8 day Oman Odyssey Trekking Sample Tour

Arrival at Muscat International Airport. Transfer you to Park Inn Hotel. Check in at the hotel. Time on own to relax and freshen up. Free time for lunch (lunch on own). After lunch pick up from the hotel around 03.00pm. The tour starts with a photo stop at the Sultan’s Palace flanked by the 16th Century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. We proceed to the old city of Muscat and catch a glimpse of the old town through the eyes of the bygone travellers who left their marks and images, collected and on display at the fine museum – Bait Al Zubair in the heart of the old quarter. Later you visit the famous and the largest indoor shopping market of Oman – Muttrah Souq located on the Corniche Promenade in Muttrah. At the Souk, built in traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewellery, intricately hand-made ‘Khanjars’ (daggers) and other handicrafts.  If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget to purchase some traditional Omani Halwa, a delicious treat made from Omani dates, rose water and cardamom. Your Omani guide will take you to the best of the old and new shopping outlets in there and help you bag a few bargains. You end the tour by a short evening drive along the corniche to your hotel in Muscat. Time on own to relax and freshen up.

Overnight at the Park Inn Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up by our guide; your tour will start with a visit to the Grand Mosque, standing in stately grandeur. A visit to this beautiful piece of architecture is a must for all tourist (open daily for visitors, between 0800–1100, except Fridays. Dress code – Women should wear attire covering their arms and legs and should cover their head with scarf. Men should wear normal shirt and ankle length trousers). After the mosque you start your journey on the coastal road via Quriyat. You pass through the stunning landscapes on the Eastern Hajars. Your first stop is at Bimah Sink hole a geological formation of the karst topography and a scenic wonder. Further you proceed one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches on Oman – Fins Beach. Erect the tents for an overnight camp.

Overnight: camping at Fins Beach. (B/L/D)

After breakfast you drive to the entrance of Wadi Shab, where you start your first trek into the beautiful wadi. The trek takes you up the narrow gorges on the wadi bed, with running water all year round. After around 1 hour of trekking you will find stunning crystal clear pools and you will pass through lush date plantations. You continue further up, and after a short break you start your descent. Once at the foot of the wadi you start your journey to Sur which lies near the easternmost tip of the Sultanate about 300 kilometres south of Muscat and has a history of being an ancient boat building city. You visit the Dhow (Ship) Yards where you might be able to see dhows still made with bare hands. Post the Dhow yard visit you start you journey in search of the Great Wahiba Sands the longitudinal dunes 200 km long and 100 km wide running south from the Eastern Hajars to the Arabian Sea. The dunes are 100-150 meters high in shades of colour from orange to hues of amber. Bedouin camps can be found along the tracks and trails in this isolated desert. Indulge in some exciting dune bashing. Set up your tents before sunset. Post setting of the camps you can drive on top of some of the high dunes and enjoy the marvellous sun setting over the great desert. Later enjoy the dinner in the famous romance of the Arabian desert under the starlit sky.

Overnight: camping in Wahiba Sands. (B/L/D)

Wake up to the desert sunrise. This day will be dedicated to the desert in all its majestic immensity. Experience the daily life of the Bedouins while crossing a portion of the breathtaking and versatile beauty of the Wahiba Sands on a camel back. Stop for lunch with a Bedouin family. Post lunch turn back, heading to the camp. Dinner at the camp.

Overnight: camping in Wahiba Sands. (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the camp you bid farewell to the undulating sands of Wahiba and proceed towards Nizwa the old capital of Oman and seek out to the Palaces of yesteryear from which sovereign Lords surveyed their Kingdom at Nizwa. You visit the big round fort of the Yarubas dynasty and the Souq, famous for its silver jewelleries and the big round fort of Nizwa with its 360-degree citadel tower which offer a terrific view of the city. After visiting the souq you break for lunch at a local restaurant. Post lunch you drive to Bahla, one of the oldest recorded civilizations in Oman.  Artefacts found here date back to 3rd Millennium BC. There is the enormous Bahla fort (Presently under renovation) here, which has earned a place in the UNESCO’s world heritage list of monuments. Today, Bahla is the pottery capital of Oman and you can find potters busy at work in the heart of the town. A short distance beyond Bahla lies the Castle of Jabreen. This massive three-storied castle was also built during Al Ya ruba dynasty of the mid-1600s. It is a fine example of Islamic architecture with beautiful wooden inscriptions and paintings on the ceilings.

Overnight: camping in Jabreen. (B/L/D)

After an early breakfast at the camp proceed to Misfat Al Abreeyen, a picturesque village strapped onto the mountainside, set in a terraced sequence. The stone houses that make up the village seem to be draped in date palms creating a picture perfect landscape. As you walk around the village where time has come to a standstill, you will be moved by the simplicity and friendliness of the people. You now take the ascent on the trekking path to the top of Wadi Bani Awf. The tour allows spectacular views of Wadi Bani Awf and the surrounding mountains (Any heavy equipment to be carried by donkeys)

Overnight: camping. (B/L/D – sandwiches and cold food, as the vehicle has no access to the site camp to carry the cooking equipment)

A last effort to reach Sharaf Al Alamayn, where the 4X4’s are waiting for you to descent the steep off road track to Bilad Seyt and Wadi Bani Awf. Upon reaching the main road, you take a photo stop at the stunning Nakhl Fort before taking the road back to Muscat. Check in at the hotel. Time on own to relax and freshen up. Dinner on own.

Overnight: at Park Inn Hotel. (B/LL)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure until transfer to the Muscat International Airport for your return flight back home. End of the tour. (B)

• (B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• All rates per person unless otherwise stated
• Seasonal supplements may apply.

• Accommodation on double/ twin share bed and breakfast basis at hotelslisted (or similar) in the itinerary.
• Transfers from airport to hotel and return in air-conditioned vehicles (on first and last day of tour).
• Transport on tour in air-conditioned vehicles.
• Camping Equipment (Tents, Sleeping Bags).
• Camel Rent for desert trekking with Bedouin guide
• Donkey rent for Misfat Trek
• Entry fees to Forts and Museums.
• Soft drinks and mineral water during tours.
• All meals listed in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, LL=Light Lunch, D= Dinner).
• English-speaking driver/guide

• Visa charges.
• Overnight and meals apart from the ones mentioned in the itinerary.
• Expenses of any personal nature.

• All services are subject to availability at the time of actual booking
• The rates are subject to Festival / Holiday supplements if any (such as EID, Christmas, New Year etc.)

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