FROM $3,920.00
November 2020 - October 2021
Oman
A sand to sea expedition from the highest dunes to the tropical beaches of Oman.
FIND A DATE THAT WORKS FOR YOUWHAT'S INCLUDED
7 nights
Salalah Airport / Salalah Airport
Oman
You’re beginning to feel at one with the river or mountain. You’re content with 4-5 hours of activity a day for 2-3 days.
THE ADVENTURE
Join us for an 8-day expedition through southern Oman. From the mountains to the sea to the desert of the Empty Quarter, you'll travel and live like the local Dhofari tribe do with a caravan of camels. Travel through the Empty Quarter to the world’s highest dune and end with a unique beach eco-hotel resort. The summit of the dune, found in the Ramlat Jadilah desert of western Oman, is 455m - not earth-shatteringly high. However, it does lie in one of the most spectacular areas of dune desert in the world - the Rhub al Khali or Empty Quarter.
The Dhofar coast and Arabian sea in southern Oman is a hugely important and still relatively clean breeding ground for numerous fish, whale, dolphin and turtle species. However, Oman is developing fast and fishing activity and other shipping are on the increase. With that comes plastic and other waste pollution that threatens Oman’s wildlife. Oman’s 1000 mile coastline is a globally important nesting ground for 4 species of turtles. Plastic waste is a particular problem as these turtles often mistake it for food. As a ‘give back’ to Oman’s environment, the plan will be to clean some of the remote beaches - an easily achieved, but thoroughly important work with long-lasting and immediate benefits.
A true expedition. One of the best environments in the world for sleeping under the stars, which we will do every night in keeping with the nomad way of life.
Support the habitat and nesting grounds of turtles with a plastic clean up.
Desert trek in the largest sand desert in the world in the Empty Quarter of Oman. Travel with the Dhofari tribe and a caravan of camels across the Dhofar mountain range.
Learning how to drive a 4x4 over the greatest sand dessert on earth.
Day 1 - Arrive in Salalah and begin the 4x4 expedition
Welcome to Oman! Meet the IGO team at Salalah International Airport and move in 4x4s to Wadi Shilyum, the starting point for our camel trek. There's time for a beach lunch and swim in the sea as our drive takes us northeast along the coast, between the Arabian Sea and the Dhofar Mountains, a remote and beautiful part of Oman and the drive is a dramatic one.
Accommodation: Wild overnight camp under the stars (all camps have showers and camp beds)
Activities: 4x4 drive, beach lunch and swim
Day 2 - Start of the Camel Trek
The route will follow camel paths up onto the Samhan Mountain plateau and will then skirt the southern edge of the Arabian Leopard Sanctuary, following old trading routes along narrow ledges at altitude and overlooking the Arabian sea. By late afternoon the team will find a good spot to spend the night, lighting fires, cooking supper and setting up camp.
Accommodation: Wild overnight camp under the stars
Activities: Camel trekking with Dhofaris tribesmen
Distances: 15km, 7hrs of camel trekking
Day 3 - Camel Trek into the Dhofar Mountains
We have an early start before the Omani heat sets in and begin our trek north along tracks towards our finish point above the coastal village of Hadbeen.
Accommodation: Wild overnight camp under the stars
Activities: Camel trekking with Dhofaris tribesmen
Distances: 15km, 7hrs of camel trekking
Day 4 - Beach Clean on the Dhofar Coast
The Dhofar coast and Arabian sea in Southern Oman is a hugely important and relatively clean breeding ground for numerous fish, whale, dolphin and turtle species. As a ‘give back’ to Oman’s environment, we will access some of the remote beaches and pick up litter. A thoroughly important work with long-lasting and immediate benefits.
Accommodation: Wild overnight camp on the beach
Activities: 4x4 off-road and beach clean supporting the 4 species of turtles
Day 5 - Journey into the Desert
Get ready for an awe-inspiring invasion on the senses. The destination today is the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world. We will stop for a lunch en route at the majestic Wadi Shuwaiymiah, one of Oman’s most spectacular wadis. From Shuwaiymiah we head inland and west towards the desert and via the small outpost town of Thumrait.
Accommodation: Wild camp in the desert under the stars
Activities: 4x4 to a wadi and dunes
Day 6 - Desert Trek
This will be a challenging day. Trekking across deserts requires mental as well as physical stamina. The Empty Quarter is a spiritual place, beautiful, silent and true wilderness. It is also an environment that needs to be taken seriously in terms of staying safe. The aim of the name will be to walk, through the cool morning, build some shade and rest during the midday heat before heading on to your camp for the night.
Accommodation: Wild camp in the desert under the stars
Activities: Trekking
Distances: 15km trek, 4-5hrs
Day 7 - Sand Driving amongst the Largest Sand Dunes on Earth
After breakfast, we will be leaving the desert and heading back to Salalah. We will drive back out of the sand and there will be an opportunity for you to try your hand at sand driving along the way. Lunch stop in a local restaurant in Thumrait before heading over the Dhofar Mountains finally and back to the Souly Eco Lodge and a chance for a proper shower, before dinner in the fabled Oasis Club in Salalah Port.
Accommodation: Eco Lodge
Activities: 4x4 sand driving experience
Day 8 - Flights Home
Wake up to the sound of the waves in your own eco hut on the beach. Enjoy breakfast before transfers take you to the airport for your next adventure.
Desert Camp with Camels on the Dhofar Mountain Range
Desert camping with camels on the Dhofar mountain range.
Souly Eco Lodge
Souly Eco Lodges have all the comforts you'll need after a week in the mountains. They are equipped with huge beachside ocean panoramic windows and an open-air shower built from natural stones.
The rooms are furnished with twin beds and include air conditioning along with a mini bar. Each bungalow offers comfortable seating poufs inside and handmade wooden chairs on the veranda.
To give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sun, we also provide you with sun-chairs and umbrellas.
Twin Share.
START
Salalah Airport
END
Salalah Airport
Sean
A former officer in the British Royal Marines, he also served in the Royal Army of Oman's Desert Regiment for 3 years in the 1990s. Since leaving the armed forces, he has worked globally as a professional expedition leader, risk management consultant and development director in the NGO sector, setting up on-the-ground community and environmental projects in Africa, Central and South America and Borneo.
Expert Guides
Friendly, local, English-speaking and highly knowledgable
Accommodation
1 night in a hotel and 6 nights in desert tents
Delicious Meals
Whatever your dietary needs - healthy, delicious meals will be provided throughout, except where made explicit in the itinerary
Transfers
We put on transfer to and from Salalah International Airport
Equipment
Everything you need for camping will be provided
Transformative Experience
Through collective achievement and giving back to the places we visit
A full kit list is available on request and will be sent to all guests ahead of travel. In short, it includes:
It is a requirement of travelling with us that you take out personal travel and accident insurance. In the unlikely event of an emergency, this will cover you for any need of evacuation as well as medical attention.
This is dependent on what country you are a resident of and where you are travelling from. Please check visa HQ for more details. (https://www.visahq.co.uk/)
Regular travel insurance that will cover medical evacuation and hospitalization in the unlikely event of a fracture or similar. Also desirable is coverage for missed flights, lost luggage and similar events.
Our Oman adventure requires 4 people to go ahead. Please book when you're ready but hold off from purchasing flights until we confirm the trip. We will do this at least 90 days prior to the trip.
If you are a group of over 4 people, please get in touch to organise a bespoke trip by clicking here.