Photo: Christoph Strässler ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Arabia’s Grand Canyon and the Wahiba sands.
A loop from Muscat through the Hajar mountains and down the eastern coast: the gravel climb to the Jebel Shams plateau above Wadi Ghul, the fort at Nizwa, a night in the Wahiba dunes, Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab, the turtles of Ras al Jinz. Oman combines superb tarmac, safety and proper mountain dirt. A winter tour for when Europe is out of season.
- Wadi Ghul canyon, 1,000 m deep
- A night camped among the Wahiba dunes
- Swimming in Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid
- The Jebel Akhdar switchbacks
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Briefing
Muscat and the bikes
Airport pick-up, a hotel near Muttrah, bike collection and briefing. The old Muttrah souq and the Corniche in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Muscat - DAY 2 · 230 km, tarmac
Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar
The highway via Samail to Nizwa and its seventeenth-century fort. After lunch the tarmac switchbacks up to the Jebel Akhdar plateau at 2,000 m, where roses and pomegranates grow.
Overnight: Hotel on Jebel Akhdar - DAY 3 · 150 km, gravel climb
Jebel Shams above Wadi Ghul
Down to Nizwa, then via Al Hamra and Misfat al Abriyeen onto the gravel climb to the Jebel Shams plateau at 2,000 m. An evening walk along the Balcony Trail above the canyon.
Overnight: Lodge on Jebel Shams - DAY 4 · 170 km, steep gravel
Wadi Bani Awf and Snake Canyon
The big dirt day: off the plateau via the Sharfat al Alamayn pass, 2,000 m, down the steep, rocky track into Wadi Bani Awf and the village of Balad Sayt. Out to the coast at Ar Rustaq.
Overnight: Hotel in Ar Rustaq - DAY 5 · 350 km, tarmac and sand
Via Muscat to the Wahiba sands
A long tarmac run through Muscat and Ibra to the edge of the Wahiba Sands. The last 15 km on sand to a camp among 100-metre dunes.
Overnight: Camp in the Wahiba dunes - DAY 6 · 220 km, tarmac
Wadi Bani Khalid and Sur
From the dunes to the emerald pools of Wadi Bani Khalid, then through the hills to Sur, the town of wooden dhows. Turtles on the Ras al Jinz beach after dark.
Overnight: Hotel in Sur - DAY 7 · 200 km, coastal tarmac
Wadi Shab and the coast
The coastal highway north: the Bimmah sinkhole, a walk and swim in Wadi Shab, the village of Qurayyat. Bikes returned in Muscat.
Overnight: Hotel in Muscat - DAY 8 · Transfer
Flight home
Breakfast and transfer to Muscat airport. A late flight leaves time for the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 850 GS / Honda Africa Twin / Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 hire
Support vehicle with luggage and water
Local riding guide
3–4-star hotels, a mountain lodge and a desert camp
Breakfasts and dinners
Fuel for the whole route
Muscat airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Ras al Jinz turtle reserve tickets
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, two or more years of riding; the mountain tracks require gravel experience on steep grades. Ivan advises on kit for daytime heat and cold nights on the plateau.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.