Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour with Camel Ride
Wahiba Sands dunes, a camel ride, Bedouin coffee, and a canyon wadi with a clear pool
This full-day tour from Muscat takes you into Wahiba Sands desert for off-road driving, a camel ride, and a visit to a traditional Bedouin house, then continues to Wadi Bani Khalid for swimming in freshwater pools beneath steep canyon walls. The tour includes hotel or airport pickup, a 4WD vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and water throughout the day; lunch at a local restaurant is arranged separately.
Step-by-step itinerary
Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid tour
- Depart Muscat
- Photo stop at Fanja village
- Drive off road in Wahiba Sands Desert
- Visit traditional Bedouin house
- Try Omani coffee and dates
- Camel ride and dune photos
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Drive to Wadi Bani Khalid
- Swim or sunbathe at freshwater pools
- Walk deeper into the wadi or visit caves
- Drive back to Muscat
The Experience
Wahiba Sands begins with a short stop in the village of Fanja before the route turns into open desert. Once there, the 4WD vehicle leaves the main road and heads into stretches of towering sand dunes where off-road driving is the only way forward. The guide stops to visit a traditional Bedouin house, where you can try Omani coffee and dates, then move to the camel ride and photo time among the dunes themselves. This part of the day is built around what the desert actually looks like — not a quick pass-through but enough time to stand in it.
After the desert section, lunch happens at a local restaurant before the route turns toward Wadi Bani Khalid. The wadi is one of Oman's largest, with steep canyon walls and a series of clear freshwater pools. You can swim in the pools, walk deeper into the canyon, explore hidden caves, or sunbathe on the rocks. The water is cold enough to matter on a hot day, and the canyon itself is tall enough that the shade changes the whole experience. Bring a towel, sunscreen, hat and swimming clothes — the operator notes that a shirt and shorts or a one-piece with a cover-up are the expected dress.
The full day runs eight hours from pickup at your Muscat hotel, airport or port to drop-off. The vehicle is comfortable for the distance, water is provided throughout, and the guide speaks English. Children from age two are welcome on the tour.
What’s included
- Hotel, airport or port pickup and drop-off in the Muscat area.
- a comfortable 4WD vehicle for the full day.
- an English-speaking guide.
- water throughout the tour.
- entry to Wahiba Sands and the Bedouin house.
- a camel ride (8 USD per person, paid separately).
- and entry to Wadi Bani Khalid with access to the freshwater pools and canyon.
Operated by Landscape Tours
Is this one for you?Most desert tours from Muscat skip the wadi or rush through it; this one gives you the full day in both — off-road dunes and a camel ride in the morning, then a swim and canyon walk in the afternoon, so you see two different landscapes instead of one.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour with Camel Ride★ 4.95 (97)8hENUS$ 194
Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid: Dune Bashing, Swim & PickupFeel the Wahiba Sands dunes, swim in Wadi Bani Khalid’s turquoise pools, and share a traditional lunch. Includes Muscat pickup and local guide.★ 4.84 (149)9hENUS$ 130View ›
Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid private tour from MuscatPrivate full-day tour from Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid oasis and Wahiba Sands desert with English-speaking guide, 4x4 vehicle, pickup included, and swimming in natural pools.★ 4.99 (165)8h–9hEN · ARUS$ 200View ›
Wadi Bani Khalid & Wahiba Sands from Muscat: Camel ride and swimPrivate full-day desert tour from Muscat featuring a camel ride in Wahiba Sands, swimming at Wadi Bani Khalid, and sunset dinner with a Bedouin family.★ 4.96 (78)8hEN · ARUS$ 215View ›
2-Day Wahiba Sands Desert Tour from Muscat: Private GuidePrivate 2-day desert tour from Muscat with English-speaking guide, 4WD dune drive, Bedouin visit and overnight camp — pickup included, breakfast and dinner at the desert camp.★ 4.98 (63)2dEN · ARUS$ 545View ›
Full-Day Wadi Bani Khalid & Wahiba Sands Desert Tour from MuscatSwim in Wadi Bani Khalid's freshwater pools and ride camels at sunset in Wahiba Sands, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide★ 4.98 (330)8hENUS$ 208View ›
Oman: Private 5-Day Adventure with Desert & Wadis GuideExperience Oman’s canyons, ancient forts, and Wahiba Sands desert with a local guide. Includes hotel pickup, entry fees, and authentic Omani moments along the way.★ 4.99 (99)5dENUS$ 1,776View ›
Wadi Bani Khalid & Wahiba Sands tour from Muscat: Swim and sunsetEight-hour private tour from Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid and Wahiba Sands with English-speaking guide, 4X4 transport, water and hotel pickup included★ 5.00 (190)8hENUS$ 190View ›
Wadi Bani Khalid & Wahiba Sands: Emerald pools and Bedouin coffeeFull-day adventure from Muscat exploring Wadi Bani Khalid's pools and Wahiba Sands desert with hotel pickup, 4WD vehicle, guide, and optional camel ride.★ 4.98 (169)8hENUS$ 185View ›
2-Day Private Wahiba Sands Desert Tour from MuscatTwo-day private desert tour from Muscat with overnight stay in Wahiba Sands, visiting Wadi Shab, Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Bani Khalid with an English-speaking guide in a 4x4.★ 4.98 (65)2dENUS$ 517View ›
Wahiba Sands: Private Desert Tour with Camel & Quad BikeExperience Wahiba Sands from Muscat with camel ride, quad biking, sand boarding, and a visit to a Bedouin house. Includes hotel pickup and local Omani guide.★ 5.00 (43)8h–9hENUS$ 300View ›
Muscat: Wahiba Sands Overnight & Wadi Shab Hike with Dune SafariTwo days exploring Oman's desert and canyons from Muscat. Dune bashing, Arabian Oryx Camp overnight, Wadi Shab, Bimmah Sinkhole. Private guide, transport and meals included.★ 4.77 (13)2dENUS$ 500View ›
Muscat: Jebel Shams, Wahiba Sands & Wadi Shab 3-Day Tour3-day private tour from Muscat covering Oman's highest mountain, desert sands and coastal wadis. Includes accommodation, meals, 4WD transport and Omani guide. Small groups.★ 4.92 (25)3dENUS$ 1,240View › Top questions
What exactly is Wahiba Sands and what do you do there?
Wahiba Sands is a major desert in Oman known for endless stretches of towering sand dunes. You drive off-road through the dunes in a 4WD vehicle, visit a traditional Bedouin house where you can taste Omani coffee and dates, ride a camel, and take photos among the dunes themselves.
Can you swim at Wadi Bani Khalid, and what is the water like?
Yes, Wadi Bani Khalid has clear freshwater pools where swimming is possible. The water is cool and refreshing, and you can also walk deeper into the canyon, explore caves, or simply sunbathe on the rocks if you prefer not to swim.
What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?
The tour includes pickup and drop-off from your Muscat hotel, airport or port; the 4WD vehicle; an English-speaking guide; water throughout the day; and entry to both Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani Khalid. Lunch at a local restaurant is arranged but paid separately, and the camel ride costs an additional 8 USD per person.
How long is the full day, and what time does it start?
The tour runs eight hours total from hotel, airport or port pickup to drop-off. The exact start time depends on your pickup location and the operator's schedule.
Is this tour suitable for children, and are there any physical restrictions?
Children are welcome from age two. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health, though it is suitable for all other fitness levels. The 4WD vehicle and camel ride involve some movement and exposure to heat and sun.
Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid Tour with Camel Ride
8h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 194 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.9597 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider














