Oman

This 14-day trip takes us to the oldest independent state in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as one of the most politically stable and fascinating countries in the Middle East. Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia, overlooking the mouth of the Persian Gulf and sharing land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Oil is the country’s most important export, although the government has initiated a wide-ranging programme of industrial diversification and given way to a fast-developing tourism industry. Oman still retains many of its cultural traditions, making it one of the best places in the Gulf to experience traditional Arabia. With a population of more than two million expats (the population of Oman is just over five million), most of whom are from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, it also is remarkably cosmopolitan.

Much of Oman, as well as the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, is completely inhospitable (largely, the central area of the country) let alone suitable for the type of trip we offer, therefore, we focus on the country’s more inviting and attractive northern and southern geographical areas. In doing so, the trip provides a very comprehensive overview of both Oman’s natural wonders, as well as its cultural wealth, much of which was originally derived from the frankincense trade.

Over the course of the trip, we walk amongst a vast variety of savagely beautiful and sparsely populated landscapes including: magnificent stretches of coastline shaded with nodding palm trees and grazing camels, sprawling date plantations with gurgling water channels, craggy chains of towering mountains scored with precipitous canyons, rugged wadis abounding in beautiful rock pools and waterfalls, wind-blown dunes and great inland deserts, starlit skies and peaceful estuaries etc. We explore bustling cities, colourful and spice-filled souks, venerable forts, evocative mudbrick villages, magnificent mosques and some wonderful archaeological sites.  

The trip starts in the enthralling city of Muscat, the nation’s sprawling low-key and modern capital (home to at least a third of the country’s entire population), before continuing south along the coast, stopping in one of the country’s most beautiful wadis (canyon, gorge, ravine etc. carved by a watercourse) along the way before arriving at the historical port town of Sur. From here we head inland where we spend the next six days exploring the spectacular mountains of the Western Hajar dotted with impressive cultural sites and some very lovely villages and towns. We then return to Muscat’s International aiport to fly over several hundreds of kilometres of stony desert to the city of Salalah, located in the beautiful subtropical southern part of Oman and what seems to be a world away from the rest of the country. Here we venture into the spectacular and pristine dunes of the Rub Al Khali desert for two nights (said to be the largest expanse of sand on earth!), before exploring the astonishingly beautiful coastline and mountains of the Dhofar region, with its surprisingly diverse array of striking landscapes and environments. 

The walks we do are generally along well-established paths, many of which are old donkey or camel tracks picking their way through the mountains, wadis and coastline. Due to the nature of the environments we walk in, it can be rough (rocky) and uneven underfoot at times. The high altitude of many of our walks, and the time of year in which we’ve chosen to do this trip, means that temperatures are generally pleasantly temperate. Of course, it will be considerably warmer, especially in the south, when walking down at sea level. 

Throughout the trip we repose at some of Oman’s finest lodgings highlighting comfort and style, as well as some extraordinary views and direct access to some country’s most beautiful natural and cultural landscapes.

*Oman is a rather traditional and conservative Islamic country, so travel here does require us to abide by certain cultural norms with regards to dress and alcohol consumption. When we are out on walks in the middle of nature, or on the grounds of our hotel, one is more or less free to dress as one pleases, but in villages, and when visiting certain sites (such as a mosque), the general rule is that both legs and arms need to be covered. Alcohol is generally only available at the type of high-end hotels we use for most nights of this trip, but there are a some nights, when it will not be available.

For a detailed itinerary and/or further information, please contact us at [email protected]

The fitness level for all trips is classified according to the average distance and elevation gain of the walks offered, with fitness levels ranging from 1-5, see here for more details.