The Tour
Experience diverse sceneries and activities in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

The journey meanders through steep wadis, little oases and the impressive dunes of the largest sand desert of the world.

Cruise on a Dhow and snorkel in the fjords of Mussandam. Explore remote villages hidden in the majestic mountains of Oman, experience breath-taking views, interact with local people and learn about the Arabic way of life. Visit two of the most magnificent - but totally different - cities of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai and Muscat.
This tour is ideal for the adventurous who like to experience a country rather than just visit it.

It is designed as a self-drive tour which combines cultural elements, nature and activities such as hiking or snorkeling etc.

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The afternoon and evening is time to relax and make your own plans.

A representative is available for advice regarding restaurants, sights, restaurants and bars.

Dubai: Dubai, the unique metropolis in the Middle East, with a population of about 1.5 million, is the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. Only 10 percent of the population are Arab nationals, whereas the majorities are expatriates who come mainly from the Asian subcontinent and Europe. Between modern high-rise buildings, luxurious hotels and gigantic shopping malls, visitors can find some lively parts of the city with a variety of small shops, authentic restaurants and lovely side streets which invite to explore the more traditional Dubai.

The tour guides will meet you at the hotel for a briefing in the morning in order to go through the program and explain important safety measures. Allocating vehicles and equipment will be done at this point.

Around 9.30, the group will head towards Ras al-Khaimah and cross the border to Khasab in Oman. Lunch will be at the Golden Tulip Hotel, before you start off-roading on a winding track to Jebel Hareem.

The first camp will be set up at a height of around 1800 meters. After setting up the camp, explore the landscape of the Mussandam peninsular during a two hour hike before returning to the campsite to a BBQ dinner around the campfire.

Khasab: Khasab is the local capital of an enclave of Oman, called Mussandam. The peninsula is dubbed the "Norway of Arabia “due to its fjord-like landscape. Apart from the beauty that lies above the waters, it offers a rich and colorful underwater world, teeming with varied marine life, providing for some spectacular snorkeling. The breath-taking beauty of the mountains, the unspoiled beaches and steep wadis are aplenty in Khasab.

Trekking: Our extremely experienced trekking guides know and understand this fascinating landscape. They will ensure that you stay on track and explain about the terrain and its local fauna and flora. On the way, see Bedouin villages, abandoned settlements and graveyards.

After a cooked breakfast, leave the camp and head back to Khasab for a full day of Dhow cruising. A traditional Omani lunch with fresh fish and fruits will be served on board.

Return to Khasab port in the afternoon and drive 3 hours to Dibba. On arrival in Dibba, the group will check in at Dibba Hotel.

Dhow cruising: Dhow cruising is the best way to experience the idyllic beauty of
Mussandam. The majestic fjords, dotted with islands, the crystal clear waters shimmering in the sun, a visit to Telegraph Island and underwater adventures account for a truly memorable day.

Many species of sea birds nest around the cliffs at Khawr Ghubb Ali. Dolphins, swimming along the dhow, are very common during this trip. We will stop the Dhow at places of interest for snorkeling, swimming and lunch.

Leave the hotel after breakfast and head to the Northern Hajar Mountains. The guide will lead participants on an off-road route through Wadi Khab al-Shams to the top of mountain Jebel Quiwi, at the height of about 1000 meters. This is the starting point of a two-hour hike to a small village hidden in the mountain. A picnic lunch will be served en route. In the afternoon, drive to Wadi Hatta, set up camp, enjoy a BBQ dinner and relax at the camp fire.

Hajar Mountains: The Hajar Mountains form a large mountain range which plays a significant role in this journey, as most of the places of interest are within this range. The mountains begin in the north, forming the Mussandam Peninsular, run southeast and move gradually further to the east coast. The central section of the range is a mountain called Jebel Akhdar. This is the highest point and probably wildest terrain in eastern Arabia. Close to Muscat, the eastern Hajar starts and runs very close to the coast to the fishing town of Sur.

After a cooked breakfast, leave the camp and drive to the entrance of Snake Canyon. Here go on a short hike to be rewarded with a refreshing swim in a natural water pool. Afterwards, continue the drive through Wadi Bani Awf to Rustaq and Muscat. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on the way. In the afternoon check in at a hotel in Muscat.

Snake Canyon: Wadi Bani Awf is remarkable as it cuts deeply into the mountainous terrain for about 26 kilometers. The gorge of the Snake Canyon is considerably narrower, with the canyon walls towering on both sides. It is here that one can get an insight into nature's raw power where, over millions of years, it has cut a deep swathe through rocky terrain to vent its fury eventually into the sea. The massive boulders and rocks strewn along the wadi bed hold evidence of furious floodwater activity over the ages.

After breakfast at the hotel, start your day with a tour through the city begining at the beautiful embassy quarter of Muscat en route to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. This mosque is a religious landmark of Muscat and a splendour of Islamic architecture (Islamic dress code is compulsory to enter the mosque). Visit the Bait al Zubeir Museum, Muttrah (a delightful quarter of Muscat) and a traditional souk and fish market. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at your leisure to continue sightseeing and have dinner.

Muscat: Muscat, the capital with its 750,000 inhabitants, is Oman‘s biggest city. People have been living in this city for almost 2000 years, which makes Muscat also one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. Today it is one of the busiest places in the country with lots of open space, green parts and just few modern high-rise buildings. The city keeps a relatively slow pace and the traditional Omani culture and Arabic customs are an important part of the cityscape and people’s everyday lives.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive on the coastal road to Sur. At Fins, leave the main road and head towards the Salmah plateau for another thrilling off-road drive. This route takes you swiftly from sea level to the cooler air up on the plateau at an elevation of about 1500 meters.

A steep climb and an even steeper descent keep adrenaline levels high as you embark on this adventurous loop. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way and continue the drive on the coastal road to Qalhat. After exploring Qalhat, drive back to Sur and set up the camp at the beach and swim in the ocean. After sunset, walk on the beach and look out for turtles nesting.

Qalhat: For many centuries Qalhat was one of the most important ports at the Arabian Gulf, and a gateway to the Indian Ocean. It is featured in the stories of Pliny the Elder, Marco Polo, Ibn Battu’ta and Alfonso d’Alboquerque. The many fine pieces of broken pottery and glass littered all over the ruins suggest that it was once a thriving port town. Visit the tomb of the holy lady Bibi Maryam. It is one of the precious few structures which are still standing from the once bustling port of Qalhat.

Start the day by visiting the Dhow building yards in Sur which was once the ancient boat building centre of Oman, famous throughout Arabia in the 19th and early 20th century. Later on, leave the town and drive to Nizwa on the inland route.

On the way explore the famous Wadi Bani Khalid where you can walk though a short cave system and then go for a refreshing swim. Head torches and helmets will be provided for those who are interested to do some caving. Others can swim at the natural pool and relax. Drive to Nizwa after a picnic lunch and check in at the hotel.

Nizwa: In the sixth and seventh centuries, Nizwa was the capital of Oman and the centre of trade between coastal and interior regions.

Leave Nizwa after breakfast and drive to Al Ain in the UAE. On the way, stop at al-Ayn to visit ancient tombs and later drive to Wadi Damm for a refreshing swim and hike. After a picnic lunch at Wadi Damm, drive to Al Ain and on arrival, check in the hotel. Explore the city.

Al Ain: Al Ain is the fourth largest city in the UAE and is often called the garden city because of its relatively green appearance. It is located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, directly adjacent to the border with Oman. Al Ain has been inhabited for more than four thousand years and is therefore considered culturally significant to the country. It is also the birthplace of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE.

Leave Al Ain in the morning and drive to Liwa, an oasis located at the outskirts of the Rub al- Khali. On the way, visit a car museum which features many extraordinary vehicles.

After lunch in Liwa and a short introduction to driving on sand, enter the biggest sand desert in the world and drive throughout the afternoon to the camp site.

Rub a-Khali: Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter), is the biggest sand desert in the world. It stretches between Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and the UAE for a hundred thousand square miles. Majestic red and gold dunes tower up to 400 meters high. The immense scale of this vast desert scenery needs to be experienced to be believed.

Dune driving: This fun but demanding drive up and down the towering dunes is truly unique because one can drive for as long as a week without seeing human habitations or any signs of human interference in nature but herds of camels wandering in their natural domain. It is an experience unlike anything else.

Drivers will face extraordinary dunes on this day. The lead driver will find a way to the very top of a mega dune. Later on, each car needs to come down the very steep side. Afterwards, the convoy will head towards the Liwa Oasis, where they will have lunch at a local restaurant.

Liwa: The Oasis stretches about 100 km east-west, along an arch curved to the north. The economic centre of the oasis is where the highway from Abu Dhabi enters the oasis. An important traditional branch of the 50 villages’ economy is date farming. The oasis is the place of birth of the ruling families of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Back in Dubai, participate in a private guided city tour. Sights include the famous gold and spice souks, the busy Dubai creak, the Dubai museum, and gigantic shopping centers. In the afternoon, either continue exploring the city or take part in an optional dune buggy safari in the nearby desert.
In the evening, meet for a fare-well dinner in one of Dubai’s luxury hotels.

Food & Accommodation
During the trip, stay eight nights in three-star hotels. On these nights, participants will eat at the hotels’ restaurants or in other restaurants in town. Breakfast will be in the hotels as well.

For the other six nights, set up camp in the mountains, the desert or a beach. Sleep in an igloo tent. A little sitting area will be set up around a camp fire. Tents, sleeping bags with hygienic inlets, pillow with hygienic covers and mattresses will be provided, as well as one solar shower per car.

On camping nights, dinner will be prepared with fresh ingredients. A typical dinner would be some BBQ meats or fish, vegetables, fresh bread and salad. Breakfast after camping nights could be scrambled eggs, toast with butter and jam, juices and coffee or tea.

Depending on your location during lunch time, there are two options for lunch. Either eat in little local restaurants or prepare a fresh picnic lunch such as cold sandwiches and fresh fruit.

Throughout the trip, you are provided with bottled water and soft drinks.

The fare-well dinner on the last day in Dubai takes place in one of Dubai’s most popular five star hotels and consists of a buffet with unlimited drinks.