Experience both the desert and the waters of the wadis today in this full day group tour from Muscat. You’ll visit Wahiba sands and explore the sculptured dunes in the South of Ibra. Later you’ll get to Wadi Bani Khalid with its constant flow of water among the large boulders throughout the wadi. Play in the desert, and then have a swim later on.

Get picked up from your hotel at 8am to start this adventure
Dine on an included Omani lunch today with water and soft drinks
Your entry fee to Wadi Bani Khalid is included
Either ride in a 4X4 or minivan, depending on the number of people

What's Included

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

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Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

08:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We do pickup and drop off any where in muscat. Please send us your location to our whats-app. Important: This is Sharing tours we need minimum two persons in order to open this tours. However single person also can book this tour if he/she able to paying of 2 pax amount.

What To Expect

Wahiba Sands

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Wadi Bani Khalid

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

mahta_k

It was a beautiful experience with sameer as our tour guide . We Had amazing time on desert and wadi which was a great adventure , even though it is summer, the heat was a tolerable and our guide made sure we stayed hydrate all the time, along with a wonderful meal, I would highly recommend it.

Reviews

5.0

301 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 301 reviews

Excellent full-day driving tour

Judy_C, Dec 2023

Saif was a fantastic guide! He communicated well before our tour, arrived promptly to pick us up and looked after us all day. Although we had driven to Muscat from Al Ain the day prior, we saw a whole new variety of beautiful landscapes. Saif answered our dozens of questions all day long with kindness, patience and honesty. We ate delicious local food (regag, tea, coffee, camel, lamb, chicken, etc etc!) and Saif made sure my late-80’s parents were comfortable, even while performing expert dune driving manoeuvres and doing the little trek to the wadi. This tour is perfect for anyone wanting to get a real feel for the gorgeous mountains, desert and oases that make up this part of beautiful Oman!

Must do!

YuriyS, Nov 2023

I went with Wabar tours, and it was an excellent experience. I have never seen the desert before. It is huge and really beautiful. Our tour guide Bu Mashari is very experienced diver. He draws through the sands in unbelievable manner :) It was unforgettable! Also, lunch in local restaurant was a great chance to meet a new food.

A great way to get a feel of Oman.

Debra_S, Nov 2023

Our guide (whose name I’m ashamed to say I can’t remember) was just so lovely. On our way to the desert he took us for coffee where I had the best Arabic coffee I have ever tasted. Once we were on the desert sands he took us on an exhilarating drive across the dunes, passing camels and goats and ending up at a typical Bedouin tent. More Arabic coffee and dates, then out to see the camels which we could have had a ride on if we were brave enough! (We weren’t!). Afterwards we headed out of the desert to a local restaurant for a typical Omani lunch of various meats and rice. Then onwards to the Wadi for a swim. Ladies, if you plan to swim, make sure you take clothing to swim in that respects the local culture. We didn’t think about this and so we weren’t able to take a dip in the cool waters. Finally, heading home we stopped off halfway at the Bimma sinkhole which is a deep pool near the sea which is 50/50 fresh/salt water. After a long but informative and enlightening day, we were returned to our hotel.

Unfortunately I didn't...

davidschneider, Nov 2023

Unfortunately I didn't like the tour at all. First of all I was picked up 40 minutes late without any notice. If you book a day tour and then only drive 15 minutes through the desert, that's very little. Lunch was a disgrace, much of it was already missing and cold. You pay such a high price for this tour and get this subpar service.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Dear David Sorry for the inconveniences, you are booked a sharing tour and it's pickup between 8.00am to 9.00am. However we will update your other complaints to relevant department to examine and will update you good solution.

Great time Dune Bashing

Amy_B, Oct 2023

Definitely recommend this tour. Our guide was very friendly and happily answered all our questions about Oman. You can tell Abu Mashari wants everybody to have the best experience possible!

Abdullah was an amazing...

james_s, Oct 2023

Abdullah was an amazing tour guide and took great care of us. The service was fantastic and the whole group had a great time. The swimming at the end of the session was a real gem.

Friendly tour

PRIYAL_G, Sep 2023

Very friendly guides..it was a great tour. Lot of fun. The desert safari was great and the wadi as well.

Perfect tour!

Anastasia_M, Aug 2023

The tour is excellent! Our guide Saif was kind, humorous and extremely helpful. We learned a lot about the desert and the local customs, we had a nice meal in a truly local restaurant and the wadi is beautiful. I highly recommend this tour!

Marvelous adventure

mahta_k, Aug 2023

Fantastic Day Excursion!

Sydney_S, Aug 2023

Our guide Khaled was amazing! Very kind, made sure we enjoyed ourselves, and was very attentive to making sure we were hydrated and healthy in the heat! Highly recommend!

Great layover tour

Jacinta_M, Jul 2023

Had a fantastic day with Bu Mashari going dune bashing and swimming. He was a great tour guide, who was very prompt replying over WhatsApp to arrange where to meet and what time, he took time to answer all my questions and stopped to let me take pictures when we could. Would highlight recommend doing this tour, for me was a way better way to spend a 15 hour layover than in an airport

Disappointing, unprofessional non-adventure, restrictive tour.....

Dwynwen_A, Jul 2023

Horrific from booking to returning home, total shambles so unprofessional, ongoing dispute whereby I still await explanation which is pathetically slow forthcoming. Why this unprofessional, inefficiency from a service provider is beyond my comprehension. Mohammed guide got lost re my pickup schedule so late 26 minutes, resulting inconveniencing my neighbour and embarrassment to myself. On arrival no introduction I having to approach him and ask if he was from Viator. No personal or vehicle I/D submitted, this certainly not professionalism. Drove off no itinerary indication, whereby I realised driving in direction of airport hence I asked where the other participant being pick-up - sure enough 'the airport' so an unwelcomed trip to the airport still no introduction or tour expectations format. Picked-up 2nd participant at airport whom apparently permitted to sit in front seat whereby I being declined, even though my booking enquiry made a week previously, 2nd participant being in transit flight? scenario. Then tour began, still no route indication or any tour information offer by Mohammed guide. Instead the tour became an Australian boring running commentary by 2nd tour precipitant not an interesting educational Omani history, geographical, cultural, people orientated experience as I envisaged. Guide Mohammed not intervening with an Omani schedule but allowing the Australian to 'ramble on boring Australian dialog of no interest or informative', why this permitted when I a Group paying Omani tour participant. unbelievable arrogant, rude even though I voiced my opinion, no resolution, I absolutely ignore. The whole tour was a 2 way conversation scenario between Mohammed guide and Australian, certainly not a Group activity, no commentary en-route between pick up point and Desert only group communication was twice being asked 'Toilet Stop' and stopped by a restaurant Mohammed stating he had to get change, how this related to the tour is still oblivious to me? Preparation for Desert Mohammed stopped at a Service outlet stating tyre adjustment, naturally known to travellers , only other audible comment heard was 'did anyone feel ill?' we all adults had there been children partaking tour comment understood but not for adults!!. By this time I had absolutely enough of this uninformative ongoing so voiced my opinion stating tour a shear time/money wating exercise, so disappointing. No audible commentary maybe 2 way conversation but No Group commentary other than Dune numbering. Visited a Desert home for coffee again no introduction or explanation, questions I asked Mohammed could not answer but he growled at me as I had not taken off my shoes on entry, again no Group instruction of this. Photo taken restricted all along the tour, understood maybe within Dunes drive but not otherwise. Onwards to Wadi Bani Khalid listening to more Australian boring running commentary. why permitted, I paid for an interested, educational, cultural Omani tour which never eventuated, why not please? Wadi Bani Khalid I opted to go solely, absolutely bliss able to interact with Omani people, met wonderful Omani women, children and gents selling fruit and wares. all courteous, polite, interesting, far more knowledgeable explaining their visit purpose and nature aspects, so interesting. A blessing as I could not tolerate more Australian running commentary, it is an Omani tour I paid for not Australian. Had to ask 4 times for water whilst tour driving. Return journey to Muscat was to a 2 way conversation between Mohammed guide and Australian. not a Group commentary communication as should be expected of tour. No indication of area location history, geographical, culture, people non offered as ones tour expectations. Driving back to Muscat noticed by-passing entry to Madinat Qaboos where I live, no offer of whether I should appreciate being dropped off first so not having to partake in a boring drive to airport again, so inconsiderate as tour format was. So another unnecessary trip to the airport I envisaged. Dropped Australian at airport, finally no verbal Australian commentary and so very interesting as Mohammed guide never said a word from Airport to my drop off point.. I could enhance more-so but presently enough said.... I am a well travelled, educated, intelligent lady having partaken, enjoyed many professional Desert activities in 6 countries, having a certificate in Desert Buggy Driving in Dubai. My tour comparison conclusion is that Viator certainly do not qualify as a good experience adventure tour category. absolutely so disappointing Viator. .

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Dear Guest Sorry for the inconveniences Guide was continuously contact since 8am to reach your location. Unfortunately you were not mentioned the full address for pickup purpose. It's hard to find a guest with location and way number, you also need to be submit Villa number or hotel name to get door step pick-up. We prefer safety precautions, so it's mandatory to accept guide instructions. There is no personal interests as you are explain above. Also please note that June to August are no season time, you may not seen the much activities in the both locations. You are booked a sharing tour which is Wahiba sands and Wadi bani khalid Sharing tour. It is group tour so we can't stop any personalised intrested locations. Our guide made live explanations for both guests and also there is no complaint from other joint guests. However you can prove with any audio or vedeo if any discrimination did with our guide. Once we recived the proof , we will take the immediate actions.

Definitely coming back !

Nassima_A, May 2023

It was perfect ! Bu Mashari aka Mohammed Al Balooshi was an amazing guide, he took his time to show us everything and taught us about Omani culture. He never rushed us. He let us take our time to enjoy the incredible views. If you’re travelling alone he helps you take pictures. He’s thoughtful and such a genuine person it made the trip even better. The ride in the desert was filled with so much good energies it was perfect ! Btw, the food was soooo good and they were so generous we couldn’t finish our plate.

Great day!

Francesco_D, May 2023

I had the best time with my travel buddies and Mohammed Al Baloushi, our tour guide. It has been a great experience that I recommend to everyone!!!

10/10 must do!

Angela_M, May 2023

I had an amazing experience with Bu Mashari! He never rushed us and let us take everything in at our own pace even with a group. We got to experience Omani food, visit the desert and it’s people, and swim through wadi bani! Incredible guide and beautiful experience. Thank you! Till next time

Very nice trip overall....

Brooke_B, May 2023

Very nice trip overall. Our guide Mohammed was kind and helpful throughout the trip. We took a few stops along the way out to Wadi Bani Khaled and Wahiba Sands. Mohammed explained various elements throughout the trip and was accommodating based on the needs of different people.

Riding around the dunes...

Athanasios_P, Apr 2023

Riding around the dunes was like being on a desert roller coaster! I think I would have preferred to have lunch after this experience, as it was a tad nauseating, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Having a coffee and halwa at the Bedouin camp was a pleasant experience, good atmosphere. The Wadi was beautiful, although keep in mind that you can't swim in it after heavy rains, as the water is full of mountain runoff. The tour guide, Bu, was fantastic, very knowledgeable and kind.

Highly Recommend!

Janelle_M, Apr 2023

I had a wonderful experience with Khalid! The vehicle was very clean and comfortable. Highly recommend!

Great expreince

Emre_D, Apr 2023

Everything is great and tour leader is good person and I recommend this tour to everyone, super exprience

Fantastic guide

Ethan_H, Apr 2023

Great tour hosted by an equally brilliant tour guide (Bu Mashari) who brought the itinerary to life.