Oman Great Sands & Mountains

We'll meet and greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Transfer and hotel (twin room) included.

Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at 9:30 AM, then head to Mutrah Souq for lunch. Explore the souq and visit the National Museum before returning to the hotel. Museum fees, hotel, and lunch included. Note: the Grand Mosque requires modest dress — long sleeves, long trousers or dresses, and covered hair for women.

Head to the Hajar Mountains and on to Izki — Oman's oldest city — to explore ancient mud structures. Continue to Birkat Al Mawz for a walk around Harat As Sibani and lunch, then on to Wadi Muadin for our first overnight camp. B/L/D included. (~150 km)

Early start for the Friday souq of Nizwa — a rare chance to observe local life at market. Visit the famous Nizwa Fort and Falaj Daris, return to camp for lunch, then drive to Hasat Bin Salt — Southern Arabia's largest prehistoric rock art monument. Second overnight camp. B/L/D included. (~75 km)

Head to Jabal Shams — the highest point in Arabia — and begin the Balcony Walk: an easy-going trek along a ledge overlooking a spectacular canyon. Trekking poles recommended. Overnight camp in Wadi Nakhur. B/L/D included. (~30 km)

Visit Bahla Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — then continue towards Fahud to fuel the vehicles for the 600 km off-road crossing to Muqshin. Drive to Wadi Aswad and camp overnight in the sand dunes of the Empty Quarter. B/L/D included. (~270 km)

Pass through Umm Al Samim — the quicksand area that intrigued explorer Wilfried Thesiger for its formidable reputation among the Bedouins. After crossing, enter the area of magnificent dunes and camp overnight near a recently discovered landmark. B/L/D included. (~120 km)

Continue towards Qurun Al Fiddah where the spectacular star dunes are located, then on to Ramlet Abu Tabul to explore extraordinary dune formations. Camp overnight in the star dunes — one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. B/L/D included. (~50 km)

Cross Al Sahmah where white baby dunes reproduce in a spectacular pattern. Morning and afternoon walks searching for ancient stone tools, arrowheads, and Stone Age traces while photographing a rarely visited part of the world. Camp overnight in Ramlat Muqshin. B/L/D included. (~190 km)

Drive to Al Ghaftayn to refuel and refresh supplies, then on to Hayma. Camp overnight in the stony desert of Jiddat Al Harasis, just outside the Wildlife Reserve. B/L/D included. (~220 km)

Morning visit to the wildlife reserve where Arabian oryx and gazelle can be found. Descend to the Al Huqf Depression and camp there. B/L/D included. (~120 km)

Head towards Wahiba Sands to begin our dune-crossing adventure. Enter from the western edge following an old local track to explore different parts of the sands. Camp overnight in the dunes. B/L/D included. (~230 km)

Cross the vast linear dunes — extending up to 50 km in length — towards Umm Adalian. Continue through the central sands then head north on a rarely visited track away from permanent campsites. Camp overnight. B/L/D included. (~110 km)

Visit the oasis of Wadi Bani Khaled and swim in its beautiful natural pools. Lunch there, then return to Muscat and check into the hotel. B/L included. (~400 km)

Transfer to the airport.