You'll find more precise information in the PDF document "Detailed Program" (Tab "More Infos", section "Documents to download")

      Transfer to a foothill wadi (180 km - 2h)

      Small walk in a valley of the foothills

This is a nice very typical valley of the foothills. On our way, we'll see magnesic springs which colour some of the pools in white. This valley runs in the middle of unsual rocks, called ophiolite and which originate from the oceanic floor : a journey up this valley is like a trip to the depth of the earth. The water is here flowing all year long, and we find some small pools to refresh..

- Level 1    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

We sleep in the house of our friend in a mountain village which is now not inhabited full time. We have 3 rooms where we can sleep and a newly built bathroom. We can also sleep outside under the stars…

Dormitory Room

      Descent in the small valley

We cross the village and follow a good mountain path which takes us at the bottom of the valley. We then hike around boulders in the river bed. There are a lot of trees and sometimes, after big rains, a stream flows during several months.

- Level 2    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Height difference : +50m/-350m
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

      Transfer to a mountain village (5 km - 0h 15)

      Local lunch in the village

We have lunch either in the majilis of our friend's house, or on the terrace of their guethouse with views over the village.

- Duration : 1 hours

      Walk in a mountain oasis

We start from the main valley and head to a narrow gorge. This part of the walk is just wonderfull! At the end of the gorge, we discover the village. Built in a small hill and surrounded by cliffs, this village is one of the most beautiful of Oman. We walk through the village and the ardens and come back through an other branch of the small gorge.

- Level 1    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Height difference : +50m/-50m
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

      Transfer to a mountain oasis (60 km - 1h 45)

It's an old village in a splendid terraced palm grove. The old houses have been left from most of the inhabitants who built modern houses aside, and are now renovated mostly for touristic use. The guesthouse is located a few minutes walk away from the parking ; so, please plan a small bag with only the stuff you need for that night. Also, to respect the inhabitants of the village, it is forbidden to bring alcool in the village and to smoke inside the house ; we thank you in advance for respecting these rules!

Standard Room
. Breakfast & dinner taken at the hotel

      Short walk in a mountain oasis

This is one of the most beautiful mountain village of Oman. It is located on the slope of a canyon. The gardens were built all around the old village on man-made terraces. Laying at an height of 800 meters, we find their a wide variety of tropical fruits : bananas, papayas, oranges, limes, dates, pomogranates, etc…

- Level 1    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Height difference : +100m/-100m
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

      Transfer to a high settlement (50 km - 1h 12)

      Hike on top of Arabia's Grand Canyon

The path is very easy and offers all way long wonderful views on Arabia's Grand Canyon. On the way we can see the highest point of the country. Finally, we arrive to an old village built in the cliff. The village was abandonned in the 90's when the road was built. Some 5 to 10 families used to live there, taking care of their gardens also built on the cliff and of their goats. It is a very easy and rewarding walk! After reaching the village, we can also explore a small cave and a lake located a little above.

- Level 2    
- Duration : 3 hours
- Height difference : +0m/-250m
- Walking time : 2 to 3 hours

A great bivouac spot : we have spectacular views over the canyon, water nearby, wood to make a fire, and even caves to shelter in case of bad weather.

Camping

      Hike back from Arabia's Grand Canyon

We hike the same way as the day before, but it is not boring, since the views and the light are different…

- Level 2    
- Duration : 3 hours
- Height difference : +250m/-0m
- Walking time : 2 to 3 hours

      Transfer to Al Hamra (70 km - 1h)

      Visit of a lively museum of traditional know-hows

Bait As Safah is a traditional omani house located in the old city of Al Hamra. The women of the vllage welcome us in this house and show us how they make omani bread, omani coffee, carpets, and different creams and lotions made from mountain plants.

- Duration : 1 hours 30

      Transfer to Nizwa (60 km - 0h 45)

A beautiful hotel located in an old quarter of Nizwa, just behind the souk. It's a complex of several old houses which have been renovated with a lot of taste.

Standard Room
. Breakfast taken at the hotel

      Souq of Nizwa

Nizwa is a major city of Oman located at the foot of the mointains in the interior. In the past it was the capital of the country and remains the cultural center of the country for mountain people. The Souq was rehabilitated some 15 years ago. Friday is the market day, called 'Souq Al Jumaa', and brings visitors from the nearby mountains as well as bedous from the desert side. The livestock souq is particularly worth a visit. But you find also the fish souq, vegetable souq, meat souq, as well as some people saling moutain honey, dates, incense, and anything you might need.

- Duration : 1 hours 30

      Transfer to a high village (90 km - 1h 30)

      Hike to an oasis in a canyon

We start from a village located at an height of 2000 m and we walk the same way as the villagers who go work in the gardens, some 700 meters down. When we get to the bottom of the valley, we first discover a village with many houses built under the cliff. A bit further down, we finally discover the gardens where grow palm, lime, banana tree, garlic, and sweet potatoes. The place is really beautiful.

- Level 2 & 3    
- Duration : 4 hours
- Height difference : +100m/-700m
- Walking time : 2 to 4 hours

We sleep in the old village near the oasis. We are hosted by villagers. As the village has no road access and is not inhabited full-time anymore, comfort is rustic and we have to bring our sleeping pads and sleeping bags. According to western standards, this overnight is between bivouac and homestay. If needed, some donkeys can help us carry our things. A good evening, and a very local experience!

Dormitory room
. Breakfast & dinner taken at the hotel

      Hike to leave the oasis

We come back the same way as the day before : the path is well built and we walk slowly, so, the climb, despite the elevation, is not difficult!

- Level 2 & 3    
- Duration : 4 hours
- Height difference : +700m/-100m
- Walking time : 3 to 4 hours

      Transfer to a high village (35 km - 1h)

      Walk along the 'Roses villages'

We walk between high villages on Jebel Akhdar. They grow among other plants roses and pomogranates. The roses flower in march and april ; walking in the gardens at this time is an enchantement for the eyes and the nose. The pomogranates are harvested in late august and september ; they are very tasty and famous for their enormous size.

- Level 1    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Height difference : +100m/-100m
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

      Transfer to a plateau covered with juniper trees (30 km - 0h 45)

2400m high in the center of the Jebel Akhdhar, surrounded by giant juniper and wild olive trees. A few steps away, you can enjoy great views over the valleys of the northern slope.

Individual camping tent

      Transfer to Birkat al Mouz (60 km - 1h)

      Visit of Birkat AL Mauz

We first stop to have a view on Birkat Al Mauz (the banana basin, in arabc) : From there we discover a wide range of green and 2 old villages build on the slope of the mountian. It is a wonderful point of view. We then go down, cross the palm garden and visit one of the old village which give a good idea of the traditional architecture.

- Duration : 0 hours 45

      Transfer to our campsite in the desert (270 km - 3h)

      Sunset in the dunes

We start a walk across the dunes in late afternoon. The heat isn't too strong anymore and the sunlight is the more beautiful. The setting sun always gives changing colour to the sand and the shades. This a great unforgetable time.

- Level 1    
- Duration : 1 hours

Individual camping tent

      Transfer to a wadi (80 km - 1h 30)

      Hike to waterfalls and swimming

The lower part of this valley forms a narrow and wild canyon. We start from a lovely village in the valley and cross its palm garden to access the entrance of the canyon. We hike in the canyon between big boulders (the way is not very easy but doesn't last long) until we arrive to a splendid pool with waterfall. We have rest here and enjoy a swim. For those who like jumping, a very nice 10 meters jump is possible there… According to the rains and floods which change the river course, it can happen that we need to swim or hike in the water to reach the waterfalls

- Level 2    
- Duration : 3 hours
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

      Transfer to Sur (150 km - 2h)

Standard Room

      Visit of the city of Sur

Sur is a big city living quietly. It is built on the seashore and extends along a wonderful lagune. It was famous in the past for the naval construction. This traditional industry is declining but there is still one factory which produces wondeful traditional arabic dhows. We stop to visit it. We then walk up to a watch tower from which we have the best view over the city.

- Duration : 2 hours

      Transfer to Tiwi (60 km - 0h 45)

      Short hike in the wadi through palm gardens

We hike in the wadi, through the palm garden (which also hosts bananas, papayas, mango trees, lime, etc…) along the falaj to reach our camp site. Water flows in the river bed, flanks are covered by lush green gardens, dominated by steep cliffs.

- Level 2    
- Duration : 2 hours
- Walking time : 1 to 2 hours

We camp in a private garden in the wadi. The place is great and walking around late afternoon is great : superb views and lots of birds! For the moment, the place is very simple, but the owner plans to build toitlets soon…

Individual camping tent

      Hike through gardens and water pools

A wonderfull valley, with a river and water pools, a huge palm grove streching along it on terraces, villages, and scenic mountain slopes. We spend there the whole day alterning walking and swim stop(s) : several itineraries are possible for a nice full day walking not too difficult

- Level 2    
- Duration : 6 hours
- Height difference : +100m/-100m
- Walking time : 2 to 4 hours

A nice small hotel very well located, just before the village of Tiwi, in front of the sea, and at the entrance of Wadi Tiwi. The hotel has a swimming pool and a garden.

Standard Room
Modern and comfortable room with private bathroom. Breakfast taken at the hotel

      Transfer to a wadi (60 km - 0h 30)

      Walk and swim in a wadi

We start with a refreshing swim in the vast pool down the village where we park. We then walk up the wadi around large boulders and across water pools until the canyons narrows to form very long pools. We swim there and go back the same way. Warning : in some places, you might have to step in the water ; you shoes and pants might get wet…

- Level 2    
- Duration : 4 hours
- Walking time : 2 to 3 hours

A very nice place to stay, located in the wadi, next to palm groves and water, with comfortable rooms.

Standard Room
. Breakfast & dinner taken at the hotel

      Transfer to a fishing port (120 km - 2h)

      Snorkeling and Boat Tour

The bay is located only 30 km east from Muscat. There, the mountains fall down to the sea and form a lot of small tiny coves. We take a fisherman's boat and have a tour in the bay to see mangrove, seabirds, and the many sandy coves. Finally we stop in a wonderful beach, have lunch with grilled fish, and enjoy rest on the beach and snorkeling. Among other fishes you will probably see here : surgeon fish, tigerfish, butterfly fish, angelfish, and even sometime, if we are lucky, you'll be able to swim with turtles. ATTENTION : When the sea is rough, this cove is not reachable by boat ; we go to another one which is also nice and suitable for snorkeling, but the seabed is not so rich.

- Duration : 4 hours

      Transfer to Muttrah (50 km - 0h 45)

www.omantrekkingguides.com, website of AL MAALAM TOURS , company registered under Commercial Register Number (1087801), and with
(local tour operator licence)
AL MAALAM TOURS - PO BOX 917 - Post Code 611 - NIZWA - SULTANATE OF OMAN