With so many great attractions and activities, sometimes one day just isn’t enough. See the green turtles at Ras al Hadd, spend the night on top of Oman’s tallest mountain, or simply lie on the desert floor and gaze up at the stars. Refresh your mind with an overnight escape.
Start your tour along the east coast. Stopping at the fascinating Bimmah Sinkhole, before going for an exciting hike through Wadi Shab, followed by a visit to the traditional boatyards of Sur. Then make your way to the desert, and drive through the dunes as the sun sets behind the red and white sand. Stay the night in a desert camp, the perfect place for an evening of stargazing beside a hypnotic bonfire. Late in the morning, you will be taken to Wadi Bani Khalid for a swim and an afternoon of leisure.
The Sur Boatyards are closed on Fridays. If you wish to book this tour on a Friday, Day 1 and Day 2 can be swapped. Conservative swim wear is needed in Wadi Bani Khalid (covering shoulders and knees). A good idea is to wear a t-shirt and pair of shorts on top of your swimming costume.
Begin the tour with a visit to the lush oasis town of Nakhal, with its healing hot springs. Then go on a mountain drive that you will never forget. After cutting through the mountains via Wadi Bani Awf, have a rest at the mountain village of Misfat Al Abriyeen with its iconic Falaj. Finish off the day by staying at a camp on the tallest mountain in Oman, Jebel Shams. In the morning go on an incredible walk along the top of Oman’s Grand canyon, before exploring it from below.
Trekking on Day 2 is not compulsory. The climate at Jebel Shams can be very cold, and the mountain is in a remote area of wilderness, with trails that go through areas of sharp rocks. As such, we recommend that visitors bring warm clothes, a rain jacket, and comfortable shoes with good grip.
Setting out from Muscat, your first stop is the turquoise blue sinkhole at Bimmah. After a short swim, your guide will take you to Wadi Shab, where you will spend the rest of the morning hiking and swimming. Be sure to go to the waterfall in the hidden cave at the end of the Wadi. Afterwards, you will go to the city of Sur and check-in to a hotel. Before going to sleep, you will be taken to Ras Al Jinz to meet the magnificent Sea Turtles. The next day, you will learn about the fascinating Dhow building techniques at the traditional boatyards. Later, you will go to the tranquil Wadi Bani Khalid for some peaceful swimming and hiking. In the evening, your guide will take you into the desert for an evening in a desert camp. On your last day, after a leisurely morning in the desert, you will be brought to the Ibra Market where you can sample local delicacies.
We recommend that only confident swimmers attempt to access the hidden cave in Wadi-Shab. Modest swim-wear is needed in Wadi Bani Khalid (covering shoulders & knees). We advise wearing a t-shirt and pair of shorts on top of your swimming costume. The Sur Boatyards are closed on Fridays.