Wahiba Sands Grand Tour
The North-South route in Wahiba Sands is a trail that runs ride through the heart of the Wahiba Sands desert in Oman. It is a challenging route that requires experienced riding skills, as it involves navigating over soft sand dunes and crossing dry riverbeds, riding at varying pace.
The route is approximately 150 kilometers long and takes about five days to complete. It starts from the village of Al Wasil in the north and ends at the town of Al Duqm in the south. Along the way, travelers will pass through stunning desert landscapes, including towering sand dunes, rugged canyons, and Bedouin settlements.
Travelers on the North-South route will need to be prepared for a rugged and adventurous journey. They should bring plenty of water, food, and camping gear, as there are no amenities or facilities along the way.
Despite its challenges, the North-South route is a must-see destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers looking to explore the stunning beauty of Oman’s desert landscape.
Information
6 night trip
ADCRC departure: 18.-24. December 2023
Camels available: 6
Operator: Abdullah Al Wahebi
Where: Wahiba Sands, Oman
When: Mid-October to mid-March (depending also on Ramadan)
Riding level: for ADCRC departures, prior riding experience is a must.
For private groups, no experience is needed
Weight limit: Maximum of 90kg / 198lbs
Time in the saddle: 6 plus hours per day
Camels
Abdullah’s camels are all raised by him. Some he knows for longer than 20 years. They are well mannered, kind, eager walkers, and impress with their fearlessness of tall and steep dunes.
Some of the camels are still being used in the traditional camel skill presentation called Ardha.
Overnight, he lets the camels roam and graze, they will stay in the area, but it could take him up to an hour to wind them up again. Experienced riders are expected to help saddling.
Omani riding gear is similar to the Emirati gear, meaning camels are tacked up to form a seat behind the saddle. Omani pro riders ride with much thinner layers so they can ride kneeling or with one leg over.
The camels respond well to fabric halters.
Accommodation
The nights will be spent in different semi-permanent camps, with tents on sharing basis, up to 5 guests per tent, divided by gender.
All participants will be sleeping on mattresses on the floor with thick colorful blankets, typical to this region.
There is no electricity to charge phones and gadgets, so we recommend bringing sufficient power banks, solar powered chargers, or reduce usage of electronic devices.
Inclusions
Accommodation in tents, camels, all meals and drinks (strictly non alcoholic), bilingual guide (English & Arabic), tips
Excluded
The price does not include international or domestic flights, ,transfers, travel insurance and visa costs.
Full medical and holiday insurance is required to join the ride.
Transfers
Transfers from Muscat. We can help arranging for that.
For ADCRC departures from Dubai, UAE, we can help coordinate carpooling options prior to the trip. The trip to and from Bidiya remains participant responsibility.
Meals
Overall, the meals in Oman are flavorful, wholesome, and nourishing, and offer a delicious taste of the Bedouin culture and way of life. The meals on this trip are home cooked and will be sent out to the desert in typical silver insulated pots.
Breakfast includes eggs, bread, beans, coffee and tea.
For lunch expect to eat light, as you’ll be traveling in the middle of the desert, though the packed lunches will be enough to keep you going for the second half of the day.
Evening meals are freshly cooked and represent Omani cuisine, often with meat or chicken. Vegetarian options might be limited. There will be lots of rice served, and of course the desert staple: dates.
Make sure to try the different types of tea in the morning and the evening.
Packing list
We recommend long, light colored (linen) shirts, traditional jalabiyas and kandooras, or anything that blends in well, with the stunning landscapes, covers your skin from the strong sun, and makes it easy for you to sit on the camel and on carpets to have meals. Riding pants, are recommended or any type of pants that does not have a high synthetic material content, to avoid sliding on the camel.
To protect your head, it is recommended to wear a sheila, or safra, head scarf. Footwear can be either barefoot, or sandals, that are fixed to the foot to avoid falling off while riding.
The nights in the desert can get rather chilly, so do include a pair of socks, and a warm jacket for the evenings.
Accommodation
tents
Prices and Availability
Wadi Rum Discovery welcomes guests almost all year round for a different types of adventures, including shorter trips, or desert explorations by car. Reach out to us for a customized journey.
Maximum group size of eight and minimum of two. You can join a group without riding and you will be transferred from camp to camp with the support vehicle.
ADCRC Departure:
We have special departures for solo travellers, couples or pairs of friends that would like to ride.
18-24 December 2023
AED 4,125 per person / 7 Nights / 6 Days / Six Riders
Fill in an obligation free Rider Form to book and we will get back to you with more information.
Day one is about getting to know your Omani guides Abdullah and Hazza, as well as the camels of course.
The starting point is the family’s house where the unmissable Omani coffee and dates are served.
The first step of this trip on camels will begin by introducing you to the camels and their names the first ride until lunch time, followed by a short rest and relaxation in the shade of one of the oasis trees on the road, then will continue the second period of the trip for this day, which stops before sunset, at private camp, today you cross first 18 km.
The local guides will prepare the traditional dinner while you end your day enjoying watching the sunset.
There is no better end to this evening than gathering around the campfire with cup of traditional tea, then getting ready for bed to prepare yourself for a new adventure on the second day of the trip.
Early morning, sunrise, a new day, breakfast, helps prepare the camels and get ready for this day’s journey.
You will continue riding till lunch time, break to short relax and then continue again until before sunset , the guides prepare the camp for the overnight and dinner, gathering around the campfire, exchanging conversations, and laying down to watch the stars that shine. in the sky.
The program will be similar for the next four days, with passing through many Bedouin communities who live in this area, as well as passing through to visit the Grand Mosque that was recently built in the middle of the Wahiba desert. On day 7 the camel convoy will arrive at the shore of the Arabian Sea during the noon time, and there will be a resting time on the beach to regain activity after this trip for a distance of approximately 165 km.
Rise early, make sure you are able to saddle the camel now on your own, help break down the tents, and pack up for another day under the sun.
Rides continue until a lunch break, and the second leg of the day from lunch to evening.
Make sure you observe your camel, the environment, and take it all in. It is special to be disconnected from elements of civilization for a while.
Slowly, getting closer to the shore. By the evening of Day 4, you should have already covered nearly 100 kms.
What seemed long and far away, is suddenly near. This is your second to last day of riding and you can’t help to think you wish it wasn’t nearing the end of the trip.
Shortest day, to arrive at the beach.
Congratulations, you crossed the entire Wahiba Sands.
There will be a car waiting to give you a ride back to Bidiya.
Arabic 
English 
