Khatla - A Cultural Experience in Dhofar's Mountains

As Dhofar transitions from Khareef to spring, tribes embark on Khatla — the traditional camel migration from the plains back to the mountains. It’s a unique cultural event marked by tribal gatherings, scenic journeys through wadis, and the largest camel gathering of the year. Join locals in celebrating this vibrant season and witness a living tradition in motion.

What's "Khatla"?

The Khatla Experience is a season very well known in the local Dhofari community as the “Spring Season”.

Following the Khareef Dhofar welcomes the Sirb(Spring) season and during this season Khatla takes place. Khatla is a local term used to describe the traveling of camels from the city back to the mountains. Each tribe would host an official meeting to decide on the date and travel route for their Khatla. The tribe will then proceed to enter their Wadis as agreed with their camels and travel back to their mountains. The Khatla experience involves seeing parts of the traveling season and experiencing Dhofar with the locals during the spring season. It is also the biggest camel gathering of the year and so the visitors will be able to see aspects of what happens during this season with the tribes.

ITINERARY:

Day-1: Arrival Day

Arrival to Salalah International Airport.

Transfer to the Hotel & Check-in

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day-2: The East/Middle of Dhofar

10:00 AM Hotel pick up

11:00 AM Sightseeing in the Wadi

12:00 PM live cooking lunch & Local Folklore artists in the Wadi

03:00 PM Meet the families and camels with an evening tea

05:00 PM End of experience and head back to Salalah for hotel drop off

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day-3: The Wild West Experience 

08:00 AM Hotel Pick up

09:30 AM Sightseeing and introduction to Rakhyout.

10:30 AM Head down to experience the current annual camel traveling season known locally as Khatla, meet Jabers extended family and their camels, this may include short trekking.

11:30 AM Head to outdoor lunch spot in nature

12:00 PM Live cooking Lunch and tea

03:00 PM End of experience and head back to Salalah International Airport

Inclusions:

• 2-ways Airport transfer
• Local tour guide
• 2-nights stay at a 5-star hotel with breakfast on a sharing basis
• 2-days Khatla experience

Exclusions:

• Anything not mentioned in the inclusions section.

Khatla exprerine is provided by GHUDU

About GHUDU

Ghudu is a community tourism project based in Dhofar, southern Oman. Named after the Shehri Jabali word meaning “Let’s go,” it honors the region’s people and culture. Ghudu offers visitors authentic experiences across Dhofar’s diverse landscapes and seasons.

The initiative began with Khairzaad, a nurse from Taqah who leads an all-female hiking group.

Ghudu brings together locals from across Dhofar—men and women—who are deeply rooted in their cultural traditions and mountain lifestyles. The project promotes inclusivity by involving community members as guides and hosts.

Profits from Ghudu support local guides, home businesses, and community associations, ensuring tourism benefits the people of Dhofar directly.