OMAN - ARABIA'S UNDISCOVERED GEM

Backabush is heading into the wild heart of Arabia to explore a land of diverse and awe inspiring landscapes!

Nights - 8. Cost - £1349. Maximum group size - 12. Accommodation - 4 nights hotel/guesthouse and 4 nights of fully supported wild camping with tents, 4x4 transport and meals.

Oman is surely the undiscovered gem of Arabia with spectacular mountains, hidden gorges and endless stetches of remote desert.

Backabush has made plans to partner with local guides to offer a unique hiking and desert adventure. We will step off the beaten path and immerse ourselves in a thrilling Omani adventure that blends four days of mountain trekking in the Western Hajar range with two unforgettable nights camping in the vast, golden Wahiba Sands desert. The journey concludes with a refreshing aquatic hike through one of Oman’s most awe-inspiring canyons.

Our expedition kicks off in Muscat, Oman’s vibrant capital. Here, we’ll wander through the historic old town, explore bustling souks, and stroll along the picturesque waterfront.

From Muscat, 4x4 vehicles take us into the heart of the Hajar Mountains for several days of hiking through the rugged beauty of Wadi Bani Awf and the terraced cliffs of Jebel Akhdar—also known as the Green Mountain. These days will be filled with dramatic landscapes, remote villages, and lush oases.

We’ll traverse deep gorges, hike over high passes, and discover hidden palm gardens. Accommodation includes a night in a charming mountain guesthouse and two nights of wild camping under the stars, with evenings spent around the warmth of a campfire in stunning natural settings.

After the mountains, we stop in the historic town of Nizwa. Famous for its ancient souks and colourful markets, it’s the perfect place to soak up local culture and unwind before our desert journey.

Next, we head to the mesmerizing Wahiba Sands—a vast expanse of rolling dunes stretching to the horizon. From our secluded desert camp, we explore the sandscape on foot, taking in the serene beauty and unforgettable sunsets.

Our final adventure is an aquatic hike through Wadi Al Hwir, a spectacular canyon with crystal-clear turquoise pools. After this refreshing finale, we return to Muscat for our last night, wrapping up a truly unforgettable journey through the natural wonders of Oman.

ACCOMMODATION:

On this trip we are planning a combination of twin share rooms in hotels (3 nights), guesthouse in multi-share rooms of 3-4 people (1 night) and camping in twin share tents (4 nights).

Limited single occupancy places available for a single supplement which covers 7 out of 8 nights (3 hotel nights and 4 camping nights, but not the 1 night in shared rooms in a guesthouse). Message us for availability if this option is preferred.

TRIP OUTLINE:

DAY 1. Arrive in Muscat and enjoy free time to explore the old town, waterfront and souks. Night in a hotel in Muscat.

DAY 2. A roughly 3 hour scenic drive by 4x4 through brings us to Bimah from where we can hike the rugged mountains and remote villages around Wadi Bani Awf. Mountain guesthouse accommodation. Hike approx 4-5 hours - 600m ascent - 500m descent.

DAY 3. Hike into the mountains to Sharaf Al Alamain Pass and camp at approximately 2200m near the main ridge. Around 7 hours hiking - 1200m ascent - 250m descent.

DAY 4. Hike along the main ridge to into the heart of the Jebel Akhdar range to camp on the high plateau around 2400m. Approx 6 hours hiking - 700m ascent - 400 descent.

DAY 5. Hike across wild mountains to reach a remote canyon with a luscious palm garden hidden in it's depths. Approx 5 hours hiking - 500m ascent - 650m descent. Drive about an hour and a half to historic Nizwa where we sleep in a charming hotel in the old quarter.

DAY 6. Enjoy a morning of guided exploration in Nizwa's souks and then drive around 3 hours into the Wahiba Desert to reach our campsite and enjoy a sunset walk. Wild camp under a dazzling array of stars.

DAY 7. The vast Wahiba Sands desert offers a unique hiking experience amongst an incredible landscape of sand dunes. Approx 4-5 hours of hiking before wild camping in the desert.

DAY 8. Wadi Al Hawir is possibly the most stunningly beautiful wadi in Oman. We can enjoy an aquatic hike of around 4 hours before driving approximately 3 hours back to Muscat. Night in a hotel in Muscat.

DAY 9. Our adventure concludes in Muscat where it is possible to enjoy a self-organised visit the enormous grand mosque on the way to the airport.

It is important to note that this is a provisional itinerary which is subject to change based on various unpredictable factors like weather, road conditions, trail closures. This is adventure travel into wild and remote places!

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• 3 nights hotel accommodation in twin share rooms
• 1 night guesthouse accommodation in shared rooms (3-4 people)
• 4 nights wild camping - tents and thick (7cm) mattresses provided but no bathroom facilities
• Four wheel drive (4WD) transport during days 2-8
• 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
• An experienced local mountain guide who speaks English
• Backabush trip organiser (qualified Mountain Leader)
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 2018

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Any other meals not specified
• Single supplement (see above, please enquire)
• Flights (see below)
• Airport transfers (it will be easy to take a taxi to/from our hotel in Muscat/Mutrah and we will help to coordinate taxi sharing for those arriving on the same flights)
• Warm sleeping bag (-5 degrees)
• Travel Insurance

FLIGHTS:

It is currently too early to see the flight schedules but it is likely to be best to fly overnight from London to Muscat. Oman Air is expected to offer a direct flight departing from Heathrow on Friday evenings which will arrive in Muscat the following morning.

Anyone considering extending their visit to Oman after our planned itinerary needs to be aware that in 2027 Ramadan will begin on Sunday 7 February which is the day our trip ends.

WILD CAMPING:

Our adventure involves 4 nights of wild camping in beautiful and remote locations known to our local guides. At each campsite we need to set up our sleeping tents (which are provided with mattresses included) ourselves while our guides get busy erecting the kitchen tent etc. They will then prepare a delicious dinner with local ingredients.

As these are wild places, there are no showers or toilets. Just plenty of nature where you can have a little moment of privacy!

GETTING AROUND:

Transport during days 2-8 will be by 4x4 (four-wheel drive) vehicles suitable for navigating the isolated, sandy and rocky landscapes of the Omani deserts and mountains. Expect some bumpy rides but the scenery is magnificent and our skilled drivers know the terrain well.

Please note that our main luggage will be driven each day to our next campsite or hotel/guesthouse enabling us to enjoy our hikes while carrying only our day packs.

HIKING:

Some hikes will be challenging and will involve significant ascents in mountains. Therefore we only recommend this trip for reasonably fit and experienced hikers who are used to rocky and uneven terrain. It is necessary to be comfortable with heights and exposed trails while being fit enough to ascend 1200m in a day carrying a day pack.

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:

Our trip begins in Muscat on Saturday 30 January so it could be a good plan buy a ticket on the overnight Oman Air flight from Heathrow direct to Muscat which departs Friday evening on 29 January.

Outbound - Friday 29 January:
London Heathrow LHR 20:05 – Muscat MCT 07:15+1 day

Inbound - Sunday 7 February:
Muscat MCT 14:20 – London Heathrow LHR 18:25

Direct flights with Oman Air will be the best way to travel and our hotel is just a short 15 minute taxi ride from the airport.

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:

To confirm your place on this trip use online banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use OMAN as your payment reference.

The account details are:

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

The following "terms and conditions" apply to all trip reservations:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/

Only payment secures your place. Please email backabushxplorers@yahoo.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.