Oman photo tour

Our desert journey begins in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Depending on the arrival time of the flights, we will visit the market in the old town and immerse ourselves in the oriental atmosphere of the city. In the evening, we will take outdoor shots of the impressive Sultan Qaboos Mosque. With its slender minarets and golden domed roof, it looks like a fairy tale from 1001 Nights.

The next morning, after packing, our adventure begins. From Muscat, we first head to the Al Hajar Mountains. On narrow roads, we wind our way through a spectacular mountain landscape. Our first stop is Wadi Bani Awf, a narrow canyon that has carved deeply into the land. After a first photo stop, the cool water invites us to take a refreshing dip. We set up our first camp near the picturesque village of Bilad Sayt. The next morning, we continue over the mountains to Nizwa. The fort of the oasis city is visible from afar. After checking into our hotel, we will go on a photo hunt in the souk.

From Nizwa, we drive along well-paved roads to Fahud, the last town before entering the northeastern part of the Rub al-Khali. From a distance, we can already see the dune fields on the horizon. Soon we reach the first dunes and our first campsite. Overwhelmed by the scenery, we enjoy our first sunset in the desert. The next days are focused on photography during sunrise and sunset, as well as driving through this spectacular landscape during the day. We make sure to reach our overnight stops early, giving us plenty of time to explore the best photo spots.

After three nights in the northeastern part of the Rub al-Khali, we embark on a long drive to the coast. In Wadi Shuwaymiya, we are greeted by a completely different landscape. A wide valley with acacias and steep rock walls of beige stone provides a nice contrast to the dunes of the past days. The next day, we reach the city of Salalah via a scenic drive along the Arabian Sea. In a lovely hotel right on the beach, we recharge our energy for the second part of the Rub al-Khali. We conclude our time in Salalah with a day trip to a waterfall in the hinterland.

Today, we begin the second part of the Rub al-Khali. From Salalah, we ascend steadily until we reach the plateau at an altitude of around 1,000 meters. Soon, the lush green landscape around Salalah disappears, and the bushes give way to rocky plains. In the early afternoon, the first dunes come into view, and we find ourselves again in a fantastic dune landscape. This area is characterized by wide gravel plains and giant star dunes. We plan five more nights in the «empty quarter» before we leave the desert to reach the Indian Ocean later that same day. The contrast couldn’t be greater: just moments ago we were in the desert, and now we are back at the sea. To keep the dunes in mind, we will camp once more in a beautiful dune area with white sand directly by the sea.

The next day, we continue, first along the coast and then back into the Al Hajar Mountains. We cross this fantastic mountain landscape one last time before reaching our final destination, Muscat. A great tour lies behind us. Over a final dinner together, we will reflect on our Oman journey.

The next morning, we depart from Muscat for our journey home.

Who is this trip for:

This photo expedition into the Rub al-Khali is aimed at all nature enthusiasts and desert fans. In addition to photography, the experience of the desert is the main focus. Both beginner and professional photographers are equally welcome. Non-photographing partners can also join this trip.

You bring a sense of adventure and are willing to lend a hand when necessary.

Looking forward to an incredible journey!
You can see more pictures of this unique area in my Oman and Oman 2022 portfolio.