Pearl of Islam March 13 - 19, 2019 - Pure Wild Adventures

Oman
Pearl of Islam

  March 13 - 19, 2019

True Arabian Adventure

Welcome to a land of breathtaking natural beauty, of rich cultural heritage, and the
potential for infinite adventure.

The crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Oman, fine sands of the Wahiba Desert, and the
majestic Hajar Mountains are the playground for this ‚true‘ Arabian adventure.

On a private itinerary guided by Omani friends you will get up close and experience the
country’s spectacular Geography from the locals’ point of view.

The journey at a glance

Day 1 Arrival in Mascat / The Chedi
Transfer Airport to Chedi. Easy day kayaking/snorkeling. Cultural highlights of Mascat

Day 2 Trekking Ras Abu Daud / Selma Mountain Camp
Boat transfer to drop off point for our coastal trek with lunch by the Sea

Day 3 Khaf Thary Caving/ Selma Mountain Camp
Full day caving adventure exploring the largest surveyed cave system of Oman

Day 4 Canyoning/ Wahiba Sands Desert Camp
5 hour Canyoning tour of Wadi Bani Khalid and transfer to Wahiba Sands desert camp

Day 5 Cultural Day/ Alila Jabal Akhdar
Sunrise trek in the Dunes followed by cultural day making our way up to the Alila

Day 6 Trekking & Via Ferrata / Alila Jabal Akhdar
Full day excursion in the Hajar Mountains with Via Ferrata adventure

Day 7 Morning Yoga / Transfer to Mascat / Departure

Activity Log

Kayak / Snorkeling
Experience    enjoying the crystal clear waters of the Oman Gulf
Challenge     Relaxed day at the start of our adventure
Trip          afternoon
Rating        easy

Coastal Hiking

Experience      hiking along the scenic coastline South of Mascat
Challenge       varying terrain, otherwise very manageable
Trip            4 to 5 hrs total
Rating          moderate

Caving
Experience      explore a magnificent cave system
Challenge       trek/scramble under ground with Abseil
Trip            9+ hours total - over 6 h in the cave
Rating          demanding

Canyoning
Experience    swimming, scrambling, jumping through beautiful
        scenery in crystal warm waters
Challenge     duration, some higher jumps (you can avoid)
Trip          4 - 5 hours
Rating        moderate to demanding

Mountain Hike / Via Ferrata
Experience   beautiful trek through spectacular landscapes
Challenge    depending on fear of heights?
Trip         5 hrs
Rating       moderate

Culture Day
Experience      first hand insights in ancient and current Omani
                culture visiting families, markets and cultural sites
Trip            5 hrs en route from desert to to Hajar Mountains
Rating          -

The stages of our journey

Arrival in Mascat, The Chedi, Day 1

Morning arrival and private transfer from the airport to The Chedi Muscat. After settling in
to your luxurious hotel room, meet and greet with a light lunch served in the garden.

In the afternoon we set out to a relaxed Kayaking and snorkeling excursion in the beautiful
waters at Bandar Khirain. Changing tents will be provided on the beach.

On our way back to the Chedi we visit old Muscat and the Muttrah Souk, a magical,
absorbing labyrinth of narrow, perfume-laden alleyways with colorful little shops where it’s
possible to buy gold, frankincense and myrrh all under a single roof.

Our welcome dinner is celebrated at the Chedi before we embark on our Arabian
adventure the next morning.

From Sea to Sky, Selma Mountain Camp, Day 2

The day begins early with a water transfer on a private speed boat from the marina to our
drop off point past Sifah to the South-East of Mascat. From there we start our scenic trek
along the Gulf coast.

En route we will break for a delicious seaside lunch. After reaching the small fishing town
of Quriyat, we continue by car for the transfer up the steep road to the Selma Plateau.

Hot showers, snacks and sundowners followed by a 3 course dinner in our private
mountain camp will end the first full day of our Arabian adventure.

Caving, Selma Mountain Camp, Day 3

Today we embark on an activity unique to Oman, whose vast Mountain ranges made up of
soft limestone feature some of the world’s most spectacular caves.

After a 90 minute trek to Khaf Thary, the walk-in entrance of the region’s largest surveyed
cave system, we head for a 5 hour round-trip through magnificent large cave chambers,
and if time allows, include the spectacular Crystal Chamber. This part will involve some
rope work with a 5m abseil on the way.

Once back at the the exit we make our way back to camp for a well deserved dinner after
a long day of exploring the under ground wonders Oman has to offer.

Canyoning, Wahiba Sands Desert Camp, Day 4

We rise with the sun to get an early start and transfer in 4x4 vehicles to Wadi Bani Khalid
one of the many ancient river beds that flow down from the mountains.

Ahead of us lie 6 Km and roughly 4 hours canyoning in crystal clear, cool waters and
through beautiful mountain scenery. The route is a mix of swimming, scrambling, sliding
and includes some impressive jumps.

At the end of the trek we change rhythm as we transfer out of the mountains and into the
desert where we stay in a private Bedouin style camp set up for us in the Wahiba Sands.

After settling in we enjoy the mystic atmosphere at sunset and the music of an Omani
Band playing over snacks and dinner.

Cultural day, Alila Jabal Akhdar, Day 5

After 2 long days of challenging and spectacular activities we spend more of a relaxed day,
perhaps starting with a sunrise trek in the dunes. After breakfast we will be leaving the
Wahiba Sands to visit local villages and Bedouin communities as we make our way for the
impressive West Hajar Mountain range.

The journey takes us via Nizwa and Birkat Al Mauz, a serene data plantation and World
Heritage site where we will have lunch before continuing on to the Alila Jabal Akhdar,
where we arrive before sunset.

The hotel - our stylish home for the next 2 nights - is dramatically situated at 2000m
elevation at the edge of a deep canyon, where we will enjoy spectacular views, fresh
mountain air and over dinner discuss the last full day of activities ahead.

Trekking / Via Ferrata, Alila Jabal Akhdar, Day 6

After breakfast and a short safety briefing we gear up for our combined trekking and Via
Ferrata excursion into the awe-inspiring canyons below us.

The path leads steadily down into a wadi, passing some of the most spectacular mountain
scenery to the village of Al Khutaymi, hidden in a cave in the wadi floor. We continue
downward to discover the best swimming pool in the Green Mountain, where we can enjoy
a refreshing dip.

Not for the faint hearted, the Via Ferrata section involves the thrill of stepping out on ropes
20 metres above ground and traverse a cave mouth literally ending our Oman adventure
on a high.

A special farewell dinner prepared by the Chefs of the Alila’s Juniper restaurant will wrap
up our Arabian adventure across coast lines, deserts and mountains in some of the
harshest and breathtaking environments on Earth

Departure day, Day 7

After a sunrise Yoga session on the platform at the edge of the Canyon and another
delicious Alila breakfast, we transfer on 4x4 vehicles to the airport for our return flights
home (or an optional and spectacular beach encore to wind down).