Wadi Bani Khalid & Wahiba Sands from Muscat: camel ride and swim

Swim in mountain pools, then ride a camel into the dunes at sunset

A private full-day tour from Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands with an English-speaking guide, 4WD transport, and hotel pickup. You swim in the wadi's clear pools, visit a Bedouin family for coffee and dates, and watch the sunset from the desert—camel ride is optional and costs extra. The tour runs eight hours round-trip from Muscat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wadi Bani Khalid and Desert Sunset

• Drive from Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid
• Walk to water pools and swim
• Visit Wahiba Sands Desert
• Meet Bedouin family and drink coffee
• Ride camel and watch sunset
• Drive back to Muscat

The Experience

The drive from Muscat takes two hours, giving you time to settle in before the first stop. Wadi Bani Khalid is a mountain canyon with natural pools fed by underground springs; the water stays cool and clear year-round. You walk down to the pools and swim—bring a towel and water shoes with grip, and wear a t-shirt and shorts below the knee if you're a woman. After swimming, the tour heads into Wahiba Sands, the orange desert that defines Oman's interior.

In Wahiba Sands, you stop at a Bedouin family's camp to drink strong Omani coffee and eat dates, the traditional welcome. The camel ride is optional and arranged on the day for a separate fee; if you take it, you ride into the dunes as the light drops. The sunset here is the centerpiece—the sand turns gold and the sky fills with color. After that, it's a two-hour drive back to Muscat.

Your guide speaks English and travels with you the whole day. The 4WD vehicle handles the sand and rough tracks; bottled water is provided. Pickup and drop-off happen at your Muscat hotel or a nearby meeting point. Children from age five are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat if needed.

What’s included

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your Muscat hotel, transport in a 4WD vehicle, an English-speaking guide for the full day, bottled water, and entry to both Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands; coffee and dates are served at the Bedouin family camp.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Star Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private experience with your own guide and vehicle—the 4WD handles the desert tracks and the guide stays with you all day, so you move at your own pace between swimming, the Bedouin camp, and the sunset. The camel ride is optional, so you decide whether to add it when you book or on the day itself.

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Top questions

What is Wadi Bani Khalid like for swimming?

Wadi Bani Khalid is a mountain canyon with natural pools fed by underground springs. The water is clear and cool year-round, and you walk down an easy path to reach it. Bring a towel and water shoes with grip so you don't slip on the rocks.

Can I ride a camel on this tour?

Yes, camel riding is optional and arranged on the day you tour. It costs 3 OMR (about 8 USD) per person and happens in Wahiba Sands as the sun sets.

How long is the drive from Muscat?

The drive to Wadi Bani Khalid takes around two hours each way, so plan for four hours of driving total. The tour runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off.

What do you do at the Bedouin family camp?

You visit a Bedouin family in Wahiba Sands, drink traditional Omani coffee, and eat dates. It's a chance to see how people live in the desert and watch the sunset from their camp.

What should I bring for swimming?

Bring extra clothes, a towel, and water shoes that won't slip on rocks. Women should wear a t-shirt and shorts below the knee in the water. The tour provides bottled water throughout the day.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included. The tour includes coffee and dates at the Bedouin camp, bottled water, and transport with your guide, but you'll want to eat before you leave Muscat or bring snacks.