Overview
Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.
The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail, which means ‘work’. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.
Highlights
- Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
- Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
- Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
- Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.
Itinerary
Morning:
- Depart from Muscat early in the morning for a scenic drive to Wadi Bani Khalid. The drive takes about 2-2.5 hours, offering beautiful views of the Hajar Mountains and desert landscapes along the way.
- Arrive at Wadi Bani Khalid, a stunning oasis known for its turquoise blue pools and surrounding lush greenery. You can explore the wadi by walking through its narrow, rocky paths, taking in the breathtaking views, and perhaps even taking a swim in the cool waters. Don’t forget to visit the small caves in the area.
Lunch:
- Enjoy a picnic or local lunch at one of the nearby cafes or bring your own snacks to relax by the water in this tranquil setting.
Afternoon:
- After your visit to Wadi Bani Khalid, drive towards Wahiba Sands (approximately 1.5 hours from Wadi Bani Khalid). As you enter the vast desert, the landscape will shift dramatically to rolling sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
- Upon arrival, check into a desert resort or camp (such as Desert Nights Camp or 1000 Nights Camp), where you’ll be able to experience the beauty of the desert and the warm hospitality of the Bedouins.
Evening:
- Enjoy a relaxing sunset in the desert. You can either sit back and watch the golden sands shift in the setting sun or opt for a camel ride or dune bashing adventure in the evening light.
- Return to your desert camp for a traditional Omani dinner, often accompanied by cultural performances like Belly Dancing or Tanoura Dance.
Overnight: Spend the night in Wahiba Sands at your chosen desert camp, where you can enjoy the clear desert skies and peaceful surroundings.
Early Morning:
- Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the sand dunes. The sight of the first light of day casting beautiful shadows on the dunes is an unforgettable experience.
- You can also take a morning camel ride to explore the desert at this magical time.
Morning:
- After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the desert further. You can choose to embark on a 4x4 dune safari, where you’ll ride through the sand dunes at thrilling speeds, or head to nearby Bedouin villages to experience local desert life.
- For those who enjoy outdoor activities, you can try sandboarding on the dunes or visit the nearby Wahiba Sands camel farm to get a closer look at the traditional desert lifestyle.
Lunch:
- Return to your camp for lunch, or enjoy a desert picnic depending on your schedule.
Afternoon:
- Begin your journey back to Muscat in the early afternoon, which takes about 3-3.5 hours. Along the way, you can stop to take photos of the vast desert landscape or explore more of the surrounding areas.
Evening:
- Arrive back in Muscat by evening, concluding your desert adventure.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
