SAS Route of Jebal Akhdar

This is a truly unique Pioneer trip uncovering the SAS routes of Jebal Akhdar. This expedition is designed to bring to life the reality facing the squadrons as they made their ascent and takeover of Jebal Akhdar. With relatively few changes since the SAS takeover of Jebal Akhdar 60 years ago, we retrace routes, passing through tiny villages hidden in pockets in the mountain folds, and uncover untouched caves and relics.

The unforgiving terrain, at times makes for back breaking work. - and that's without carrying the full kit. This landscape of rugged mountains, steep cliffs and breathtaking scenery offers an opportunity for an exhilarating and adventurous trek.

Upon completion, you will have a unique insight into this military conflict, and accomplished an arduous route in this wild and exciting landscape.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 Muscat
On arrival at Muscat International airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You will have time to relax at your leisure before
meeting the group for an expedition briefing and kit check before taking an orientation tour of Muscat city. Described as “Arabia's jewel”, this city is a perfect blend of the old and the new. Muscat is surprising green being in a desert country. The roads are lined with well-manicured lawns and trees. The city has retained its old-world character with it's many forts, castles, mosques and towers dotting the skyline.

Highlights of this afternoon include visiting the military museum to set the scene for the forthcoming expedition, followed by the
Merani and Jelali Forts, the Sultan's Qaboos Palace. We also have the opportunity to walk along the Corniche to explore the old Muttrah souk.

We finish with a meal back at the hotel.
Lunch, dinner, hotel

Day 2 Nizwa
After a good breakfast we set off to Nizwa, stopping along the way to explore some of the villages (including Birkat al Mouz) which were involved in the 1950's conflict. Upon arrival at Nizwa (the former captital of Oman), we visit the 17th century fort and traditional souk.

We then move on to the old abandoned village of Tanuf which although took some hard shelling during the war is substantial enough
to give a feel of what the old village must have been like. We set up camp nearby and we will over dinner, round a campfire, hear more
about the Jebal Akhdar campaign.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, wild camping

Day 3 Jebal Akhdar Summit
We're up and off on an early morning start! Taking the Kamah route we tab up to summit Jebal Akhdar. This is a long hard slog giving
you full appreciation (luckily without the 50lb packs) of how exposed the lads would have been, with the local adoo knowing the
mountain and it's routes inside out. You will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery of dramatic vertical rockfaces and ancient
villages terraced into the mountainside. We pass key battles sites such as Vincent, then up to Pyramid and Causeway, with discussion and anecdotes of what took place along this route. We stop at Beercan and look out of Saiq Plateau before walking through the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib. Our 4WD will be waiting at the other end to take us to our camp for the
night.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, wild camping

Day 4 Trekking
Today we begin to understand the problems faced in taking over a mountain such as Jebal Akhdar with only a small team backed up by RAF support in the 1950's. A full overview of the campaign gives further insight before we move out to explore some sites which still contain evidence of the past conflict.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, wild camping

Day 5
Another early morning start as we trek down of of the SAS routes back to Tanuf, a route with stunning views usually only reserved for
mountaineers. We walk through an abandoned village and up a rock staircase before we start the real descent down. The trail is reasonably marked but sometimes a little route finding is necessary following rock falls.
As the track winds its way round the edge of the mountain it then steeply falls away and we are rewarded with breathtaking views. We
finally turn the corner to see a tiny village at the bottom where a much welcome cold drink awaits us.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, mountain camp

Day 6 Nizwa
After breakfast and breaking camp, we drive to Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in the Sultanate, it has a unique blend of the new and the ancient. Here we will tour the 17th century fort (completed in the 1650's) and explore the souk. It is worth an early start to see the traditional animal market. We rendezvous for lunch before heading up and over the mountain via Birkat al Sharaf to see more of the terrain and villages which were associated with the campaign. We spend a few hours exploring the mountain village of Bilad Sait, which is a scenic oasis settlement with stone and mud dwellings. We make camp for the evening in nearby Wadi Bani Awf, which winds its way to Snake Gorge and offers many spectacular views. We will have the opportunity either tonight or tomorrow to swim in its crystal clear waters.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, wild camping

Day 7 Muscat
After breakfast we drive back to Muscat via Rustaq, which is a typical Omani town strategically placed at the exit of a wadi from
the mountains, watered by falajes, and with extensive date groves surrounding it. Being an Omani stronghold on the coastal side of
the mountain range, it served as the centre of Omani activity in the east during the war. We will also visit the imposing Nakhal Fort.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, overnight hotel

Day 8 Expedition Ends
After breakfast, we transfer back to the airport for our onward journey
Breakfast, transfer

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Based on twin occupancy we use a variety of 3-4* accommodation. Single occupancy is available at some locations at an extra cost.
Whilst on the trek we will be wild camping under the stars, with no tents therefore a bivvy bag is recommended to keep out any damp.