Oman
Omani walks, between nature and culture
Réf : PODECONFX
In summary
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Sports
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Duration9 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationMiddle East / Oman
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions3245.77 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
This itinerary, punctuated by rural villages and diverse visits, allows us to experience an authentic and unspoiled Oman, while offering comfortable accommodations. The Sultanate of Oman opens the doors to a different side of the Middle East. The gentle pace of life, the hospitality of the Omani people, the tolerance inherited from an ancient history of maritime trade with Asia and Africa, and the variety of landscapes make Oman a prime winter destination. This discovery trip takes us from the Jebel Akhdar mountain range, where we visit the Misfat oasis and the city of Nizwa, to the wadis with their turquoise and crystal-clear waters, including a brief immersion in the Wahiba Sands desert dunes.
The highlights
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An itinerary combining comfortable accommodations and beautiful walks accessible to all.
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The Wahiba desert and its sublime starry nights (in a comfortable camp).
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Walks and swims in the superb Omani canyons and wadis.
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
The expert's opinion
1 to 3 hours of walking or physical activity per day. This trip is accessible to everyone; no specific training is required.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 42 m
- Average daily descent: 42 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
English
French
English
Supervisor
Supervisor
Airport pick-up is provided by your French-speaking guide or an English-speaking member of the local team.
During your trip, you will be accompanied by a French-speaking tour guide. They have been chosen for their extensive field experience, their specific knowledge of the geographical area and its culture, and their passion for sharing the country. In most cases, they are not Omani but a regional Arabic-speaking guide, due to the lack of a trekking guide training school in Oman. Your guide is assisted by English-speaking Omani drivers.
The guides are versatile and can handle everything from leading the trip and driving to cooking. They have a particularly heavy workload and would appreciate any participation and help with their tasks, such as helping to load the 4x4s or prepare picnics. This is what often happens spontaneously in our groups, but it doesn't hurt to let us know so you can be prepared.
Program
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Flight to Muscat.
- Transportation Plane - 07h - 5026km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Flight to Muscat. Depending on your arrival time (some flights are overnight), you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, or you will depart directly for the tour. Meals are not included in the city.Day 1 -
Muscat - Wadi Bani Awf
- Transportation Car - 03h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, we visit the Mutrah fish market. Fishing is one of Oman's main economic activities. Next, we visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, inaugurated in 2002, built using both modern techniques and traditional craftsmanship. Then we head north towards the Hajar Mountains. We visit the little-known but beautiful Al Hazm Fort and the small town of Rustaq, with the mountains and their impressive brown cliffs as a backdrop. In the late afternoon, we reach the Bani Awf Valley and our guesthouse in Bait Bimah.Day 2 -
Bilad Sayt village - Misfat palm grove
- Transportation Car - 03h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our journey to the village of Bilad Sayt, surrounded by its gardens and palm groves. We hike through this beautiful landscape. Following the track, we reach the Sharaf Pass and descend the southern slopes of the Hajar Mountains. We visit the palm grove village of Misfat Al Abreyeen, a magnificent oasis perched above two wide ravines. The lushness of the palm grove contrasts sharply with the aridity of the mountains. This is thanks to the countless irrigation channels that meander between the orchards, pass under the rock, and span a small gorge. These are called "Falajs," and we follow them for a pleasant, refreshing, and enjoyable hike. We spend the night in a traditional old house in the heart of the village.Day 3 -
Village of Al Hamra - Al Hoota Cave - Nizwa
- Transportation Car - 02h - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of discovering Omani heritage and society. Early in the morning, we depart for the town of Al Hamra, strolling through the palm grove and the old mud-brick village. We then continue to Al Hoota Cave, a geological wonder estimated to be over 2 million years old. It is the only cave open to the public on the Arabian Peninsula, with a total length of approximately 4.5 kilometers, of which only 500 meters are easily accessible. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we transfer to the city of Nizwa, the country's former capital and a center of learning for the Sultanate. We will visit the city fort, masterfully restored; this citadel is one of the most impressive and interesting in the entire country. The foundations of the current structure date back to the mid-17th century, when the fort was built under the patronage of Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'rubi. Evening stroll through the souks and the old center of Nizwa. Overnight stay at the hotel.Day 4 -
Nizwa - Birkat al Mawz - Wahiba Desert
- Transportation Car - 03h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning we set off to visit the Birkat Al Mawz palm grove, also known as "the banana lake." We have a splendid view of the banana plantation and date palms, with a fortified village built in tiers on the hillside. Some of these ochre-colored earth houses have been restored and adorned with beautiful carved wooden doors. A falaj (irrigation channel) runs through the village, supplying water to the surrounding palm groves. In the late afternoon, we head out to immerse ourselves in the vast ochre dunes of the Wahiba Sands desert and spend the night in a charming traditional camp in the heart of the desert for a truly memorable experience.Day 5 -
Wahibas - Wadi Bani Khaled - City of Sur
- Transportation Car - 02h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An early start for a pleasant walk in the dunes to enjoy the beautiful morning light. We then travel in our 4x4s to the foothills of the Eastern Hajar Mountains and the Bani Khaled Valley, a truly exceptional natural site. Our hike takes us through Wadi Bani Khaled along a route winding between rocky outcrops, following the river's edge, until we reach beautiful pools perfect for a swim. We enjoy a picnic lunch by the water before the gentle climb back up. We arrive in the town of Sur in the late afternoon and check into our hotel.Day 6 -
On - Wadi Shaab - Return to Muscat
- Transportation Car - 02h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning, we explore the city of Sur, its fish market, and the dhow workshop, where these traditional boats of the Middle East and the Indian Ocean are built. After lunch, we set off on a beautiful hike in Wadi Shab, with its canyons of ochre cliffs, white rocks, and turquoise and green pools. We follow trails and falajs (traditional paths), stopping for swims and a shaded picnic. Return to Muscat, then a visit to the Mutrah souks. Dinner at your leisure.Day 7 -
Free time to explore Muscat and return
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free time to explore Muscat, a short trip to the beach, a stroll through the souk... Meals at your leisure before the evening transfer to the airport.Day 8 -
Arrival in France
- Transportation Plane - 07h - 5000km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Early morning arrival in France.Day 9
Note
The route, distances, and walking times are approximate. They may be modified depending on trail conditions, weather, and the group's pace. In such cases, our experience in the field will guide us in choosing the best solution for your safety and that of the group.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Muscat
Day 1
: 00h00
End of stay
Muscat
Day 9
- 00h00
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isMCT - Muscat - Aéroport International de Muscat
Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may be able to modify this flight plan to offer a more convenient option, directly to Istanbul. There is also a direct flight from Paris to Oman, at an additional cost. For any of these adjustments, please consult your travel advisor.
If there are no more available flights on Turkish Airlines, we often use excellent airlines from the Gulf countries, which are punctual and comfortable (example: Gulf Air, Emirates and Oman Air).
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- The round-trip flight Paris / Muscat
- Local transfers
- Entrances to the sites
- Accommodation
- Full board except in Muscat
- The team of drivers
- A French-speaking tour guide
The price does not include
- Visa fees (see "Visa" section)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- Meals in Muscat (approximately 2 meals, €15 per meal)
- A tip for your tour guide and local team (at your discretion).
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Individual and group cooking equipment and group bivouac equipment are provided by us.
Equipment to bring
- Sunscreen cream for face and lips
- 1.5 L water bottle
- Packet of tissues
- Hand sanitizing gel or disinfectant wipes
- Mosquito repellent spray for skin and clothing
- A roll of toilet paper
- A lighter
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner.
- Headlamp + spare batteries (always useful).
- Lightweight bath towel.
- Knife (don't forget to put it in your checked baggage on the plane).
- Toiletry bag and bath towel
There is no need for a sleeping bag on this trip.
Clothing to bring
Clothing, from head to toe:
- Walking shoes: high or low-cut, as you prefer, but with good soles. Avoid new shoes, as blisters could ruin your trip: if necessary, try to break them in before you leave.
- Lightweight shoes or sandals are recommended for walking through towns and villages, during transfers, or in the evenings at camp. Sandals, which offer good ventilation, are ideal when the weather permits. These shoes should be brought in addition to your hiking boots.
- Shoes or sandals that can go in the water, for wadi crossings, like old sneakers.
- Lightweight socks for daytime and warm (wool or looped) socks for evenings at altitude.
- Trousers in cotton or lightweight material
- Swimsuit. Please note that in some areas it is advisable to cover up for swimming: bring shorts and a T-shirt to go in the water.
- Polar
- Gore-tex type jacket for rain, wind and cold.
- Hat or cap, and/or a shemagh: the first two offer the advantage of also protecting your face from the sun, which the shemagh (long veil scarf) does not do: the latter is on the other hand very useful for protecting yourself from the cold, the heat, the sand and the wind.
- Category 3 sunglasses
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1437 reviews)
• 436 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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