Oman and Dubai Adventure Tour: From the Wadis to the Coast

Oman and Dubai may at first glance appear to be worlds apart. On the one hand, the Sultanate of Oman retains a traditional air and a nature that seems to have resisted the advances of time. On the other, Dubai bursts forth with impossible skyscrapers, international events and a frenetic pace that you feel the minute you step onto its futuristic ground. However, when you weave these two territories into a single itinerary, you discover a journey that defies all clichés about the Arabian Peninsula.

Most fascinating is the transition from the wilderness environments of Oman - breathtaking mountains, hidden wadis where water gushes like a legendary oasis, and a desert that offers starry nights - to the coast of Dubai, where the horizon line is not marked by desert dust but by the silhouette of luminous buildings and the sea. on which artificial islets are built. 

This journey offers you moments of vertigo, nature and a luxury ending, as surprising as it is relaxing: the possibility of sailing on a yacht with a view of the Dubai skyline.Renty is one of the largest property rental companies in the United Arab Emirates. Although it focuses primarily on cars, it also offers holidaymakers a wide selection of yachts - from the most luxurious yachts to the most luxurious yachts in the world. yachts for rent in dubai marina. For Spanish travellers, Renty opens the door to unforgettable journeys in the Persian Gulf. 

Our imagination takes us to endless dunes and bustling souks, but we don't always think of mountains for trekking or canyons with natural pools. Here, however, adventure takes on a genuine meaning and, at the same time, there are moments that make you feel as if you've stepped into a science fiction film.

The magic of Jebel Shams: Climbing the great canyon of Arabia

Oman has a mountainous spine -the Hajar mountain range- stretching northeast-southwest and forming impressive peaks. Within this range rises Jebel Shams, the country's highest mountain, a giant towering over 3,000 metres high that many visitors compare to America's 'Grand Canyon'. It's no coincidence that locals refer to the area's canyon as Wadi Ghul, a chasm of vertical walls and trails winding along the ledge.

To start the climb or, at least, to go through the most popular sections of the Jebel Shams, becomes an experience that shakes the traveller out of his typical conception of the Middle East.. Here, instead of scorching heat and sandy horizons, you breathe cool mountain winds, walk alongside ravines that demand attention and discover an imposing silence, only broken by the occasional song of a bird of prey flying over the ridges.

Getting to Jebel Shams usually involves a journey through roads into remote valleys, stopping at villages where a cardamom tea can be an excuse to strike up a conversation with the locals.. The feeling that lingers in the air is that time is measured differently in these places: the hours advance slowly, the phone loses coverage and the only thing you feel like doing is turning on your camera to capture sunsets where the rocks are stained with impossible reds and oranges.

Experienced mountaineers can take on the full route to the summit, an ascent that forces you to start very early in the morning to avoid the hours of strongest sunshine. Once at the top, the views are epic: you look out over a void that stretches to the horizon, with the gorges opening up in multiple layers and a haze that, at times, gives the landscape an almost ghostly appearance. If you don't want to climb to the summit, an excellent option is the Balcony Walk, a walk along the canyon's ledge that offers equally breathtaking panoramas without the physical exertion. Be aware, however, that the aridity of the area requires you to bring plenty of water and sun protection, even at altitudes where the breeze is cool and pleasant.

Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid: The Mystery of the Turquoise Waters

For those who love adventure in direct contact with water, Oman also offers natural spaces that break all the stereotypes of the peninsula. Talking about Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid is to speak of deep gorges where underground rivers, crystal clear springs and small streams flow. which end up forming natural turquoise or emerald green pools.

The mere fact of entering a wadi is enough to feel the force of nature: rocky quarries with vertical walls, palm trees that break through the crevices in search of light and, at the bottom, a path that requires you to walk along wet rocks, climb in some sections and, on more than one occasion, dive in order to advance towards a hidden cave. In Wadi Shab, for example, the reward comes when you reach an internal cavity that houses a small waterfall. Although it may seem almost surreal, the fresh air inside makes you forget the aridity of the outside.

The geographical isolation of these wadis makes the experience feel intimate and adventurous. It is not uncommon to meet travellers from all over the world who, like expeditionaries, set off with watertight backpacks and cameras at the ready. It is important to remember, however, that Oman has a traditional culture that values modesty in dress, so if you're going to swim in the wadis, it's a good idea to wear a swimming costume that covers enough of your body. and, if possible, an additional T-shirt. It is a small detail that makes a difference in showing respect for the local population.

Wadi Bani Khalid enchants visitors with its large natural pools and a waterway surrounded by rock formations carved by centuries of erosion. Here you can swim with the current, feel the force of the water in small rapids or simply lie back and gaze at the blue sky reflected in the clear surface. As it tends to be a little busier at weekends, many people choose to arrive early or, if the heat is too much, seek out the shaded areas where the palm trees cast a pleasant coolness.

Ending the day in a wadi is a sensory experience: the contrast between the scorching sun at the entrance and the coolness inside leaves you with the sensation of having discovered a small earthly paradise, a sort of oasis that emerges where you least expect it.

The Endless Desert of Wahiba Sands: A Night Under the Stars

If there's one thing you can't miss on a tour of Oman, it's a dip in the desert. Specifically, At Wahiba Sands - also called Sharqiya Sands - you face a sea of dunes that constantly change shape and colour, from golden to reddish, moved by the wind. This region stretches some 200 kilometres from north to south, and although it is now possible to cross it by 4×4, many areas remain largely unexplored.

Getting to a Bedouin camp involves mapping out the route with a local guide or having clear coordinates, as the lack of landmarks can confuse even the most experienced drivers. However, once you're settled in the camp, everything takes on a unique, adventurous feel. The sunset paints the sky with fiery colours while the dunes are immersed in a magical half-light. When night falls, the silence is so eerie that you can almost hear your own heartbeat.

Sleeping in the desert doesn't require much luxury: a simple tent or an open-air sleeping bag allows you to gaze up at a star-studded sky, a sight all too absent in the big cities of the West. When it's time to eat, Omani hosts often surprise with traditional dishes such as shuwa (marinated meat cooked in an underground oven), which pairs splendidly with dates and the ubiquitous Arabic coffee.

For the more intrepid, dawn is the perfect time to walk barefoot along the crests of the dunes, feeling the fine sand blown by the wind. Others prefer to try sandboarding, descending on a board as if it were snow, or take a 4×4 on a dune bashing tour that gets the heart racing with the rhythm of the ups and downs. Whatever your choice, Wahiba Sands will mark you with its undulating silhouette and the mystique of an environment that looks like something out of the pages of a classic adventure book.

The urban scale in Muscat: Encountering the travelling tradition

After the natural experiences, Muscat (or Muscat) represents an interesting transition to the more institutional side of Oman. Unlike other Gulf capitals, Muscat has not fully surrendered to radical modernity. It still retains its scenery of coastal forts, palaces with understated architecture and souks where it is not uncommon to see people bargaining for spices, fabrics and handicrafts.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a must-see: the majesty of its prayer hall and its dome decorated with Islamic filigree will leave you speechless. In addition, the attention to detail in the courtyard, gardens and mosaics on the façade confirms the Omanis' love of their heritage. In the evening, the Mutrah Corniche is a great place to stroll by the sea, let the sea breeze cool you off and sit and watch the boats still out fishing.

In Muscat you also discover a laid-back way of life: there are no big crowds, the traffic is surprisingly smooth and people are happy to stop and give you directions or recommend the best coffee shop to try a freshly squeezed mango juice. After several days of adventure in the mountains and desert, this capital city is the perfect place to recharge your batteries, organise your luggage and take in all that you've experienced. Even so, the journey is far from over.

The leap to Dubai: skyscrapers and cosmopolitanism

With a plane ticket or a road trip, you can be in Dubai, the iconic city of the United Arab Emirates, in a matter of hours. Suddenly, everything is fast-paced: highways lined with luxury cars, skyscrapers that literally force you to look up, and an international atmosphere reflected in the multiplicity of accents and cultures that coexist on the same avenues.

This city, a symbol of modernity, provides a total counterpoint to the sobriety of the Omani landscapes. Here you can start your day at the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.Then dive into shopping at a mall with an indoor ski slope or an aquarium with sharks. If you wish, you can repeat the desert adventure on a dune safari near the city, complete with folklore shows and dinners under illuminated tents.

Still, many visitors agree that Dubai is not all about architectural extravagance. It also surprises you with old neighbourhoods such as Al Fahidi, where narrow streets are home to art galleries and traditional cafes. Along the Creek, local fishermen still transport goods in wooden boats known as 'dhows', a sight that bears little resemblance to the city's futuristic image.

A luxurious end to a trip: sailing along the Dubai coastline

After days of adventure, dust in your boots and sometimes demanding weather, it's time for a reward in the form of ultimate relaxation. And there's nothing more evocative than chartering a yacht to gaze at the Dubai skyline from the waters of the Persian Gulf. In other words, going from the rugged path to the gentle sway of a private boat, in a contrast that encapsulates the essence of this journey: from the purest of nature to the most sophisticated of luxury.

The magic of this walk lies in the perspective: the glass towers reflect the sunset, while the city gradually turns on its lights. From the deck of the yacht, you'll feel the sea air like a breath of freedom. You can uncork a bottle and toast to the feat of having toured Jebel Shams, swum in Wadi Shab and slept under the stars at Wahiba Sands, then leap into one of the most modern enclaves on the planet.

There are intimate boats for couples and larger yachts for celebrating with friends or family. What is really special is the feeling of intimacy that the sea offers you, far from the hustle and bustle of the avenues, feeling the breeze and contemplating a horizon of lights that seems to have no end.