{"id":21519,"date":"2018-10-08T15:42:32","date_gmt":"2018-10-08T14:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flashpacknew.wpengine.com\/adventure-trips\/oman-small-group-adventure-solo-travellers\/"},"modified":"2021-10-11T16:09:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T15:09:36","slug":"oman-small-group-adventure-solo-travellers","status":"publish","type":"trip","link":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/adventure-trips\/oman-small-group-adventure-solo-travellers\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore the wild frontiers of Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hike through Oman\u2019s very own Grand Canyon<\/span>, navigate the dunes of Wahiba Sands in a thrilling desert challenge and wild swim in turquoise pools<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":74793,"menu_order":325,"template":"","thumbnail_video":null,"checkout_hero_banner":null,"acf":[],"template_id":"na","duration":7,"trip_limit":8,"img_header":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMA-FeaturedImage-1352x1414-1-1120x620.jpg","continent":"Asia","country":"Oman","countries":["Oman"],"prices_between":{"gbp":{"min":"\u00a31949","max":"\u00a31949"},"eur":{"min":"\u20ac2299","max":"\u20ac2299"},"usd":{"min":"$2624","max":"$2629"},"cad":{"min":"$3599","max":"$3599"},"aud":{"min":"$3579","max":"$3589"},"nzd":{"min":"$3989","max":"$3999"},"hkd":{"min":"$19579","max":"$20479"},"aed":{"min":"DH9199","max":"DH9209"}},"about":"

The rich rewards of Oman come only to those who dare to travel differently.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coined ‘the Gulf’s undiscovered gem’ by Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveller; Oman’s unique wonders fall just under the mainstream radar, and you can really feel its beating Nomadic soul. On this trip, you’ll tackle the legendary Balcony Walk overlooking Oman\u2019s Grand Canyon and embark an off-road drive around hairpin bends to Mountain of the Sun, the highest peak in Oman.<\/p>\n

We’ll ask you to channel your inner explorer as you to navigate your own way to a Bedouin camp in Wahiba Sands desert, amid vast rolling dunes, and bed down beneath a blanket of stars. You’ll dune-bash in a convoy of 4x4s before wild swimming your way through the green pools of Oman\u2019s spectacular wadis, and waterfall-jump in a hidden turquoise grotto.<\/p>\n

Travel to Oman and you’ll return with stories no one you know can compare to. Really, isn’t that what adventure is all about?<\/p>\n","highlights":[],"lang":"us","trip_type":[],"hidden":true,"seasons":["spring","autumn","winter"],"scenery":["city","desert","mountain"],"activities":["hiking","local_culture"],"activity_level":["active"],"key_locations":"Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Hajar Mountains, Wadi Nakhr, Nizwa, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wahiba Sands desert, Wadi Shab","itinerary":[{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Arrive in Muscat Airport (MCT)","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"A sunset welcome and echoes of Muscat's call to prayer","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Welcome to Muscat. This enchanting port capital, with its low-rise buildings, colorful markets and traditional dhow boats, perfectly encapsulates a country that, in a region of boastful wealth, sits quietly confident in its identity and heritage. Check in to your hotel by the glistening Arabian Sea before meeting your group at sunset for a refreshing drink. Get to know your fellow travelers as you watch Muscat turn pink on the evening horizon, the moving sounds of the call to prayer echoing from nearby mosques. Later, you’ll go to a traditional Omani restaurant and enjoy Middle Eastern favorites such as Arabic bread and platefuls of wine-colored dates.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"A sunset welcome and echoes of Muscat's call to prayer","text":"

Welcome to Muscat. This enchanting port capital, with its low-rise buildings, colorful markets and traditional dhow boats, perfectly encapsulates a country that, in a region of boastful wealth, sits quietly confident in its identity and heritage. Check in to your hotel by the glistening Arabian Sea before meeting your group at sunset for a refreshing drink. Get to know your fellow travelers as you watch Muscat turn pink on the evening horizon, the moving sounds of the call to prayer echoing from nearby mosques. Later, you’ll go to a traditional Omani restaurant and enjoy Middle Eastern favorites such as Arabic bread and platefuls of wine-colored dates.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Arrive in Muscat Airport (MCT)","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary1-925x600.jpg"],"day":1},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Grand mosque & off-grid road trip","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"The grand mosque and a journey into the wilderness","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Today is a day of contrasts, taking you from man-made splendor to breath-taking natural landscapes. You’ll start at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a masterpiece in modern architecture with Swarovski crystal chandeliers and hand-carved mosaic tiling. Afterward, jump into 4x4s and start your off-road adventure through the remote Hajar Mountains, passing rose fields and tiny sandstone hamlets as you delve further into a stunning wilderness. Stop for lunch at Balad Sayt, a picturesque Arabian village hidden in the shadow of the pistes, and then continue over the spine of Hajar and onwards to Jebel Shams. Oman\u2019s highest peak looms at 3,000 meters, and your alpine retreat sits nearby on a craggy rock by Wadi Nakhr, Oman\u2019s very own Grand Canyon.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"The grand mosque and a journey into the wilderness","text":"

Today is a day of contrasts, taking you from man-made splendor to breath-taking natural landscapes. You’ll start at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a masterpiece in modern architecture with Swarovski crystal chandeliers and hand-carved mosaic tiling. Afterward, jump into 4x4s and start your off-road adventure through the remote Hajar Mountains, passing rose fields and tiny sandstone hamlets as you delve further into a stunning wilderness. Stop for lunch at Balad Sayt, a picturesque Arabian village hidden in the shadow of the pistes, and then continue over the spine of Hajar and onwards to Jebel Shams. Oman\u2019s highest peak looms at 3,000 meters, and your alpine retreat sits nearby on a craggy rock by Wadi Nakhr, Oman\u2019s very own Grand Canyon.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Grand mosque & off-grid road trip","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary2-560x310-3.jpg"],"day":2},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Hiking in Wadi Nakhr, Oman's Grand Canyon ","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"Embrace vertigo on the edge of Oman's Grand Canyon","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Load up on breakfast this morning before you tackle the world-famous balcony walk around the rim of Wadi Nakhr. This four-hour loop leads from Khateem village to the abandoned hamlet of As Sab and back via a pathway that bands around the spectacular edge of the ravine. With sheer rock faces above and below, these are scenes that will take your breath away. After an authentic lunch at a local guest house and a brief insight into village life, you\u2019ll jeep for an hour to Al Hamra and explore nearby Misfat al Abriyyi, a medieval-style village, before returning to your retreat at the foot of Jebel Shams.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"Embrace vertigo on the edge of Oman's Grand Canyon","text":"

Load up on breakfast this morning before you tackle the world-famous balcony walk around the rim of Wadi Nakhr. This four-hour loop leads from Khateem village to the abandoned hamlet of As Sab and back via a pathway that bands around the spectacular edge of the ravine. With sheer rock faces above and below, these are scenes that will take your breath away. After an authentic lunch at a local guest house and a brief insight into village life, you\u2019ll jeep for an hour to Al Hamra and explore nearby Misfat al Abriyyi, a medieval-style village, before returning to your retreat at the foot of Jebel Shams.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Hiking in Wadi Nakhr, Oman's Grand Canyon ","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary3-560x310-3.jpg"],"day":3},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Desert navigation challenge to find your camp","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"Navigate the shimmering dunes to your desert camp","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

After breakfast, you\u2019ll drive to the regional capital of Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in the Sultanate, where you\u2019ll stop off to explore a 17th-century fort that was once a crossroads for Omani traders. Then, you\u2019ll jeep two hours south to the vast Wahiba Sands desert. With its billowing drifts and golden light, Wahiba Sands is the magical land of nomadic explorers. At a certain point on the drive, your group will disembark the jeeps and be left to navigate your own way across the infinite horizon. Channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia as you clamber over rippling dunes, looking out for your Bedouin camp that sits an hour\u2019s walk away. You\u2019ll arrive feeling triumphant and just in time to see the burnished landscape shimmering red at sunset.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"Navigate the shimmering dunes to your desert camp","text":"

After breakfast, you\u2019ll drive to the regional capital of Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in the Sultanate, where you\u2019ll stop off to explore a 17th-century fort that was once a crossroads for Omani traders. Then, you\u2019ll jeep two hours south to the vast Wahiba Sands desert. With its billowing drifts and golden light, Wahiba Sands is the magical land of nomadic explorers. At a certain point on the drive, your group will disembark the jeeps and be left to navigate your own way across the infinite horizon. Channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia as you clamber over rippling dunes, looking out for your Bedouin camp that sits an hour\u2019s walk away. You\u2019ll arrive feeling triumphant and just in time to see the burnished landscape shimmering red at sunset.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Desert navigation challenge to find your camp","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary4-560x310-7.jpg"],"day":4},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Dune bashing in 4x4s","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"Fly full-throttle across the sand in a 4x4","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Watch the wide skies turn lavender and crimson this morning with an optional sunrise walk, before preparing yourself for dune-bashing. Once onboard your 4×4, you’ll down the dunes at full throttle, pitching and turning with the movement of the sand. The thrill you’ll feel as you fly across these endless landscapes will be hard to forget. Afterward, you’ll head over to Wadi Bani Khalid, a cooling oasis. Take a short hike through pinkish cliffs dotted with palm trees before arriving at a clear green wadi. Shake off the desert dust with a dip in secluded lagoons and leap from natural cliff platforms. An ideal way to settle the dune-bashing-induced adrenaline pumping through your veins.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"Fly full-throttle across the sand in a 4x4","text":"

Watch the wide skies turn lavender and crimson this morning with an optional sunrise walk, before preparing yourself for dune-bashing. Once onboard your 4×4, you’ll down the dunes at full throttle, pitching and turning with the movement of the sand. The thrill you’ll feel as you fly across these endless landscapes will be hard to forget. Afterward, you’ll head over to Wadi Bani Khalid, a cooling oasis. Take a short hike through pinkish cliffs dotted with palm trees before arriving at a clear green wadi. Shake off the desert dust with a dip in secluded lagoons and leap from natural cliff platforms. An ideal way to settle the dune-bashing-induced adrenaline pumping through your veins.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Dune bashing in 4x4s","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary5-560x310-2.jpg"],"day":5},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Wild swimming in hidden pools","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"WILD SWIM IN TURQUOISE WATERS AND HIDDEN CAVES","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Today you’ll hit Oman’s best-loved beauty spot: Wadi Shab. Take a boat over to the park followed by an hour’s trek through date plantations and palm groves. At the summit lies a hidden grotto that you can only access by swimming through a narrow ravine. If you’re not comfortable with the tight entrance, there are plenty of other pools to bask in nearby. Afterwards you’ll make your way back to Muscat and catch a ride with local fishermen to a secluded beach where you can relax on the sand or snorkel in the crystal clear waters.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"WILD SWIM IN TURQUOISE WATERS AND HIDDEN CAVES","text":"

Today you’ll hit Oman’s best-loved beauty spot: Wadi Shab. Take a boat over to the park followed by an hour’s trek through date plantations and palm groves. At the summit lies a hidden grotto that you can only access by swimming through a narrow ravine. If you’re not comfortable with the tight entrance, there are plenty of other pools to bask in nearby. Afterwards you’ll make your way back to Muscat and catch a ride with local fishermen to a secluded beach where you can relax on the sand or snorkel in the crystal clear waters.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Wild swimming in hidden pools","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary6-560x310.jpg"],"day":6},{"local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-snapshot":"Depart from Muscat Airport (MCT)","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-header":"Farewell, Oman","local-trip-detailed-itinerary-day-text":"

Today signals the end of your Arabian adventure, so after breakfast, it\u2019s time to make your own way back to the airport. If you\u2019re looking to extend your escape, take a look at our other adventures here<\/a> and find your perfect pairing.<\/p>\n","campaign_id":"","trip_highlight":false,"trip_highlight_strapline":"","quote":{"text":"","author":"","authorSocialUrl":"","date":null},"header":"Farewell, Oman","text":"

Today signals the end of your Arabian adventure, so after breakfast, it\u2019s time to make your own way back to the airport. If you\u2019re looking to extend your escape, take a look at our other adventures here<\/a> and find your perfect pairing.<\/p>\n","snapshot":"Depart from Muscat Airport (MCT)","images":["https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAitinerary7-560x310.jpg"],"day":7}],"alternative_itinerary":null,"theme":null,"gallery_uris":[],"trip_highlights":[],"included_highlights":[],"included":["a","e","g","t","m","b","l","t","Max. 14 people per trip","Everyone at a similar life stage","90% travel solo, 80% stay in touch"],"videos":[],"faqs":[{"question":"","answer":"Fly into and out of Muscat International Airport (MCT)\n"},{"question":"","answer":"Please aim to arrive by 4pm on Day 1, in time for our rooftop sundowners. You can depart anytime on Day 7\n"},{"question":"","answer":"You\u2019ll need a visa to visit Oman: check your country requirements and apply for a tourist visa before you travel\n"},{"question":"","answer":"Your passport needs to be valid for six months from the point of entry into Oman\n"},{"question":"","answer":"The hotels we stay at in Oman are often quite basic and not up to Flash Pack\u2019s usual high standards. If you have been on another Flash Pack adventure before, you may be surprised at the level of accommodation on this trip. However, rooms will always be clean and comfortable, and they are among the best available in the areas we visit. Also, they often boast spectacular locations (e.g. the summit of Jebel Shams, overlooking Oman\u2019s Grand Canyon)\n"},{"question":"","answer":"The Balcony walk at Jebel Shams is one of Oman\u2019s greatest walks. Although moderate in difficulty, the height and the vastness of the cliff edges make this an exciting challenge\n"},{"question":"","answer":"Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control \u2013 but we\u2019ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting\n"}],"hotels":[{"name":"Nomadic Desert Camp, Wahiba Sands","short_description":"Off-grid living in a Nomadic desert camp","description":"Exchange electricity and wifi for an authentic Bedouin retreat, sleeping in huts made from palm trees, showering alfresco and dining by candlelight.\n","image_url":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMAJebelshams-560x310.jpg","is_alternative":false},{"name":"Crowne Plaza Muscat, Oman","short_description":"Contemporary beach hotel by the rim of the Gulf of Oman","description":"Overlooking the sea, with a swimming pool and rows of neat sun loungers in-between, this is a prime spot for relaxing after exploring the gems of Muscat.\n","image_url":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMA-Crown-Plaza-Muscat.jpg","is_alternative":false},{"name":"Sama Heights Resort, Jebel Shams","short_description":"Rugged adventure lodge on the edge of Oman's Grand Canyon","description":"These rustic chalets, located at an altitude of 2,100 metres, will immerse you in Oman\u2019s raw natural beauty.\n","image_url":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/OMA-sama-heights-560x310-1.jpg","is_alternative":false}],"wellness_rooms":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trip\/21519"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trip"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/trip"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}