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Northern Oman: Wadis, Mountains & Coasts
Group Tour
Overview
This 9-day tour introduces us to the highlights of Northern Oman as we travel along coastal roads and through ancient ports to the majestic landscapes of the Hajar Mountains, discovering tranquil oases, historic forts and colourful markets along the way.
We begin the tour in Muscat, a capital which offers a compelling blend of the old and new, before setting off along stunning coastal roads to the ancient port city of Sur. Set in the mouth of the Gulf of Oman, Sur was once a major port ...
This 9-day tour introduces us to the highlights of Northern Oman as we travel along coastal roads and through ancient ports to the majestic landscapes of the Hajar Mountains, discovering tranquil oases, historic forts and colourful markets along the way.
We begin the tour in Muscat, a capital which offers a compelling blend of the old and new, before setting off along stunning coastal roads to the ancient port city of Sur. Set in the mouth of the Gulf of Oman, Sur was once a major port trading with Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula, and here we can learn more about Oman’s seafaring traditions. Turning inland, we then head into the heart of Wahiba Sands where we will spend the night at a fixed camp and can enjoy some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.
Our journey then takes us towards the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains and the highlight of our adventure. Here amongst the dramatic landscapes of the Green Mountain, we will discover villages steeped in the traditions of ages past, where ancient falaj water systems share the timeless vistas with imposing forts and wadis and oases that are amongst the most beautiful anywhere in eastern Arabia.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
This tour is predominantly in 4WDs but a minibus may be used for our tour of Muscat
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
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 particular trip we will mostly be in hotels, with one night in a fixed camp with simple chalets when we spend the night in the desert and another in a heritage hotel in Nizwa. 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 - Bimmah Sink Hole - Wadi Shab - Sur: Swimming & Shipyard
Day 2 Muscat - Bimmah Sink Hole - Wadi Shab - Sur: Swimming & Shipyard
We set off south along the coast this morning, first visiting Bimmah Sink Hole, a depression filled with crystal clear turquoise water that some locals believe was formed by a meteor. We then head to Wadi Shab, one of Oman’s most spectacular wadis, which can be reached via a remote pathway, taking us over boulders and through streams, before reaching this stunning natural swimming pool where we can enjoy a dip. After enjoying lunch at the nearby restaurant, we continue on to the port town of Sur. Once a major port trading mainly with East Africa, this interesting town perfectly exemplifies Oman's seafaring traditions. Here we can enjoy a wander through a labyrinth of streets, home to many fine old houses with carved doors and arabesque windows. Sur is most famous for its Dhow building, and so a visit to the shipyard will hopefully give us a glimpse of some of the craftsmen at work.
Day 3 Sur - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba Sands: Bedouin & Towering Dunes
Day 3 Sur - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba Sands: Bedouin & Towering Dunes
This morning we leave Sur and drive inland towards the deserts of the Wahiba Sands. En route we visit Wadi Bani Khalid, another of Oman's most beautiful wadis, a picture-perfect oasis with palms trees lying next to crystal-clear water. After a chance to explore on foot or have a swim, we then drive into 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. En route we stop at the home of a Bedouin family where we can enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch in the company of our welcoming hosts. Driving through an ever-changing landscape of colours and contours, we eventually reach our fixed camp in the heart of the desert.
Day 4 Wahiba Sands - Ibra - Jebel Akhdar - Nizwa: Village Life & Omani Culture
Day 4 Wahiba Sands - Ibra - Jebel Akhdar - Nizwa: Village Life & Omani Culture
The adventure turns west today, towards the Hajar Mountains and the limestone slopes of Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain). Stopping off at the old town of Ibra en route, we have a chance to visit the local women’s market, a colourful display of fabrics, exquisite embroidery, and handicrafts. Continuing on our journey into the mountains, we can soak up the rich natural and cultural diversity of village life in this area, with a visit to Birkat Al Mauz before arriving for lunch at Jebel Akhdar. In the afternoon, we can stretch our legs on the Three Villages Walk which connects three traditional mountain villages: Al Aqur, Al Ayn, and Ash Shirayjah, all known for their terraced farms, mudbrick architecture, and stunning mountain views. The areas visited today give an insight into local Omani culture, filled with wonderful scenery, captivating villages, the ancient labyrinthine water system known as 'Falaj' and orchards of walnuts, pomegranates, juniper trees and damask roses. From the foothills of Jebel Akhdar we head to Nizwa which will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 5 Nizwa: Tower Fort & Old Town Souq
Day 5 Nizwa: Tower Fort & Old Town Souq
This morning we visit the famous round tower fort of Nizwa, 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 city and surrounding date plantations. There will free time to buy souvenirs at the souq and enjoy the old town of Nizwa.
Day 6 Nizwa - Al Hamra - Jebel Shams: Livestock Market & Bahla Fort
Day 6 Nizwa - Al Hamra - Jebel Shams: Livestock Market & Bahla Fort
This morning we experience the hustle and bustle of Nizwa’s Friday cattle market, the largest in Oman and an exciting way to see local life and learn about Omani culture. The souq is also in full swing on a Friday morning, and we will see many local Omanis and Bedouin communities travelling down from the mountains to sell their goats, bulls and the occasional camel. The livestock market is usually busiest between 7–9am, so expect an early start. Leaving Nizwa, we have a brief photo stop to take in the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Bahla Fort, before we move on to Jabrin, possibly the finest of Oman's 17th century fortresses, whose exquisite painted wooden ceilings provide an eloquent testimony to the skills of the fort's original builders. We continue on to Al Hamra and its incredibly atmospheric old town, where there are mud houses dating back 400 years and we enjoy our lunch. We then continue to Misfat Al Abriyeen, an old mountain village and one of Oman’s prettiest, resplendent with its crumbling buildings and the atmospheric sounds of the open-air, falaj water systems, before driving on to Jebel Shams via the ‘Grand Canyon’ viewpoint.
Day 7 Jebel Shams - 'Grand Canyon' Walk - Bilad Sayt: Mountain Village & Fruit Trees
Day 7 Jebel Shams - 'Grand Canyon' Walk - Bilad Sayt: Mountain Village & Fruit Trees
At over 3,000 metres, Jebel Shams (The Mountain of the Sun) is one of the highest points on the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Often called the 'Grand Canyon' of Oman, these mountains stretch in a 700-kilometre arc that is filled with hidden valleys and fertile oases. This morning we will embark on a spectacular walk along the rim of the canyon, enjoying the views out across Wadi Ghul and its fertile expanse of fig, apricot and pomegranate trees. After lunch at a nearby house, we continue on to Bilad Sayt, an idyllic mountain village with a wealth of picturesque terraces. We spend some time exploring this area with a walk around the village and in the canyon and will spend the night here.
Day 8 Bilad Sayt - Wadi Bani Awf - Muscat: Mountain Views
Day 8 Bilad Sayt - Wadi Bani Awf - Muscat: Mountain Views
The drive back to Muscat today takes us through Wadi Bani Awf and we are blessed with some more picturesque and idyllic mountain view before arriving back to Muscat for our final evening.
Day 9 Tour ends in Muscat
Day 9 Tour ends in Muscat
The tour ends after breakfast today. Those on the suggested Group Tour flights will be transferred to the airport.
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.
Best Western Sur, Sur
Sur Plaza Hotel is an excellent mid-range option for those spending time in the fascinating port city of Sur. With just over 100 rooms, the hotel maintains an intimate feel and offers quality amenities and facilities, including a small gym and outdoor pool. Rooms are simple but well-appointed, and there are two on-site restaurants offering a variety of Arabic, Continental, Indian and Chinese food, as well as two bar/cafes where you can relax with a drink.
Sama Al Wasil Camp, Wahiba Sands
Sama Al Wasil offers a wonderful location in the heart of Wahiba Sands. The camp consists of a mix of stone chalets and fixed tents, all comfortable and clean with basic en suite shower and toilet facilities. Guests can unwind on their patio or in one of the communal areas, where simple but tasty meals are served alongside the occasional film nights under the stars. Be sure to climb the nearby high dune for spectacular views across the desert.
Ihyaa Inn, Nizwa
You'll feel transported back in time at the Ihyaa Inn, set in the historic Alaqr suburb of Nizwa. The traditional design is maintained throughout the property, with mud walls and large wooden doors helping to celebrate the ancient architecture of the region. Rooms and communal areas are spread across a selection of old houses, originally the residence of politicians and scholars. The rooms are fit with your basic amenities and private (very small) bathrooms, with just a handful coming with shared bathroom facilities. The property is in a great location just minutes away from Nizwa Fort and the main market area, and serves local dishes accompanied by lovely views of the old town.
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. Please note due to its location, Wi-Fi is not available at this property.
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.
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 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
From October through to late March you can generally expect some great weather in Northern Oman. Expect daytime temperatures in the late 20s to early 30s (C), but be prepared for some cool evening temperatures, especially in the desert.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious, but not all Wild Frontiers tours are the same, and it is important that you choose a tour which is suitable for you. To help you decide and ensure you choose a suitable tour, please refer to our helpful guide here. As a minimum, you should make sure that you read the day-by-day itinerary and the Key Aspects to Consider sections carefully. Should you still have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, then please contact us.
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. This tour has a 'low/moderate' fitness rating as the walking on this tour is not strenuous however there are some walks where paths maybe uneven, narrow or slippery.
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 in the more remote parts.
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.
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.