Private or Group Full Day Tour to Wahibah Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid from Muscat

Sightseeing  :  Oman  :  Muscat Governorate  :  Muscat  :  Day Trips

A sand desert is the image of Arabia most people have, visit the desert with us as part of a full day tour to eastern Oman. This comfortable tour includes golden sands, green data oasis and of course Camels. Tour in 4WD, distance approx. 500 KMs and lunch in local restaurant is included.At 09.00am the tour starts from Muscat driving toward Wahibah Sands. The Wahiba Sand Desert has been formed from about 130,000 years ago and is a beautiful mix of golden quartz and pale lime grains of sand. It stretches from the northern villages for almost 200 kilometres to the Arabian Sea in the south. The desert’s sparse vegetation is supported by dew and fog caused by the sharp drop in the temperature at night. This moisture and food enables a surprising variety of wildlife to survive, including Sand Fox and Grey Monitor Lizards. Close to the desert are some small Oasis with date palms. These rely on Oman’s falaj, the classic water system which irrigates the agriculture. Seeing this intensive the agriculture is a remarkable testimony to the effort of the local population over the centuries. The mountains in the distance have been cut into by valleys, locally called wadis, and with the occasional date oasis along their base, they are often quite spectacular. Of course there are camels, the dromedary, and these can be found roaming through the sand dunes. However, in much the same way as there are thoroughbred horses, there are bloodlines of camels which are renowned for racing, both locally and in neighboring countries.

In the afternoon proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water. Drive back to reach Muscat late afternoon.