Saturday, October 25, 2014

Bedouin tents with Arabian tapestries, sushi dinners and luxury showers... is this the most luxurious desert camp in the world?

  • Hud Hud Travels offers extravagant, bespoke camping in northern Oman
  • Together with their guides, you can plan your own all-inclusive experience
  • From the Hajar Mountains to Khalouf Beach, see all of Oman's diversity
  • Longer journeys can also be customised to include trips south to Dhofar

The idea of heading deep into the desert to camp under the stars has been given the ultimate upgrade by one company in Oman.
Forget sleeping in cramped tents and eating food cooked on a gas stove, Hud Hud Travels 
Many guests visit the far-flung Arabian Peninsula to experience the capital city of Muscat, but Hud Hud Travels offers an opportunity to sample a taste of rural Oman.. without sacrificing any of life's little luxuries.
With options to customise an already-developed itinerary or design a completely bespoke holiday from start to finish, guides will tailor the days and nights of your safari specifically to suit your interests.
Whether you prefer to shop in the souks, visit an ancient village, or swim in a water-filled ravine, known as a wadi, Hud Hud offers an adventure through northern Oman like no other.

Is this the most luxurious desert camp in the world? African style tents are set up in the Wahiba Desert
Is this the most luxurious desert camp in the world? African style tents are set up in the Wahiba Desert
Working closely with the guides, guests can customise a five-to-seven day itinerary suited to their interests
Working closely with the guides, guests can customise a five-to-seven day itinerary suited to their interests
First time visitors, however, may prefer to stick to Hud Hud's suggested five or seven day schedules, which includes at least one night in the Wahiba Desert and one in the Hajar Mountains.
Since all of the camps are entirely private and mobile, Hud Hud can camp almost anywhere in Oman, literally making the entire country your playground. 
'We love to develop very special itineraries that add in different modes of transport and different activities,' says a spokesperson for Hud Hud. 
For example, in the past, Hud Hud has organised such events a village-wide Arabian horse show - for just two guests - and even a catered sushi dinner in the middle of the desert.

Hud Hud also organises stunning, yet remote special events - like a sushi dinner in the middle of the desert 
Hud Hud also organises stunning, yet remote special events - like a sushi dinner in the middle of the desert 
While camping in Wahiba Sands, guests stay in traditional Bedouin tents, complete with beds and mattresses
While camping in Wahiba Sands, guests stay in traditional Bedouin tents, complete with beds and mattresses
Relax and enjoy a book - with stunning sand dune views - with your significant other
Relax and enjoy a book - with stunning sand dune views - with your significant other
Tents are also outfitted with cotton bedding, Arabian rugs and throws, and other elegant furnishings
Tents are also outfitted with cotton bedding, Arabian rugs and throws, and other elegant furnishings
Despite all the high-end luxuries, there is no electric light - instead, there's an emphasis on preserving the natural atmosphere using only candles, oil lamps, and fires
Despite all the high-end luxuries, there is no electric light - instead, there's an emphasis on preserving the natural atmosphere using only candles, oil lamps, and fires

In the Wahiba Sands, guests will sleep in authentic, handmade Bedouin tents - complete with large beds and real mattresses, cotton bedding, Arabian rugs and throws and elegant furnishings.
However, there is no electric light. Instead, there is an emphasis on preserving the natural atmosphere using only candles, oil lamps and fires.
After enjoying the desert, guests can also take day trips within the Sharqiya Region and experience traditional villages, old forts, castles and tombs. There are also several 'wadis' and canyons in the area for swimming, but the real attraction is the region's famous camel racing.

Day trips in the Sharqiya Region are also possible. Pictured: an elegant set-up in Oman's Empty Quarter, an area of over 250,000 square miles of dunes 
Day trips in the Sharqiya Region are also possible. Pictured: an elegant set-up in Oman's Empty Quarter, an area of over 250,000 square miles of dunes 
All basic itineraries also include time spent in the Hajar Mountains to allow travellers to experience two completely different sides of the country
All basic itineraries also include time spent in the Hajar Mountains to allow travellers to experience two completely different sides of the country
All  Hajar Mountain camps are set up at 1,000 m elevation with views of Oman's highest peak: Jebel Shams
All Hajar Mountain camps are set up at 1,000 m elevation with views of Oman's highest peak: Jebel Shams

By contrast, in the days and nights spent in the Hajar Mountains, travellers will have the opportunity to experience a completely opposite part of Oman.
The camps are set up at 1,000 m, in complete privacy, with stunning views of Oman's highest peak: Jebel Shams. 
And there are activities for all interests. For those excited about geology, for example, Hud Hud can arrange for specialists to come in to speak to you about the area. Or simply wander the traditional mountain villages and chat with locals about their lifestyle.
The camp is also within easy reach of both Nizwa and Bahla, close to one of Oman's greatest off road drives, as well as accessible to date plantations and Nizwa's famous souk. 

Longer trips can also include time spent camping along the coast. Pictured: the Khalouf Beach
Longer trips can also include time spent camping along the coast. Pictured: the Khalouf Beach
Whether near Bar al Hickmann or Khalouf, families and couples can take advantage of the stunning Indian Ocean views
Whether near Bar al Hickmann or Khalouf, families and couples can take advantage of the stunning Indian Ocean views
A dune-top lunch table can also be set up to offer guests a truly unique view of the ocean below
A dune-top lunch table can also be set up to offer guests a truly unique view of the ocean below
An outdoor, beach-front living space is likewise constructed for guests spending time in the coastal region
An outdoor, beach-front living space is likewise constructed for guests spending time in the coastal region
In this relatively remote area, about five hours south of Muscat, tourists can meet local fisherman and experience the wildlife - namely, flamingoes
In this relatively remote area, about five hours south of Muscat, tourists can meet local fisherman and experience the wildlife - namely, flamingoes
Though stunning during the day, it's at night that the real show begins: a night-sky completely lit with stars
Though stunning during the day, it's at night that the real show begins: a night-sky completely lit with stars
Hud Hud is also happy to provide a custom adventure or mode of transport - such as a chartered boat
Hud Hud is also happy to provide a custom adventure or mode of transport - such as a chartered boat

Ocean lovers can opt for a longer stay to experience the sandy beauty of Khalouf Beach and take dip in the Indian Ocean. 
Located about five hours south of Muscat, tourists rarely reach the stunning remote area, where guests can explore sand dunes, meet local fisherman, and spend time with the flamingoes native to the area. 
No matter where you decide to set up camp, however, it is the night sky that is the true show-stopper - the sparkling constellations made visible in these remote areas will impress even the most experienced of astronomers....

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