DAY 0

DAY 1

 After breakfast we set off in 4x4’s at 8am and drive north towards Barka and Nakhal Fort. Built on a large rock to help defend the farms of the plain, the fort is well worth a short stop. We then continue onwards to the Western Hajar mountains and enter Wadi Bani Awf. Leaving the blacktop road we quickly engage 4-wheel drive as we journey through this picturesque wadi lined with date farms and water pools (numbers vary depending on volume of recent rain). This is a steep and fun offroading experience and after one hour we reach the pretty village of Bilad Sait and take the opportunity for a photo stop. We then continue our wind up to 2000m and get our first views of the stunning Western Hajar mountain range. Our acclimitisation walk along the Col (Birkat Al Sharaf) enjoys unique panoramic views of onver 1000 square kilometres of the whole Jabal Akhdar area, with the villages of Bilad Sait off to the North and the village of Al Hamra to the South West. Around mid afternoon we will make our way towards Jebal Shams, the highest point in Oman at 3000m, where we make camp and settle down for a night under the stars.
 

Day 2

Over a good breakfast while enjoying the breathtaking views of Oman’s Grand Canyon and Nakhr village over 1km below, you can try to spot today’s walk along the edge of the canyon. Setting off from Al Kateen village we follow the balcony trail along the mountain edge to an abandoned village which clings to the rocks completely hidden from view from above and 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. The walk back along the balcony trail offers more breathtaking views of the canyon and we stop to further enjoy the views over a picnic lunch. We then set off in 4x4’s down the mountain to Wadi Ghul and Nakhr village to view the canyon in reverse – from the bottom up, which is equally as dramatic and stunning, as this journey takes us through more than half a billion years of geological time. Stopping for coffee and dates with the people of Nakhr village we see goat hair carpets being woven and dyed.

We then head off to Tanuf, home to the famous Jabal Akhdar water bottling factory and a place steeped in history with its old abandoned village a sad relic of the 1950’s Jebal War. Tanuf makes an ideal resting place for our second night of wild camping.
 

Day 3

  Today sees us rising early and after a hearty breakfast we break camp and start our 7-8hr trek up Oman’s beautiful ‘green mountain’ Jabal Akhdar. The initial path is quite steep as we move over smooth rock slabs and quickly gain altitude covering much of the 1400m (from 700m to 2200m) in the first 3-4hrs to enjoy views at 1400m out over the village of Al Far and Wadi Al Qashah. A short detour brings us to an abandoned cliff village where we stop to enjoy our picnic lunch, before setting off for the gentler afternoon hike, aiming to reach camp on Sayq Plateau at 2200m by 4pm, allowing time to relax and to enjoy the sunset before dinner.
 

Day 4

 Another day when we are up and set off early after breakfast and breaking camp to trek down from the Al Jarir region of the plateau back to Tanuf. Although a shorter route down, with ~6-7 hours of walking, this is one of the most spectacular walks in Oman, at times quite challenging with some steep scrambling in parts offering fantastic aerial views.

Our accommodation for the night is a beautifully located hotel with stunning views of low, chocolate-coloured hills from the back and in contrast jagged white hills to the front, a perfect setting to enjoy the pool and relax at the end of a long days walk. This atmospheric hotel provides great evening meals and entertainment should you not wish to head out and explore the delights of Nizwa.
 

Day 5

 Positioned alongside two wadis, Nizwa, the former capital city of Oman, is a fertile sea of green with an oasis of date plantations stretching 8kms from the town. Today, Nizwa is still the largest and most important town in this area of the interior and is noted for its 17th century fort and atmospheric souks full of silversmiths’ art, especially ornately engraved khanjars. A short drive takes us to the magnificent Jabrin Castle with its wall and ceiling decorations and secret passageways which is well worth a short visit. After exploring we take lunch at an Omani restaurant before a 2hr drive to take a dip and relax at Wadi Bani Khalid, before driving up to the cooler heights of Selma Plateau where we make camp for the night.

Day 6

 Today’s walk takes offers panoramic views out over the stunning Jabal Shams mountain range and down onto the distant wadi below. Walking along the mountain edge after 2.5hrs we reach an impressive cave entrance and delve up to 500m inside to explore. This huge cavern is the outlet for the Selma Plateau caving system and those brave enough can dip their toes in the chilly waters. After rejoining 4x4’s we take a picnic lunch before the drive down to the stunning talcum powder soft White Beach, where we relax for the afternoon and make camp for the night.

Day 7

After a leisurely breakfast on the beach we break camp and visit the beautiful Wadi Shab. An hours walk through the stunning lush green, palm-lined wadi with its dramatic rock formations brings us to the pools us where we relax and ‘discover’ the hidden cave. After a picnic lunch we make our way back to the 4WDs and set off on the 3hr drive back to Muscat.