south, following to coast from Khaluf to Sirab beach, which provides an ample array of viewpoints and photo opportunities, as we pass through a collection of fishing villages, beaches and wadis en route to tonight’s accommodation. On arrival at Sirab beach, take in the beautiful views along the coast before driving to our modest hotel in the late afternoon in the small port town of Duqm.
*Driving time approx 6hrs
Day 8 Drive into the Empty Quarter
Day 8 Drive into the Empty Quarter
This morning we head inland to the vast emptiness of the Rub al Khali, 250,000 square miles of waterless desert that covers much of the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula. This is the heartland of the nomadic Bedouin, made famous by Wilfred Thesiger in his book ‘Arabian Sands’. This morning we drive from Duqm to Haima we passing through Jaluni where an Oryx Sanctuary is located, and if we are lucky we will be able spot Arabian Oryx en route. We then continue our drive through an area of flat sandy terrain to Maqshin where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we drive through the vast dunes of the empty quarter until we reach our camping spot by a baby dune shaped like a half moon. Here we can relax and unwind under the star studded Arabian sky.
*Driving time approx 4hrs
Day 9 Empty Quarter
Day 9 Empty Quarter
This morning we will continue deep into the Empty Quarter, and on through the hypnotic landscape and head further south, heading towards Al Hashman. Here we will find a settlement of nomad Bedouins protected and nurtured by the Omani Govt. Lunch will be served at the Al Safah oasis before we return back to Rumalt Hashman where we will pitch camp for our final night under the stars.
*Driving time approx 5hrs
Day 10 Drive to Salalah
Day 10 Drive to Salalah
The journey on to the coastal city of Salalah today takes us from the desert to the Indian Ocean by way of the barren landscapes of the Qara Mountains. On arrival in Salalah we visit ‘Wadi ‘Dawka’ (UNESCO World heritage site) known as the "Frankincense Wadi’" for its collection of the naturally grown Frankincense trees. In the afternoon we will visit the Al Baleed Archeological Museum. Here we’ll find the ruins of an ancient port city, visited by Marco Polo and a city which he described as 'magnificent'. In its day, the city played an important part in the frankincense trade.
Day 11 In Salalah
Day 11 In Salalah
This morning we start the day with a visit to the Grand Mosque of Salalah, before driving up into the Dhofar Mountains to Wadi Darbat, a scenic spot for nature lovers. Wadi Darbat is a low lying seasonal waterfall, which comes into full force during the monsoon season between July and August, the strength of the waterfall varies throughout the rest of the year. In the Middle Eastern peninsula Salalah is the only place touched by the Indian Ocean monsoon making this area very unique. Next we proceed to Wadi Hanna where we will discover a fine cluster of Baobab Trees. This afternoon we will have some free time to visit the Al Husn Souq to do any last-minute shopping or relax on the beach before proceeding to a local restaurant for a final dinner in Salalah.
Day 12 Tour ends in Salalah
Day 12 Tour ends in Salalah
Tour ends in Salalah.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Al Falaj Hotel, Muscat
Al Falaj is a well-located and comfortable four star hotel in the city centre. Both convenient for business travel and tourists, the Al Falaj is next to the business district and a short distance from the main tourist attractions and beach. The 140 rooms all have a modern décor and are very clean and comfortable with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite TVs and safes. The hotel has its own lobby bar and two restaurants; one serves a variety of Omani and International dishes, and the second specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax by the outdoor swimming pool or with a visit to the sauna and steam room.
Sama Heights Resort, Jebel Shams
Formerly known as Jabal Shams Heights Resort, the Sama Heights Resort is a celebrated hotel located in the heart of the Ajar mountain range. Standing at an altitude of 2100m above sea level, the property is a welcome escape from the hotter temperatures of Muscat and the desert. Using locally-sourced Omani stone and recycled materials, the unassuming villas and bungalows melt into the mountain landscape and offer simple but spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms, or you can enjoy a night in a Bedouin style tent for something a little different.
Falaj Daris Hotel, Nizwa
The three-star Falaj Daris Hotel lies just four kilometres outside the historic town of Nizwa. Set in landscaped gardens with two outdoor swimming pools, surrounded by Nizwa’s rugged mountains, the hotel offers a quiet and scenic haven to relax in after a day's travelling. The guest rooms are simple, comfortable and include all standard amenities. The hotel features a restaurant, poolside bar, small gym and steam room, and children's play area.
Wahiba Sands Wild Camp, Wahiba Sands
Spending a night in the dunes is an extraordinary experience and the only way to truly experience the amazing quiet and stillness of this almost uninhabited landscape. See the sands turn all different colours as the sun sinks before sitting around a beduoin fire and eating dinner prepared by your guide. Camp in the desert in modern dome tents. All camping equipment is provided although you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
Khaluf Wild Beach Camp, Khaluf
Your camp will be in the desert dunes close to the coast. Watch the most stunning sunset, sit around a campfire and catch shooting stars, seemingly without another soul alive in the universe. This experience will not be for everyone. The camping, although comfortable with mattresses, tables and chairs, is reasonably rudimentary. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. But for those with a sense of adventure who like to get off the beaten track to witness nature at its most serene and beautiful and are prepared to rough it a little, this is an experience that will stay with you forever.
City Hotel Duqm, Duqm
Established to cater for business travellers, the City Hotel Duqm is a comfortable option for those overnighting in Duqm where there are limited options. Rooms are simply decorated and clean, and facilities include a multi-cuisine restaurant and small gym.
Empty Quarter Wild Camp, Empty Quarter
Your wild camp will be set up this evening in a remote area of the desert in a truly epic location. And what an experience it will be... The size of the dunes, the colour of the dunes and the scale on which this sand sea rides, stretching as it does over a quarter of a million square kilometres deep into Saudi Arabia and Yemen, is like nothing else. Here you will camp and explore, climb the dunes to watch the most stunning sunset, sit around a campfire and catch shooting stars, seemingly without another soul alive in the universe. This experience will not be for everyone. The camping, although comfortable with mattresses, tables and chairs, is reasonably rudimentary. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. But for those with a sense of adventure who like to get off the beaten track to witness nature at its most serene and beautiful and are prepared to rough it a little, this is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Salalah Beach Resort & Villa, Salalah
Situated just five kilometres from the centre of Oman’s second city, the Salalah Beach Resort and Villa is two hotels combined into one with shared swimming pool and dining facilities. The three-star resort houses large rooms, spread across four stories, each simply styled in plain décor with a private balcony. The Villa property next door to the main hotel building is smaller with fewer rooms. Both beachfront properties have direct access to the ocean and shore. The hotel presents a wonderfully affordable option for those wanting a comfortable, beachfront stay close to the ancient town.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Wahiba Sands
In the Wahiba Sands the group will enjoy a traditional meal with some ladies of the local Bedouin community. It is a great opportunity to interact with this unique nomadic culture and support rural communities by utilising their services.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| WY 102 | London Heathrow (LHR) 20:05 | Muscat Airport (MCT) 07:15 |
| WY 902 | Salalah Airport (SLL) 05:30 | Muscat Airport (MCT) 07:05 |
| WY 101 | Muscat Airport (MCT) 14:10 | London Heathrow (LHR) 18:25 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa if staying in Oman for 14 days or less (no extensions). If you do require a visa you will need to get an e-visa before departure. E-visas can be applied for through the following website: https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/home
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Oman.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is a requirement for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
With its hot, dry winters, Oman makes for a perfect destination at this time of year. Expect daytime temperatures in the late 20s to early 30s (C) and but night-time temperatures in the desert can be a little fresh although nowhere near freezing, but there may be a dew.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional.
As the crew will be with you throughout the desert (they will be driving you), it will be all hands to the deck when you get to camp in the evenings, so it will be a team effort to put up tents etc., so all help will be gratefully received!
For the camping nights please note that the facilities will be “au naturel” and there will be no showers, as all the water used will have to carried in the vehicles – that said there will a small amount of water each night to be able to have a quick wash.
Roll mats will be provided, however you will need to bring your own 2/3/4 season sleeping bag. A limited number of sleeping bags can be hired for an additional fee but availability is limited and they need to be reserved in advanced.
If you fancy a tipple, whilst on holiday, it can be quite hard to get hold of alcohol outside of the main international hotels and therefore it may be worth picking up a bottle in Duty Free of your preferred drink to have while camping in the desert.
This tour has a low fitness rating as the hiking on this tour is not strenuous however there are some walks where paths maybe uneven, narrow or slippery.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour including all camping nights, when you would get your own tent.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 7254 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.