Oman

On this journey, we will discover the pearl of the Middle East, and more specifically the Al Hajar region in northern Oman. Those looking for a mix of- adventure, comfort and challenges has come to the right place here. This is a trip that involves both nature, culture, luxury, charm and tremendous hospitality. So we sleep under bare skies, in preconceived camps, in picturesque mountain villages and discover the splendor of various 5-star hotels culminating in the prestigious Alila hotel. In addition, you will learn more about the lives of traditional tribes such as the Jabali (mountain dwellers), the Bani Ghafiri (Bedouins) and the Bani Hinawi (coastal residents).

We start the journey in the enchanting Muscat (capital city of Oman), after which we met with  4×4 all-terrain vehicles (equipped with built-in roll cages) and experienced local drivers will discover the secrets of Al Hajar step by step. Travelers will be treated to hearty walks with breathtaking vistas, enchanting wadis, hidden mountain villages, local markets, date plantations, a dash of culture, golden sand dunes, clear blue waters, dazzling starry skies and much more. In short, The Secrets of Al Hajar shows you the multifaceted Oman as it really is. Rugged, charming and as yet undiscovered!

CIA

Comfort 80%: You will sleep in luxury hotels, traditional homestays and go wild camping in tents.

Intensity 70%: You are participating in an active trip that requires a good basic fitness level. This means that you exercise at least once a week and are usually active. A brisk walk should therefore not be a problem.

Adventure 80%: You discover a country both culturally and adventurously. Intense activities alternate with quieter cultural discoveries.

Oman

• November 2024
• min. 12 persons - max 16 persons (*)
• 4495 € per person

INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE

• PERIOD on request
• NUMBER on request
• COST PRICE on request

(*) will proceed only when 12 people are registered.

INCLUDING

• 13 nights
• 3 meals/day (*)
• Local drivers
• Movements by 4×4 with built-in roll cages
• 2 supervisors from The Wildlinger
• Transportation to and from airport in Muscat
• All activities described in the trip summary

(*) except dinner and breakfast after ascent Jebel Shams (bring hikers meals from Belgium), lunch in Nizwa and lunch on last day in Muscat (free to do own shopping). Expect about € 30 pp for this.

EXCLUSIVE

• International flights
• Travel Insurance
• Cancellation Insurance
• Visa (required approx. €50)
• Beverage
• Personal expenses

Oman

Day 1 & 2: Muscat

On the first day we fly to Muscat where we will not arrive until the next morning. We will rest after the long flight and those who want can already go into town.

Day 3: Visit Muscat

We explore the capital of the Sultanate of Oman and visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the National Museum and Mutrah Souq. We complete the day with an outdoor dinner.

Day 4: Misfat Al Abryeen

Today local drivers pick us up with the 4×4 and the adventure can begin. We leave the city and drive into the mountains. The program includes a visit to a hot spring and a drive into the mountains via Wadi Bani Awf and the wonderful Bilad Sayt village. We conclude with a guided culture/agriculture walk in the charming mountain village Misfat Al Abryeen. On this walk we will learn about the typical falaj systems and the traditional way of life of the "Jabali." As icing on the cake, we will spend the night in a traditional guesthouse.

Day 5 & 6: Jebel Shams

These two days are dedicated to Jebel Shams, or the mountain of the sun, fringed by impressive gorges, also called the Grand Canyon of the Middle East mentioned. Day 5 features the famous Balcony Walk on the program. The Balcony walk is an insanely beautiful walk overlooking the Al Nakhar gorge. The mountain sides of the gorge plunge here 1500 meters the depth in, as if the earth has literally split open. It is almost a surreal image, but improbably beautiful. We also immediately enter the first time wild camping!

The next day, Day 6, we enjoyed this view even further with a climbing to the top of Jebel Shams. This is a hike of about 8h with the highlight being a beautiful view from the highest point of Oman. In clear weather we can see the coastline, 70 km away. Again we sleep at the foot of the mountain.

Day 7 & 8: Nizwa

We break camp and drive through an insanely beautiful gorge to Nizwa. Ostay overnight we do here in the old town of Nizwa where the next morning we can fully enjoy the traditional animal market in Nizwa souq. A cultural highlight on our journey! Early in the morning, we wriggle ourselves among the many vendors, potential buyers and families. An atmospheric bustle of a typical chaotic market. It gives a wonderful picture of the culture and people. After fully absorbing this event, we head back into the mountains towards Shuraygah, a ghost village with phenomenal view on the surrounding canyons, with ancient terraces at the base that are still cultivated today. Here we take time to explore for a while before moving on to the most mystical abode on the trip. The village in the cliffs.

Day 9 & 10: Jebel Akhdar

Wake up in an authentic mountain village where you can sleeps in the cliff, is perhaps the greatest thing there is. After a free morning, our afternoon activity consists of a nice exploratory walk around the mountain village. Once again we spend the night in this same village. The next day stands, after a short drive, "The Old Village Walk" on the menu. This 6-hour hike takes us past abandoned mountain villages, through the wadi and over the edge of the canyon. Starting this hike early still leaves us plenty of time to fully enjoy the exclusive Alila hotel. A luxurious resort with breathtaking views.

Day 11 & 12: Wahiba Sands

We sleep in and get ready for a road trip to the Sharqiyah desert, better known as the Wahiba Sands. This desert forms the heart of Oman and is inhabited by the nomadic "Bedouins." It is the perfect setting for an adventurous overnight stay, under a perfectly clear starry sky, completely away from civilization. We climb the sand dunes to enjoy a sunset which transforms the surrounding landscape into a fiery red carpet of sand. The next morning, whoever wants to enjoy the sunrise and an optional fundrive through the dunes, After which we will visit a nearby Bedouin camp. Then we drive on to Wadi Bani Khalid, a green oasis where we can swim, climb, scramble and explore to our hearts' content, and then to the remote Wadi Hilm, where our camp site is.

Day 13: Hilm

Rarely a hospitality may experience as in Hilm. A mountain village that for a long time was completely cut off from all civilization. A warm welcome awaits us followed by a tour of the village. After this, under the guidance of locals, we will trek the wadi in where we are between, under and about giant boulders maneuvering. We then move on to Sur, a port city pure and simple where we visit a shipyard where they traditional dhow boats making. Used for hundreds of years to conquer the Indian Ocean, the graceful boats are still as impressive as ever. Finally, we drive on to our camp on the beach near Finns.

Day 14: Tahiri Cave

Today we undertake the final walk of our trip. A beautiful trek up to the Tahiri Cave, one of the largest cave systems in Oman, hidden deep in the Salmah plateau. The entrance to the cave alone is to say the least impressive mention. We enter the cave through the giant opening in the rock wall and take extensive time to explore the entrance to the fullest at discover. After lunch we return to Muscat and take up residence at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Here we enjoy a farewell dinner and look back on a phenomenal trip in Oman!

Day 15: Home

Depending on the flights, we will leave for the airport in the morning or in the afternoon and fly back to Belgium.

Oman

4 & 5* Hotels

We stay 3x in the very nicely located Crowne Plaza 4* hotel in Muscat. We will also stay 1x in ridge view suites in the beautiful and luxurious 5* hotel Alila Jabal Akhdar.

Alila Jabal Akhdar

About halfway through the trip, we can once again catch our breath in the Ridge View suites of the fairy-tale Alila hotel. Located 2000m above sea level, Alila Jabal Akhdar is accessible only by 4×4 and offers a panoramic view of the Hadjar Mountains. In other words, it is the ideal location to recharge the batteries while enjoying wonderful facilities including the infinity pool and world-class service. Words fail to fully describe a hotel like this.

Tent Camps

In addition to these 4 nights equipped with every luxury and comfort, we will spend 5 nights in tents in the pristine wilderness. Nothing better than wild camping to fully enjoy Oman's rugged nature. The tented camp is equipped with both single and double tents, camp beds with mattresses, a covered communal seating area and a "toilet screen." In addition, accompanying chefs for meals from top quality! In this way we spend 3 nights high in the mountains, 1x in the sand desert and 1x on the beach.

Traditional Guesthouses

To complete the picture, we also sleep 4 nights in traditional guesthouses. Hidden mountain villages of inestimable historical value are in danger of disappearing from view because of the sultanate's rapid development. However, here and there authentic cottages refurbished and converted into traditional guesthouses, making this beautiful picturesque villages have found a new source of income and can continue to exist in this way. We spend 1 night in a mountain village, 1x in an old city center and 2x in a village in the wall of the canyon.

Oman

Guides

Safety is our No. 1 priority. This is why we choose to partner with a reputable local company in Oman to provide our local transportation and our local tent camps. They comply with all necessary safety regulations including built-in roll cages in the 4×4 all-terrain vehicles, certified drivers, continuous accessibility and direct communication with emergency services in case of any accident. In other words, we have the top of the top to guide our travelers safely through pristine Oman.

Insurance

Finally, we ask each participant to provide a travel insurance to be taken out for the entire period of the trip. An example is short-term travel insurance with Allianz or KBF. Call and email your insurer in advance, explain what you will be doing and make sure you have a good understanding of what all is covered and what the exceptions are. If required, we will advise you on how to properly obtain the necessary insurance.