As seen on
Alison Ho Bespoke Oman Adventure V2
Oman
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Cultural
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
2 - 2
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Explore tranquil and lush wadis
- Desert camp in Wahiba Sands
- View Oman's largest canyon from Jebel Shams
- Visit the ancient souk at Nizwa
Explore the vast landscapes of Oman in this bespoke guided tour
This is a bespoke itinerary for 2 pax sharing a double room - please kindly click on the 'Itinerary' tab to see the full day-by-day breakdown.
This is a first draft based on the brief you sent us. It can be altered to match your requirements.
We look forward to welcoming you in Oman.
Oman is one of the best kept secrets of the Middle East: Safe, relaxed, sleepy even, the small country that neighbours the oft-visited UAE is consistently overlooked by tourists, and we like it this way.
The Omani people are probably the friendliest people in the Gulf, and their country remains untouched in its pristine, rugged natural beauty. If you are looking for a unique cultural experience, in a safe environment with stunning scenery, with as much flavour as the local smoky coffee served with dates, Oman is the perfect escape.
Day 1, Saturday: Arrive in Muscat
Transfer
Today you will arrive in Muscat. We will organise your airport transfer, picking you up and dropping you off at the hotel you have chosen and booked for yourself. The rest of the day and evening is yours to play with: dolphins, souks, etc.
We are on hand if you need any help or inspiration.
Hotel: not included.
Day 2, Sunday: Muscat - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba Sands
Transfer
Dinner
Lodge
After breakfast, head to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most picturesque wadis in Oman where water flows all year round. You can cool down in the green pools or walk up the wadi and see more pools with waterfalls. Your mode of transportation is a 4X4 (Nissan X terra or Nissan Patrol), driven by your guide.
Your journey continues to Wahiba Sands, with its golden sand dunes, and onto your camp for tonight - Thousand Night Camp. The night in the desert will be a memorable one.
Accommodation: Thousand Night Camp, Sheik Standard Tent
Day 3, Monday: Wahiba Sands - Nizwa - Jebel Akdhar
Transfer
Breakfast
After a nice breakfast, leave the golden sand dunes behind you and after a stop in Ibra for a closer look at the watchtowers proudly looking over villages from the top of the hills. Head to Jebel Akhdar,
Jebel Akhdar or “Green Mountain” it used to be accessible only by donkey, at present only 4×4 can go there. This mountain offers discovery and adventure. Experience a sense of awe as you witness nature’s primordial beauty as seen in the soaring peeks and plunging canyons. The rise of terraces on extremely steep mountain slopes is particularly impressive. Overnight in Jebel Akdhar.
Hotel: your choice for the next 3 nights in Jebel Akdhar (Hotel: not included)
Day 4, Tuesday: Jebel Akdhar / Nizwa
Transfer
There are many things to do in Jebel Akdhar and Nizwa. There are two beautiful walks:
- The Rose Hike through a charming footpath through local villages and gardens. This is an easy-going c. 2-hour walk at high altitude from the village of Al Aqur to Sayq (or vice versa), passing through mountain villages with terraced farms and ancient falaj irrigation systems. You'll see magnificent views over the Wadi Muhaydin, fossilized coral and a rose water distillery in action.
- Hike to Wadi Bani Habib (and beyond and back) - this walk is a little longer and less frequented. You will follow a dry river in order to reach the village of Wadi Bani Habib, a village, made all the more impressive and scenic by the fact that it seems to be clinging to the walls of mountains! You will continue your way as far as you want and can before turning back and heading back the way you came – panoramic views abound
Your guide-driver and the 4x4 will be on hand to help you make the most of your time there.
Hotel: not included.
Day 5, Wednesday: Jebel Akdhar / Nizwa
Transfer
Your guide-driver and the 4x4 will be on hand throughout your stay.
Included: Nizwa Fort entrance fees, and the excursion to the Nizwa souk.
Hotel: not included.
Day 6, Thursday: Jebel Akdhar - Jabreen Castle - Bahla Fort - Jebel Shams
Transfer
Dinner
3 star hotel
Today you are heading to Jebel Shams, “Sun Mountain”, Oman’s highest peak, 3009 m.
There is much to do before you get there however: between Jebel Akdhar, and Jebel Shams, lies Jabreen Castle and Bahla Fort.
The cooler temperatures will surprise you as you reach the top to get a spectacular view of the “Grand Canyon”. The stunning landscape will enchant you. It will good for you to take the time to do the Balcony Walk: a stunning 4km hike with around 200m in elevation change and epic views.
Again, your guide-driver and the trusty 4x4 will be on hand for your two day stay at this amazing eco lodge.
Included: entrance fees to Jabreen Castle and Bahla Fort
Hotel: The View, Al Hamra. Superior Room. This luxury eco-resort is tucked away in a scenic valley (getting there involves a scenic 7.5 km of winding mountainous paths leading up to the resort). Stunning panoramas as well as excellent amenities, and warm hospitality await.
Day 7, Friday: Jebel Shams - Al Hamra - Wadi Bani Auf - Muscat
Transfer
Breakfast
Today, we make our way back to Muscat where you will be dropped off at the hotel you have chosen and booked.
Hopefully there will be time en route to do the 'Misfah Loop', a guided walk around the traditional Misfah Village.
Hotel: not included.
Day 8, Saturday: Day in Muscat
Day at your leisure in Muscat.
Hotel: not included.
Day 9, Sunday: Leave Muscat
Transfer
We will organise the private airport transfer.
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not included
- Flights & airport taxes
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Visas
- Meals not mentioned, drinks & snacks
- Tips and personal expenses
Contents
Accommodation
This trip involves hotel and guesthouse accommodation. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will inform you so and endeavour to use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced and knowledgeable local, English speaking, Omani guide. This ensures you access to information on the country and culture of Oman, as well as directly supporting local trade and tourism.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Muscat. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information her as possible to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Airport & Arrival Info
Muscat International Airport (its slogan is “Gateway to Beauty & Opportunity”) is the main international airport in Oman, 32km from the city, and is modern and fully functioning.
Hotel Arrival
On arrival at the hotel, you should head to reception where they can show you to your room.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered, particularly in the light of effects that the pandemic has had on travel.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Your insurance needs to cover you for the following fairly standard inclusions:
- Medical Expenses
- Coronavirus linked expenses (these may be country specific, so please ensure you know what the requirements are relating to the country you are visiting)
- Repatriation
- Helicopter rescue & Air ambulance
We would also recommend that you have cover for the following optional items:
- Cancellation
- Loss or damage to property
If you are still looking to book your travel insurance it can be done via our partners battleface here: https://app.battleface.com?partner=405
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
General information on Oman
For information on Oman, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Reviews
YellowWood Adventures
This is a new itinerary for YellowWood and as such, we do not yet have any reviews. We would love you to be the first to review the adventure!
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / Debit card for ATM use
- Prescription medication
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitiser (70% alcohol) & face coverings (just in case)
- Washbag & usual contents
Items for Walking / Sightseeing
- Small daypack (about 20L) for sightseeing
- Waterproof Jacket (ideally GoreTex)
- Walking shoes or boots (already broken in)
- Sunglasses & high factor suncream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Waterproof stuff sacks to keep daypack contents dry
- Reusable filtration water bottle (approx 2 litres) eg Aqua Pure Traveller water bottle
Clothing
- Socks / underwear
- Suitable clothes / pjs for sleeping in at night
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops.
- Trousers / shorts / skirts - NB dress modestly for religious buildings
- Sandals / trainers
- Warm jacket / fleece - it can be cooler at altitude and in the evenings
- Warm hat & gloves
Optional
- Buff or light scarf useful for sun protection and covering shoulders / neck for church visits
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- 2 prong adaptor
- Money belt or grab bag for essentials
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
CLICK HERE to schedule a call online with YellowWood Founder Sam McManus.
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