OMAN - The land of Frankincense

The Jewel of the Arab Peninsula, Oman offers stunning deserts, mountains and authentic experiences.
Feel the friendliness embrace you from Muscat to Musandam!

Oman - The Land of FranKincense

Explore stunning wadis (valleys), ancient mud villages, souqs, desert sands and delicious cuisine! Oman offers something different with every day. Follow ancient spice trails, tackle the dunes of the Wahiba Sands, meet traditional Bedouin people, and stay with locals in small villages! We will photograph some of the most diverse and dramatic landscape in the world, in Oman, this enigmatic corner of Arabia.

Our NGO in OMAN

Sidab Women’s Sewing Cooperative is tucked away in a small fishing village, just down the hill from the Muscat Old Town. In 2004, a group of social entrepreneurs created a sewing community to help local women earn a regular income. Sidab Women provides flexible work to over thirty women from their headquarters in a beautifully restored traditional Omani house, complete with a sewing training workshop and boutique.

February 2023

Cost – TBD
Add-on – TBD
Guests – (6-8)
Arrival airport – Muscat, Oman

*Workshop price includes: photography workshop, culinary classes, all accommodations, all breakfasts and many dinners, ground transport, airport transfers

Add-on price includes: flight, hotel, overnight on Dhow Cruise, snorkelling, meals aboard boat and non-alcoholic drinks.
Our apologies for the high price of this workshop, but Oman is the most expensive country we have visited - it will be worth it!

ITINERARY

ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Oman
Flights into Muscat
Accommodations: Boutique Hotel

DAY 1 - MUSCAT to SUR
One on ones dawn walk with Nance exploring the glistening white streets of Muscat
Morning Welcome Class - Meet our amazing guide, Basim!
After lunch we set out in our 4x4s through the Al Arbiyeen Wadi to Sur
with a visit to a Dhow boat (Arabian ships) factory to see the traditional shipbuilders at work

DAY 2 - SUR to WAHIBA SANDS
We venture through Wadi Bani Khalid and visit a Bedouin family
before arriving at the Wahiba Sand dunes to photograph the orange dunes at sunset. We settle in
for the evening over a delicious BBQ (did we mention that Basim is a chef too?) and our tents under the desert stars.
Accommodations: Desert Nights Camp

DAY 3 - WAHIBA SANDS to AL MUDAIBI VILLAGE
Traveling through the rocky landscape we stop in the all women’s market at Ibra in the morning
and continue our journey inland. We stay in Basim’s village, with his family, for local food,
culture and some real Omani hospitality!
Accommodations: Basim’s home

 DAY 4 - AL MUDAIBI to NIZWA
We head to the Thursday market at the Sinaw Souq, and up into the
Al-Jabel Al-Akhder mountains, we take time to capture some nice light in the
ruins village of Birkat Al-Mouz and then on the historic town of Nizwa,
with its giant fort and high-walled souq. We’ll photograph one of Oman’s last silversmiths
and finish the day with your choice of Turkish or Zanzibari cuisine.
Accommodations:  Boutique Hotel

DAY 5 - NIZWA to SAYQ
We start our day at dawn photographing the famous Goat and Cattle Market in Nizwa
before heading off to the mountains to hike and have lunch at an Authentic Omani guesthouse carved out of the mud cliffs.
We get back to our hotel in Sayq in time for a Cooking class with Chef Anondo or a relaxing massage at the spa.
Accommodations  Spa and Resort

DAY 6 - SAYQ to Al HAMRA
Taking our 4x4s through the spectacular Wadi Ghul - the Grand Canyon of Oman,
to the ancient ruins of Al Khitaym village and the Al-Hamra old Village. We continue
through the mountains to our stunning hotel.
Accommodations  The View

DAY 7 - JEBEL SHAMS and MISFAT
Misfat Al-Abreyen old Mountain Village Day Trip and Lunch.
We’ll explore the Al Hoota Caves and surrounding mountains.
Overnight in Al Hamra
Accommodations The View

DAY 8 - Al HAMRA to MUSCAT
We’ll take the long way home in our 4x4s through the rugged and dramatic
Wadi Bani Awf with a relaxing dip into the Nakhal Hot Springs along the way
We’ll make it back to Muscat in time for the sunset at our beachside hotel
Accommodations Boutique Hotel

DAY 9 - MUSCAT
Take a day to edit your photos, shop and explore Muscat.
Visit the Souq, Opera house and the Sultan Qaboos’ famous Grand Mosque
Sunset Cruise on the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea

Dinner and Photo exhibit to say farewells!
Accommodations Boutique Hotel

DAY 10
JOURNEY HOME - or on to MUSANDAM ADD-ON

QUICK PACK List

Camera equipment, head scarves for women, good walking shoes or hiking boots, long light quick dry pants, shorts, bathing suit with cover up, long sleeved light shirts, warmer layers for evening, sunscreen, sunhat, travel pillow, sleeping bag liner or sheet, small flashlight or headlamp, water bottle.

recommended reading

Celestial Bodies, Jokha Alharthi, 2019, Winner of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize, Celestial Bodies is an elegantly structured and taut, coiled spring of a novel, telling of Oman's coming-of-age through the prism of three women and one family's losses and loves.

Unkown Oman, Wendell Phillips, 1972, an archeologist’s look at Oman before the oil boom. Before schools, roads and infrastructure.

TRAVEL LEVEL

Comfortable, some strenuous walking, camping for one or two nights in tents.
 

FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS - THE VIEW

In the heart of the Jebel Shams Mountains, this luxury eco-resort is tucked away in a scenic valley and offers an exclusive Omani experience. It takes a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle to cover the last stretch of 7.5 km of winding mountainous paths leading up to the resort; and you are greeted with stunning panoramas of the surrounding valley, that is sure to take your breath away.