Oman

Hajar, Khalouf & Salalah: An Arabian Adventure in Oman

When

September To June

Price

From £7,200pp excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

8 nights ideal length

Little do people know of the country that rubs shoulders with the United Arab Emirates; good news for those who want to escape on an Arabian adventure and have an entire desert to themselves. Filled with Arabian adventure and hidden gems, Oman is home to empty stretches of desert, Indian Ocean coastlines, and mountains steeped in history. With Black Tomato, you can experience all of Oman in the most unique way we know how: Bedouin-style camping. Embark on a journey like no other and stay in your own secluded luxury tent, wherever you like. In just five days, you’ll discover the desert, coast and mountain ranges of Oman. We like to think of it as the Ultimate Arabian Experience. Oh, and you’ll end the journey with three days of being lazing in luxury at the Anantara Salalah resort.

DELVE INTO THE DESERT

Your Arabian adventure through Oman will begin in the capital, Muscat. From here, you’ll hop into a 4×4 and hit the heights of the Hajar Mountains. Soaring up 10,000 feet, driving through the dramatic mountain region will have your heart thumping with every turn of the steering wheel. You’ll stop for a picnic and peer over the edge; taking in the views that only the eyes of vultures and eagles see. As the sun starts it’s descent, you’ll drop down into the desert for an overnight camping sojourn like no other. Lie beneath the stars and listen to nothing but the crackle of the fire as you drift off to sleep in your very own luxury tent in the middle of the desert. Wake the next morning and set off to Wadi Bani Khalid for a mid-morning swim with the green black turtles in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky you may even witness thousands of young turtles hatching and making their all-important first dash for the water. Take a quick dip in the rock pools and sandboard across the rolling dunes one last time before having a go at driving a 4×4 across the desert through the Wahiba Sands to the coast.

Make this itinerary yours

Each and every Black Tomato trip is tailored exactly to who you are and what you want to do So tell us about yourself and we’ll create something that’s entirely you.

Start Planning

TAKE TO THE SEASIDE

Swap the desert sands for the Arabian seaside. You’ll arrive in the afternoon so spend some time settling in to your new camp in Khalouf, a sandspit between a lagoon and the Indian Ocean, before heading into the local towns to buy some fresh fish that the chef will prepare for you for dinner. The sun reflecting across the gentle ripples of the Indian Ocean in the morning is a sight not to be missed, so we suggest waking up early to enjoy a banquet breakfast with a view. Make the most of the beach and lie with the warm sand pressed against your skin with occasional dips in and out of the ocean. Be sure to make the most of your day at the beach and go fishing just off the shore, dive from the beach, or snorkel in the hope of spotting an Oman ocean frequent visitor, the Lion Fish. As the sun begins to set, retire to your camp for one last night of seaside camping indulgence.

MOVE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS

You can’t move mountains, so instead, you’ll have to move through them. We’ll take you on a journey, passing through the town of Sinaw, home to one of the oldest preserved souqs in Oman and one of few places you can find traditional silver Bedouin jewellery. We’ll then stop for lunch in a restored fort close to the old village of Manah, before reaching our final camp tucked away in the mountains 1000m above sea level above the town of Tanuf. It’ll be time for some well-earned rest before waking up to explore the mountains of Wadi Ghul, or Oman’s Grand Canyon, should we say. You’ll walk along the canyon peering at the old ruins of an abandoned village below before finishing the journey as you started – though, it’ll have your heart thumping twice as much on the way down. Descend through the dramatic terrain of the Hajar Mountains and along the impressive and exposed Wadi Bani Auf, one of the greatest and most memorable off-road drives in all of Oman, before arriving back in Muscat.

LAZE IN LUXURY

After a whirlwind week of exploring Oman; head to Anantara and laze in luxury for three nights. Nestled between a private beach and a freshwater lagoon, the resort’s location is one-of-a-kind and the perfect place to unwind before you head home. With 136 rooms and villas to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but we think there’s no better place to rest your head than in the beach view pool villa, complete with private plunge pool, sundeck, and direct beach access.  Explore the healing properties of frankincense and pomegranate at the spa, dine on the sands of the private beach at candlelight and have a butler tend to your every whim, or gaze at the stars from a beanbag on the beach. Whichever way you choose to spend your three nights of lazing in luxury, we’re sure you’ll leave feeling refreshed and revitalised after an experience of a lifetime in Oman.

Where to rest your head

Hud Hud Luxury Desert Camps

Live the life of a nomad and explore Oman in the most unique way we know how, by crossing its mountains, deserts and beaches with Hud Hud.…
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Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Nestled between a private sandy beach and a freshwater lagoon, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is the go-to getaway for those wanting to unwind…
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