THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN - Easy walks, dolphins, sand dunes and adventure on this cultural holiday in Oman - KE Adventure Travel
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THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Easy walks, dolphins, sand dunes and adventure on this cultural holiday in Oman Walk the dramatic ‘Balcony Walk’ the Grand Canyon of Jebel Shams Dolphin-spotting boat trip, turtles on the beach and camels in the sands Walk by the pools and palm trees of Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid Experience proper desert & dunes in the Wahiba Sands, and an overnight in Nizwa HOLIDAY CODE WWW Oman, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 1 night guesthouse, 3 nights camping, 3 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners, max group size: 15, 3 day walks, wildlife watching (dolphins/whales/turtles), sightseeing VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 2 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Introduction Miles of empty beaches, hidden wadi pools, nesting turtles, endless desert, dramatic mountain ranges, welcoming people and year-round sunshine are some of the highlights on this super holiday in Oman. Our week starts in Muscat visiting the impressive Grand Mosque before an afternoon dolphin and whale spotting on the water. Heading south we have a short walk in the beautiful Wadi Shab with its idyllic pools, and a stop at the interesting traditional dhow (boat) building yard before driving to the turtle reserve at Ras al Hadd. With luck we'll see the females digging holes and laying their eggs, or see the baby turtles breaking through the sand by the light of the moon. We walk in the famous Wadi Bani Kahlid and then travel to the dreamlike landscape of dunes at Wahiba Sands. Wild camping in the dunes is a great experience and we can choose to sleep out under desert skies, looking out for shooting stars and roving satellites. The next stop on our loop is the oasis town of Nizwa where the colourful souks are a dream for souvenirs or just taking a look at the wares. Our final day takes us into Jebel Shams and we walk along the dramatic ‘Balcony Walk’ through the Grand Canyon of Oman. This is a great one-week holiday with short walks, minimal camping, high sunshine probability and lots of culture and adventure! Is this holiday for you? During this one-week holiday in Oman we have 3 short walks of between 2-4 hours. The walking terrain is a mix of well maintained trails, scree and bare rock, sand dunes and sections of stepped pathway passing ancient and abandoned villages. There is a little exposure on the Balcony Walk and their will be some boulders to clamber over in the wadi's. These are walks which are not technical or difficult and are to be enjoyed in a relaxed manner. We are likely to find day-time temperatures of between 25°C and 32°C or even a little higher and sun protection and adequate hydration are important considerations. The accommodation is a mix of hotels or lodges, a family guesthouse and three nights of wild camping. With our crew we set up our own tents/campsite, two campsites on the beach and one in the sand dunes. The experience of camping in these wild places is magical. Most people choose to sleep outside and not in the tent. All camping equipment, including sleeping bags are provided. The boat trip to see the dolphins and whales lasts around 2-3hours. Lifejackets/buoyancy aids are provided as well as expert guides. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Muscat. A single transfer from Muscat Airport is provided. Meet at the group hotel in Muscat. KE Land Only package services begin with the group transfer to the hotel. This transfer is normally late in the evening and a representative of our local agent will accompany the group on the short journey to the hotel. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL Day 2: Muscat city tour, afternoon dolphin & whale trip, transfer to wild beach camp. After breakfast we have a tour of Muscat starting with the Grand Mosque. Built by Sultan Qaboos in the 1990s this is a beautifully clean building and is one of the largest in the Gulf. We then visit the fish market and the Muttrah Souk, a great place to buy traditional items. After a quick lunch we board our boat for our dolphin and whale watching tour. Here in the Gulf of Oman there are many species of resident dolphins, and whales which migrate through from October to May. These fun loving creatures are beautiful as they dance with majestic elegance through the glistening warm waters. Back on land we transfer 1-2hrs along the coast to our wild beach camp. Here www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 3 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN our small crew will set up our tents in the sand dunes with stunning views over the ocean. We enjoy our dinner as we watch the last sunrays over the sparkling sea before getting tucked up in our sleeping bags. We can sleep under the stars if we wish. ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD Day 3: Visit Wadi Shab. Transfer south, dhow building yard, to Ras al Jinz to see turtles. Watching the sunrise and having a seaview breakfast we return inland to visit what is said to be one of the most gorgeous destinations in Oman, Wadi Shab. There are a number of these rocky valleys that penetrate inland from the coast and Wadi Shab is probably the most well known. Lined with palm trees and including a number of hidden pools ideal for swimming, this is a great place to relax for an hour or two. To reach the best of the swimming holes, we need to walk for approximately an hour. We have lunch by the pools and then return to meet our transport. Our journey continues southwards to the town of Sur, where we will stop for a fresh fruit juice and to visit the traditional dhow building yard. After another hour's drive, we reach our camping spot on the beach south of Al Hadd. In the evening, we will drive out to the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, where we can hopefully see the females digging their holes and laying eggs, up to 100, before returning to the sea. It is possible to see baby turtles breaking through the sand to the surface and heading to the sea by the light of the moon. To ensure that we do not disturb the turtles we must pay attention to our expert guides. A torch with a red filter is useful. Driving time approx. 1hr 30mins. ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD TIME 1 HR WALKING HOUR Day 4: Walk in Wadi Bani Khalid. After breakfast we pack our camp leave the coast and transfer (1-2hr) through the rust-red rock formations, zigzagging into the mountains to Wadi Bani Khalid. The walk today will be our most challenging, with some short steep ascents and descents, but our guide sets a steady pace with ample breaks to enjoy the palms and pools hidden around each corner of the wadi. Upon reaching one of the many vantage points we have glorious views back across the wadi. There will be plenty of time to have a swim in one of the pools which are fed by a natural spring and we enjoy our picnic lunch in the shade of a palm tree. We have all day in the wadi, so there is no rush. When we are ready we return to our vehicle and drive (approximately 45mins) to our accommodation. At our hotel we enjoy dinner and chat with what we have experienced during the day. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BLD TIME 2 - 3 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 5: The dramatic dunes of the Wahiba Sands. We set off for the drive to the Wahiba Sands, after around 30 mins we arrive at the edge of the desert and start our 4WD off-road drive across sands. The Wahiba Sands extend for some 140 kilometres by 80 kilometres and provide a real taste of the Arabian desert, with dunes rising to 150 metres and scattered encampments of the Bedouin who still manage to eke out a living here, wandering from waterhole to waterhole with their animals. We arrive mid- morning and have coffee and dates with the Bedouin. There is the opportunity to explore the dunes on camel back and to have fun interacting with the Bedouin family. It might also be possible to take a sandboard and try to surf the dunes. We make our camp nearby and have a sunset walk along the dunes. Tonight we enjoy the desert camp experience, sitting around the campfire and listening to stories. Finally, we retire to spend a night under the vast desert skies, watching for shooting stars. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 4 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD TIME 1 HR WALKING HOUR Day 6: The oasis town of Nizwa. We watch the sunrise and help pack up camp. With everything aboard our 4WD we set off for the 2-3 hr drive to Nizwa. Oman's former capital noted for its 17th century fort and atmospheric souks full of silversmiths. We have lunch on arrival and then we have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the town. It is surrounded by Oman's highest mountains and is thick with palm trees. We can visit the renovated fort, and the walk along the top of the walls is worth the effort. There is also a souk next to the fort which is always fun to explore and have some banter with the sellers. Our guide will advise us for a suitable local restaurant for dinner. Overnight Nizwa. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BL Day 7: Walk along the spectacular 'Balcony Walk'. Leaving the green oasis of Nizwa we wind our way into the mountains, and drive up the slopes of the Al Hajar Mountains and Jebel Akhdar. The highest point here is Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun) at around 3000m. Our 4WD vehicle stops lower than this and we set off on one of Oman's most amazing trails. From Al Kateen Village, we follow the 'Balcony Walk' along the mountain's edge to an abandoned village, which clings to the rocks and is completely hidden from view, both from above and from below. Just beyond the village, we can see the traditional farm terracing where locals used to produce their food and a short walk further takes us to the small lake that feeds the terracing. We will enjoy a picnic lunch before the walk back along the balcony trail offers more breathtaking views of the canyon. This is roughly a 4-hour walk, on easy terrain at around 2400 metres. After the walk, we set off in our 4WD vehicles down the mountain to the traditional mountain village of Misfah Al Abryeen, one of the prettiest in Oman. Perched on a rocky ridge beside a deep wadi and overlooking groves of date palms and numerous carefully irrigated, terraced gardens, this cluster of mud-brick houses is our home for the night. Roses are grown for the production of rose water in this area. After checking in at our traditional Omani guesthouse, we have time to explore the village and to take coffee and dates with the villagers. Total driving time approx. 1hrs 30mins ACCOMMODATION GUESTHOUSE MEALS BLD TIME 3 - 4 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Morning walk, return to Muscat, depart. Our last morning in Oman. Rising early we take advantage of the cool part of the day and enjoy a short walk in the area, through the farmed terraces and rocky jebels. We might also have some time to learn a little about the traditional way of life of the people of the Al Hajar Mountains. We can walk around the village on a well-made pathway that in places follows the meandering irrigation system or 'falaj'. Water is brought down into the village from a rocky gorge above and follows a channel either dug into the earth or constructed using mortar. Beautiful pockets of greenery are sustained in this way and, shaded by the date palms, these garden areas are cool and pleasant in the morning. The people here grow crops which include cereals and fruits such as almonds, walnuts, apricots, peaches, figs and pomegranates. We will also see evidence of some of the other aspects of village life such as the making and dyeing of goat-hair carpets. Saying goodbye to our guesthouse hosts we climb aboard our vehicles and transfer to Muscat (1-2hrs). Here we have the use of hotel facilities to freshen up before we can go out and enjoy our last Omani dinner in a local restaurant. KE land only package services end with a single-timed transfer to the airport. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 5 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN MEALS BL TIME 1 - 2 HRS WALKING HOUR Holiday Information What's Included • An experienced English speaking local guide • Single timed Muscat Airport transfers • All accommodation as described • Meals as per the Meal Plan • 4-wheel-drive vehicle support throughout the trip • Excursions as described • When camping a full service including food and all equipment (including sleeping bags) What's Not Included • Travel insurance • Oman Visa fee • Muscat Airport transfers (other than those described) • Meals as per the Meal Plan • Tips for local staff • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Joining Arrangements & Transfers A single group transfer will be arranged from Muscat Airport to the hotel in the city. This transfer will meet the arrival of the flight from the UK and will be late in the evening, of day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. At the end of the holiday there will be a single transfer from the group hotel to Muscat Airport timed for the flight departing at around midnight. A representative of our local agent will assist with the transfers. Clients should let us know if transfers are not required. Private airport transfers, at an additional cost, can be arranged if these group transfer do not coincide with your flights. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Meal Plan All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners are included. Dinner in Nizwa and on your last night in Muscat are the only not included meals and your guide will advise a suitable local Omani restaurant for these 2 nights. Dinner on arrival night is not included as the flights arrive late in the evening. Food & Water Oman’s geographical position between Asia, Europe and Africa has resulted in food that is has been influenced by each region over the centuries of trading. India brings spices and herbs while the Levant has resulted in humus and moutabel being common dishes. Oman’s former colonies in Africa - particularly Zanzibar, the spice island - show through in the mundazis and samosas. Fish is freshly caught all along Oman’s extensive coast and dates and kahwa serve as the perfect desert. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 6 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Special Diets Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot provide special diets. Due to the nature of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances. Accommodation During this holiday the group will spend 1 night in Muscat at a comfortable 3 star hotel, and our 1 night in Nizwa we will be in a hotel of similar standard. At Wadi Ban Khalid we stay in a simple hotel. At Misfah Al Abryeen, we will stay 1 night in a traditional Omani guesthouse. We have 3 nights wild camping. All camping equipment including sleeping bags is provided. The crew will help you put your tents up, and it is polite to offer to help with preparing dinner, or collecting firewood and generally helping out with camp life. A mess tent is used when the weather is cool but not during warm clear days. Mattresses are provided to sit on during meal times in a Bedouin style. Camping in these places is an incredible experience and is often the highlight of the holiday. All accommodation is allocated on a twin sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single supplements are available for an additional cost, Additional pre or post holiday hotel nights are also available on request. Group Leader & Support Staff An experienced, professional, English-speaking local guide will lead the trip. There will be also be one or more 4-wheel-drive support vehicles and drivers throughout. When camping there will be a crew in charge. Spending Money Approximately £150 to £200 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses and non-included meals, including reasonable tips for local staff. Money is easily changed at the airport and there are ATM machines in Muscat and Nizwa. Credit cards can be used virtually everywhere. Guidance On Tipping Tips are the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your local guides and porters. They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local guides and crews the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given. As a rough guide we suggest you allow £35 / £45 for tipping your crew and guide. Beat The Jet Lag Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of a long journey or travelling www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 7 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers. Free KE Gift We would like to give you a free gift as a way to say thank you when you book your holiday. Choose from exclusive KE branded t-shirts, caps, neckwarmers, trek bags* and more. Alternatively you can choose to make a £10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your MyKE account after booking. You will need to select your free gift at least 6 weeks before you depart and all items will be posted out at 5 weeks prior to departure. For all late bookings, we will endeavour to send your FREE gift to you before you travel, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please visit our Free KE Gifts page for more details of all our KE Branded goodies on offer. * A trek bag is one of the free gift options available for this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance During this holiday your baggage will be transferred with the group in the vehicle. The only baggage limit is that which is imposed by the airline. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more Travel Insurance It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary. For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 8 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Oman UK passport holders do require a visa and should apply for an e-visa prior to travel. Applications can be made through the Royal Oman Police Portal - https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/home. UK passport holders who are travelling as a tourist can apply for a ten day unsponsored '26a Tourist Visit Visa'. The fee is OMR 5.00 and is non- refundable. Health & Vaccinations Severe Allergies If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen. VACCINATIONS You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Currency The unit of currency in Oman is the Oman Rial. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ Climate The best period to visit Oman is in the winter season from October through to mid April. Outside of this period it can be very hot, with temperatures rising to well above 40 degrees centigrade! At the time of any of our departures, the maximum daytime temperature is likely to be around 30°C falling as low as 5°C at night in high places. At Christmas, the weather is usually settled, clear and sunny, although the days are shorter and the nights can be particularly cool, possibly as low as 0°C. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 9 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Single Use Plastic KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use. We have pledged to AITO’s Project Protect that 70% of our agents stop using single use plastic bottles. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Muscat airport with Oman Air. Outbound flights will depart in the morning, arriving in the late evening of the same day (Day 1). Return flights will depart Muscat Airport in the very early hours after the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK later the same morning. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers may be available on request. It is possible to take advantage of the direct Oman Air service from Manchester. However extra nights/transfers may be required. Please contact the Sales Support Team for further information and a quote. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Muscat. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Muscat International Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 10 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Operating since 1984, KE Adventure Travel has some of the most experienced staff in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Everyone has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or e-mail, or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trip support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and other accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. Group Tour Leaders All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. Sustainable Tourism Since we ran our first trip in 1984, we have been committed keeping the world's most beautiful places pristine by minimising our environmental impact. Recognising the fragility of the world's wilderness environments, we keep our groups small and operate according to a ‘Mountain Code’, which is provided to all groups, trek leaders, agents and staff. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment of the places we visit and take every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. Our philosophy of 'leaving nothing but footprints' has been integral to KE's approach right from the start over 30 years ago. In recognition of our efforts we are proud to have achieved the highest award of 5 Stars for Sustainable Tourism by AITO. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at www.keadventure.com, and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: www.junipertrust.co.uk. KE's Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Booking Your Holiday The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally £200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 11 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Adventure Travel Insurance It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition ‘Campbell Irvine Direct’ cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 12 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your luggage to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: • Approach shoes or lightweight walking boots • Trainers/shoes for sightseeing • Teva style sandal for walking in the wadi's • Socks • Lightweight (trekking) trousers • Lightweight waterproof overtrousers • Underwear • Shorts • At least 1 long sleeve shirt with collar (for sun protection) • Casual shirts and/or T-shirts • *Warm jacket (eg.Fleece) • Lightweight waterproof jacket • Sunhat • Warm hat (for chilly evenings in the desert) • Sunglasses • Daypack of approx 30 litres • Headtorch and spare batteries • Sleeping bag liner (sleeping bags are provided) • Head scarf for the ladies to wear when visiting religious sites • Water bottles 1 litre (x3) or, 3 litre Camelbak hydration system (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) • Water purification tablets • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) • Basic First Aid Kit including:- antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea. The Following Items Are Optional: • Trekking poles • Travel clothes • Washbag and toiletries • Antibacterial handwash • Small towel • Camera • Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) • Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) • Small padlock (too lock your KE trek bag) • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags) www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
PAGE 13 THE WALKS, WADIS AND WONDERS OF OMAN Notes: *For the December and January trips when night-time temperatures can fall below freezing, we recommend a warmer jacket such as a down-filled jacket As Oman is an Islamic country, modest dress is preferable in the towns and cities. Shoulders should be kept covered, and full-length trousers/skirts are recommended. Sleeping bags and sleeping mats are provided for the nights camping. Please note: This document was downloaded on 28 Aug 2019, and the trip is subject to change. www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0) 17687 73966 US (toll-free): 1-888-630-4415
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