Oman Desert Odyssey

Customer Reviews

• Sherry

  · May 24th, 2013
  This was the first time this trip was run - so there were a few growing pains with the organization as well as what the detailed itinerary notes were as compared to what actually happened.  However - NONE of that overshadowed the superb hiking, views, good guides, and fun time!  The hiking was harder than I had originally expected, but we only hiked about 4 hrs (except one day where we did 8 hrs) a day so it was very manageable.  There was plenty of time to rest at the campsites!  The camping food was fresh but simple and the camping gear used was basic.  It was a real camping and hiking experience, not a luxury one.  This trip was a true hiking adventure! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to Bilad Sayt took a little work – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the unique places to see in Oman . It was literally off the beaten path as we had to get there by 4×4 and then by foot.  We hiked by jagged canyon walls jutting up from the pools of water and shading me from the sun. I wondered if it could get any more beautiful than this – and my answer to that question came as I rounded the corner out of the canyon and stepped out into the sunlight. This is when I saw my first glimpse of Bilad Sayt – a fairy tale like village typical of the old Omani communal settlements of the past.  What did you think of your group leader? Rob was really knowledgable about Oman and was very well trained in adventure hiking and travel.  He was personable and did a good job of keeping us all together when hiking even though we were all different speeds - not easy!  There were two days where he had to leave the group and leave his other two leaders in charge. They were lovely and did a good job - but I did think that it was slightly odd that the group leader left for 2 of the 9 days.  Overall - the 3 of them were really great, fun to be with, safe, and knowledgable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is not a luxury camping trip - this is roughing it.  The food is very simple, the tents are average, and you are without showers for 5 days.  However - if you love wide open spaces, unique landscapes, camping, and hiking - then you'll love it.  I would recommend proper hiking boots - even though I did all the hiking in trainers - but I would have preferred boots as some of the terraine was really rugged.  Be prepared for a decent amount of driving. Oman is a big country so we did hike a lot - but we also spent a lot of time in a car driving to the destinations.  The guides will provide you a lot of knowledge about the Omani history and culture but be aware that you don't really come in much contact with the culture or people because you are spending most of your time hiking remotely.  Bring a great camera - the views are spectacular!   Is there anything else you would like to add? One piece of advice - if at all possible - change the itinerary to view the Nizwa souq on a Friday during the cattle and goat market.  We missed this by a day and was really the highlight of the market from what I had read.  The souq was really fun regardless - but seeing the live auction would have made it even better!
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• Sherry

  · May 24th, 2013
  This was the first time this trip was run - so there were a few growing pains with the organization as well as what the detailed itinerary notes were as compared to what actually happened.  However - NONE of that overshadowed the superb hiking, views, good guides, and fun time!  The hiking was harder than I had originally expected, but we only hiked about 4 hrs (except one day where we did 8 hrs) a day so it was very manageable.  There was plenty of time to rest at the campsites!  The camping food was fresh but simple and the camping gear used was basic.  It was a real camping and hiking experience, not a luxury one.  This trip was a true hiking adventure! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to Bilad Sayt took a little work – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the unique places to see in Oman . It was literally off the beaten path as we had to get there by 4×4 and then by foot.  We hiked by jagged canyon walls jutting up from the pools of water and shading me from the sun. I wondered if it could get any more beautiful than this – and my answer to that question came as I rounded the corner out of the canyon and stepped out into the sunlight. This is when I saw my first glimpse of Bilad Sayt – a fairy tale like village typical of the old Omani communal settlements of the past.  What did you think of your group leader? Rob was really knowledgable about Oman and was very well trained in adventure hiking and travel.  He was personable and did a good job of keeping us all together when hiking even though we were all different speeds - not easy!  There were two days where he had to leave the group and leave his other two leaders in charge. They were lovely and did a good job - but I did think that it was slightly odd that the group leader left for 2 of the 9 days.  Overall - the 3 of them were really great, fun to be with, safe, and knowledgable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is not a luxury camping trip - this is roughing it.  The food is very simple, the tents are average, and you are without showers for 5 days.  However - if you love wide open spaces, unique landscapes, camping, and hiking - then you'll love it.  I would recommend proper hiking boots - even though I did all the hiking in trainers - but I would have preferred boots as some of the terraine was really rugged.  Be prepared for a decent amount of driving. Oman is a big country so we did hike a lot - but we also spent a lot of time in a car driving to the destinations.  The guides will provide you a lot of knowledge about the Omani history and culture but be aware that you don't really come in much contact with the culture or people because you are spending most of your time hiking remotely.  Bring a great camera - the views are spectacular!   Is there anything else you would like to add? One piece of advice - if at all possible - change the itinerary to view the Nizwa souq on a Friday during the cattle and goat market.  We missed this by a day and was really the highlight of the market from what I had read.  The souq was really fun regardless - but seeing the live auction would have made it even better!
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• Susan

  · April 30th, 2013
  A fabulous place to find oneself as tourism was only allowed around 20 years ago.  I felt privileged to be there. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Waking up to sunrise over the Gulf of Oman, viewed without interruption, from my tent. Especially rewarding as we trekked 8.5 hours the previous day in temps of 38 degs to get there! Soaring Egyptian Vultures over the Canyon.....you need to like birds, they were spectacular. What did you think of your group leader? Yeh! Rob was a great guy. He didn't want to know about any whingeing, a kind of "get on with it Northerner kind of guy". His main focus was that we should all enjoy our visit to Oman to the maximum and that's great in my book. He was, however, pressganged into lots of coffee stops, he didn't mind - he was outnumbered! His two Omani right-hand men were gorgeous. But being in their sole care for 2 days, a better command of English would have been welcome. However, their committment was unquestionable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I was twice the age of half the group, if that makes sense! So what I thought was hard, was probably a breeze. The heat does need to be taken into consideration though as we trekked in temperatures of 38-40 degs. For any age, a good level of fitness is required, but that's indicated in the rating. But, Rob......trainers not really suitable! Despite the heat, I was glad of my proper walking boots as the terrain is very, very rough in parts, sometimes without paths. But then again...old feet! High factor suncream essential. Is there anything else you would like to add? I just loved it to bits! Oman is stunning and friendly.  There is also  virtually a total lack of crime.  I felt completely safe, even in the middle of the night when having left my tent for obvious reasons, I couldn't find it again and had to be rescued. Women can move freely, unthreatened and unhassled. Don't be put off by Oman's location on the Arabian Peninsular. Despite its very traditional outlook Oman is very moderate with the only pressure to conform being the desire not to offend. Apart that is from the Grand Mosque where cover-up was essential.I would love to go back. It's a very large country and we only saw one very small part. Salalah sounds good. I believe it's on the cards!
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