Oman Desert Adventure: Wahiba Sands & Empty Quarter

Oman Desert Adventure: Wahiba Sands & Empty Quarter

461 Views
11 Days
From

$4681

$4447

Oman Desert Adventure: Wahiba Sands & Empty Quarter

11 Days Starting and ending in MUSCAT

Visiting: Muscat, Al Hamra, Nizwa, Jabrin, Wahiba Sands, Al Khaluf, Duqm, Souly Lodge Empty Quarter, Bedouin, Salalah

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

OMA

Recommended For:

Couples, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From:
$4681
$4447 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$234

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Oman is one of Arabia’s true gems - a land of rugged coastlines and vast deserts where tradition and progress go hand in hand.This wonderful adventure takes us from the heart of its picturesque capital, deep into mountains and deserts of the Bedu and the old Omani Imamate. We will take in the breathless landscapes of the Hajar Mountains and the shifting sands of Wahiba, explore the old forts of Jabrin and Nizwa and journey into the vast emptiness of the Rub Al Khali, the Empty Quarter.It is a journey of incredible contrasts, following in the footsteps of the pioneering explorers of old and taking in some of the richest natural and cultural highlights that Arabia has to offer.

Highlights

  • Take in the kaleidoscope of colours as the sun sets over Wahiba Sands

  • Explore the charms of Muscat, from the timeless Old Quarter to the immense Sultan Qaboos Mosque

  • Drive to where the desert meets the ocean and enjoy a delicious al fresco dinner on the beach

  • Get off the beaten track and sleep under the stars in the remote Empty Quarter

  • Spend time in local villages as you drive through the stunning Hajar Mountains

  • Step back in time as you discover ancient ports, medieval souks and UNESCO-listed desert forts

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Tour Starts In Muscat
Location: Muscat
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Tulip Inn Downtown Muscat or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,

The tour starts from Oman’s International airport. We will head straight to the magnificent mosque of Sultan Qaboos, one of the largest in the Arab world, whose grand marble halls are capable of holding some 20,000 people. After which we will go to the hotel where we will have chance to freshen up before we begin our guided tour of the city. One of Arabia’s most picturesque cities, Muscat lies within the protective embrace of a ring of horse-shoe mountains that run down into the glittering waters of Muscat Bay. We will drive along the engaging sea-front to the Al Alam Palace and the 16th century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. En route back to the hotel we will have a chance to visit Muscat’s renowned Muttrah souk, one of the best in the region.

Day 2 : Muscat – Al Hamra
Location: Muscat, Al Hamra
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Sama Heights Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

This morning we will leave in good time and head to the Seeb fish market to witness firsthand the hustle and bustle of the market traders as they barter over the “fish of the day”. Continuing out of the city in 4WDs, we will head towards the Hajar Mountains, following the Batinah coast through the foothills to the picturesque setting of Wadi Bani Awf, and a picnic lunch amongst the hills of Oman’s rugged interior. This afternoon we then head to Misfath Al Abreen, one of Oman’s best kept secrets for a walk through the beautiful oasis. Taking in the stunning scenery and walking through the falaj (irrigation) system, seeing how the village farms and manages its agricultural land. We arrive at our mountain top camp later this afternoon.

Day 3 : Drive To Nizwa Via Jabrin
Location: Nizwa, Jabrin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Falaj Daris or simliar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

After breakfast we drive down to the oasis city of Nizwa. Once the capital of the powerful Omani Imamate, Nizwa imposing 17th century fort and bustling souk provide a wealth of scenic and cultural diversions. We will also visit the impressive fort at Jabrin today, possibly the finest of Oman’s 17th century fortresses, whose exquisite painted wooden ceilings provide eloquent testimony to the skills of the fort’s original builders. Following a brief photo stop to take in the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Bahla Fort, we will then head back to Nizwa.

Day 4 : Drive To Wahiba Sands
Location: Wahiba Sands
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wild Desert
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Departing Nizwa this morning, our desert journey takes us on towards the vast, open landscapes of the Wahiba Sands, over 10,000 square kilometres of shifting sands and towering dunes that are home to isolated settlements of semi-nomadic Bedouin. Our journey will take us via the market town of Sinaw, where we will stop to strech our legs. We will continue into the seemingly endless sea of the Wahiba, driving through an ever changing landscape of colours and contours as we make our way on to our remote desert camp.

Day 5 : : Drive Across Wahiba Sands To Khaluf
Location: Wahiba Sands, Al Khaluf
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Khaluf Wild Beach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

This morning we will drive out across the shifting sands of Wahiba towards the coast, and the pink shell beaches and white dunes of Khaluf on Oman’s eastern coast. Far from being devoid of life, these breath-taking desert landscapes are home to a rich array of wildlife, from the remarkable dew drinking beetles that haunt the predawn desert, to foxes, gazelles and over 100 species of birds; That said, in this vast landscape they can be very difficult to spot, so we will need to keep our eyes peeled! The drive will take four to five hours and we stop for lunch along the way, arriving in Khaluf in time to set up camp late afternoon. As we settle down for another evening under an Arabian sky, our drivers will prepare a delicious al fresco dinner.

Day 6 : Drive To Duqm Via Ras Al Madrakah
Location: Duqm
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City Duqm or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

Today provides an ideal opportunity to make the most of Oman’s rugged coastline. We drive south, following to coast from Khaluf to Ras al Madrakah, which provides an ample array of viewpoints and photo opportunities, as we pass through a collection of fishing villages, beaches and wadis en route to tonight’s camp. On arrival at Ras al Madrakah there will be plenty of time to have a swim before driving to our modest hotel for the evening in the small port town of Duqm.

Day 7 : Drive Into The Empty Quarter
Location: Souly Lodge Empty Quarter
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wild Desert
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

This morning we head inland to the vast emptiness of the Rub al Khali, 250,000 square miles of waterless desert that covers much of the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula. This is the heartland of the nomadic Bedouin, made famous by Wilfred Thesiger in his book ‘Arabian Sands’.

Day 8 : Empty Quarter
Location: Bedouin
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wild Desert
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

This morning we will continue on through the hypnotic landscape and head further south, heading towards Al Hashman, where we will pitch camp for our final night under the stars.

Day 9 : Drive To Salalah
Location: Salalah
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Salalah Beach Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

The journey on to the coastal city of Salalah today takes us from the desert to the Indian Ocean by way of the barren landscapes of the Qara Mountains. We will arrive into Salalah in the early afternoon giving everyone plenty of time to have a dip in the ocean before freshening up for dinner in the souk.

Day 10 : In Salalah
Location: Salalah
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Salalah Beach Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

This morning we stop at the Frankinsence Museum before taking a short drive out of Salalah passing the coconut and banana plantations and head to Khor Rori, a coastal inlet, where we’ll find the ruins of the old ancient port of Sumhuram, a fortified city said to have been used by the Queen of Sheba. In its day the city played an important part in the Frankincense trade. From the old port we will drive up into the Dhofar Mountains and stop by the baobab trees before heading back into town. The afternoon is free until the souk opens again in the early evening where we have time to do any last minute shopping.

Day 11 : Tour Ends In Salalah
Location: Salalah
Meals Included: Breakfast

Tour ends in Salalah: The tour ends after breakfast today

What's Included

  • MEALS

    10 x Breakfasts, 10 x Lunches, 10 x Dinners

  • TRANSPORT

    On this tour is predominantly in 4WDs but a minibus may be used for your tour of Muscat.

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Low

What's Not Included

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Visas

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com  For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Oman.  Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.  Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.  

Key Aspects to Consider

Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. As the crew will be with you throughout the desert (they will be driving you), it will be all hands to the deck when you get to camp in the evenings, so it will be a team effort to put up tents etc., so all help will be gratefully received! Also for the camping nights please note that the facilities will be “au naturel” and there will be no showers, as all the water used will have to carried in the vehicles – that said there will a small amount of water each night to be able to have a quick wash. If you fancy a tipple, whilst on holiday, it can be quite hard to get hold of alcohol outside of the main international hotels and therefore it may be worth picking up a bottle in Duty Free of your preferred drink to have while camping in the desert.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Oman. Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

June Addison  

June Addison

This was a wonderful opportunity to visit the relatively inaccessible coastline of Oman and its deserts

Charlotte Barns  

Charlotte Barns

Wild Frontiers Oman Desert Adventure trip was exactly that! Camping in the empty quarter...

Margaret Irving  

Margaret Irving

A brilliant not to be missed tour of a delightfully varied country. Scenery, geology, people and sights not to be missed!

Catherine Wilkinson  

Catherine Wilkinson

My first Wild Frontiers trip blew my expectations away - I'm not sure I'll be able to cope travelling with other companies now!

Tekpeki Anim  

Tekpeki Anim

This was a truly fantastic holiday. A great way to meet new people and experience the desert close-up

Emma Wright  

Emma Wright

My amazing adventure in Oman provided access to beautiful off the beaten track locations....

Buggsie Heath-Brown  

Buggsie Heath-Brown

Wild Frontiers did it again with a superb trip to Oman.

Kathryn Board  

Kathryn Board

This trip was a perfect blend of sea, desert, history and culture, showing us Oman from Muscat in the far north to the Yemeni border in the south. The 5 days of wild camping were extremely well organised and gave us some real "Wow" moments in terms of the camping locations chosen and the opportunities we were given to explore Oman's deserts, mountains and shore line.

Chris Hardy  

Chris Hardy

Camping in the Wahiba Sands and in the Empty Quarter next to 200m sand dunes was an amazing experience

Read all 9 reviews

Want a private tour?

  • Personalise your trip

    Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method

  • Travel more exclusively

    Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group

  • Travel for a special occasion

    Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family

Dates & Availability

tourhub Discount Available - Sign In

Instant Booking Available

Wednesday - Saturday

Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024
$4681 $4447 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$234 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Thursday

Dec 23, 2024 - Jan 02, 2025
$4744 $4507 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$237 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Wednesday

Dec 29, 2024 - Jan 08, 2025
$4744 $4507 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$237 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Jan 07, 2025 - Jan 17, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Jan 21, 2025 - Jan 31, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Feb 11, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Nov 18, 2025 - Nov 28, 2025
$4813 $4572 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Friday

Dec 23, 2025 - Jan 02, 2026
$4869 $4626 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$243 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.

    Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise

    You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
    We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
    If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**


    We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:

    There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
    Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
    No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
    Tourist visas (if required) are available.
    There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
    Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****




    ** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
    ***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
    **** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
    *****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.

Why book with tourhub?

Safe & Secure

Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.

pts logo

100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.


The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.

Guaranteed Best Value

Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.


No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.

(Operator terms may apply)

Expert Knowledge

Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.


Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.


Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.

Trusted Service

Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.


Don't just take our word for it...

"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."

Similar Tours

Travel Guru Features

Our Reviews