Nomad translates into Arabic as Al Rahal which means Bedouin.

The Bedouin tribes of Oman are truly remarkable hard worthy people whose hospitality is legendary

The true beauty of Oman and it’s people can only really me discovered by those with time to pack up a 4 WD car with camping gear and head off on a 1 or 2 week Safari

Oman is a staggeringly beautiful country and for those that have truly explored it and marvelled at some of the scenery perhaps having braved the crossing of the Wahiba sands to arrive atop a huge sand dune as the sands plunge into the Indian Ocean and to see the shimmering sea before you. You are never going to want to leave. And some of us haven’t  !!!

If only we all had the time to follow in the footsteps of Wilfred Thesiger and to cross Oman on the back of a Camel. But alas we have to be pragmatic and to offer a selection of tours varying between ½  day - 3 days.

For the true Nomads we do offer a Camping Tour in a beautiful coastal location that we like to keep to ourselves

All our Tours are in 4WD cars with Omani drivers we believe this is essential to get an incite into the Omani way of life.

The cost is per car and each car carries 4 people.

For tours requiring Hotel reservations please book well in advance.

Where ever possible if Hotels are fully booked we will try and offer a camping option.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (correct dress code required)
Muttrah Fish Market
Al Dhalam Souq
Muttrah Corniche
Muscat and the Royal Al Alam Palace
16th century forts Jalali and Mirani
Bait Zubair Museum
Marina for Lunch or Drop off at hotel

Muscat City Tour (1300 hrs to 1700 hrs)

Muscat and the Royal Al Alam Palace
16th century forts Jalali and Mirani
Al Dhalam Souq
Muttrah Corniche
Qurm Beech
Seeb Corniche and local fisherman

Some of Oman’s best beaches are close to the capital area. Not long ago these beaches were great camping grounds for weekend retreats and it was very common for a new comer to a 2 km long beach to ask an incumbent camper is it OK to camp on your beach ?

Now days the beaches of Yiti and Seifa are home to huge developments so if you have ideas of investing in Oman on this tour you can check out the prospects.

The tour starts at the Nomad Tours Marina offices at 1000 hrs so it is ideal for those that have just been Dolphin watching

We first drive towards Bandar al Jissah to view the new resort there and the spectacular dive centre

After which we drive through the bustling streets of Ruwi before we climb up a very step and winding road which twists and turns until it eventually descends into a wide Wadi which leads to the sea via Yiti village

This whole area is now being developed with the construction of Hotels Marinas and luxury villas. We will explore this development and stroll along the beach before heading off to Bandar Khayran

Bandar Khayran is a large sea inlet which is a very popular place for boats to anchor and for snorkelling jet Skiing etc.

We will park at the top of a hill near to one of the beaches and walk down the very rugged track where it is possible to swim

We then head off to the beautiful beach at Siefa this is also now being developed with Marinas etc. Thankfully the existing Village will remain. We will have a picnic lunch on the beach before returning to Muscat.

We would recommend this tour as the first one to take out of Muscat. It gives one an immediate impression of the majestic scenery of Oman. In a relatively short trip out of Muscat you will see the coastline, the eastern Hajar mountains date plantations, villages and for the adventurers the chance to swim through the “Key Hole”.

We leave Muscat via Wadi Adai and drive to the fishing village of Quiyrat we then turn inland to drive along part of Wadi Dayqah, part way along we climb out of the Wadi floor and over a mountain spur before regaining the coast line.

The drive is very dramatic with the coast on one side and the mountains on the other. Passing through the small fishing villages one can see a snap shot off the way of life which is repeated all the way down the coast to Salahah.

We stop at the Bimah sink hole where is possible to descend the steps and actually swim in the sink hole. From here we drive further along the coast to the beautiful white sand Tiwi beach and then to Wadi Shab.

Wadi Shab will come as a great surprise for many visitors to the arid Middle East. It is lush green and cool with running water all year around. We walk up the Wadi through tropical vegetation.

At the top of the Wadi there are some pools nestling between the steep cliffs. Here we can swim and take our Picnic lunch. Then the courageous can head on further up the Wadi partly walking and partly swimming until they reach the “key hole” For Good athletic swimmers it is possible to ease your way through the Key Hole which leads to a large cave with a spectacular water fall.

At the head of Wadi Shab is the fishing Village of Tiwi which we drive through before returning to Muscat.
As for the Wadi Shab tour you will see some stunning scenery without having to Travel far from Muscat.

It will take you further into the Mountains then the Shab tour, You will drive along two lush green Wadis with extensive date plantations, see a spectacular water fall, experience some real Off Road driving through a deep wadi and back along the coast. You can swim in either of the wadis.

The route out of Muscat is again along Wadi Adai towards Quriyat. We then head of into the mountains to arrive at Wadi Dayqah. This is the largest water course in the Arabian Peninsular,we drive up the canyon to select an idyllic place to Swim.

We then drive down the wadi through some picturesque villages across date plantations over an amazing geological landscape stoping to take advantage of many photo opportunities until we arrive at Wadi Suwayh.

Travelling up wadi Suwayh there are some marvellous views below us but the real surprise is at the top where there is a truly beautiful natural pool surrounded by date palms and a water fall. Here we can again swim and we take a picnic lunch.

After lunch we drive through a dramatic canyon to the coast before strolling along the beach and then head back to Muscat.
This is a very popular short tour out of Muscat you will drive along a beautiful Wadi see an impressive Omani fort and visit the natural Hot springs at Nakl.

We drive north from Muscat first stopping at the Seeb fish market and watch the local fisherman bringing in their catch. We then drive along the surprisingly green Batinah coast before turning of the main road into Wadi Abyadh – the “white Valley so called because of the white boulders and rocks. In the Wadi Bed.

After driving through the Wadi we head for Nakhl. There is a huge restored fort at Nakl which dominates the sky line and is located amongst acres of date plantations. After exploring the fort and climbing it’s towers for some beautiful views we visit the natural hot springs at Al Thowarah.

This Tour takes you as high as any civilians are allowed to go in Oman almost to the top of Jebel Shams – the Mountain of the sun. If it is winter make sure you bring a fleece if it is summer the relief from the heat and humidity of Muscat is invigorating. You will visit Nizwa, the old ruined village of Tanuf and the village of Misfah.

Driving North from Muscat you start climbing to pass through the Sumail gap with mountain scenery on either side. Our first stop is Nizwa the ancient capital of Oman where we will visit the imposing fort and wonder around the old Souq.

Perhaps after buying the odd souvenir we head on to Tanuf where we visit the old ruined mud built village and then along Wadi Ghaul before climbing steeply up the Jebel

Access to the very top is not possible for civilians as there are military posts so we turn along a graded road which tracks along the side of the grand Canyon. We stop to allow those with a head for heights to per over the edge, hold on to the kids!!

After a picnic lunch we then descend the Jebel via a serious of switch backs and drive to the ancient village of Misafah which is perched on the side of a mountain and is an interesting place to wonder around the stone path ways to see the irrigation system (falaj )and o get a real feel of the Omani way of life in the mountains.
If it is winter dress warmly for this Tour you are going to stay high in the mountains at the Jebel Akdhar hotel. It is at an elevation of 2500m . You will explore the Saiq plateau, the Al Hoota caves and the Grand Canyon.

We drive through the Sumail gap on route to Nizwa where we stop for coffee before heading onto Tanuf where we explore the old ruined mud Village and then onto the al Hoota Caves.

The Hoota Cave is reached by hoping on board a train that takes you from the Visitor centre to the Cave entrance. In the cave there is an underground lake in which there are shoals of blind transparent fish. After a guided tour of the cave we head up to Jebel Shams where we have a picnic lunch on the edge of the Grand Canyon.

After lunch we drive down the Jebel back towards Muscat. At Birkat Al Mawz we turn off to Wadi Al Madeen and start climbing Jebel Akdhar – The Green Mountain. Now days we have the luxury of driving to the top on a black top road In the late 50’s the Saiq plateau was an impregnable strong hold of firebrand rebels. To assist the Sultan’s armed force gain control the SAS scaled the cliffs to spring a surprise attack. We stay at the Jebel Akdhar Hotel.

On Day 2 we explore Saiq plateau which is now a haven of tranquillity with beautiful terraces laid out with fruit tress In March to April the roses are in Bloom from which the villagers make rose water. We explore the small villages and walk to the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib The villages overlook a spectacular rugged landscape of peaks, gorges and Wadis.

After lunch we descend the Jebel and head back to Muscat.

This Tour is the same as the tour above but on Day 2 we check in to our hotel in Nizwa. On the final day we visit Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin castle.

On day 3 we visit Nizwa the ancient capital with it’s round fort and old Souq. There are some great views from the ramparts over the town and surrounding countryside We then drive to Bahla.

The great fort at Bahla is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. After exploring the fort we visit the Bahla pottery centre
Our last stop of the tour is Jabrin Castle which was built in the 17Th century as a residence for the Imam. It is perhaps the most unique and most popular of all Oman’s many forts with very ornate carvings.

We then drive back to Muscat or it is possible to join the Desert Camp tour see below…….

This a must for a visitor to the Sultanate you will have a chance to visit a true Bedouin family in the desert, to briefly experience their way of life, share dates and coffee with them and get to ride on one of their camels. Before retreating to the Desert camp where after a traditional Omani meal you can huddle up around a camp fire We expect your hosts will pass around the Shisha pipes.

The Desert is known as the Wahiba sands. There really is nothing quite like spending a night in the Wahiba’s you will be intoxicated on the peacefulness’ and the clarity of the night sky. Perhaps you will start planning to cross the desert !!!

Once a year in November an event known as the Wahiba challenge takes place where teams of cars some from the 70’s set out to cross the desert from East to West up and over the slip faces of the Dunes

The next day we visit the beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid. This Wadi flows all year round into large crystal clear pools of water, surrounded by large date plantations.

After a picnic lunch we head back to Muscat or proceed onto Sur…….

This is an extension of the Desert Camp Tour but instead of returning directly to Muscat you travel back via Sur. Where we check into a hotel . On Day 3 we travel North along the stunning coastline stopping to explore Wadi Shab before returning to Muscat.

After lunch at Wadi Bani Khalid we drive to Sur where we check into our hotel.

Sur is a vibrant port with a large number of traditional fishing Dhows. On Day 3 we visit the ship yards were it is fascinating to see these Dhows being built by craftsman in a way that has hardly changed in centuries

From Sur we head North along the coast first passing one of the economic arteries of Oman the LNG plant which processes huge quantities of gas which are transported by pipeline from the inland Gas fields. Here the gas is reduced to such low temperatures’ that it is liquefied and then loaded onto giant LNG tankers for shipment to the far east.

We then go back in time to pass through Qalhat and the prominent Bibi Mariam tomb. Before travelling to Tiwi and Wadi Shab. We stop to explore Wadi Shab ( see Wadi Shab tour ) after a picnic lunch we return to Muscat.
You can select to camp for any number of days over and above the minimum of three.

We do not want to tell you the location but it is a six hour drive from Muscat. This tour is for the true adventurer the camp will be fairly basic but everything will be provided and Ice will be replenished at least every two days to keep those Drinks cold .

The location is simply stunning but we will not give it away we want it to remain as uncrowded as possible.

With advance planning and an economical number of people we can tailor make some incredible once in a life time camping tours please inquire by e-mail.
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