The Great Crossing of Oman

Muscat • Wadi Shab • Sur • Wadi Bani Khalid • Sharqiyah Sands • Nizwa • Jabrin • Bahla • Al Hamra • Misfat Al Abriyeen • Jebel Shams • Wadi Bani Awf • Bilad Sayt • Daymaniyat Islands • Salalah • Taqah • Khor Rori • Wadi Darbat • Mirbat • Mughsail • Marneef • Wadi Dawkah • Shisr • Rub Al Khali • Al Baleed • Al Hafa

You’re not just touring Oman. You’re crossing it.

The Great Crossing of Oman is Oasis Trails’ Signature journey. An itinerary designed not as a series of stops, but as a true geographic and cultural traverse of the Sultanate.

The journey starts in the north. In Muscat, the Hajar Mountains plunge almost directly into the sea. Then the route follows the eastern coast to the waters of Wadi Shab and the old maritime town of Sur. Inland reveals Wadi Bani Khalid, the vast dunes of Sharqiyah Sands, and the historic cities of Nizwa, Jabrin, and Bahla.

The path continues to the ancient villages of Al Hamra and Misfat Al Abriyeen before gaining altitude to Jebel Shams. From here begins one of Oman’s great mountain crossings: Wadi Bani Awf and Bilad Sayt gradually lead back down to the plains and towards Muscat.

After a marine interlude at the Daymaniyat Islands, a domestic flight covers nearly a thousand kilometers in a few hours. And another world seems to appear. The Dhofar. The landscapes, vegetation, history, and atmosphere are different here. Mountains tower over the Indian Ocean, and the land’s story is deeply linked to frankincense.

Khor Rori, Al Baleed, Wadi Dawkah, and Shisr tell of one of the great ancient and medieval trade routes. The journey continues to the edges of the Rub Al Khali, one of the world’s largest sand deserts.

The trip ends in Salalah. No unnecessary return to Muscat. You arrive in the north of the Sultanate and depart from the south. In between, you have crossed Oman.

Essential Information — Duration: 13 days / 12 nights. Type: bespoke private Signature circuit. Collection: Signature. Arrival: Muscat — MCT. Departure: Salalah — SLL. Ground transport: comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle. Domestic flight: Muscat–Salalah. Level: easy to moderate with some more active or adventurous stages. Best season: October to April for a balanced crossing of the north and Dhofar. Accommodation: carefully selected hotels, desert camp, and mountain lodging. Guidance: French-speaking, depending on the package. Spirit: in-depth discovery, landscapes, history, adventure, and Signature travel. Ideal travelers: those with about two weeks wanting to experience all of Oman’s diversity.

The internal flight schedule may require an adjustment to day 8.

Dhofar’s landscapes vary greatly depending on the season. From October to April, the experience highlights the coast, mountains, desert, and frankincense heritage; it should not be confused with the lush green scenery typical of the Khareef summer monsoon.

Four worlds, one journey — The Great Crossing is built on a deliberate progression. 1. Maritime Oman: Muscat, Wadi Shab, and Sur. 2. Desert and cities of Oman: Wadi Bani Khalid, Sharqiyah Sands, Nizwa, Jabrin, and Bahla. 3. Mountain Oman: Al Hamra, Misfat, Jebel Shams, Wadi Bani Awf, and Bilad Sayt. 4. Southern Oman: Salalah, the Indian Ocean, the Land of Frankincense, and the edges of Rub Al Khali. These transitions give identity to the trip.

A fully customizable Signature experience — Oasis Trails can adapt the hotel categories; overall pace; number of nights; hiking difficulty; desert camp standard; Rub Al Khali section; gastronomic experiences; local encounters; water activities; private boat excursions; free time; wellness experiences; and service and guidance levels.

Operational conditions — The natural environments visited may cause some activities to change due to heavy rains or flash flood risks in wadis; mountain trail conditions; adverse marine weather; temporary restrictions in nature reserves; domestic flight schedule changes; or specific desert conditions. When this happens, Oasis Trails favors coherent alternatives over maintaining an activity at the expense of safety or trip quality.

Dhofar by season — Dhofar has two distinct faces. During the summer Khareef, the monsoon brings mist and greenery to parts of the mountains. From October to April, the season chosen for this crossing, the journey showcases coastal landscapes, mountains, beaches, desert, pleasant winter climate, and frankincense heritage. Photos and descriptions provided to travelers always correspond to the booked season.

Why finish in Salalah? — Because a true crossing shouldn’t force the traveler to return to their starting point just to close a loop on a map. The journey begins in Muscat and ends in Salalah. In between lies Oman.

The Great Crossing of Oman — From the Hajar to the Dhofar. 13 days. One Sultanate. Entire worlds to cross. Private Signature Journeys by Oasis Trails — The Soul of Oman.