Extreme Oman: from the Green Mountain to the Dunes and the Turtle Reserve
Nine days of extreme adventure in Oman: trekking on Jebel Akhdar, ascent to the summit of Jebel Shams, swimming in the canyons of Wadi Bani Khalid, extreme dune bashing in the Sharqiya Sands and a night trek to the turtle reserve of Ras al Jinz.
Description
Oman offers extreme adventure terrain that pairs vertical mountains with endless deserts and hidden canyons. This 9-day itinerary is built for travelers in excellent physical shape. It starts in Muscat, from where you climb to Jebel Akhdar — the Green Mountain — for high-altitude trekking among rose and pomegranate terraces at 2,000 m. The route continues to the summit of Jebel Shams (3,009 m), the roof of Oman, by goat trails with 1,000 m precipices. Water arrives at Wadi Bani Khalid, an oasis with turquoise pools for swimming between the canyons. In the Sharqiya Sands the dunes reach 200 meters and the dune bashing is extreme: vertical drops, sand crests and remote camps. The journey culminates at Ras al Jinz, the nature reserve where green turtles nest on protected beaches: a guided night trek lets you watch the egg-laying from just meters away. Lodging in remote camps and mountain shelters. 4x4 mandatory.
Health & safety
- Heat in the Sharqiya Sands can cause heatstroke: carry at least 4 litres of water per person per day
- Venomous desert snakes: check your footwear before putting it on
- Mountain rescue insurance is mandatory for Jebel Shams
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Muscat and ascent of Jebel Akhdar
Muscat
Arrival in Muscat and ascent of Jebel Akhdar
Flight to Muscat. Immediate 4x4 transfer to Jebel Akhdar — the Green Mountain. Elevation 2,000 m.
4x4 ascent of Jebel Akhdar
Sports3hMountain-lamb dinner
gastronomy1hTrekking the Green Mountain
Jebel Akhdar
Trekking the Green Mountain
Full day trekking the Green Mountain. Terraces of damask roses, abandoned villages and hanging wadis.
Trekking the terraces of Jebel Akhdar
Sports6hExploring the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib
Culture2hAscent of the Jebel Shams summit
Jebel Shams
Ascent of the Jebel Shams summit
Extreme ascent to the summit of Jebel Shams (3,009 m) — the highest point in Oman. Goat route with 1,000-m drops.
Summit ascent of Jebel Shams
Sports8hBivouac on the summit
Rest1hDescent and transfer to Wadi Bani Khalid
Wadi Bani Khalid
Descent and transfer to Wadi Bani Khalid
Down from the Hajar massif. Transfer east to the oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid.
Descent of Jebel Shams' southern face
Sports4hSwimming in the pools of Wadi Bani Khalid
Nature3hSharqiya Sands: extreme dune bashing
Sharqiya Sands
Sharqiya Sands: extreme dune bashing
Entering the Sharqiya Sands desert. Extreme dune bashing over 200-meter dunes. Night in a remote camp.
Extreme dune bashing
Sports4hSandboarding the giant dunes
Sports2hNight in a remote Bedouin camp
Rest1hSunrise in the desert and crossing
Sharqiya Sands
Sunrise in the desert and crossing
Sunrise over the dunes. 4x4 crossing of Oman's Empty Quarter down to the coast.
Golden-hour sunrise on the dunes
Nature1hDesert-to-coast crossing
Sports4hRas al Jinz: the turtle reserve
Ras al Jinz
Ras al Jinz: the turtle reserve
Arrival at the Ras al Jinz nature reserve. Guided night trek to watch green turtles laying their eggs.
Night trek on the turtle beach
Nature3hHatchling observatory, if lucky
Nature1hCoast of Sur and shipyards
Sur
Coast of Sur and shipyards
Exploring Sur's coast. Dhow shipyard and the Sunaysilah Fort on the coastal heights.
Visit to Sur's traditional shipyard
Culture2hAscent of Sunaysilah Fort
Sports2hReturn to Muscat
Muscat
Return to Muscat
Coastal drive back to Muscat. Last dinner at the Muttrah souk and flight.
Coastal route Sur-Muscat
Nature3hNew destinations and itineraries, by email
Subscribe to receive newly published destinations and itineraries, plus seasonal travel ideas. One email, only when there is news.