Camping Tour 13 Days Package

Day 1: Muscat – Nakhal – Wadi Bani Awf – Balad Sayt – Jabal Shams (The Grand Canyon of Oman)

We’ll leave **Muscat** towards **Nakhal Town**. Here, you can visit the beautiful **Nakhal Fortress**, nestled at the foothills of the Al Hajar Mountains in a charming town that boasts extensive date palm plantations. This magnificent 1500-year-old fortress rises dramatically from the mountain rock, towering high above the ancient village as if still warning would-be attackers of its ominous strength. It has witnessed many battles and is packed full of hidden escape routes and secret passages. You can stroll around inside this restored fortress and explore all the rooms, which have been nicely decorated in the original old style. The view from the top of the fortress over the mountains and green date plantations is outstanding.

From there, we’ll visit the **hot spring**, tucked away among date farms a couple of kilometers from Nakhal Fort. It flows year-round with warm mineral water collected in the site pools, where several chairs and shades are provided in the “picnic area” near the pool.

Next, we’ll drive into **Wadi Bani Awf**. The road leads us through the Wadi, where we’ll pass by impressive Wadi Canyons (including **Snake Canyon**) and several villages. The most beautiful village there is **Balad Sayt**, surrounded by mountains from all directions.

Then we drive up the mountain. This mountain road ascends to **Jebel Shams Mountain (Grand Canyon)**, reaching 3009 meters. It’s one of the most adventurous mountains in Oman, offering exciting off-road experiences and fantastic views. We’ll reach the canyon view at 2000 meters, stop there and enjoy the view and photo, then we continue driving to our resort where we spend the night.

Overnight: In Jabal Shams (Jabal Shams Resort or Similar)

Day 2: Jabal Shams – Wadi Ghul – Al Hamra (Misfah Al Abriyeen Village) – Nizwa

In the morning, we leave **Jabal Shams** for **Wadi Ghul**. The 2000-year-old village of Wadi Ghul, located at the foot of Mountain Ghul and visible on your way to Jabal Shams, has been abandoned by its inhabitants, with no one remaining. It was built of solid stones.

From there, we drive into **Wadi Nakhar**, known for its beautiful sites and a spectacular view that derives its name from the local word “necrosis,” which means the process of rock sculpture «erosion» as the water of this valley formed during different time periods.

**Wadi Al Nakhar** is one of the deepest valleys in Oman due to its geographical characteristics. The great gap in Jabal Shams is considered to be the most important source of water, as its large opening leads to valleys and reefs that form the Wadi of Al Nakhar.

Then, we continue our way to visit the ancient town of **Al Hamra**. After that, we drive up to **Misfah Al Abriyeen**. This picturesque village lies on a steep slope at the foot of Jebel Shams and consists of old homes and narrow streets. It has a falaj system that irrigates many orchards, date palms, and vegetables. It’s worth spending some time walking around the village.

Overnight: In Nizwa (Al Dyar Hotel or Similar)

Day 3: Nizwa Fort & Market – Wahiba Sands

Today, we’ll visit **Nizwa Souq**, where a wide variety of vendors offer their goods in the streets. Here, you can find vegetables, pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, Omani sweets (Halwa), dates, spices, and souvenirs, all sold in authentic old market halls that few places can boast. Especially interesting is the Friday cattle market when locals from the nearby villages and towns come to sell their goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens in a circus-style open marketplace.

Next to the Souq is **Nizwa Fortress**. The fort is a museum today and offers splendid views of this ancient town and the surrounding mountains. You can walk around this impressive fortress and visit its many rooms, passages, and towers. The fort is an architectural testimony to the economic and military achievements of the early Yaruba dynasty from the mid-17th century. It was a military stronghold designed to withstand even the strongest of attacks at the time; even along the corridors, many traps were laid to deter any intruders that might have penetrated the defenses.

From Nizwa, we continue our journey to the desert, **Wahiba Sands**. This spectacular Desert has an area of 12,500 square kilometers, also known as Al Sharqiya Sands. Formerly known as “The Wahiba Sands,” it’s a region of desert in Oman named for the Bani Wahiba tribe, divided between the northern and southern governorates in the Eastern Region. The area is defined by a boundary of 180 kilometers (110 mi) north to south and 80 kilometers (50 mi) east to west. Watch the stunning sunset over the dunes.

Overnight: In Wahiba Sands (Camping)

Day 4: Wahiba Sands – Wadi Bani Khalid – Sur – Ras Al Hadd

Today, we also have an opportunity to watch the stunning sunrise in the desert. Later, have your breakfast prepared by your guide, then leave your camping place towards **Wadi Bani Khalid**. Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the biggest and most beautiful Wadis in Oman. After reaching the Wadi, just a short walk of approximately 10 to 15 minutes (walking shoes are required) will lead you to sparkling, blue, clear 9-meter water pools, where you can swim, sunbathe, and relax in the beautiful scenic Wadi canyon.

From there, we drive to the city of **Sur**, visiting the famous **Omani Dhow Factory**, where you can see traditional wooden dhows being built. We’ll also take you to the old part of Sur, where most of the houses are designed with traditional wooden doors and windows.

Then the tour continues to **Ras Al Hadd**. In the evening, after a buffet dinner at your hotel/resort, we’ll take you to the **Turtle Sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz**, where we’ll go on a guided, beautiful walking tour on the beach at night under the stars. Here, we have a high chance of seeing Oman’s great sea turtles stumbling onto the beach to build a nest and lay their eggs. If you are lucky, you can even see baby turtles hatching from some nests.

Overnight: In Ras Al Hadd (Turtle Beach Resort or Similar)

Day 5: Ras Al Hadd – Al Ashkharah – Ras Ar Ruways

From today, we’ll head to the south and drive by the seaside of Oman. We’ll pass many sea villages, and the largest and most beautiful one is **Al Ashkharah fishing village**, which primarily depends on fishing. We’ll visit **Al Ashkharah port**, where you’ll see many fishermen returning from the sea with huge quantities of fish and seafood.

We continue driving to the south and enjoy the stunning sea view and fishing villages. You’ll reach your destination, **Ras Al Ruways**, where the stunning white sand meets the turquoise open sea. You’ll have the opportunity to swim in the sea and watch the beautiful sunset.

Overnight: In Ras Ar Ruways (Camping)

Day 6: Ras Ar Ruways – Muhut – Al Khaluf

After breakfast, leave **Ras Al Ruways** and keep driving south towards **Muhut**. It’s one of the states of the central region of Oman overlooking the Arabian Sea. It was one of the most important ports of previous times, famous for shipbuilding, transporting passengers and goods from Oman to East Africa, India, and other parts of the African continent, carrying Omani products, and returning with goods that were not in Oman at that time.

From there, we continue our journey towards **Al Khaluf Beach**, one of the nicest beaches in Oman and a place with exciting and calm white sugar dunes, rocky outcroppings, and sleepy fishing villages. What makes this area special is its isolation. Since it’s so far from Muscat, the area doesn’t get many visitors.

Overnight: In Al Khaluf (Camping)

Day 7: Al Khaluf – Ad Duqm – Ras Madrakah

In the morning, we leave our camping place and drive to **Al Khaluf village** to stop at the **Al Khaluf fish market**, where local people come with a huge number of fresh fish and seafood for sale. We continue our journey to **Al Duqm**, famous for its geological attractions. It’s known as the **Rock Garden Duqm**, an area of 3 square kilometers made of sandstone rocks and limestone, which was created in an underground water aquifer for more than forty-six million years. Rock Garden is a great piece of nature’s artwork, full of anonymous rocks with different shapes, standing in unusual forms, including round rocks, and big pieces of rock standing on small bases. Some even seem like animal statues. This site is one of the top twenty-five sites in Oman with geological scientific importance.

From there, we continue our journey to **Ras Madrakah**, known for its moderate weather throughout the year, featuring mountainous and rocky formations overlooking the Arabian Sea on one side and soft golden sand on the other. You can walk on the white sands or swim in the beautiful sea.

Overnight: In Ras Madrakah (Camping)

Day 8: Ras Madrakah – Al Jazir – Ras Sawqarah – Ash Shuwaymiyyah

Leave your camping place in the morning towards **Al Jazir**. Most of the state’s industries originate from its location on the Arabian Sea, where the inhabitants practice a variety of crafts and industries, including the manufacture of paddles, fishing nets, and other tools made from animal skins. The pink pools are one of the highlights in Al Jazir.

From Al Jazir, we’ll drive to **Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyyah**. This deep valley, carved by nature out of the surrounding land, plunges towards a rock-strewn coastline with dramatic cliffs as a backdrop. Enjoy walking in Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyyah and watch the sunset there with a cup of tea or coffee.

Overnight: In Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyyah (Camping)

Day 9: Ash Shuwaymiyyah – Thumrayt – Al Shisr (The Lost City) – Rub Al Khali

After your breakfast, we’ll drive towards **Thumrayt**. We’ll pass many patrol fields until you reach Thumrayt for lunch. Then, we continue our journey to **Al Shisr (The Lost City)**, one of the sites of the Al Luban (Frankincense) Road, which is part of the World Heritage and Culture Sites” UNESCO” in Oman. It’s located in the province of Dhofar, the state of Thamrit, the capital of the Badia (Najd Dhofar). It’s at the southern end of the desert of the Empty Quarter, and evidence suggests that the site has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

Exploration and excavation work at Al-Shasar site revealed the existence of an ancient archaeological city (believed to be the city of “Erm” which is mentioned by God in the Holy Quran, the land of the people of Hood who did not create the same in the country as mentioned in the Qur’anic text). This important archaeological site was discovered in 1990 by a group of archaeologists and was included in the World Heritage Organization.
From Al Shisr, we’ll drive about 80 KM to enter **Rub Al Khali** from the South. We’ll set up your camp and climb over a high dune to watch the sunset.

Overnight: In Rub Al Khali (Camping)

Day 10: Rub Al Khali

Leave your camping place and drive deeper into the **Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali)**. Wherever you look, you’ll see tall, orange sand dunes and crystal stones that have been toned due to erosion. You will reach your camping place, climb orange high dunes, watch the marvelous sunset, and enjoy the silence of the second biggest desert in the world.

Overnight: In Rub Al Khali (Camping)

Day 11: Rub Al Khali

Leave your camping place and drive deeper into **Rub Al Khali**. Enjoy high, orange-colored dunes. Have a picnic lunch, then reach your camping place, set up your camp, and watch the sunset. At night, watch the spectacular stars and enjoy the silence.

Overnight: In Rub Al Khali (Camping)

Day 12: Rub Al Khali – Wadi Dawkah – Salalah

It’s the last day in **Rub Al Khali**. After breakfast, drive towards **Wadi Dawkah**. Wadi Dawkah is located in the Najd area behind the northern slopes of the Dhofar mountain range, 35 km north of Salalah city, and extends north towards the state of Thumrait. It’s one of the growth areas of the frankincense trees in Dhofar Governorate. It’s a natural reserve for large frankincense trees and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage and Culture site.

From there, we continue our journey to **Salalah**. Upon reaching your hotel, check-in. After sunset, we start at **Al Hafah Market**, a traditional market known in the city of Salalah and recognized by visitors as a tourist and economic landmark. Al Hafah market is located 3 km from the city of Salalah in Dhofar governorate, surrounded by coconut trees. The market is known for the sale of incense and frankincense products and is full of many other products, whether traditional textiles, traditional clothing, ornaments, gold and silver, and many other traditional products. It’s considered the oldest market in Dhofar. Have dinner there, then return to your hotel.

Overnight: In Salalah (Beach Resort Salalah or Similar)

Day 13: Visit Taqah – Khawr Rawri (Samahram) – Wadi Darbat – Mirbat – Khwar Al Balid

In the morning, check out from your hotel. We drive towards **Taqah city** to visit the cemetery of **Mazoon Al Mashani**, the mother of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. She is buried there, under identical marble gravestones, alongside an uncle and a grandfather of the Sultans.

From Taqah, we continue our journey to **Khor Rori**. Reports indicate that the town of Sumhuram was founded on royal initiative and settled by Hadhrami emigrants. The Dhofar region was the main source of frankincense in the ancient period, and it seems likely that the foundation of the settlement by the Hadhramaut was partly motivated by a wish to control the production of this valuable commodity.

The excavations have uncovered the ground plan of the settlement and have attested maritime contacts with the Ḥaḑramite homeland, India, and the Mediterranean. It was inscribed in 2000, along with other sites along the incense route in Oman, as part of the World Heritage and Culture site “UNESCO” Land of Frankincense”.

From Sumhuram, we continue our journey to **Wadi Darbat**, offering majestic views of the lakes, mountains, caves, wildlife, and waterfalls. Wadi Darbat is surely a paradise for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Watching the crystal-clear water cascading down the 100-meter waterfall surrounded by lush greenery is surely a delight. Close to the waterfall are many natural cave chambers with stalagmites and old stalactites.

From there, continue your trip to **Mirbat**, a coastal town in the Dhofar governorate. Mirbat (Moscha) was involved in the export of frankincense in ancient times, to places as far as China. In ancient times, Mirbat was the capital of Dhofar, with an income derived from the frankincense trade and from breeding Arabian horses. Visit the port of Mirbat and walk along the old houses of Mirbat.

From Mirbat to **Khawr Al Balid**. This lagoon takes its name from the ancient city which lies on the banks of this lagoon; the lagoon flanks the city on the east and north. In ancient times, this lagoon was connected to the sea and used as a natural port due to its depth in some parts.

The region is currently on the World Heritage and Culture “UNESCO” List, and the khawr is protected. The importance of this place lies in its combination of archaeology, history, and nature. The archaeological park is considered to be the first of its kind in Oman, serving to protect natural resources, attract tourists to the site, and inform people of this important ancient city in the Governorate of Dhofar.

Here, the tour has ended. You have an option: your guide (team) can drop you at Salalah airport if you fly in the evening, or you can stay in Salalah and your guide (team) will drive back to Muscat. Please let us know your preference.

Starting Time:
08:00 AM

Including:

• All equipment for camping along with food and beverages is included in the package
• Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle 4WD
• English Speaking Guide
• Pick up & Drop off
• Bottled Water
• Private Tour

Pick up Information:

WE PICK UP TRAVELERS FROM ANY PLACE IN MUSCAT:

• Muscat Harbor (For Shore Excursions Passengers)
• Muscat International Airport
• Residence
• Hotels