Oman, the pearl of Arabia

Between the splendid palm gardens and the ochre cliffs of the djebels; between the orange sands of the desert and the deep blue of the Indian Ocean in the northern fjords, Oman unfolds its charms and its scent of oriental exoticism. During our journey, we will discover the landscapes and culture of this country, exploring some of the most beautiful corners of Oman's mountains—the highest on the Arabian Peninsula—its immense canyons, also called wadis, and its deserts. We will also sail on a butre—a traditional Arabian boat—which will allow us to venture into the northern fjords of the country, into the mythical region of Musandam…

All this on a trip that combines accommodation in small, comfortable hotels with nights spent in nature under tents or the stars, in the company of our friendly Berber drivers. Furthermore, the land of Sinbad the Sailor, with its hospitable people, is one of the safest countries in the world.

Three people hiking in a desert with sand dunes and mountains in the background.
A view of the canyon with palm trees in the foreground, rocks and mountains in the background, and two people wearing hats in the lower right corner.
People walking through a courtyard with Islamic-style architecture, arches and light stone walls, under a clear sky.
View of the mountain range, with steep and rocky peaks, under a clear sky.
Panoramic view of a village in a valley surrounded by arid and rocky mountains.
Landscape of a river in an arid environment with large rocks and vegetation, including palm trees and shrubs, with a rocky wall in the background. Wadi Bani Khaled, Oman
Traditional sailing boat on calm waters, surrounded by arid mountains under a clear sky. Musandam, Oman
Two people in a kayak observing a rock wall in a calm body of water. Musandam, Oman
Canyon with rock walls and crystal-clear water at the bottom. Wadi Bani Khaled, Oman
A bearded man wearing glasses sits on the desert sand in front of a tent illuminated at night, under a starry sky with mountains in the background. Night in the Rub' al Khali, Oman

15 days starting from €3120

DEPARTURE CONFIRMED! October 16-30, 2026

Difficulty: 2/5

All adventure activities, such as canyoning, via ferrata, hiking, trekking, and snorkeling, are optional and can be done without prior experience. A good level of physical fitness is necessary for almost all activities and will make the stay much more enjoyable for participants.

Customize the dates (for groups)

The pluses of this program

  • A very varied trip that combines the mountains, the desert, the sea…

  • 4x4 cars in very good condition, local drivers

  • Certified Expert Mountain Guide from Oman

  • Good quality camping equipment.

Road crossing a mountainous landscape on a clear day, with brown and gray mountains and a clear blue sky.
A landscape with a shallow river surrounded by rocks and vegetation, including palm trees, in an arid environment with rocky mountains in the background. Oman

Program

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Program 〰️

  • Arrival in Muscat. The group will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in the center of Muscat, the capital of Oman. Depending on the arrival time, a visit to the Corniche (seaside promenade) will be included.

    Sunset at the Old Defense Tower, followed by the call to prayer from dozens of mosques in the Mutrah maritime district. Dinner at a restaurant in the port. Briefing on the itinerary for the coming days, and overnight stay at the hotel.

  • We started the day by visiting the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and then headed towards the ever-spectacular Wadi Bani Awff. In these stunning desert mountains, a track climbs up the narrow wadi and leads us to the start of a trail that, via a dramatic pass, connects a village to our small, isolated mountain lodge in Bimah, where we spent the night.

    Travel time 3 hours

    Walking time: 3h30

    Accommodation: Mountain hostel.

  • Near Bimah, nestled among palm groves, lies the magnificent village of Bilad Sayt, which we reached after a short drive. After exploring its streets and gardens, we set off along a shepherd's path, beginning the steep ascent of the mountains that rise around Bilad. The trail leads us to a pass and finally to a summit where our cars await to take us to our next accommodation, a lovely hotel in the beautiful village of Misfah al Arbeyeen. 

    ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: The trail features some impressive rocky sections and is very steep. If anyone in the group would like an easier route, a simpler alternative can be arranged with one of the drivers.

    Driving time: 1h30   

    Walking time: 5 hours

    Accommodation: typical hotel in the historic center of Misfah

  • Today we travel to Jebel Shams, home to the peak of the same name, which, at over 3,000 meters, is the highest in the entire Arabian Peninsula. Carving a vast chasm through this mountain, the Ghul Canyon is the largest and deepest in Oman and indeed in the entire Arabian Peninsula. A cantilevered path leads us to the mysterious abandoned village of As Seeq and its spring, hidden among the cliffs on the imposing slopes of Ghul. We spend the night high in the canyon under a tent.

    OPTIONAL OPTION: Those who wish can do a moderately difficult via ferrata with David at the end of the excursion (sport level). When registering, please indicate if you would like to do the via ferrata. Only 6 places available, on a first-come, first-served basis! The via ferrata has an additional cost of €50, payable on site.

    Travel time by car: 2 hours

    Hike: 4 hours +/- 300m

    Accommodation: in a tent

  • After a short hike that will take us to some exceptional viewpoints overlooking the top of the Ghul Canyon, we leave Djebel Shams in our vehicles and continue towards nearby Djebel Akdar: the green mountains of Oman. Here we follow the easy trail that connects three small villages nestled on the slopes of the Djebel. The terraces are covered with rose bushes that, in spring, produce the thousands of Damask roses used in perfumery and oriental cuisine. We spend the night among ancient olive and juniper trees.

    Driving time: 3h  

    Walking time: 3h

    Accommodation: tent.

  • A short transfer in our cars and we begin our hike. There, nestled among the desert slopes and canyons that envelop the jebel, lies a verdant jewel, a palm oasis high in the mountains, hidden among the cliffs that guard the abandoned village of Maseirah al Jawami. Its lush vegetation of banana trees and graceful date palms is made possible by a spring that, cleverly channeled, carries its water to this secluded garden. At the end of our hike, we leave Djebel Akdar and descend to Nizwa, the former capital of the sultanate. Overnight in a lovely hotel in Nizwa's historic center.

    Hiking time: 5 hours. Elevation gain/loss: +600m / -600m

    2h drive.

    Accommodation: Hotel

  • After visiting the magnificent circular fort and the Nizwa souk, we set off by car for the distant Rub' al Khali desert, known as the desert of deserts and also the Empty Quarter. The largest expanse of sand on the planet is a five-hour drive from Nizwa. We arrived in the afternoon and set up camp among the dunes. We climbed one of them to enjoy our first desert sunset.

    Driving time: 5h

    Walking tour: 1h

    Accommodation: tent

  • From very early in the morning until late in the afternoon, we explored the desert on foot. Immense dunes, plains where some camels searched for food, colors impossible to describe... During the hottest hours, we rested in the shade at the camp...

    Driving time: 0h

    Walking tour: 5-6h

    Accommodation: tent

  • Sunrise in the desert, our final walk across the Rub' al Khali dunes, and then we drive to the distant coastal Djebel, crossing the country westward and arriving in the late afternoon very close to the starting point of tomorrow's tour: the incredible Wadi Bani Khaled. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.

    Driving time: 6h

    Walking time: 2 hours

    Accommodation: hotel

  • The Wadi Bani Khaled water tour is one of the magical moments of our trip. We begin in the Bani Khaled valley, in a small village surrounded by palm trees and high mountains. Then, we continue south along the river that runs through it and soon find pools of clear water (some over 100 meters long) that we explore by swimming and also by easily climbing over rocks. The contrast between the turquoise water and the ochre cliffs and mountains that surround us is breathtaking. At the end of the tour, we arrive at a magnificent palm grove where the cars are waiting for us, and we head towards the coast. We camp near the small village of Tiwi.

    Important: If some participants do not wish to do the full descent of the canyon, which requires a certain agility to pass over the rocks, they can go with our drivers to our arrival point and wait for us in a magnificent oasis, taking a bath in the last pools of the wadi and doing a more "calm" and shorter part of the canyon to also appreciate the landscape of Wadi Bani Khaled.

    Travel time by car: 30 minutes in the morning + 1 hour and 30 minutes in the afternoon

    Canyon tour: 5 hours

    Cannon level: sport

    Accommodation: in the tent

  • Wadi Tiwi stretches out, forming a long canyon dotted with villages and a multitude of cultures surrounding the date palm grove. A trail winds through the wadi, eventually leading us to a charming spot with immense, beautiful natural pools of azure water where we'll swim. In the afternoon, we'll transfer to Muscat. Overnight at a hotel in Muscat.

    Travel time by car: 2h

    Hike: 3 hours

    Accommodation: in a Hotel.

  • This morning we left early for the airport and after a short flight arrived in Khasab, the small town in the northern enclave of Musandam. Upon arrival, we boarded a butre—a traditional boat of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea—completely privately for us, and sailed towards the magnificent Khor Ash Sham fjord, which we will explore today and tomorrow. During the day, we ventured into the Khor, surrounded by spectacular desert mountains, and explored the seabed with snorkeling gear, observing corals and multicolored fish, and with a bit of luck, sea turtles and even dolphins. We also hiked to a viewpoint that offers incredible views of another immense fjord and its surrounding mountains. At the end of the day, we slept on board the boat on comfortable mattresses, enjoying the starry Arabian sky.

    The boathouse is very spacious and has a bathroom and shower. We also have some kayaks available for those who want them.

    Flight time: 45 minutes

    Total transfer time by car: 40 minutes.

    Accommodation: On board the Butre

  • We continued our maritime exploration, heading out to sea and then re-entering a second fjord, even wilder and more isolated than the first. Snorkeling, sea kayaking... and a second night on board.

    Accommodation on board the Butre

  • After a magical awakening in the fjord, we continued exploring this inlet and its tranquil waters, searching for its coral-rich seabed for swimming. In the afternoon, we headed back to the small fishing port of Khasab. From there, a minibus took us on a 3-hour journey to our hotel in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Dinner and overnight stay in Dubai

  • David, our guide, suggests a visit to the Souk and will accompany you to the gardens at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. For this visit, we will travel by public transport (very economical, not included in the price). Another option for those who prefer: you can spend the day without a guide, enjoying some of the visits or activities the city offers (not included in the price), such as: visiting the fort that houses the National Museum, which highlights the importance of fishing and pearl farming; visiting the textile souks and the Deira souks (spice and gold souks); discovering the Emirates Mall and its indoor ski slope, the Dubai Mall and its gigantic aquarium; and watching the spectacular fountain show at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. (If you wish to visit the Burj Khalifa, you must book online in advance). Enjoy a day in the city before returning to the airport for your evening flight back to Spain. (Lunch and dinner tonight are not included).

Important information

  • ·        Muscat 2 nights: two-star hotel near the bazaar and the port in a double room.

    ·        Bimah: mountain lodge.

    ·        Misfah: small traditional hotel between the village and the palm gardens in a double room.

    ·        Nizwa: traditional 3-star hotel in the historic center.

    ·        Wadi Bani Khaled: 2/3 star hotel

    Nights aboard the Butre in the Musandam fjords: Very stable vessel (quiet sailing in the calm waters of the fjord where the sea is almost always calm or with very small waves). There are no cabins on board, we sleep on deck ( pleasant temperature and comfortable mattresses).

    •        Dubai: 3 or 4 star hotel

    Bivvac in a tent: Three-person tents for two people, comfortable foam camping mattresses, cooking done by our drivers and guides with your kind participation.

  • Cars: Travel, in many cases on tracks or through the desert, is done in very comfortable all-terrain vehicles such as Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, driven by experienced Omani drivers.

    Sailing in Butre on the Musandam: A large, traditional wooden boat with several decks, a bathroom, and a shower. Very stable (smooth sailing on the calm waters of the fjord where the sea is almost always calm or with very little swell). There are no cabins on board; we slept on deck (pleasant temperature and comfortable mattresses). Kayaks and snorkeling masks are available.

  • David Casajuana: Exploramunt Guide, Certified Mountain and Canyoning Guide.

  • Medium difficulty: hikes with up to 600m of elevation gain and 4/5 hours of walking. Only two days are more challenging: day 3, the Shepherds' Trail, with over 1,100m of steep ascent and some impressive sections, and day 10 in the Wadi Bani Khaled canyon, with rock crossings, swimming… but in these two cases, there is always the option of doing an easier activity.

  • Maximum of 15 people

    Participation in group life: Tolerance, a good sense of humor, and adaptability are essential for making the trip even more enjoyable. During the nights spent camping in bivouacs, your help with tasks such as setting up and taking down the tents is important and will allow us more time for activities.

  • What do we carry in our backpacks during hiking trips? Only the essentials for the day (approximately 3 or 4 kilos). The rest of our belongings travel in the cars and we retrieve them each day at the end of our hike.

    Personal equipment : Travel bag (do not bring hard-sided suitcases as they are very difficult to fit in cars), backpack of approximately 25L capacity, sleeping bag rated to 0°C comfort (available for rent at Exploramunt), hiking boots (with ankle support), and appropriate mountain clothing. A 2-3 mm thick neoprene wetsuit (sleeveless and legless surf wetsuit) is required for Wadi Bani Khaled. A complete list will be provided upon registration.

  • During the day, temperatures can reach 35°C on the coast or in the desert (though they are much more bearable in the morning and late afternoon). In the mountains, temperatures are usually pleasant, but can drop to 0°C at night. On the Musandam, temperatures are very comfortable for swimming and sleeping on deck.

Prices and conditions

Price: from €3,120

Single room/tent supplement: €395 (less in the Bimah hostel where single rooms are not possible).

Included in the price: Half-board accommodation from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15, as described in the program. Flight between Muscat and Khasab. All transfers by 4x4 vehicle and airport transfers. Guiding by David Casajuana. Activity in Butre at the Musandam. Picnics or meals at restaurants from day 2 to 14. Entrance fees to Nizwa Fort and Mutrah Fort.

Not included in the price: Flights to Oman and back Dubai-Europe. Breakfast and lunch on day 1, if applicable. Lunch and dinner on day 15, if applicable. Drinks (except water and herbal teas during excursions and overnight stays). Tips, insurance, and any services or activities not mentioned in the program. Expenses arising from program changes due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or force majeure.

Entry visas to Oman and the Emirates are free (in Oman we are in the country for less than 15 days and in the UAE it is not necessary).

Note: The approximate price for a round trip from Europe is between €650 and €800. Contact us at the time of registration and we will advise you free of charge on purchasing your flight.

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