Oman soft adventure tour

Oman soft adventure tour Overview

Head up into the Al Hajar to explore beautiful villages such as Bilad Sait with their palm trees. Explore the highlights of Jebel Shams ‘balcony walk' which follows a donkey path around the rim of Oman's Grand Canyon. Along the way, experience the famous hospitality and friendly people of Oman.

Oman Discovery soft adventure tour

Head up into the Al Hajar to explore beautiful villages such as Bilad Sait with their palm trees. Explore the highlights of Jebel Shams ‘balcony walk' which follows a donkey path around the rim of Oman's Grand Canyon. Along the way, experience the famous hospitality and friendly people of Oman.

Touring style: Private basis with English speaking guide cum experienced driver

Best time to visit: during the winter months from October to March when the weather is warm and cool. Avoid the hot summer months between June and August.

Day 1: Muscat/ Nakhl/ Bilat Sait/ Al Hamra/ Nizwa

Begin your soft adventure tour with a drive to Barka to visit the famous Barka fish market. After visiting the fish market, drive to Nakhal to visit the imposing Fort. This fort once served the Imams of Bani Kharous and the Ya'arubah dynasty. After recent restoration work carried out, it is refurbished with traditional furniture, handicrafts and historic relics. The ceilings, doors and windows are decorated with beautiful carvings. The view from the roof-top is very impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The old village of Nakhal, which nestles below the fort, gradually leads to the famous warm springs of Nakhal situated at the end of an attractive oasis. Relax by the side of the shallow waters of the springs surrounded by lush green date plantations and steep mountain peaks. Drive via Wadi Bani Awf to Bilad Sayt, the most idyllic village with a wealth of verdant terraces. After a short stop at Bilad Sayt, continue driving to Nizwa. Overnight.

Distance and journey times:

Muscat to Barka: 60 km, 45 mins

Barka to Al Hamra: 168 km, 3 to 4 hrs

Al Hamra to Nizwa: 48 km, 1 hr

Day 2: Day trip to Jabal Shams

Explore the oasis city of Nizwa and tour Nizwa fort with its enormous round tower. It was built in the 17th century built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'aruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is possible only by means of a narrow, twisting staircase barred by heavy wooden doors, studded with metal. From the top of the tower, you can get a bird's eye view of Nizwa city. From here you will proceed to the Nizwa Souq which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjar and ornately designed silver jewellery. Here on a Friday, a unique goat and cattle auction is held. Continue your drive to Al Hamra to see the old houses. After the stop, continue driving to Jabal Shams. Jabal Shams, the highest peak in Oman with a height of 3,009 meters. Jabal Shams means “Mountain of the Sun” and its old name is JABAL AL QANAH. The area is home to weavers of heavy woollen rugs in distinctive colours. Take a walk to see the Grand Canyon before driving back to your hotel in Nizwa.

Overnight.

Distance and journey times: 92 km, 2 hrs each way

Day 3: Nizwa/ Sinaw/ Wahiba Sands/ Wadi Bani Khalid/ Ras Al Hadd

Proceed to Wahiba, en-route stopping in Sinaw to visit Old Bedouin Market. At the Wahiba Sands, the great desert of Oman known as “Rumlat Al Wahiba” our expert driver will give you the thrill of driving over the undulating dunes. After enjoying the dune driving, you will bid goodbye to the inhabitants of the desert and drive through small villages and towns to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the beautiful wadis in the country. If you wish you may enjoy a swim in this glorious natural pool. Afterwards, continue driving to Ras Al Hadd. Check in and time at leisure. After an early dinner, proceed to Ras Al Jinz to see the turtles coming ashore to lay eggs.

Overnight.

Distance and journey times:

Nizwa to the Wahiba Sands: 217 km, 3 hrs

The Wahiba Sands to Wadi Bani Khalid: 48 km, 1 hr

Wadi Bani Khalid to Ras Al Hadd: 165 km, 2 hrs

Day 4: Ras Al Hadd/ Wadi Shab/ Quriyat/ Muscat

Meet your guide in the lobby for your drive to Muscat. Make a short visit to Sur town and the dhow building yard. Proceed to Wadi Shab. Shab in Arabic literally means 'Ravine between Cliffs "shallow green pools and abundant shade give Wadi Shab a perfect setting for a picnic. Continue on the bumpy track, sometimes touching the sea following a creek or overlooking superb white beaches. Stop for a dip at Fins beach (White Beach). Visit Quriyat, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea before arriving into Muscat.

Distance and journey times:

Ras Al Hadd to Wadi Shab: 95 km, 1.30 hrs

Wadi Shab to Muscat: 154 km, 2 to 2.30 hrs