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Wadi Bani Auf
5.0
| 2 reviews

Explore Oman from Summit to Sea

Hike, kayak, canyon and explore the mountains, desert, coast and culture of Oman

Duration

7 nights

Annual Leave

7 days off work

Group Size

Up to 12 people

Location

Oman

Meeting Point

Muscat International Airport, Oman

Classic Accommodation

Hotel · Guesthouse · Campsite

Customer Reviews

(2)

5.0

Difficulty

Moderate

From

From

What's it like?

5.0
| 2 reviews
Incredible trip. Oman is a wonderful, frien...
March 2020
Chris
Incredible trip. Oman is a wonderful, frien...
March 2020
Chris
Wadi Bani Auf
Omani Fjords
Explore Oman from Summit to Sea
Explore Oman from Summit to Sea
Oman

Experience the legendary hospitality and hidden gems of Oman - one of the oldest civilisations in the world

Travel from the bustling souks of Muscat to the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea and hike through the mountains to the highest point in the country

Sleep in a desert camp surrounded by golden dunes, explore deep canyons and jump off waterfalls into the cool pools below

Day 1

Ancient Muscat

Ancient Muscat

Meet your guide in Oman's ancient capital, Muscat and set off to explore the city. Starting at the Grand Mosque, you'll wind your way through the narrow alleyways of an ancient souk, check out the Royal Opera House and stop for lunch in the old town where you can enjoy Oman’s delicious food at one of the small cafes that overlook the cornice and the Sultan’s Ship. After watching the traditional dhow boats unload the day’s catch, you'll follow a hidden path into the surrounding mountains for a beautiful view of this legendary city, freshen up back at the hotel and then sit down to a well-deserved meal in a traditional Omani restaurant followed by a good night’s sleep.

Day 2

Snake Canyon

Wadi Bani Auf

Drive to Wadi Bani Auf, or Snake Canyon, one of the most picturesque in the Western Hajar, which gets its name from the narrow and winding pattern, rather than anything that hisses. Expect abseils, slides and scrambles as you make your way through the gorge, traversing caves and swimming across cool pools as rocky walls rise 100 metres above you. Emerge back into sunlight at the oasis village of Bilad Sayt where you'll enjoy lunch with a local family and learn about the villages unique 'falaj' irrigation system and timeless lifestyle. Jump into the waiting 4x4 for an awe-inspiring off-road drive up and over a 2000 metre high mountain pass to tonight’s guesthouse, where a hot meal and a comfy bed will be waiting for you.

Day 3

Jebel Shams

Jebel Shams

After an early breakfast, head to the iconic village of Misfat Al Abreen and climb up the highest mountain in Oman, Jebel Shams. Look across Oman's astonishing Grand Canyon and hike the famous ‘Balcony Walk’ along the edge as you head to the recently abandoned village of Sap Bani Khamis. Scramble up the scree to a Via Ferrata that was once used by the local villagers and climb 200 metres up the cliff - it's an amazing adventure suitable for those with no previous climbing experience, though a head for heights is recommended. Stop for lunch at the top and then head to tonight’s destination, the oasis town of Nizwa, home to the famous fort and its nearby souk.

Day 4

Into the desert

Oman Desert

Start the day with a visit to the local market, filled with fruits, vegetables and local people going about their daily life. Walk to the oldest part of the souk, dedicated to craftsmanship and famous for the traditional Omani dagger known as a Khanjar, a symbol of bravery. Explore Nizwa Fort and its cylindrical tower and learn about Oman’s long history and proud culture and then after an early lunch, drive into the desert and camp amongst the dunes where you'll enjoy some traditional Arab cuisine.

Day 5

Turtles on the beach

Sur, Oman

Wake surrounded by high dunes, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. After another early breakfast, exit the desert in your 4x4, stopping for a Kahwa - traditional Omani coffee - with the Bedouins along the way. Visit the largest fishing town in Oman, Sur and explore the traditional Dhow yard, where the ancient traditions of Omani boat building are still used to construct exquisite vessels. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Ras Al Hadd, home to Oman’s turtle reserve and enjoy an afternoon by the beach and a visit to the reserve in the evening to carefully witness the turtles nesting.

Day 6

Wadi Tiwi

Explore Oman from Summit to Sea

Get an iconic impression of the coastal lifestyle with a visit to the local fish market and see local fishermen selling the early morning catch. Drive to the village of Tiwi and head to the nearby wadi - highly regarded by local adventurers - boasting crystal clear pools, hot springs and waterfalls. Be ready for lots of swimming, scrambling and abseiling off the waterfall. Head back to Muscat, stopping at the mysterious and water-filled Bimmah Sinkhole, famous for its unique, turquoise colour. Take a swim and then return to the capital for a relaxing night and some free time exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 7

The Omani Fjords

Omani Fjords

Wake up to your final day exploring Oman’s spectacular scenery and drive the short distance to the Arabian Sea. Kayak onto the water from a secluded beach, paddle across the turquoise waters of the bay to a deserted island and look out for fish and birds as you explore the ‘fjords’ of Oman'. Return to Muscat in time for a final dinner with your fellow travellers and a last night in Oman.

Day 8

Return home

Muscat

Relax over a last breakfast in your hotel and then return to the airport where your Omani adventure will come to an end.

Included

Guides

Internationally certified, English speaking instructors

Accommodation

3 nights at a 3-star hotel in Muscat, 4 nights in local guesthouses and 1 night in a desert camp

Meals

Water and soft drinks included

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Equipment

All your adventure and safety equipment

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Tips for your guides

Visas where required

What is the food like?

Traditional Omani Breakfast

Sitting on a historic crossroads between east and west, Oman has always been a melting pot of cultures and you will find a variety of Indian and Middle-Eastern restaurants, with even the smallest coffee shop adhering to strict food safety standards. Many restaurants also offer traditional Omani Food - be sure to try Mendi, a shared dish of flavoursome rice with lamb or chicken that's traditionally eaten with your hands, the limitless flavours of Omani coffee or 'Kahwa' and the plump local dates.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Muscat Airport

08:40

Ends

Muscat Airport

Anytime

Transfers

Your guide will meet you at Muscat International Airport (MCT) at 08:40 on day one (you'll need to book a flight that arrives at least 60 minutes before this to allow enough time to get through immigration and baggage reclaim). Alternatively, fly into Muscat the day before and have an extra night in this exciting city, just let you host know in advance if you need further accommodation and private transfers. At the end of your adventure, you will be dropped back at Muscat Airport. Your host will arrange two transfers that you can choose between, departing at 12:00 and 17:00, which will meet most international flights.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Oman from major airports across the UK and Europe.

What about all the carbon?

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What do I need to bring?

  • Closed-toe shoes with good ankle support, such as lightweight walking boots
  • Cool and light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees
  • Windproof jacket
  • A lightweight jumper/hoodie for the evenings
  • Daypack
  • A waterproof camera or GoPro if you'd like to take it canyoning
  • High SPF sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

No optional extras are available for this trip.

Peter(March 2020)

An amazing action-packed holiday. Our guides Hamid and Chris were fantastic - great local knowledge and super safe during the more challenging trips. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a variety of activities & sights within a single trip - canyoning, abseiling, jumping off waterfalls, climbing, hiking, kayaking, etc. - rather than doing the same thing for a week. I went solo and met some great people in my group. 10/10!

Chris(March 2020)

Incredible trip. Oman is a wonderful, friendly and beautiful country. Guides were reassuring, funny and knowledgeable. Helped me to get through things I didn’t think I’d be able to do. By the end, it all seemed easy! Strongly recommend.

You should have a good overall level of fitness, although no previous experience in any of the activities is required. You'll generally be active for 4-5 hours each day, with plenty of breaks to rest and recharge.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

XXX

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

As you might expect, the weather in Oman is hot, sunny and dry all year round, with daytime temperatures that rarely drop below 20°C. Summer can be very hot, with temperatures topping 35°C and little rainfall. Nights can be a little cooler, especially in the Jebel Shams mountains, with temperatures dropping to 10-15 degrees during the night and as cold as 0 degrees in January/February (bring a windproof jacket and a hoodie to stay warm). The really hot months between June and August should be avoided.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

For current advice about travelling in Oman, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

Yes! According to the World Economic Forum's most recent Travel and Tourism Report, Oman is the 9th safest country to live in the world and locals, expats and travellers can all enjoy the countries legendary hospitality. The crime rates are so low many locals don’t even lock their homes when they leave for work.

For Omanis, wadis are their life-force - deep canyons that criss-cross the mountains and deserts, with turquoise waters that flow over waterfalls and into crystal clear pools that demand you dive in and cool off. They're also a haven for wildlife and flowers and a trip to one for a hike, swim, climb, off-road drive or a picnic is always a highlight of any visit to Oman. On this trip, you'll visit some of your host's favourite wadi's that few tourists ever see.

Your host's company is Omani based with international safety and quality standards and the flagship company when it comes to adventure and safety in Oman. The team is a mix of UK/Irish and Omani instructors, all of whom have been extensively trained in both the UK and Dubai, hold professional qualifications and combined have more than 25 years of adventure experience.

in short, yes, however, this group trip allows you to reduce the costs significantly. The main reason why Oman is an expensive destination is that the country’s currency, the Omani Rial, is very strong, however, compared to Dubai, Oman offers greater value for money. Accommodation and transport are the two biggest parts of your stay in Oman and a basic, decent quality hotel starts at around OMR 30 per night. It is, however, absolutely worth it, as you'll have a chance to experience the unique culture and hospitality the country is famous for first-hand.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES

Private trip

Go private and split the bill with ease.

Forget complex logistics, we've taken care of all the details to ensure a hassle-free get together. All of the adventure, none of the faff.

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