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15
Bestseller
Bestseller
Holidays

Oman Adventure Trekking

Oman
15 reviews
Available Departures: Feb, Apr, Oct, Nov

10 days from

US$3,210

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

Serene walking holiday in the Jewel of Arabia, Oman

Trip Code: OAT
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Oman Adventure Trekking

Highlights
  • Take in the rugged and remote landscapes of Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar
  • Tackle the Balcony Walk, following the contours of Oman's own 'Grand Canyon'
  • Cool off in the emerald waters of natural pools in Wadi Shab
  • Explore the atmospheric souks of the ancient fortified capital of Nizwa 
  • Relax at our beach camp, overlooking the Arabian Sea

At a Glance
  • Group Size 5 to 12
  • 7 days trekking
  • Max altitude - 2997m
  • Join In Muscat

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 3 nights Hotel
  • 6 nights Camping
Overview

This exceptional trekking holiday in Oman, explores the most dramatic sections of the Al Hajar range of mountains which run the length of Oman's northern coastline, rising above the blue waters of the Gulf to a height of 3000 metres. Starting out amongst the Western Hajar Mountains, we follow rugged trails between picturesque mountain villages, each with its groves of date palms and intricately terraced fields. Camping out on the high Sharaf al Alamayn Plateau and on the Sayq Plateau, we visit the high point of Oman at Jebel Shams and enjoy far-reaching views across a landscape of jagged ridge-lines and intervening canyons. A night in a comfortable hotel at the former capital of Nizwa, with time to explore the towns forts and souks provides a welcome break, before we complete a 2-day trek across the Eastern Hajar Mountains - which ends conveniently at a camp on the beach. With its superb trekking, year-round sunshine and welcoming people, Oman is the Middle East's best kept secret.

Is this holiday for you?

This is not a sustained trekking holiday, but a combination of shorter and relatively easy walks combined with two challenging classic 2-day routes, that are amongst the best treks in Oman. We will be following mountain tracks across sand, scree and bare rock, with sections of stepped pathway leading to ancient and sometimes abandoned villages. Walking for between 4 and 10 hour …

This is not a sustained trekking holiday, but a combination of shorter and relatively easy walks combined with two challenging classic 2-day routes, that are amongst the best treks in Oman. We will be following mountain tracks across sand, scree and bare rock, with sections of stepped pathway leading to ancient and sometimes abandoned villages. Walking for between 4 and 10 hours on 5 of the days, our route will take us into deep wadis and across airy ridges. We will usually be following routes that have been used for generations by the local people - villagers, hunters and shepherds. Some of the pathways are exposed and there is some easy scrambling on day 4 and day 5. The longer walk is on day 7 with a continuous but gentle ascent for the majority of the day. The altitudes attained during this holiday are unlikely to cause problems in respect of acclimatisation. Oman is prohibitively hot for much of the year and we choose to visit when it is at its coolest. However, we are still likely to find day-time temperatures of between 25°C and 32°C or even a little higher and sun protection and adequate hydration are important considerations. 4 wheel drive support vehicles carry all our equipment from camp to camp but, as we only have a small local crew, we will be expected to help put up and take down tents at campsites. We have graded the holiday at the bottom end of our demanding scale because there are some long trekking days and also on account of the prevailing temperatures.

Why KE?

Authentic Arabia!  KE are one of the few operators to run a real mountain trek in Oman, travel with us to discover the forgotten Middle East. If you want to chat about the trip and trekking please call us and ask to speak to Gemma - she has recently returned, and loved it.

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Itinerary

Meet at the group hotel in Muscat. A single group transfer will be provided from Muscat Airport to the group hotel in the city. This transfer is normally around breakfast time and a representative of our local agent will accompany the group on the 20 minute journey to the hotel. After a few hours of rest and the chance to relax by the pool, or to walk to the nearby palm tree-lined beach (there are many coffee shops to visit overlooking the sea), we will be ready to do some exploring. At around 2.30 we will have a briefing and then take a tour (by vehicle) of Muscat city. We pass the embassies area and the Sultan's Palace, and ending at the giant incense burner in Ryam Park to enjoy the great views over the corniche. We finish the day with a look around the souk's before having dinner at a local restaurant and returning to the hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

L D

After an early breakfast, we have an early morning tour of the very impressive Muscat Grand Mosque with its Swarovkis chandelier. We then leave Muscat and set off in our 4-wheel-drive vehicles to the Western Hajar Mountains and enter Wadi Bani Awf. Leaving the tarmac road we quickly engage 4-wheel-drive as we journey through this picturesque wadi, lined with date farms pools of water (the number of which depends on the volume of recent rain). This is a steep and fun offroading experience and after one hour we reach a narrow gorge that is the entrance to the pretty village of Bilad Sait. Here we will have lunch and then a short walk through the gorge and around the village where there will be plenty of opportunities for photos. We then continue our on and off road drive, winding up Jabal Shams. The south summit of Jebel Shams is 2997m and this is the accessible one, the actual true highest point in Oman is the North Summit just a few meters higher at 3006m but the military base on this summit prohibits tourism here. Tonight we set the first of our wild camps within view of Jabal Shams summit on the Sharaf al Alamayan Plateau.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

20 M

Descent

90 M

Time

1 hr walking

Distance

2 KM

After breakfast and a short 20 mins drive we enjoy breathtaking views of Oman's Grand Canyon and Nakhr Village which is more than a kilometre below us. We should be able to spot the route of today's classic walk along the edge of the canyon. Setting off from Al Kateen Village, we follow the 'balcony trail' along the mountain's edge to an abandoned village, which clings to the rocks and is completely hidden from view, both from above and from below. Just beyond the village, we can see the traditional farm terracing where locals used to produce their food and a short walk further takes us to the small lake that feeds the terracing. We stop and enjoy a few snacks before the walk back along the balcony trail offers more breathtaking views of the canyon. We then set off in our 4WD vehicles down the mountain to Wadi Ghul and Nakhr Village where we will take lunch. This allows us to view the canyon in reverse - from the bottom up, which is equally as dramatic and stunning, as this journey takes us through more than half a billion years of geological time. We then drive to Quiyut, in Jabal Akhdar, and enjoy the second of our wild camps.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

850 M

Time

4 hrs trekking

Distance

11 KM

Today we embark on the first of our 2-day challenging treks. After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we trek straight from camp to begin our 7-8-hour trek across Jabal Akhdar up the Al Hamra Valley and onto the canyon rim. The trek follows an old path which is undulating and rocky underfoot and was once the main route to the village of Ar'Roos and has terrific views down into Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Mistal and Wadi Bani Kharus. During the walk there is some easy but prolonged scrambling as we pick our way through the challenging terrain of Oman finest trekking region. Taking a picturesque lunch on the cliff tops, we have panoramic views across the settlement of Al Hijir and to our objective for the day, Ar'Roos village. With a final wadi scramble to reach Ar'Roos, we may be lucky enough to meet some of the village elders before transferring by vehicle (approx 20 mins) to our beautiful wild camp on the fertile lands of the Sayq plateau, where we hope to spot desert wildlife amongst the rich covering of juniper trees.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

430 M

Descent

760 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

10 KM

Another early start, as we break camp from the Sayq Plateau, driving just over 30 minutes to the start of today's walk. This day is said to be the loveliest walks of week. With a well-paced start, we reach the Al Jarir region of the plateau and begin our descent into the fabulous Wadi Muaydeen. With 3 - 4 hours of trekking, it is one of the most spectacular wadi walks in Oman. At times we are on some exposed paths as we head down into hidden gardens and between photo worthy rock formations. As we take a steep descent onto the wadi floor, we can encounter local Omani men tending to their gardens. With a rocky ascent, we follow the rim of the wadi to meet our vehicles and take a short drive to the oasis town of Nizwa (approx 45mins) to our hotel, which has stunning views of low, chocolate-coloured hills behind and jagged white hills in front. This is a perfect place to relax at the end of a long day's walk with a welcome shower and soft bed. In the evening we try some good local food before collapsing in our beds.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

220 M

Descent

640 M

Time

3 hrs trekking

Distance

7 KM

Situated alongside two wadis, Nizwa, the former capital city of Oman, is a fertile sea of green with an oasis of date plantations stretching out 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the town. Today, Nizwa is still the largest and most important town in the interior of Oman and is noted for its 17th century fort and atmospheric souks, full of the silversmiths' art, especially ornately engraved khanjars (curved daggers worn on ceremonial occasions by all Omani men). We have a tour of the souks and time to explore the fort. After lunch in a local restaurant, we make the three and a half hour drive into the Eastern Hajar Mountains and set up our camp in Thamer, near to Wadi Bani Khalid, famous for its natural beauty.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

This morning we start our second classic 2-day trek that takes us on ancient trading routes up and over the Selma Plateau and down to the sea at the Gulf of Oman. This is not a technical trek, but it is a long traverse and we will start our trek at very first light. Starting at around 650 metres, we walk through the lush coolness of this popular and breathtaking wadi, ascending gradually to a high point at 2157 metres. The rugged landscape of the Selma Plateau provides a stark contrast to the greenness of the wadi and offers panoramic views out over the stunning Ash Shariqiyah Mountains. We trek for 9 to 10 hours on relatively easy rocky terrain, but it is gentle and continuous ascent in hot conditions. On arrival at the plateau we meet the vehicles and transfer for the 20 mins to our camp site at around 1500m for dinner and another night of stargazing.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1650 M

Descent

275 M

Time

9 - 10 hrs trekking

Distance

17 KM

Another early start, as we set off across the rugged plateau landscape for 4 hours. This is mainly a day of descent that starts off gradually with only losing 400m over the first 7km. The views are spectacular with the rocky mountains descending to the sparkly blue sea. We have lunch in the shade before we start the steep descent into the lush coolness of Wadi Tiwi with its dramatic rock faces and palms. We finish the route at the small village of Sooee, where there are some excellent swimming pools, a great place to wash off the trail dust, before walking the final easy stretch to our awaiting vehicles. It is then just a 20 minute drive to our camp at a stunning coastal spot. We line our tents on the beach so that we can witness the sunrise in the morning.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

150 M

Descent

1550 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

We wake with the sunrise into our tents and breakfast on the beach. We pack up camp for the final time and head to the nearby Wadi Shab, just 15 minutes away by car. A gentle 1-hour stroll up this beautiful wadi brings us to more fresh water swimming pools. Here we can relax and swim in the pools. There is a hidden cave which involves some actual swimming which we can explore if we wish to and feel comfortable with the swim. When we are ready we return to the vehicles and take the road back to Muscat, stopping off for picnic lunch en route. We should be back at the group hotel in Muscat by 3.00 pm which will give us time to rest and pack before going out for a celebratory meal at a local restaurant. We will return to the hotel for a final drink in the bar.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

440 M

Descent

220 M

Time

1 hr trekking

Distance

3 KM

The holiday ends after breakfast. There is a single group transfer to Muscat Airport. If you have time to spare before your flight you can go for a snorkel or maybe even join a dolphin watching boat tour to round off your fabulous week walking in the beautiful country of Oman.

Meals

B
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The Route
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional and qualified tour leader
  • Support staff for camping and drivers
  • Single timed airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • All accommodation as described
  • All meals
  • All land transport required by the itinerary (4-wheel-drive vehicles)
  • All camping equipment - excluding personal sleeping bags

  • Travel insurance
  • Oman Visa fee
  • Any addtional activities/excursions indicated as optional
  • Tips
  • Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc

The group will meet at the hotel in Muscat.

A single transfer from Muscat Airport to the group hotel is provided on Day 1.

On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, there will be a single transfer back to Muscat Airport timed to meet the check-in for the afternoon Oman Air return flight to London.

Anyone may join the group transfers by prior arrangement. Travelling as a group or on public transport saves energy. If this is not practical, we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Taxis are also available.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals are included in the holiday price.

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Breakfasts on trek typically consist of bread, cheese, honey, jams, yoghurt, eggs, fruit, tea and coffee. For lunch there will be a variety of salads, spicy hummus, breads and other dishes from which we can select. Dinner will usually be barbeque or pan-fried meat and vegetables with plenty of bread, yoghurt, and hummus followed by fresh fruit and tea or coffee.  Alcohol will only be available in Muscat and in Nizwa, although upon arrival at Muscat there is a Duty Free shop and you are allowed to take 2-litres of alcohol into the country.

We will spend 2 nights in Muscat at a comfortable 3 star hotel with a swimming pool. We will also have a night in similar standard of hotel in Nizwa.

Whilst on trek there are 6 nights wild camping. The camping is participatory, so you will be required to assist in putting up your tent and help out with camp chores.

A mess tent will be provided if the weather is bad, but on warm clear days we will gather and eat in the open. Mattresses are provided to sit on during meal times in a Bedouin style.

Accommodation is twin share. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning to extend your holiday, additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

The group will be led by a professional and qualified tour leader. The leader will be assisted by a small camp crew and one or more 4-wheel-drive support vehicles and drivers.

This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude.  During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres.  Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at high altitude.  You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.

Approximately £150 per person (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for visa, tips, soft drinks, snacks and miscellaneous expenses. Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and optional activities are additional so you may wish to budget for these.

You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency on arrival at the airport and in Muscat. Additionally, you will be able to get currency from bank ATMs in Muscat and Nizwa. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency.

Tips are the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your local guides. They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local crews the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given. For your trek crews we recommend that you give a tip if you feel that their services have met your satisfaction. As a rough guide we suggest you allow a total of £35 (or equivalent in euros/dollars) for tipping your crew.

Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of a long journey or travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the 4WD vehicle. You should bring a soft bag, such as the KE kit bag, as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Oman

UK  passport holders do not require a visa for stays shorter than 14 days.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

The unit of currency in Oman is the Oman Rial.

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience.

You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with walking 4 to 6 hours for consecutive days, and possibly up to 10 hrs on the one longer day. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training, and we would suggest that you try to fit in a number of long weekend walks before you depart. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina.

The best period for trekking in the Al Hajar Mountains is in the winter season from October through to mid April. Outside of this period it can be very hot, with temperatures rising to 40 degrees centigrade. At the time of any of our departures, the maximum daytime temperature is likely to be around 30°C but can be more in exceptional circumstances, and falling as low as 5°C  at night at our highest camps. At Christmas, the weather is usually settled, clear and sunny, although the days are shorter and the nights can be particularly cool, possibly as low as 0°C. 

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • Adventure Trekking in Oman - Dale and Hadwin.

  • Travels with a Tangerine - Tim Mackintosh-Smith

  • Arabian Sands - Wilfred Thesiger

Oman and the United Arab Emirates Map. ITMB (Travel Reference Map S.)

Oman and the UAE - International Travel Map. 1:1,400,000

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

  • Lightweight hiking boots which are suitable for scrambling

  • Sandals for water crossings in the Wadi's, such as tevas

  • Trainers for sightseeing and camp use

  • Socks

  • Walking socks

  • Trekking trousers

  • Lightweight waterproof overtrousers

  • Underwear

  • Shorts

  • At least 1 long sleeve shirt with collar (for sun protection)

  • Casual shirts and/or T-shirts

  • Warm jacket* (eg. Fleece)

  • Lightweight waterproof jacket

  • Sunhat

  • Warm hat (for chilly evenings in the desert)

  • Headscarf (for the ladies when visiting the mosques)
  • Sunglasses

  • Daypack of approx 30 litres

  • Headtorch and spare batteries

  • Water bottles 1 litre (x3) or, 3 litre / quart Camelbak hydration system (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets
  • Sleeping bag (comfort rated -5°C)*

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Washbag and toiletries

  • Antibacterial handwash

  • Basic First Aid Kit including antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.

The following items are optional:

  • Trekking poles

  • Travel clothes

  • Swimwear

  • Small towel

  • Sleeping bag liner

  • Camera

  • Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

  • Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

*For December departures when night-time temperatures can fall below freezing in the desert, we recommend a season sleeping bag comfort rated -10°C and a warmer jacket such as a down-filled jacket. At all times of the year you should take a jacket for the evenings.

As Oman is an Islamic country, modest dress is preferable in the towns and cities. Shoulders should be kept covered, and full length trousers/skirts are recommended. When visiting the Grand Mosque ladies should have long sleeves, long trousers and a headscarf. Men should wear long trousers but can wear short sleeved tops/t-shirts. It is acceptable to wear sandals for ladies and men.

The camping on this trip is mostly wild camping with few facilities. Water for bathing will not always be available and we suggest you bring a supply of wet-wipes. Sleeping mattresses are provided.

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 from 15 reviews

Enthralling trip to a wonderful country ★★★★★

This relatively short trip provided a myriad of experiences from a jaw dropping Mosque to fabulous wild walking to amazing isolated campsites to sensational swimming spots. Muscat is a fascinating city and the newly constructed Mosque is one of the world’s great religious buildings. I’ll never look at a chandelier in the same way again! The walking is relatively straightforward but the second 2 day trek is quite challenging especially in the heat we experienced…..4a.m. breakfasts necessary to start walking at first light. The savage wonderful scenery more than makes up for it but hydration is a very big issue and needs to be attended to scrupulously…..minimum 4 litres per day. The campsites were absolutely fabulous and a definite highlight of the trip…..the desert camp probably the pick of a superb bunch. For me, a definite high point was the swimming with several idyllic swimming spots culminating in the last day leading through the narrow gap into a huge “cave” with waterfall….loved it. Daniel our guide was brilliant and no praise high enough for our 2 drivers……you’d go a long way to get better off road driving experiences. Guide and driver also dealt with camping/cooking etc and were often on the go from 2a.m. until 10 in the evening. A point to bear in mind is travelling during Ramadan as we found several sites in the itinerary were closed. Also I feel consideration should be given to having an assistant guide especially if it was a large group. All in all this was a fabulous trip and highly recommended.
By John from Hawick, Scotland | 19 April 2024

A small sample of what Oman has to offer- walks, wadi wallowing and tasty food ★★★★

We undertook this holiday as first trekking holiday after my husbands hip replacement and to see how he coped with his disabilities i.e. some short walks and a couple of longer walks. The walking itself we didn’t find particularly difficult or technical but the effects of heat should not be underestimated as there is little shade on the high ground. There was more driving than I had thought but the drivers were excellent and 4x4 off road was fun (expect bumpy!!!!). The Waddis were wonderful. A s a person who has a phobia about swimming (I can but hate to do so voluntarily) I was not looking forward to the swimming element of the holiday so….much to my surprise… I absolutely loved it…and I did a little sneaky scrambling and bouldering along the way too. A real revelation! Hints for future travellers?…prepare, understand the country you are travelling to and respect its customs BEFORE you go…especially in Ramadan.
By Susan from Lydney | 20 April 2023

Oman Taster

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By Susan from Lydney | 20 April 2023

Oman a-go-go ★★★★

The spectacular wadis and canyons of Oman are places that will impress all travellers with KE. The Balcony walk in the 1000m deep Wadi Ghul was the early highlight with the swim in the pools of Wadi Shab a great way to finish. Tour leader, 4 wheel drivers excellent. High quality food throughout including at camps, especially if you appreciate middle eastern cuisine.

By Martin from HAYWARDS HEATH | 18 November 2019

Camping in the desert

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By Sarah from YORK | 05 March 2018

Traveller Reviews
4.7 out of 5 from 20 reviews

Enthralling trip to a wonderful country
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This relatively short trip provided a myriad of experiences from a jaw dropping Mosque to fabulous wild walking to amazing isolated campsites to sensational swimming spots. Muscat is a fascinating city and the newly constructed Mosque is one of the world’s great religious buildings. I’ll never look at a chandelier in the same way again! The walking is relatively straightforward but the second 2 day trek is quite challenging especially in the heat we experienced…..4a.m. breakfasts necessary to start walking at first light. The savage wonderful scenery more than makes up for it but hydration is a very big issue and needs to be attended to scrupulously…..minimum 4 litres per day. The campsites were absolutely fabulous and a definite highlight of the trip…..the desert camp probably the pick of a superb bunch. For me, a definite high point was the swimming with several idyllic swimming spots culminating in the last day leading through the narrow gap into a huge “cave” with waterfall….loved it. Daniel our guide was brilliant and no praise high enough for our 2 drivers……you’d go a long way to get better off road driving experiences. Guide and driver also dealt with camping/cooking etc and were often on the go from 2a.m. until 10 in the evening. A point to bear in mind is travelling during Ramadan as we found several sites in the itinerary were closed. Also I feel consideration should be given to having an assistant guide especially if it was a large group. All in all this was a fabulous trip and highly recommended.
By John from Hawick, Scotland | 19 April 2024

A small sample of what Oman has to offer- walks, wadi wallowing and tasty food
★ ★ ★ ★
We undertook this holiday as first trekking holiday after my husbands hip replacement and to see how he coped with his disabilities i.e. some short walks and a couple of longer walks. The walking itself we didn’t find particularly difficult or technical but the effects of heat should not be underestimated as there is little shade on the high ground. There was more driving than I had thought but the drivers were excellent and 4x4 off road was fun (expect bumpy!!!!). The Waddis were wonderful. A s a person who has a phobia about swimming (I can but hate to do so voluntarily) I was not looking forward to the swimming element of the holiday so….much to my surprise… I absolutely loved it…and I did a little sneaky scrambling and bouldering along the way too. A real revelation! Hints for future travellers?…prepare, understand the country you are travelling to and respect its customs BEFORE you go…especially in Ramadan.
By Susan from Lydney | 20 April 2023

Oman Taster

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By Susan from Lydney | 20 April 2023

Oman a-go-go
★ ★ ★ ★

The spectacular wadis and canyons of Oman are places that will impress all travellers with KE. The Balcony walk in the 1000m deep Wadi Ghul was the early highlight with the swim in the pools of Wadi Shab a great way to finish. Tour leader, 4 wheel drivers excellent. High quality food throughout including at camps, especially if you appreciate middle eastern cuisine.

By Martin from HAYWARDS HEATH | 18 November 2019

Camping in the desert

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By Sarah from YORK | 05 March 2018

Amazing Oman
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Always good to escape the Scottish winter for a while but this trip to Oman was just the ticket. Interesting and varied walking, swimming opportunities, good food, time to explore Muscat & Nizwa and wall to wall sunshine - what more could you want. Very well looked after by our guide Hanna and his team. While the walking is not difficult, the heat & rocky terrain make it a bit harder than it looks on paper so best to read the trip notes. The final day swimming to the caves at Wad i Shab was spectacular and so much fun - not to be missed.
By Kenneth from Edinburgh | 12 April 2017

Oman

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By John from Telford | 28 March 2017

Fabulous country and trekking experience
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Oman is a stunning country, especially for trekking. The people are very friendly, the views are amazing and, in Feb, the weather was not too hot (and not too cold at night although a good fleece/down jacket is a must). The camping opens up vast skies full of stars and the night on the beach is perfect for an evening and pre breakfast swim. Swimming along the Wadi on the last day is the perfect end to a perfect trip - bring your trek sandals. Make sure ladies bring a scarf for the mosque - one o f the drivers kindly lent me their keffiyeh but, as this was a 'man's' head covering I was not allowed in and had to buy a 'female's' headscarf at the shop. And of course, don't forget your toilet paper! Overall, a really brilliant trip. Thanks KE.
By Gail from Bristol | 10 March 2017

Wonderful country & fantastic hospitality. Amazing wild scenery & walking.
★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing wild country where we enjoyed fantastic hospitality from locals & the trek crew. A range of walking from relaxing half days to strenuous extended day challenging experiences. This is a trip where a lot is crammed into a short time seeing some really interesting sights (ancient forts, mosques) & experiencing wild walking through gorges & over huge mountain vistas. Be prepared for a lot of driving too which at times can be tiring & after a while not particularly enjoyable.

By John from Telford | 06 March 2017

Great, well organised trip in fascinating country
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This trip was excellent. Every hiking day was quite different in some way, and each hike was stunning. The food was great, both during the camping and when we ate in restaurants, and our crew was friendly and helpful. It is important on this trip to be aware that it can be very hot for the hiking, and to come prepared for that. Bring shoes that can be worn for both walking and swimming for the optional wadi trip on the last day.

By Paula from SHOREHAM BY SEA | 02 January 2017

A Little BIt of Everything - Just Pick A Date
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This trip is very well thought-out, combining a variety of short and long & low- and high-level walks interspersed with sightseeing visits to forts, souks and the fabulous Grand Mosque. Our guide, Hanna, worked incredibly hard to ensure to smooth running of the trip and he was ably helped by the 4 man crew (and what a nice bunch of chaps they were) who did all the driving and cooking. The wild campsites were at lovely locations and only at the last one, on the beach, was there anybody el se around. The logistics mean that you do have to deal with your own tent, but given that you're unlikely to have to pitch it in rain or wind, it's not too much trouble. Forget about trying to use the tent pegs though, just use rocks to hold down the corners. We found that although the walks on Days 3 and 5 are quite modest in duration it does help with getting used to the heat. The trip notes mention scrambling on Day 4 but that was no more than a few steadying handholds here and there - it was however a full satisfying day over rough and rocky terrain with not much in the way of paths. It's really only the two days over the Selma plateau that push up the grading for this trip. The first day is certainly a long one with over 1800m of ascent, so it was enterprising of Hanna to organise a donkey handler to turn up en-route with extra water supplies and to serve up coffee and dates. Throughout the trip everyone we met was friendly and welcoming and that, as much as anything else, makes Oman a fascinating destination. Another winner fron KE.
By Adventure from Worcester | 02 December 2016

A great adventure visiting Oman, a Middle Eastern jewel
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The tour struck a great balance... between camping and hotels (with a hotel day between 6 days camping) and between sightseeing, walking and driving. Result was a very fulfilling insight into Oman. The team of 5 (a guide and 4 drivers) were outstanding, worked really hard to create our holiday and demonstrated real kindness and attentiveness to our needs. Food was excellent, water plentiful, advise and guidance clear. The campsites were varied from desert, to beach and plateaus. Mostly quiet exc ept the beach were parties from Muscat played music half the night (best take ear plugs). Temperatures in camp site varied and very cold some nights... and will get colder depending on date of trip. We eat outdoors so best take a down jacket and layers for your legs. First full day of walking is in an area of very sharp rocks so would suggest trousers. Ladies need to check dress code guidelines for suitable clothing in order not to offend. Swimming in gorge and wadis was a real highlight. Check times of sun rise and sun set and don't miss out. Enjoy watching shooting stars.
By Adventure from Sunbury-on-Thames | 17 November 2016

Walking, Wadis & Wet-Wipes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A great 10 day trip with a nice mix of sight-seeing and walking. Good combination of longer and shorter walks, and some lovely wadi pools for taking a dip in when it got too hot. Hanna was a great guide; we were very well looked after by him and the team of four drivers, and always very well fed. All the walks are optional as you can always go in the 4x4 to camp if you ever fancy a day off / don't fancy the 1800m climb up onto the Selma plateau... (but it's a great walk so try not to m iss it!) Previous reviews have mentioned a desert camp as an alternative to the big walk in the second half of the trip - but we got to do both; after Nizwa we camped in the desert with an amazing sunset, and then up early the next morning for sunrise & short drive to the start of the big ascent walk. And camping on the beach is a great way to finish the trip off (before a much needed shower back in Muscat - don't under-estimate the amount of wet-wipes you will get through - it is a bit of a dusty trip!)
By Louise from BURGESS HILL | 17 November 2016

Good trip in a beautiful country
★ ★ ★
Oman was far more beautiful than I expected, and I enjoyed the hiking we did on the trip, which was varied, and offered some amazing mountain and coastal views. I wish the trip had had more cultural interaction, as we hardly even met or spoke to any Omanis the entire time. I went on this trip in Jan 2014, and we were all very disappointed with our guides, who were disorganized, unhelpful, and even argued repeatedly in front of us (there seemed to be some sort of power struggle going on). I heard through the grapevine that KE listened to our complaints about them and has made the necessary changes, so hopefully this is no longer an issue. Oman is really beautiful and worth visiting, so as long as the guides have changed, I would recommend this trip.
By Leslie from BROOKLINE | 20 October 2016

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for the review of your 2014 Oman trip. We always listen to what our clients tell us. Since your trip in 2014, we have worked very successfully with a new local agent in Oman as you can tell from all the reviews below for 2016 and 2015. We certainly agree with you that this is a beautiful country and well worth a visit.


A beautiful country to trek in.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Oman has some very impressive and beautiful scenery. This KE trip offers a physical challenge at times but doesn't become too technical. Certainly enough to provide a sense of achievement to most folk. The walks are varied and keep your interest from day to day. It pays to have a decent light weight pair of boots and to have made the effort to achieve a reasonable level of fitness beforehand. Packs are light only and weather was great though you need to drink plenty of water. Camp food is b oth generous and tasty. On top of this Hanna was a fun guide who ensured our safety at all times. Throw in some culture, great local food and I thouroughly recommend this holiday.
By Simon from Retford | 04 April 2016

An amazing way to explore Oman
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Although there is less walking than anticipated and the walking is easier than advertised, this is an amazing trip in a beautiful country.

We also had the chance to swap a day of walking in the mountains against a day in the desert with sunrise and sunset walks. It would be a shame to go to Oman and not to see the awesome sand dunes. KE should change the itinerary definitively.

Overall incredible landscapes, stunning mountains, great culture and above all great people.

By Thierry from LONDON | 01 February 2016

Yallah ( lets go) - Oman, a Trekker's paradise
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jagged Mountains, Wadis and the desert are all part of a magical geological landscape in Oman. I watched beautiful sunrises, sunsets and of course, amazing stars. I am very thankful to Wafa, our guide and her support team. Wafa took me under her wings, and within one week thanks to her, I became an experienced Trekker and Scrambler 'thank you Wafa', it is an unforgettable holiday for me. Swimming in stunning Wadis and an incredible (not on the original itinerary) but an experience not be missed, a trip in the desert. We had wonderful food and packed lunches produced nightly by Wafa and her support team, especially the trail mix which Wafa made up for everyone in the group. The group was very supportive and really, thank you everyone who was part of this trip.
By Edith from SCHAFFHAUSEN | 17 January 2016

A great mix of trekking in scenic locations and cultural experiences
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The trek was very well organized from the initial airport pick-up to the final return to the group hotel. We started with a walking tour in Muscat around the Sultan's palace then the main souk, and next day we visited the Grand Mosque then made a short trek in the mountains en route to the first camp. We followed that with a half-day trek along the famous balcony trail and its spectacular views of the canyon below, then a full day trek from the camp across scenic limestone hills and wadis. The next day we did a wadi walk and swam in a beautiful natural pool, then stayed in the historic town of Nizwa where we enjoyed a tour of the souk and the fort with its excellent displays and information - I learned a lot about the production of indigo dye and its historic importance in Oman.

Due to the much hotter then normal weather the guide then recommended a change to the scheduled program, so instead of a long uphill mountain trek we drove into the desert and trekked and then camped in the dunes - a fantastic experience which I recommend replaces day 1 of the Selma Plateau mountain trek in future programs. We finished the holiday with a long but mostly downhill trek from the plateau and a night of camping by the beach. The program was well organized into 2 halves each with cultural visits and increasingly longer treks followed by an easy day to recover.
The guide was very helpful and made sure everybody understood the next day's program, and also picked safe routes that matched the ability of everyone in the group during treks. She and the assistants picked good camp sites, cooked great meals and kept us amused with stories of their other treks as well as helping us understand all aspects of Oman life. The group was only 9 people and this helped us interact well and get to know each other over the 9 days we were together.

I rated the holiday as excellent because of the ideal balance between cultural visits and scenic trekking, which let me get a all-round impression of the people, history and geography of central Oman in a short time. The holiday was everything I hoped for and made perfect by the unscheduled visit to the desert where we trekked among the amazing coloured dunes at sunset and sunrise.
By Clyde from KUALA KENCANA | 17 November 2015

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By Jonathan from UK | 25 September 2015

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2024

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  • Oman Adventure Trekking
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: OAT /04/24/
  • This trip begins on Fri 25 Oct and ends on Sun 3 Nov
  • This departure is available and departs within 17 days. Secure your place today with full payment
  • Single Supplement Price: US$265 - Includes 3 group hotel nights (single tent not included)
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$105
  • Download Trip Notes

2025

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  • Oman Adventure Trekking
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: OAT /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 14 Feb and ends on Sun 23 Feb
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$265 - Includes 3 group hotel nights (single tent not included)
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$105
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Oman Adventure Trekking
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: OAT /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 4 Apr and ends on Sun 13 Apr
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$265 - Includes 3 group hotel nights (single tent not included)
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$105
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Oman Adventure Trekking
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: OAT /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 24 Oct and ends on Sun 2 Nov
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$265 - Includes 3 group hotel nights (single tent not included)
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$105
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for joining in Muscat. Single timed transfers to/from Muscat Airport to the group hotel are provided at the start/end of the holiday.

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BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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