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Loveridge Oman Hiking Adventure
Oman
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
10 Nights
5 - 5
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Wild camp off the beaten track in the Wahiba Sands desert
- Hike above Oman's largest canyon from Jebel Shams (mountains of the sun)
- Meet local Omanis and learn about their way of life
- Hike and swim through stunning wadis
Explore the vast landscapes of Oman in this guided hiking adventure
What makes Oman so appealing is it's stark contrasts of remorseless deserts, unbelievably lush wadis ('valley' or 'ravine' in Arabic) with palm trees shading deep turquoise pools and rivulets; souring sun-bleached mountain trails, a glorious briny ocean and most importantly a gentle, friendly and hospitable culture that never seems to be in a rush.
This hiking tour takes you into many of the hidden corners of Oman - giving you a completely natural perspective of this varied landscape as you explore some of its most iconic regions on foot. You will find yourself in places you never expected; and with many of the nights spent camping with a dedicated team of local guides and assistants - each day can be as wild as you like with myriad hiking point-to-point extensions possible, away from the tourist trail.
If you would like to learn more about Oman, you can watch our webinar here.
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: Arrival in Muscat
Transfer
Boutique Hotel
Once you arrive into Muscat airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your wonderfully located hotel (about 20 minutes away). Your adventure begins with a free day in Oman’s capital city, the port of Muscat; a classic mix of modern living amongst historical architecture, and surrounded by mountains and desert.
Accommodation: Al Nassem
Day 2: Muscat - Bilad sayt
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Meet your Tour Leader and set off towards the majestic mountains.
Along the way, discover the architectural splendour of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Continue your journey to the charming mountain village of Wakan, where a scenic hike through terraced gardens and panoramic views awaits.
End your day at the village of Bilad Sayt, nestled in the heart of the mountains, where you'll spend the night surrounded by nature and traditional Omani charm.
Overnight: Bait Bimmah guesthouse
Day 3: Al Hamra
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Go for an unforgettable canyoning experience with a local expert guide, navigating through natural pools, narrow gorges, and waterfalls.
After this exhilarating adventure, head to Col Al Sharaf for a breathtaking 360° panoramic view over the surrounding mountains.
Your day ends in the charming old town of Al Hamra, where you'll spend the night in a traditional setting full of character
Overnight: Bait al Jabal Guesthouse
Day 4: Jabal Shams & Jebel Akdhar
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
This morning, set out for Jabal Shams, the highest peak in Oman, and enjoy a stunning 3 to 4-hour hike along the famous Balcony Walk. With dramatic cliffs and sweeping views, this trail is one of the most breathtaking in the country.
On your way to Jabal Akhdar, pause for a short walk through the traditional village of Al Hamra or Misfah, both known for their mud-brick houses and lush palm groves.
Continue your ascent to the cooler, green terraces of Jabal Akhdar, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight: Hanging terrace guesthouse
Day 5: Nizwa
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Boutique Hotel
Embark on a 6 km hike (3h) through rugged terrain with a local villager as your guide, leading you to secret lakes, dramatic landscapes, and refreshing waterfalls – a true hidden gem for adventure lovers (difficult level).
In the afternoon, for those who still have energy, a second hike is possible to further explore the surroundings.
Alternatively, take a more relaxed route and visit the charming oasis village of Birkat Al Mawz, with its ancient falaj irrigation system and lush date plantations, before heading to Nizwa for the night.
Overnight: Al Diyar hotel
Day 6: Wahiba sands
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
If it’s Friday, don’t miss the vibrant and traditional cattle market, where locals gather in a lively display of bargaining and heritage. Then, take time to explore the souk, rich with crafts, silver, and spices, and visit the imposing Nizwa Fort, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into Oman’s history.
In the afternoon, head towards the dunes of the Wahiba Sands. Settle into your wild camp in the desert, far from the crowds. As the sun sets, meet with a Bedouin family for a warm and authentic exchange, and enjoy a traditional dinner shared around the fire..
Overnight: Wild camping near the bedouin
Day 7: Sugar Dunes
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Today, embark on an unforgettable desert crossing adventure, journeying across ever-changing landscapes of sand and rock until you reach the remote and untouched Sugar Dunes of Khaluf.
Set up your wild camp in this dreamlike environment and enjoy the peace and beauty of nature at its purest.
Overnight: Wild Camping
Day 8: Al Ashkharah
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Boutique Hotel
Morning walk on the Sugar Dunes – coastal charm and desert magic: Start your day with a peaceful walk across the Sugar Dunes, where the soft white
sands stretch endlessly along the turquoise coastline — a perfect moment to soak in the beauty and silence of this unique landscape.
Then, continue along the coast to reach the seaside village of Al Ashkharah. Enjoy a laid-back afternoon and end the day with a stunning sunset on the beach, where the colours of the sky meet the rhythm of the waves.
Overnight: Al Ashkarah resort
Day 9: Wadi Tiwi
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Wake up early to observe the local fishermen as they return from the sea with their fresh catch — a glimpse into the authentic coastal life of Oman.
Then head towards the port town of Sur, known for its rich maritime heritage. Explore the town and visit the traditional dhow yard, where wooden boats are still handcrafted using age-old techniques.
In the afternoon, venture into the lush Wadi Tiwi, a beautiful canyon dotted with palm groves and small villages. Enjoy a leisurely walk between the villages, following the tranquil falaj irrigation systems.
Day 10: Bandar Khairan coastal camping
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Begin your day with an exciting journey into Wadi Shaab, one of Oman’s most iconic wadis. Hike through dramatic gorges and turquoise pools before reaching a hidden cave with a waterfall — perfect for a refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters.
On your way back to Muscat, make a stop for a final dose of nature. Depending on your preferences, choose between Wadi Al Arbaeen, with its scenic rock pools and lush surroundings, or Bandar Khairan, a secluded coastal spot ideal for free snorkelling among colourful fish and coral.
Day 10: Speedboat dolphin tour & departure
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Boutique Hotel
This morning embark on a speedboat tour to watching dolphins in their natural habitat, followed by further vibrant snorkelling over stunning coral reefs. A perfect way to connect with Oman’s rich marine life.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the bustling souk and a relaxing stroll along the corniche, enjoying the sea breeze and delightful market atmosphere.
Al Nassem Hotel - 1 room available untill departure to relax (or alternatively we book you in for another night)
Return home with glowing tans and happy memories of sand, sea, mountains & bedouin hospitality!
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)
- Transfers outside our group transfer timings
- Visas
- Drinks & Snacks
- Tipping
Contents
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Muscat.
Airport & Arrival and Departure 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.
Included in the cost of your adventure is a group transfer to and from the airport.
Group transfers are only available on the official start and end dates of the trip. Arriving or departing on any other days means group transfers will not be included. If you plan to arrive before or after the adventure dates and need assistance with transfers or accommodation, please add these services when booking, or contact us directly to make the arrangements.
Once you have made a booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
You are also welcome to book your travel independently, and we will provide clear instructions on how to meet the group at the designated time and location at the start of your trip.
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
Hotel Arrival
On arrival at the hotel, you should head to reception where they can show you to your room.
The group will be arriving at different times. You will be meeting together for a welcome briefing in the morning of day 2.
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting. This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
This trip involves hotel and guesthouse accommodation. The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will 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.
Facilities
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Guiding
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.
Am I fit enough?
This itinerary is a Grade 3; an Entry Level adventure.
Some days involve short walks of up to 3 hours, but the distances are optional. Depending on which departure you are on, it could involve walking in the heat, over some uneven terrain but at a leisurely pace / the natural pace of the group. However, to get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a regular walker and in good physical health.
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 arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
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.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour 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.
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
Ken
Everything worked and worked well. Airport transfers smooth, convenient and worry-free. Accommodation was varied, often very nice indeed and far better than I expected as you drive off into this starkly beautiful country. Food is abundant and good - far too much of it for most of us. Sahid (our outstanding leader/driver) backed off some of the big meals at our request as the trip progressed and gave the group some options where he could. He made sure we had plenty of water and often stopped for Omani tea/coffee, cold drinks at times. Lots of great elements to the trip, all enjoyable. Though there is a fair amount of driving during the tour, it never seemed burdensome - the country is just too damned beautiful to enjoy in its rugged starkness. Every day was a highlight for me, no specific favourite.
Oman deserves all the superlatives it gets -magnificent scenery, safe, friendly environment, welcoming and engaging people. YellowWood delivers a winner on this trip! Kudos to all.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / Debit card for ATM use
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Washbag & usual contents - natural soaps for Wadi swims & microfiber towel
- 'On the go' Toilet kit
Items for Walking / Sightseeing
- Small daypack (about 20L) for sightseeing
- Waterproof & windproof jacket
- Walking shoes or boots (already broken in)
- Torch with spare batteries
- Sunglasses & high factor suncream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Waterproof stuff sacks to keep daypack contents dry
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof phone case
Clothing
- Socks / underwear
- Suitable clothes / pjs for sleeping in at night
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops.
- Trousers / shorts / skirts / head scarf - NB dress modestly for religious buildings
- Sandals / trainers
- Warm jacket / fleece - it can be cooler at altitude and in the evenings
- Warm hat & gloves
- Water shoes or old trainers you don't mind getting wet for Wadi swimming
- Modest swimsuit and t-shirt for swimming
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 - the associated plug type for Oman is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Oman operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.
- 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
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