Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: omani desert camp experience tour at Muscat

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

The Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert, a coastal ecoregion located on the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, features a diverse mix of habitats, including mangrove swamps, lagoons, dunes, and mudflats on the coast. Inland are gravelly plains and savanna, with thorny acacia trees in the foreground of the Musandam and Al Hajar mountains. In addition to its expansive nature splendour, this ecoregion offers a unique opportunity to experience the Bedouin lifestyle by embracing its people and traditions. Experience the spectacular natural beauty and Bedouin lifestyle of the Oman Desert in a unique new way during this fun-filled and exciting overland adventure, and an evening under the stars. After disembarking the ship in Muscat, you are transferred to a scenic and exhilarating dune-ride at the beautiful and expansive Wahiba Sands. Afterward, transfer to the 1,000-Night Camp for check-in and some free time before heading out for a spectacular sunset dune-ride. Following your dune-ride, return to the camp for a barbecue dinner and an overnight stay in a Sheikh Tent at the 1,000-Night Camp. After breakfast the next morning, check-out, board your 4WD vehicle and return to Wahiba Sands, home to the traditional Bedouins. Upon arrival, stop by a local Bedouin home for a unique opportunity to interact with a local family. Following your visit, proceed for an Arabic lunch at the Al Angham restaurant in Muscat. After lunch, your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes on Day Two with transfer to the port of Mina Sultan Qaboos. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.

01MIDMCT-A: Oman Desert Camp Experience

Duration: 1.5 Day/1 Night

Departs from: Muscat

Re-join ship: Muscat

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Land Adventure is a small group luxury tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Oman Visa. Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Oman. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is Omani Rial; however Euros and US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited. (There is no shopping stop planned during the program.)

DAY ONE - Muscat/Wahiba Sands

Scenic and exhilarating dune-riding at the beautiful and expansive Wahiba Sands

After disembarking the ship and immigration clearance, meet your guide, board your 4WD vehicle and transfer to the scenic and exhilarating dune-riding at the beautiful and expansive Wahiba Sands

Following your visit, re-board your 4WD vehicle and head to the Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sands is a long, narrow strip of high dunes and sketchy woodland approximately 110 miles (about 177 kilometres) from north-to-south, and approximately 50 miles (about 80 kilometres) from east-to-west along the pristine coastline of eastern Oman. Upon arrival at the edge of the desert, deflate your tires and begin your fun-filled and exciting dune-ride. Afterward, transfer to the 1,000-Night Camp.

The 1,000-Night Camp

The 1,000-Night Camp features very authentic, Bedouin-style tents with attached toilet and shower, and an open view to the sky. The 'Sheikh' tent is one of our traditional Bedouin tents, and made with the original wool of goats and sheep to offer guests a taste of elegant Bedouin living in the desert. The 'Sheikh' tent is equipped with a dim electric lamp, and an electric-charging plug for camera, mobile phones and laptops. Table and chairs are also available to enjoy the camp's romantic atmosphere under the green tree outside the tent.

Late-afternoon check-in, free time and a sunset dune-ride

Following check-in and some free time to relax, meet your guide and depart for some sunset dune-driving. During this scenic and exhilarating, roller coaster-like ride over the dunes, discover why the ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer's delight.

Barbecue dinner under the stars at the 1,000-Night Camp

Following this unforgettable sunset dune-ride, return to the 1,000-Night Camp for some free time to freshen-up before dinner. This evening, the wafting aromas of a barbecued meal being prepared greet your arrival prior to sitting down for a relaxing dinner under the stars.

Overnight in a Sheikh Tent at the 1,000-Night Camp - Wahiba Sands

DAY TWO - Wahiba Sands/Bedouin House/Muscat/ Al Angham Restaurant /Mina Sultan Qaboos

Breakfast, a drive to Wahiba Sands and visit to a local Bedouin home

After breakfast at the 1,000-Night Camp, check-out, board your 4WD vehicle and return to Wahiba Sands, home to the traditional Bedouins. Those who choose to live in the harsh desert environment of Wahiba Sands must be hardy and resilient to tolerate its harsh climate, and the Bedu are just that. Today, over 3,000 Bedu of varying tribal origins live here amidst the woodland on the fringes of the sands. Upon arrival at the Wahiba Sands, a visit is made to a local Bedouin home for a unique opportunity to interact with a local family.

Arabic lunch at the Al Angham restaurant in Muscat, and a transfer to the pier and ship

Following your visit, proceed for an Arabic lunch at the Al Angham restaurant in Muscat. After lunch, transfer to the port of Mina Sultan Qaboos. Upon arrival, embark the ship.

Programme Includes:

One-night stay in a Sheikh Tent at the 1,000-Night Camp - Wahiba Sands
One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner with drinks included
Day and sunset dune-riding via 4WD vehicles at Wahiba Sands
Barbecue dinner at the 1,000-Night Camp
Visit to a local Bedouin home for interaction with a local family
Arabic lunch at the Al Angham restaurant in Muscat
All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.

Note

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone, bumpy, rocky, sandy, grassy, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the 4WD vehicles and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, raingear, an electric socket convertor that fits Middle East plugs, a camera, and local currency for purchases from the ship; avoid wearing sandals, as most of the sites visited are dusty. Proper attire is required to enter the mosques; women must wear modest clothing that covers the body and head, including the hair. Arms and legs must be covered to the wrists and ankles, and one must also take a scarf to cover your head. Men must wear modest clothing befitting the sanctity of the mosque. Shorts, transparent/see-through clothing, shorts and skirts, sleeveless shirts, clothing with profanity, tight clothing, swimwear, and beachwear are not permitted inside the mosque. Food, drinks and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the mosque. Slip-on shoes are recommended, as guests are required to remove their shoes before they enter the mosque. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

The local currency is the Omani Rial (OMR); however, US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (a shopping stop is not planned during this programme).

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis, and the program price is subject to change. Payment-in-full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason within 90 days of sailing. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this program. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the program fare per person is due.

Visa Information:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Oman. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.