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hiking in the rub al khali & hajar mountains
In October 2012 I spent two weeks in the Sultanate of Oman. The country is located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. It's diverse geography includes rugged coasts, placid beaches, craggy mountains, salt flats, oasis and deserts. Hiking is by far the best way to enjoy Oman's spectacular mountain-landscape. I visited Oman a second time in November 2021 to explore the Omani part of the Rub al Khali desert on foot.
Omani crew, Rub al Khali desert, Dhofar region
Dhow wharf, Sur
The emerald pools of Wadi Tiwi
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Hiking in the Rub al Khali, 2021
In 2021, I had the chance to join a hiking group on a great long-distance hike through the desert of Rub al Khali (the 'Empty Quarter'), accompanied by Omani Bedouins. The·Rub al Khali is the largest sand desert on earth (650,000 square kilometres), encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula.
Unlike neighbouring countries where glitzy cities compete for bigger, better, taller everything, Oman has managed to retain at least some of the charms of the old Arabia as it must have been years ago. Therefore Oman is particularly well known for Cultural tourism. At the same time, it's also a great place for hiking.
tour info
The tour in October 2012 was organized by Hauser Exkursionen, Germany and led by the Austrian tour guide Herwig Kaschka. The desert hiking tour in 2021 was organised by Puretreks, Germany and led by Jerome Blösser, who is the travel company's founder.
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Exploring on foot beautiful Wadi Tiwi with its string of thick plantations and emerald pools, perfect for swimming.