Desert Adventure

Oman

Oman remains one of the least discovered countries in the Middle East, despite some of the most stunning landscapes in the region.

If you can tear yourself away from the immaculate five star hotels on the Muscat coast, the country splits neatly into three categories – mountains, deserts and coastline – a combination of which makes for a memorable safari in a comfortable 4x4 with a knowledgeable driver/guide. We can even arrange a self-drive safari if that’s of interest. Oman is definitely honeymoon territory as there's such variety.

The magnificent mountains of the Western Hajars that run along the coastline of northern Oman are - in total contrast to the flat and featureless scrubland of the UAE to the west - ripe for exploration. Where there are mountains there are wadis, and Oman has some of the most dramatic of these gorges in the world, and massive canyons too - a haven for adrenalin junkies looking to climb, abseil or tackle some of the best via ferrata in the world. The drive through Wadi Bani Awf, the main route through the Hajars to the city of Nizwa is particularly impressive. Visit the famous fort at Nakhl, perched spectacularly on a rocky prominence, before heading deep into the mountains, passing the towering cliffs that mark the beginning of Snake Canyon and the photogenic village of Bilad Seit before heading and up and over Jebel Shams.

Away from the mountains the desert regions of Oman are famous, with the evocatively named Empty Quarter of Wilfred Thesiger fame the largest sand sea (other deserts may be larger but they have areas of scrub) in the world. We offer an exclusive adventure to explore this region, so please look at the separate Salalah & the Empty Quarter trip. Elsewhere, the Wahiba Sands is an area of dunes that makes the perfect spot to spend a night under the stars, practice your desert driving skills and catch a glimpse of Bedouin life before sleeping in a comfortable tented camp.

Finally, to the coastline and its largely empty beaches where, at certain times of year, turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. Here you can spend your days relaxing on the wide, shaded deck of a dhow, while dolphins swim alongside, stopping in secluded coves to snorkel, dive or have lunch. There is – somewhat inevitably - development along the coastline around Muscat, but with over one thousand miles of pristine beaches, there are plenty of secluded spots to get away from it all and even camp overnight on the pure white sand.