Wadi Sahtan

Geographical Situation

Wadi Shatan is one of the 4 main valleys on the northern slop of the Western Hajar From east to west : Wadi Mistal, Wadi Bani Kharus, and Wadi Bani Awf.

It’s also the westernmast one.

As of Wadi Mistal, it’s a valley in shape of a cirque : a huge more or less flat area surronded by amzing cliffs.

Above it, Jebel Shams summit and the main ridge are overlooking the valley.

2 tracks give access to Wadi Bani Awf on the east : one to the lower valley, and the other one to the upper valley.

Access by car

Access to Wadi Sahtan is from Ar Rustaq, on the road to Ibri. The valley is first narrow, and then opens up on a vast cirque, dominated on the north west by Jebel Shams, the summit of the country (~3000m).

In the bottom of the cirque, road is ashphalted and leads to 2 villages which grow very quickly since the road was built : Amq and Ayn Amq.

From the road, many tracks lead to the numerous villages located in the gullies and ridges deep in the cirque.

Hiking and trekking in Wadi Sahtan

There are many trails in Wadi Sahtan, linking all the villages together.

From (almost) each village, there are paths in the cliffs that lead to the main ridge. Frome there, several itineraries take you to Jebel Shams to the west, to Wadi Bani Awf or even further to Jebel Akhdar towards the east, and to Misfat Al Abreyeen and Al Hamra in the south.

A path known for its difficulty (we did not mention it on the map) takes you directly to the summit of Jebel Shams from the village of Wijmah : it’s very demanding (+ 2000m height gain) and exposed…

If you would like to go hiking or trekking by yourself, the website Wilderness Trekking Oman is full of usefull detailled information.

Our tours going in Wadi Sahtan

We visit regularly Wadi Sahtan, in different kind of tours :

• Discovery tours : we do short walks or easy hikes in some mountain oases which offer great views over the cirque and the northern face of Jebel Shams.
• Hiking tours : there are a lot of different possible day hikes which we offer in Wadi Sahtan. All of them give opportunity to cross typical villages, sometimes to see wild beehives, always to have superb points of view.
• Trekking : the many trails and the beauty and wilderness of this valley, makes it a perfect place for trekking. We offer one trekking route that passes several days in Wadi Sahtan and then heads to Wadi Bani Awf.

Here following are a few examples of tours which go through Wadi Sahtan :

Discover Wadi Sahtan

Within a 6/8 days tour

8 days

Level 2

Discover the Waestern Hajar

Available in FebMarsNovDec

3 x Camping

4 x Accomodation

An easy tour to discover the Western Hajar mountain range with easy walks and short hikes : the steep northern valleys, Jebel Shams Grand Canyon, Jebel Akhdar’s plateau, and everywhere oasis and streams…

Nakhl Wadi Mistal Lowhills Wadi Bani Kharus Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Sahtan Al Hamra Misfat Al Abreyeen Jebel Shams Nizwa Birkat Al Mouz Jebel Akhdar

Itinerary

Itinerary

During a 10/15 days tour

8 days

Level 2

Discover and Adventure in Al Hajar Mountains

Available in JanFebMarsNovDec

5 x Camping

2 x Accomodation

A discovery tour largely off the beaten track in which we cross respectively the Western and Eastern Hajar ranges. Great mountain landscapes and secluded oases, but also desert, sea, and wadis!

Wadi Mistal Lowhills Wadi Sahtan Wadi Bani Awf Misfat Al Abreyeen Nizwa Wahiba Desert Wadi Bani Khalid Eastern Hajar’s Plateau Wadi Al Arbeyeen Bandar Khayran

Itinerary

Itinerary

Hiking in Wadi Sahtan

Within a 6/8 days tour

6 days

Level 3

Hiking to the Roots of the Western Hajar

Available in JanFebMarsNovDec

1 x Camping

2 x Bivouac

2 x Accomodation

A nice trip to discover the valleys of the northern slope of the Western Hajar and its remote mountain oases. 2 bivouac overnights in exceptional places, 2 nights in pleasant guesthouses, and 1 night camping in the middle of Wadi Sahtan’s cirque.

Wadi Bani Kharus Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Sahtan

Itinerary

Itinerary

Within a 10/15 days tour

12 days

Level 3

Hiking in Oman

Available in JanFebNovDec

7 x Camping

1 x Homestay

3 x Accomodation

A tour in 3 well balanced parts : 4 days in the steep valleys of the Western Hajar mountains, 4 days in the sand dunes of the White Desert and the Wahiba, and 4 days in the lush green aquatic wadis of the Eastern Hajar.

Wadi Sahtan Wadi Bani Awf Nizwa White Desert Wahiba Desert Wadi Bani Khalid Sur Wadi Tiwi Wadi Al Arbeyeen

Itinerary

Itinerary

Trekking from Wadi Sahtan to Wadi Bani Awf

6 days

Level 4

Trekking – from Wadi Sahtan to Wadi Bani Awf

Available in JanFebMarsNovDec

1 x Camping

1 x Bivouac

2 x Homestay

1 x Accomodation

A beautiful 6-days trek on the northern side of the Western Hajar (Wadi Sahtan & Wadi Bani Awf) and along the ridge. An original and little used route that will give you opportunity to discover traditional Omani mountain life.

Wadi Sahtan Wadi Bani Awf

Itinerary

Itinerary

Do you prefer to join a small group?

We offer tours of different level, in small groups, during winter season (from October to April).

At the bottom of the page are all our next scheduled tours which allow you to discover or hike in Wadi Sahtan.