8-day adventure
Trekking Musandam
Oman
- Trekking & Hiking
From $1,535
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our UK team
Our local team
Our base in Oman is in the town of Khasab, near the tip of the Musandam Peninsula and roughly 200km from Dubai. This is the perfect location for launching kayaks to explore the Arabian Fjords or setting off on foot to discover the sharp peaks and deep valleys of the Musandam mountains. Geographically, the peninsula shares many similarities with the fjords of Norway and Greenland and it is often our arctic specialists who will guide you through...
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Kandoo's view
A fantastic trip for those who want to experience the complete peace and solitude of the Musandam mountains and the desert of the Emirates. We will spend 3 nights wild camping on the Musandam Peninsula, climbing to the peak of Jebel Sham and traveling by boat to idyllic and secluded fishing villages to meet the people who inhabit this wild corner of the Middle East. We then cross the border into the UAE and spend time hiking through the sand dunes before sleeping out under the stars. We finish the trip with a guided tour of Dubai, visiting ancient souks and futuristic skyscrapers.
Trip highlights
- Explore the rugged wilderness of Musandam
- Climb to the summit of Jebel Sham
- Enjoy a guided tour of Dubai
Experiences
-
Trekking & Hiking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
Gallery
Itinerary
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN DUBAI
On arrival in Dubai a member of the Kandoo team will meet you at the airport. We transfer by private vehicle to Khasab on the Musandam Peninsula and check in to our hotel. Tonight you can meet your guide and the rest of your group and there will be a briefing before we start our adventure in the morning.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
KHOR ASH SHAM
After breakfast we prepare our equipment and set off by boat to Sham Bay. We arrive at a sheltered cove with a beautiful sandy beach and set up our camp. The remainder of the day is spent swimming in the warm waters and relaxing on the beach followed by our first night sleeping out under the stars.
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 3
THE RIDGES OF HABALAYAN
We leave camp this morning and begin an ascent up bare, rocky ridges to reach a high point overlooking the Bay of Habalayan and the Indian Ocean. We descend to the shore at a spot where green turtles are very common and have the opportunity for a swim. On the way back we pass through the pretty village of Maqlab and stop to chat with the local villagers before continuing back to camp. On our return we will do some angling and hopefully supplement our evening meal with some fresh fish!
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 4
JEBEL SHAM
An early start today as we dismantle our camp before sunrise. A boat picks us up in the early morning and a short transfer take us to the start of todays trek, Jebel Sham. We ascend 900m to the summit of the mountain, taking care to take plenty of breaks while the day is at its hottest. The views from the top are superb, our position dominates the entire peninsula and we can see the arc of Iran’s southern coast in the distance. We descend and set up camp on a beach at the foot of the mountain.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 5
THE HEIGHTS OF KUMZAR
In the morning after breaking camp, we board a speed boat and head north up the peninsula. Our destination is the isolated village of Kumzar. Leaving the boat, we take some time to explore the village and greet the local people. Climbing up out of the village we reach a plateau where goats graze amidst the ruins of an old settlement. We cross the plateau and begin to descend again, eventually reaching the shores of Sham Fjord and continuing to Khasab. We check in at our hotel and enjoy our first shower in 3 days!
- Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 6
THE QUADAH WADI HIKE
We transfer to the village of Quadah from where a wadi (canyon) of several kilometers emerges from the mountains. We begin climbing up the canyon on a sometimes narrow and vertiginous trail. Time and water have sculpted the rock here in to strange shapes and highly polished surfaces. We eventually emerge on a plateau and discover a recently abandoned village where everything possible has been done to try and harvest the rare rainfall water. There is the option of climbing up to a small summit (200m ascent) for spectacular views of the area. On our way back down the canyon we follow a ledge in the cliff face just 2m across, overlooking the void. We return to our hotel in Khasab by vehicle.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 7
THE DESERT OF THE EMIRATES
Today we depart for the deserts of the United Arab Emirates, passing through the high mountains of Musandam and nearby their highest peak, Jebel El Harim at 2081m above sea level.
We cross the border into the UAE and enter the Kingdom of the dromedary. We will spend some time hiking through the vast sand dunes and enjoying the silence of the landscape before setting up camp in time to watch the sunset. In the evening we enjoy some local entertainment and prepare dinner on the camp fire. This is our final night sleeping out under the Arabian stars.- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 8
DUBAI CITY TOUR
A Full day dedicated to exploring the incredible city of Dubai. We visit the souks with their enticing jewelry, spices, textiles and old clay houses. Then we appear to fast forward through time as we visit a futuristic city of soaring skyscrapers including the world famous Burj Khalifa.
We enjoy a final meal at a city restaurant in the evening before transferring to the airport for our journey home. If your flight is not until the next day or if you would like some more time to spend in Dubai, we can arrange extra hotel accommodation for you.- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
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Please note
The
details in this programme are regularly updated but unforeseeable and
unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the
adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational
conditions, changes to the itinerary may be made. For safety reasons, we
reserve the rights to interrupt your participation at any time if your
technical level or fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger
to yourself or to those around you. Under no circumstances would this give rise
to a refund or compensation.
Details
Trip information
Difficulty
This adventure is of moderate difficulty.
You will be required to hike on steep, rocky and sometimes loose terrain for
several days. Although we will be careful to avoid the hottest times of day,
the temperatures will be high and staying properly hydrated is essential for
your health and safety. Some trails will be narrow with large drops and care is
needed to avoid slips and trips.
To ask about your suitability for this
trip and what you can do to prepare please feel free to give us a call.
Food & drink
We
love the local cuisine in Oman! It is not always easy to carry fresh products
when trekking in remote areas but we are proud of the hearty and varied menus
we deliver each evening.
Fishing
enables us to provide for ourselves during our adventure so expect to eat fresh
fish very regularly (possibly caught by you). You can also expect buffet style
lunches, hot evening meals and local products including houmous, pita beds and
fresh fruit.
If
you have special dietary requirements please call and let us know as soon as
possible before departure. We will do everything possible to accommodate your
needs.
Accommodation
Whilst trekking through the Musandam
wilderness you will be wild camping in secluded locations. You will be provided
with a mattress and a 3 man dome tent to share with one other person. All
eating utensils such as plates, cups and cutlery are provided.
Our hotel in Khasab is an apartment hotel
with comfortable twin or double rooms and shared bathroom facilities. There is also a swimming pool and free WiFi is
available in public areas.
Luggage
Whilst trekking through the Musandam
Peninsula you will be carrying a small daypack with your water, spare clothing
and any personal items. Your main luggage will be stored in the boats that we
use to transfer around the peninsula. There is also the option of leaving some
of your belonging in Khasab while we explore Sham Bay. Your main luggage should
be packed in a flexible duffel bag (preferably waterproof) and not a rigid
suitcase.
How do I get there?
You will need to arrive at Dubai international Airport (DXB) on day 1 of your itinerary.
Dubai is one of the busiest transport hubs in the world and it is the base for Emirates Airlines so booking a suitable flight should be very easy.
If you are travelling from the UK, Emirates and British Airways both have direct flights to Dubai from London Heathrow. Emirates also offer direct flights from Manchester and Birmingham. The travel time is roughly 7 hours.
From the US, Emirates have direct flights from New York and Boston with a travel time of roughly 12 hours. Turkish Airlines offer convenient indirect flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco with a short stop in Istanbul.
Regardless of where you are travelling from, you should find reaching Dubai very straight forward.
Once you have arrived in Dubai, cleared immigration and collected your luggage, please look out for a member of our team in the arrivals area. They will be holding a large “KANDOO” sign.
Dubai is one of the busiest transport hubs in the world and it is the base for Emirates Airlines so booking a suitable flight should be very easy.
If you are travelling from the UK, Emirates and British Airways both have direct flights to Dubai from London Heathrow. Emirates also offer direct flights from Manchester and Birmingham. The travel time is roughly 7 hours.
From the US, Emirates have direct flights from New York and Boston with a travel time of roughly 12 hours. Turkish Airlines offer convenient indirect flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco with a short stop in Istanbul.
Regardless of where you are travelling from, you should find reaching Dubai very straight forward.
Once you have arrived in Dubai, cleared immigration and collected your luggage, please look out for a member of our team in the arrivals area. They will be holding a large “KANDOO” sign.
Budget & change
The currency in Oman is the Omani Rial
(OMR). In Dubai the currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). For the
latest exchange rates please see www.xe.com
On the Musandam Peninsula the United Arab
Emirates Dirham is commonly used. We recommend using Dirham rather than Rial.
ATMs are widely available or you can exchange money at Dubai Airport.
Tips
Tipping is always appreciated - it is not
obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual. We
recommend an amount between $35 and $45
per participant based on the service you feel you have received.
Formalities & health
Passport
Most travellers will require a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date. It is your responsibility to check your specific visa requirements.
Visa
To enter Oman most people will need to purchase an electronic visa at https://evisa.rop.gov.om Tourist visas are valid for 1 month from the date of issue, so do not apply too early. Visas for the UAE can be acquired in country and are free of charge.
Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations include: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Hepatitis B, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines are also advised. It is your responsibility to check the latest advice before departure.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Medication
Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items:
- Painkillers
- Sunscreen for lips and skin
- Moisturising cream (for sunburn)
- Elastic bandage, regular bandages and Blister bandages
- Sanitary products
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
- Tents
(1 tent per 2 people)
- Comfortable
seeping mats
- Plates,
cups and cutlery
Clothing to bring
- Solid
walking boots with good ankle support
- Sun
hat with wide brim for protection
- Sun glasses
- Long
sleeved t-shirts
- Short
sleeved t-shirts
- Lightweight
trousers and shorts
- Suitable
quick drying underwear
- Warm
jumper or jacket for evenings by the sea
- Waterproof
and windproof lightweight jacket
- Sports
sandals (great for in the water and camping on beaches)
- Pajamas,
travel towel and toiletries
- Swimming
costume / shorts
- Comfy
shoes and socks for short hikes
Equipment to bring
- Lightweight
sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 10°C
- Head
torch and spare batteries
- Reusable
water bottle(s) minimum 1 litre
OTHER USEFUL KIT
- Camera
- Power
bank (no electricity while camping)
- Small
dry bag for person items
- Wet
wipes and hand sanitiser
- Plastic
bags for wet/dirty clothing
- Snorkel
/ mask / flippers
Dates & prices
No date is available at the moment
Want to add flights or create a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Airport
transfers
- An expert Kandoo Adventures guide
- All transportation
- All accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
- Camping equipment
- Dubai city tour
Price does not include
- Flights, visas and insurance
- Drinks,
tips and personal expenses
- Dinner
on day 8
Options
- Additional hotel nights before or after your trek
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