Desert to Coast Ride Ash Sharqiyah Oman This tour is perfect for those who wish to combine a great ride through the desert with a some sightseeing. Oman certainly offers the most varied landscapes of the Arabian peninsula. Off the beaten trails, the country seduces by the beauty of its landscapes, but also by the kindness of its inhabitants and the quality of its infrastructures which make it particularly safe and hospitable. Roam through the old Mutrah Souk, explore the stunning Wadi Beni Khalid Oasis and discover the former capital, Nizwa with its beautiful architecture and renowned handicrafts. The riding portion of the trip takes place in the Wahiba desert, where you will enjoy eventful evenings in camps, learning about the Bedouin culture: listening to music and eating local specialities. Camping Ride with vehicle support Meeting: Muscat International Airport Airport: Muscat International Airport Transfer: Muscat International Airport Riders: Min 3 riders Max 12 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Airport group transfers included at set times (according to arrival and departute times of all riders). If you wish a private airport transfers, e can arrange one for an extra fee.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that this itinerary is given as an indication. It may be subject to change depending on weather conditions, winds, the changing nature of the terrain, the riders’ physical conditions...

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrival at Seeb international airport and transfer to your hotel located nearby Mutrah Souk and Old Muscat City. Afternoon city tour of Mutrah Souk, one of the most popular souks in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinths with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted Artifacts. A visit to this frenetic, pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience.
Then, it is a 5-minute transfer to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Mutrah 

Day 2 (Sunday): Wadi Beni Khalid
After breakfast we will drive to Wadi Beni Khalid (3.5 hours from Muscat). It is the best-known wadi of the Sharqiyah region. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. As a geographical area, Wadi Beni Khalid covers a large swathe of lowland and mountains. Late afternoon transfer to Bidiya. Meeting with our horse team and briefing for next few days.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at desert camp near Bidiya

Day 3 (Monday): Start of Desert Ride
Today you will go on your first ride to discover sand dunes and desert.
Lovely evening under the stars, firecamps and bedouins stories will make this ride unforgettable!
Riding approx 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at desert camp near Bidiya

Day 4 (Tuesday): Oryx Valley Ride
After a nice breakfast we will start our ride across the Oryx valley, passing through little Bedouin villages. We will find palm trees in each village (with water system called falaj), green grass for the animals,... The perfect place for our lunch break. This afternoon, we ride in a nice valley, with a lot of acacias trees, providing shade for animals and Bedouins.
Riding approx 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Al Sarmadi Camp

Day 5 (Wednesday): Abdallah Valley Ride
We will be riding in a large valley, until we reach Abdallah Valley, with nice eucalyptus trees.
Riding approx 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Al Sarmadi Camp

Day 6 (Thursday): Beit Al Ajuz Ride
The destination for today is Beit Al Ajuz, the old lady house. On today's route, sand is sometime very deep for our horses. We will likely meet camels’ cattle and goats on the way.
Riding approx 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Thousand Nights Camp

Day 7 (Friday): Last Desert Ride
After a last morning ride we will end our riding journey in Al Awouia village, where we say goodbye to our desert team!
You will be able to change and take a shower before going to Al Hamra and Misfah, two typical villages at the foot of the Hadjar mountains. You can visit and stroll in the village where the freshness is pleasant. You will also visit the Omani Falaj irrigation system. Then, departure for Misfah, a small typical village where we will overnight. 
Riding approx 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Misfah

Day 8 (Saturday): Nizwa Visit
Early morning transfer to Nizwa, the principal city of the interior and former state capital. The oasis city is located on the southern edge of the Hajar Mountains, the highest mountain range of Oman. The extensive gardens and palm groves of the oasis city are dominated by the old fort with the largest tower of Oman (40 m diameter, 20 m height). Over 500 years old Falaj channels have carried water in the oasis. Nizwa is an old trading post with a large souk, where you can admire traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts.
After visiting the city, we will transfer you back to Muscat (about 2 hours).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Mutrah 

Day 9 (Sunday): Departure
After a pleasant breakfast, you go for a stroll by the sea for a magical finale on a superb Omani beach. Transfer to the airport in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch



Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome on this ride. Please, inquire for rates and non-riding activities.

                                                    Muscat area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	78	80	85	94	103	103	100	97	96	94	86	80
Average Low Temperature (°F)	62	64	68	76	84	86	86	83	80	76	69	64
Average High Temperature (°C)	25	26	30	35	40	40	38	36	36	35	30	27
Average Low Temperature (°C)	17	18	20	24	29	30	30	28	27	25	21	18
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Oman's climate is typical of the Arabian Gulf with hot shoulder seasons (Sept-Nov Average high 30-36°C & Mar-May Average high 29-39°C), even hotter summers (June-Aug Average high 36-40°C) and mild winters (Dec-Feb Average high 25-27°C). It should be noted that the heat is dry most of the time, making it more bearable.

In addition, Oman's varied geography means that temperatures vary depending on where you are in the country. When visiting the Hajar Mountains, south of Muscat, always make sure to bring a sweater, even during the summer months! You should also remember that desert nights get cooler no matter the season.

Oman remains usually quite dry throughout the year with the exception of the southwest (close to the border with Yemen) which benefits from the 'Khareef' (rainy season) monsoon during the summer months. Thanks to the 'Khareef', this region benefits from a cooler summer and green vegetation covers the landscape.

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Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so nights will be a mixture of hotels and camping. 

Description
Accommodations vary 

Accommodation Itinerary for Standard Option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Mutrah or Al Fajal Hotel in Muscat
Night 2 & 3: Desert Camp near Bidiya
Night 4 & 5: Al Sarmadi Camp
Night 6: Thousand Nights Camp
Night 7: Hotel in Misfah
Night 8: Hotel Mutrah or Al Fajal Hotel in Muscat

Hotel Mutrah in Muscat
This small hotel benefits from a great location, close to the Mutrah Souk and Sultan Qaboos Harbour. Each of the 43 rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, air conditioning and ensuite bathroom. Guests can enjoy a game of darts or pool. It is also possible to do some workout at the fitness centre. Laundry and ironing services are also available.

Al Falaj Hotel in Muscat
This newly renovated hotel offers 152 modern bedrooms. Each room features a TV, a phone, a safe, free internet access and private facilities with hair dryer.

Desert Camp near Bidiya 
You will be accommodated in a canvas tent with air conditioning and a private (attached) bathroom with hair dryer.

Al Sarmadi Camp
You are accommodated in spacious tents equipped with a double bed and a private bathroom.

Thousand Nights Camp
This beautiful camp in the middle of the desert offers traditional rooms and tents accommodations, for an authentic Bedouin experience. Each accommodation is equipped with a comfortable bed and private facilities.
There is also a small outdoor pool where guest can cool down.

Room Occupancy
If you attend as a single rider willing to share but we are unable to find another rider to share, the single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All meals are included from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on the last day. 

The majority of meals are served at your accommodations.

During the desert ride our cook will provide delicious Omani dinners.
Majbos also named Kabsa, is a dish that consists of rice mixed with saffron cooked with spicy red or white meat. Majboos translates as "to be engaged" in Oman and is almost always served at special occasions like weddings and engagements!
Mashuai is another delicious dish consisting of roasted king fish and savory lemon rice.
A popular street food in Oman is Mishkak, which is grilled pieces of marinated meat (usually chicken, mutton or beef on long wooden sticks) served hot with tamarind chutney.
Halwa is a sticky, sweet gelatinous snack, made from brown sugar, honey, eggs and various spices. It has a lot of flavors, such as rose water, nuts, chocolate, etc. Some halwas are also made from the Omani dates. Halwas are often accompanied with Kahwa (a very strong bitter coffee that is often served in tiny cups) as a sign of hospitality. Kahwa is made from freshly roasted ground coffee and flavored with some cardamom!

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the package but you can bring some during the tour.

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate vegetarians and some other special diets with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English sythetic wintec type or endurance saddle with saddle bags
Horses:		Arabians & Anglo-Arabs
Pace:		Approx. 4-5 hours in the saddle per riding day (20km per day) - Paces varies depending on the terrain / good opportunities to canter when terrain allows | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 5 out of 5)    Intermediate to Advanced
Age:		Min 18	Max 65
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 12 riders

Riding
You must be able to walk, trot, canter and galop outdoor in open spaces. The riding time depends on the level of the group, the horses, the terrain and the weather. Arabian horses are enduring but not very strong. Thus, we ask riders over 85 kg or over to tell us before booking, in order to check with the guide, the availability of a suitable horse.

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.