Oman: The sands of the wahiba desert
From 2.777 €

Oman: The sands of the wahiba desert

Holidays package
Created: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Ref ID: 21043886
prezzo del pacchetto per persona From
2.777 €
Based on 2 adults
Created: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Itinerary
Tours

Day 1: Muscat

Join us to discover the desert of Oman on horseback. We will start from Muscat, the capital city, which lies on the Gulf of Oman and is surrounded by mountains and desert. With a history dating back to ancient times, the city combines modern shopping centers with monuments built atop cliffs, such as the Portuguese forts of Al Jalali and Mirani (16th century), overlooking the harbor and the modern Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, clad in marble.
From here, we will reach the Wahiba Sands Desert, covering 10,000 km² of sand, stretching across Oman’s interior, just 200 km southeast of Muscat.
You will find yourself in a magical sea of golden sand, with dunes constantly shaped by the wind, reaching up to 200 meters high. Exploring the Omani desert on horseback—also called Sharqiya Sands, meaning “the sands of the Sharqiya Region”—means immersing yourself in a fascinating natural environment far removed from our everyday world.
This is a land of great equestrian tradition, where the elegant Arabian horse reigns supreme—an adventure far from the West, where close contact with ancient Bedouin cultures will allow you to experience the deep-rooted history of a land whose past dates back to the 3rd century BC.

ITALY / MUSCAT (-/-/-)
Upon arrival at Muscat International Airport (MCT), meet our local representative and transfer to your 4-star hotel located in the old city.
If arrival time allows, we will visit the Mutrah Souq (“Al Dhalam Souq”), one of the oldest in the Arab world, the Grand Mosque, the Sultan’s Palace (Al Alam Palace), and the Portuguese Fort.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at Hotel Al Falaj Mutrah (or similar).


Day 2: Muscat

MUSCAT / WAHIBA DESERT (B/L/D)
Scenic drive with stops at Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, and Sur (Dhow Museum). Arrival at the desert camp.


Day 3: Muscat

WAHIBA DESERT (B/L/D)
Meet your horses and the Bedouins, owners and breeders who will accompany you during the next few days. Oman has a rich tradition of flat racing and tent pegging, and the Sultanate is home to a proud equestrian people who deeply respect their animals, considered part of the family.
Horses will be assigned to each rider for this adventure. For the next four days, you will ride approximately 4 hours per day across the Wahiba Desert, named after the Bedouin tribes who inhabit it.
This will be an adventure into the vastness of a wind-sculpted desert—10,000 km² of golden sand, far from everything and everyone. You will meet Bedouin tribes, whose houses are covered with palm leaves (unlike the Bedouins of Jordan, who use tents). Camel breeding is very active here, and prices for racing camels can become extremely high, especially those competing in the neighboring Emirates.
Meals and overnight at the comfort tented camp.


Day 4: Muscat

WAHIBA DESERT (B/L/D)
Horseback riding in the desert. Overnight in tented camp.


Day 5: Muscat

WAHIBA DESERT (B/L/D)
Horseback riding in the desert. Overnight in tented camp.


Day 6: Muscat

WAHIBA DESERT (B/L/D)
Horseback riding in the desert. Overnight in tented camp.


Day 7: Muscat

WAHIBA DESERT / NIZWA / MUSCAT (B/L/-)
Departure to Nizwa, the old capital and main inland city, once the first capital of Oman. Located at the southern edge of the Hajar Mountains, Oman’s highest range, this oasis city is surrounded by vast gardens and palm groves dominated by an ancient fort, home to Oman’s largest tower (40 m in diameter, 20 m high).
The Falaj irrigation channels, built more than 500 years ago, bring water to the oasis. In its large souq, you can admire traditional silver jewelry and local handicrafts.
Lunch in Al Hamra or Misfah, two typical villages at the foot of the mountains.
After Nizwa, we will return to Muscat (about 2 hours’ drive). Arrival in the capital for the last night.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Al Falaj Mutrah (or similar).


Day 8:

MUSCAT / ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in time for your return flight to Italy.
Alternatively, you can add an extra night in Muscat with full board and transfer to the coastal town of Barka, south of the capital, where you can discover the long beach on horseback. Departure for the airport the following morning.

Note:
The itinerary described above is indicative and may be subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
Non-riders are also welcome to participate, joining trekking or camel-riding activities during the day and reuniting with the group in the evening.

(B/L/D): B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°

DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel + tented camp
EQUIPMENT: English Wintec saddle
HORSES: Purebred Arabian or Anglo-Arabian, selected for endurance and adaptability to desert temperatures
PACE: 4–5 hours per day on horseback (approx. 30 km). All three gaits: walking is the main pace, with trots and canters where sand allows. Riders are expected to saddle and unsaddle their own horses.
For safety reasons, helmets are mandatory, and riders must respect the pace set by the leading guide, who knows the terrain.
WHAT TO BRING:
Riding clothing, lightweight cotton long-sleeved shirts to avoid sunburn, warmer layers for cool desert nights, helmet, sunscreen, basic first-aid kit, and headlamp.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 80 kg
TYPE: Semi-itinerant with overnight stays in hotels + “comfort” tented camps

ACCOMMODATION:
Night 1: Hotel Al Falaj 4* in Muscat (or similar)
Nights 2–6: Comfort tented camp with bathroom in the desert
Night 7: Hotel Al Falaj 4* in Muscat (or similar)

Meals prepared by a local cook using fresh traditional ingredients. Water always available.
Alcohol consumption is prohibited.


Departure dates on request, with a minimum of 4 participants during January, February, March, October, November, and December.
Group size: Min 4 – Max 8

SUPPLEMENTS AND REDUCTIONS:
Price per person (double room, 8-night itinerary): EUR 3,590
Single supplement (8 nights): EUR 510
Supplement for 2-person departure: On request

prezzo del pacchetto per persona From
2.777 €
Based on 2 adults
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This idea includes
Destinations 1
Accommodations 4
Tours 1
Tour summary
Guide languages
English
Included
All transfers by means of transport as per the program
All meals as per the program (water included)
2 nights in a 4* hotel in Muscat
5 nights in a comfort tented camp
5 days of horseback riding (approximately 4-6 hours per day)
Horses and equipment provided
Expert local guide speaking English
Basic insurance for medical assistance, repatriation, and baggage damage
Excluded
Flights to/from Muscat
Meals not mentioned, airport taxes, drinks, tips, personal extras
Tips
Alcoholic beverages and drinks in hotels
Everything not listed under "The price includes"
Supplemental or cancellation insurance
Accommodation
- Hotel Al Falaj 4 stelle
- Campo tendato
- Casa tipica
- Hotel Al Mouj 4 stelle