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7 day Oman itinerary: an epic highway journey with children


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In the event you’re on the lookout for a one week Oman itinerary filled with genuine Arabian heritage, locations of excellent pure magnificence, bustling cities and iconic sights then this seven day journey has all of it. I’ll even share learn how to flip it into a ten day Oman highway journey should you’ve received longer to discover.

I can assure by the tip of both itinerary you’ll have a higher understanding of this unbelievable nation and have your eyes opened to only how far more there may be to see. It actually does have one thing for everybody.

*This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks*

Our 7 day Oman highway journey

Father and daughter stand with Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 vehicle in the rocky foothills of Jebel Shams in Oman
Our household spent seven days exploring Oman, from Muscat to Wahiba Sands and again.

We set out on this highway journey after two months of residing in Oman. We wished to get to know our adopted dwelling higher and see among the unbelievable locations we’d been listening to about from different households.

However we additionally had a couple of essential standards when planning our highway journey. It needed to be baby and dog-friendly.

If you’re visiting in Oman with children or you might be expats on the lookout for an Oman vacation that may also fit your pet then I believe you’ll discover our highway journey itinerary and ideas useful.

Equally, if you’re a pair visiting Oman for journey there’s lots right here for you too.

Learn on to seek out out the place we visited and the place we stayed every day, in addition to some normal ideas for taking advantage of your vacation in Oman.

Straightforward Oman itinerary overview – what you’ll see

We spent seven days doing a floor journey out of Muscat to cowl among the must-see sights within the north of Oman.

Included on this simple itinerary are:

  • wild tenting on the base of Jebel Shams within the Hajar Mountain vary
  • swimming within the swimming pools at Wadi Damm 
  • exploring the hillside village of Misfat al Abriyeen, additionally spelt Misfah al Abriyyin
  • scaling Nizwa Fort and buying within the Souk
  • climbing the dunes of Wahiba Sands Desert
  • experiencing the new spring water at Wadi Bani Khalid
  • and visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat.

In complete we coated 862km / 536 miles in our 4×4.

The identical route could be potential in a two wheel drive, apart from a piece between Wadi Damm and Nizwa the place our nav system took us up an unmade mountain highway.

For peace of thoughts we’d advocate hiring a 4×4* for Oman highway journeys. It’s not potential to finish the identical journey utilizing public transport, so if you wish to do it with out driving yourselves you’ll want to rent a information.

We had initially deliberate to be away for 10 days however determined to move again to Muscat early for a relaxed weekend at dwelling.

In the event you fancy some additional days exploring I’ll share under how one can lengthen you journey together with a urged route.

One week Oman itinerary

Tin Box family smiles at camera against a backdrop of sunset at Wahiba Sands in Oman

Seven days is the perfect time to spend in Oman if you’re working round shorter faculty holidays like October half time period and February half time period.

These are additionally extra comfy instances to go to Oman as they’re exterior the scorchingly scorching summer time season.

After all, if you’re not tied to high school holidays then the very best time to go to Oman continues to be within the winter for the Northern Hemisphere. The perfect months are from the tip of October to starting of April.

We took our highway journey in February half time period when temperatures ranged between 18°C at night time and 28°C within the day.

It’s potential to do that highway journey route clockwise or anti-clockwise. We determined to go clockwise and get the longest drive out of the way in which first.

Day 1: wild tenting within the foothills of Jebel Shams

From the city sprawl of Muscat, with a low rise allure that units it aside from the neighbouring UAE, we travelled up into the Hajar Mountain vary.

You hardly discover that the roads climb slowly via the foothills, passing via rocky landscapes dotted with white-washed villas, elaborately embellished mosques and rows of small outlets, typically providing the identical services and products as these subsequent to them.

Setting your enterprise aside from rivals doesn’t appear to be a factor right here in Oman!

After two and a half hours we took a proper off Route 21 signal posted Wadi al Ain and Amla. Half an hour on we handed Al Ayn, which is a well-liked spot to cease and see beehive model tombs.

We noticed these from the highway however continued on to Wadi Damm on the opposite aspect of Al Matabbah village admiring the zig-zig sedimentary layering of the mountains.

A tarmac road stretching out into the distance with mountains ahead and scrub land to either side. Some of the rocks include layered rock in zig zag formation
The highway in the direction of Al Matabbah Wadi Damm

The purpose for our first night time was to discover a tenting spot from which we might discover the wadi early the next day.

Tenting at Wadi Damm

We drove previous the doorway to the wadi and alongside the off highway observe on the prime of the valley rim to the tenting area marked on Google maps.

Nevertheless, once we received there, not lengthy after 4.30pm, it was already filled with 4×4 motorhomes.

We determined to proceed additional up the rim, alongside an unmade highway, and located another tenting spot with essentially the most unbelievable view.

Outline of a 4x4, tent and people on the top of a rocky outcrop at dusk
Our spot on the prime of the valley.

We have been handled to a sundown of burnt orange, pinks and purples between mountains.

There was additionally a heat breeze that whipped away any hungry mosquitos whereas bringing a low rumble of singing from the Wadi Damm campsite under.

Sunsetting over the foothills of Jebel Shams in Oman's Hajar Mountains. A campfire is in the foreground and the white villas of a town can be seen in the distance

A far as first vacation nights go, this one was fairly particular.

Right here’s the spot the place we camped with views down the valley in the direction of Al Matabbah and the foothills of Jebel Shams behind us:

In the event you purpose for a similar spot as us you’ll want a 4×4 to succeed in it alongside the unmade mountain highway between Al Matabbah and the village of Misfah (to not be confused with Misfat al Abriyeen that I discussed later on this Oman itinerary).

Additionally bear in mind that the tenting floor could be very rocky. We moved a couple of of the bigger stones out of the way in which for our tent however even then it was essentially the most uncomfortable sleep of our entire journey.

The great thing about the sundown, darkish skies and dawn greater than made up for our delicate discomfort.

Day 2: Wadi Damm swimming pools and tenting

After our night time underneath the celebs we packed up and took a brief drive again down the valley previous the principle Wadi Damm tenting space to the doorway of Wadi Damm itself.

Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 vehicle parked in a large off road car park at the entrance to Wadi Damm. It has a tent beside it
The Wadi Damm automobile park is one other well-liked place for tenting and picnics.

We’d discounted it and not using a look the afternoon earlier than as a result of we thought it is likely to be busy. It was a protracted weekend and we’ve received used to simply accessible tenting spots filling up quick.

It turns on the market was just one household tenting there in a single day. We chatted to them they usually stated it had been actually good so we determined to make this our second wild tenting spot of the journey.

However first we headed into Wadi Damm.

Wadi Damm hike and swimming pools

In the event you’re into geology this place is particular. Whereas we have been there a staff of geology college students arrived to discover. They’d come all the way in which from Germany.

There have been additionally superb petroglyphs – historical paintings – scratched into the rock of the wadi partitions.

Petroglyths - an ancient rock art showing outlines of people, horses and camels - sketched onto the valley wall at Wadi Damm
The rock artwork reveals outlines of individuals, horses and camels and has been scratched onto the valley wall at Wadi Damm.

We spent six hours slowly strolling to the principle wadi swimming pools and waterfalls, swimming in different magnificent lagoons and lunching in a cave on the way in which. 

We might have gone faster however did some back-tracking to seek out the very best route for the children and canine. We’ve additionally discovered it’s greatest to take wadis slowly due to the warmth and terrain.

Child sat throwing stones into turquoise pool of Wadi Damm with valley wall rising up in front of her
This is without doubt one of the decrease swimming pools at Wadi Damm.

This isn’t the simplest of wadis to go to and requires scrambling over rocks and navigating excessive paths if you wish to keep away from climbing ropes up a waterfall within the decrease swimming pools.

In the event you go to with anybody with low mobility the primary set of swimming pools is the very best place to cease.

In the event you do make it to the principle swimming pools they’re like one thing out of a film.

Water cascading over fern and rock into a turquoise pool in Wadi Damm
That is the higher pool and waterfalls at Wadi Damm.

Water cascades over fern coated boulders to create heat showers that circulation into turquoise lagoons.

The place to remain at Wadi Damm

We opted to wild camp at Wadi Damm as this put us in an excellent place to begin exploring early within the day.

Our first tenting spot, which I’ve talked about above, had the very best views however was additionally fairly uncovered.

Our second night time was far more sheltered and comfy with valley partitions on both aspect. If we have been to camp right here once more I believe we’d go straight for the wadi automobile park. It’s additionally the very best spot for anybody doing this highway journey in a two-wheel drive car.

The tenting space on the rim of the wadi was greatest for 4×4 motorhomes because the highway was accessible for RVs with off-road functionality. Nevertheless, we don’t assume it had the very best views because it was decrease down the valley.

Motorhomes parked in a large off road car park above Wadi Damm
That is what number of motorhomes have been left by 8am within the morning. There had been double the quantity once we drove by the night earlier than.

If wild tenting just isn’t in your agenda then there are some different lodging choices an hour to the West in Ibri.

This three-bedroom villa* comes highlighly really useful for households with a pool and loads of area.

In the event you’d want a lodge, the three star Royal Vista Lodge* is within the centre of Ibri with numerous locations to eat shut by.

Day 3: Misfat al Abriyeen and arriving in Nizwa

The following a part of our Oman highway journey took us on the heritage path to see the sights of the traditional buying and selling hub of Nizwa.

However with a number of hours earlier than we might test into our lodging we determined to cease someplace on the way in which.

We drove across the base of Jebel Shams, throughout the plateau at Al Hamra and up once more to a unprecedented village on Misfat al Abriyeen within the Hajar Mountains.

A notice on our route: we use Waze for navigation in Oman because it tends to be extra up-to-date than Google Maps. Nevertheless, between Al Matabbah and Al Mahaffah it despatched us on an unmade mountain highway which might be unsuitable for two-wheel drive automobiles.

If you’re following our highway journey itinerary and need to keep away from this take the lengthy method to Misfat al Abriyee by way of freeway 21.

Our route throughout the mountain go took and hour and a half. The route on smoother roads is about double the gap purchase solely 20 to half-hour longer.

The village of Misfat al Abriyeen

View of the sand coloured houses of the historic village Misfat with palm groves below. The village sits on the side of a mountain
Misfat is a 500-year-old village constructed on the aspect of a mountain.

Like might locations which have had their Arabic names translated into the Latin alphabet, Misfat al Abriyeen can be spelt Misfah al Abriyyin. You may spot both spelling on highway indicators however all of them level to the identical unbelievable place.

The older half is manufactured from mud and rock homes, lots of that are nonetheless inhabited though there are a couple of deserted dwellings which add to the allure. 

It’s one in all these locations that seems untouched by time except for the freshly printed indicators on the prime pointing you in the direction of locations for meals, drinks and free wifi.

Allan and daughter walk through archway in ancient sandstone village walls at Misfat

Additional down the slopes are small resorts and plantations of fruit bushes fed by a gushing falaj.

Amazingly we noticed a couple of tiny fish zipping round in one of many calmer sections as if it was a goldfish bowl. The place on earth had they arrive from?

Facilites in Misfat al Abriyeen

Our ladies have been fairly drained after two nights of untamed tenting and our wadi journey the day earlier than so that they have been quickly flagging within the noon warmth.

It was the promise of a smoothie that received them again up the maze of steps and passages to the Halwa Espresso cafe on the very prime of the Hissen Al-Misfah Lodge*.

This has unbelievable views over the village, valley and throughout to the fashionable Misfat. And, most significantly, frappes to placate essentially the most scorching and bothered of explorers.

Smiling family sits at table in Halwa Coffee cafe at the top of Misfat village with views of the mountains behind them

The employees additionally kindly allowed us to carry our canine up so we might all chill for a bit.

Parking for Misfat al Abriyeen is on the highway on the entrance to the outdated village or there’s a parking lot. You’ll drive previous this on the left a brief means earlier than reaching the on-street parking. There are bogs on the entrance to the village.

After a few hours of exploring we hit the highway once more for the one hour drive to Nizwa the place we checked into our lodging for the following two nights.

The place to remain in Nizwa

There’s loads of alternative of resorts in Nizwa* however as we have been travelling with our canine we determined to go for a self-catering villa.

Valley Cliff Inn* is what got here up prime in our search.

Welcome to Valley Cliff Inn sign in gardens outside villa

And what a gem!

One of the best ways to explain it’s a personal compound with two villas – one bungalow and one home. Every of the seven rooms is rented individually.

There are massive shared gardens with a summer time home with roof terrance, kids’s play space, livestock and two swimming swimming pools (not heated).

Smiling seven year old girl in brightly coloured swim suit steps out of a swimming pool at Valley Cliff Inn
The pool was freezing however actually refreshing within the warmth of the day.

All of the rooms are ensuite and lockable, and you’ve got shared use of a kitchen, laundry room and residing rooms.

The reception room of the three bedroom villa at Vally Cliff Inn. There is a large traditional carpet and seating. Dog is coming through the front door
The reception room in our three bed room villa. The furnishings all through have been beautiful.

We have been the one friends staying so had the three bed room villa to ourselves. It was the right place to calm down after a busy begin to our highway journey.

Valley Cliff Inn can be in an ideal location for exploring Nizwa. It’s simply 1km from the fort and souks.

Day 4: Nizwa Fort and souks

The sandstone castle walls of Nizwa designed in Arabic style with the Omani flag flying from the top of the fort

Contemporary from our comfy beds and scorching showers we received up early to discover the principle sights of Nizwa – the fort and souks.

We would have walked the straightforward 1,000m there if we’d been within the UK. However figuring out that we’d be schlepping again within the warmth of noon we opted to take the automobile.

Parking on a Monday was not an issue. It may need been harder on a Friday, which is when Nizwa Goat Market takes place. It is a vacationer attraction in itself and lots of people time their visits to coincide with it.

In the event you’d wish to see the market your self it takes place from 7am and is all however performed by 9am.

Nizwa Fort

Claire stood at the top of Nizwa Fort surrounded by the sandstone walls

Nizwa is one in all Oman’s oldest cities and was as soon as its capital. So it’s no shock to seek out a lot a powerful fort at its centre.

It was constructed within the seventeenth Century to defend this essential hub for commerce, tradition and studying, and will put up fairly a struggle in opposition to enemies of the ruling Imam Sultan bin Stated bin Malik Al-Yarubi.

In the event you had determined to assault this fort 4 centuries in the past you’d have been greeted with boiling scorching date juice being poured in your head adopted by a protracted drop down one in all a number of man traps.

That’s to not point out canon and musket hearth from the 2m thick and 34m excessive partitions.

It was the considered these ugly endings that put an additional skip within the step of my ladies as we entered Nizwa Fort on day 4 of our Oman highway journey.

There was a lot play appearing as we climbed the zig-zag staircase as much as the ramparts for 360 diploma views of the town and Hajar Mountains.

Again down within the citadel under we explored a maze of rooms together with the Imam’s lodging with secret passages onto the streets of Nizwa, espresso making rooms and a jail.

There was additionally a big walled backyard with crops, goats, oryx and a camel.

Nizwa Souks

A balcony view of the inside of Nizwa food souk where there are lots of open food and produce shops
The indoor meals souk at Nizwa

We nonetheless spent two hours within the fort earlier than taking a gradual wander across the souks exterior.

Right here you should purchase all the things from memento magnets to conventional silver khanjar daggers and trays of Oman’s jelly-like candy, halwa.

You’ll discover essentially the most touristy outlets straight exterior the fort. Cross the highway into the meals souk and there’s merchants utilized by locals in addition to a big antiques souk upstairs.

By lunchtime we have been hankering for some down time so headed again to Valley Cliff Inn for a soothing afternoon by the pool earlier than the following stage of our Oman highway journey: the desert!

Day 5: Wahiba Sands Desert

Allan climbs orange dune during sunset at Wahiba Sands in Oman

Oman’s Wahiba Sands desert is simply over two hours South East from Nizwa, so could be a simple day journey should you used Nizwa as your base.

However we have been persevering with our highway journey and had booked a desert camp for the following two nights.

In hindsight, one night time would have been sufficient. However having stated that, staying within the desert and watching the solar sink down into silky ochre dunes was a magical expertise.

It was a highway journey spotlight for all of us.

About Wahiba Sands

Claire, daughter and dog at on orange dunes during sunset at Wahiba Sands in Oman

Wahiba Sands could be simply noticed from area as a result of its 200km lengthy and 100km extensive dunes run in strains from North to South. It’s inhabited by 3,000 Bedouins, however there’s no everlasting settlements when you’ve pushed greater than 10 minutes into the desert from Bidiyah.

It was the remoteness of the desert and our lack of expertise on this terrain that introduced us to the choice to e-book a camp* quite than strive wild tenting.

We additionally had the choice to strive using camel and dune bashing excursions however determined to not as we now have lots extra time to expertise these items whereas residing in Oman.

You don’t have to remain at a desert camp to e-book these excursions in Wahiba Sands. They’re additionally accessible as day journeys from Muscat.

The place to remain in Wahiba Sands

We booked Desert Retreat Camp* because it was the furthest dog-friendly camp into Wahiba Sands. We wished starry skies and large dunes, and it delivered on each.

Oval of traditional bedouin black and white striped tents in the Wahiba Sands desert, Oman. Picture is taken from above on a dune at sunset
This camp backs on to a big dune, which we climbed each evenings.

Desert Retreat Camp is without doubt one of the bigger camps with an oval of 14 conventional goat hair tents, every with a non-public open roof lavatory. However on our first night time we have been the one folks there.

The proprietor guided us into the desert from his workplace in Al’Wasil – a 20 minute drive – and defined over espresso and dates that in 2023 bookings continued to be down for the reason that pandemic. In reality solely 15% of his typical commerce had returned.

Much more cause to e-book a visit to Oman now!

Traditional bedouin black and white striped tent in the orange sands of Wahiba Sands desert

We settled into our tents – we needed to e-book two as there was no household possibility – after which headed up the dune simply behind us to look at the solar set.

The hike was greater than a problem than we’d anticipated however the view was magnificent. The desert actually is as dreamy because it seems within the footage.

Meals and hospitality

That night we ate a conventional dinner of soup, curry, dhal, rice, barbecued hen and salad, adopted by a dice of halwa and tea.

The meals was wonderful and the Indian employees have been beautiful, though fairly cautious of our four-legged good friend.

Dog stands at entrance of traditional bedouin black and white striped tent in the Wahiba Sands desert, Oman

The camp lacked among the conventional Omani hospitality that we’d heard is widespread at different desert camps. However if you’re on the lookout for someplace to stick with a big group of buddies you then’d have the ability to carry your individual environment.

Extra locations to remain

There are in fact numerous different Wahiba Sands desert camps and lodging* starting from resorts to trendy glamping resorts. It received’t be onerous to at least one that works for you.

Day 6: Wadi Bani Khalid 

As we had our canine with us we determined to not spend the day within the desert and headed someplace a bit cooler.

View into Wadi Bani Khalid where the family are walking to one side of the large open pool near the entrance. There are palm trees and people in the distance
Wadi Bani Khalid was lower than an hour drive from our Wahiba Sands camp.

It’s the most accessible and essentially the most business wadi we now have visited thus far. There’s bogs (pay 400 baisa to pee) and a cellular cafe within the automobile park and a restaurant beside the primary massive pool. 

Once we arrived at 9.40am there have been a couple of rent automobiles within the massive automobile park. Quickly afterwards the guided excursions began to reach. And by noon, once we left, there have been folks queuing as much as soar in our packing area.

It was a little bit of a shock to our system after visiting a lot quieter wadis however we nonetheless loved Wadi Bani Khalid.

Three people can be seen swimming in the turquoise waters of Wadi Bani Khalid below. There are rocky cliffs all around

Mr Tin Field and our ladies swam up and down the size of the wadi whereas I walked alongside with our canine. I’d already counted myself out of a refreshing dip after leaving half my swimming wear within the desert!

Muqal Cave

Family depends into a very narrow cave opening
One kilometre into the wadi is an incredible cave to discover.

The slim entrance to Muqal Cave provides method to small after which bigger chambers the place bats dangle from the honeycomb roof. 

As we moved deeper we have been hit by partitions of scorching air and the dashing noise of water additional in. This scorching spring feeds the swimming pools of the wadi making them deliciously heat.

We scrambled about 100m into the cave earlier than returning to the floor the place I kicked myself once more for forgetting my rash vest. It was like stepping out of a sauna. 

Once we received again to the principle services of the wadi issues have been getting busy so we determined to seize lunch someplace else. This restaurant again down within the city was nice worth.

Wadi Bani Khalid didn’t have the identical secluded allure of Wadi Damm from earlier in our journey, however it was positively price a go to.

Right here’s the place to seek out it:

After our morning on the wadi we returned to Wahiba Sands for our remaining desert sundown earlier than one other scrumptious meal and night time underneath canvas.

Day 7: return to Muscat and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

By morning seven our minds have been buzzing with all the things we’d skilled – the mountains, wadis Nizwa and the desert. So we reduce brief what we’d initially deliberate to be a ten day Oman itinerary and headed dwelling.

In the event you take the freeway 23, Muscat is simply over two hours North from Wahiba Sands.

However our journey wasn’t fairly over but. We accomplished our week by visiting one in all Muscat’s most well-known sights.

Visiting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Family walks across marble courtyard of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
This unbelievable place of worship was a present to the folks of Oman by the final Sultan whose identify it bears. 

It’s a murals that took six years to construct stating in 1996. When it opened in 2001 is boasted the most important handmade carpet on the earth and the largest chandelier. 

The UAE has now snatched each titles, however this by no means diminishes the awe-inspiring spectacle as you enter the principle prayer room.

The chandelier must be seen to be believed – it’s 8m in diameter, 14m excessive, and is embellished with 600,000 Swarovski crystals and 1,122 mild bulbs. 

Elaborately decorated colours and huge chandelier of the Main Prayer Room inside Oman's Grand Mosque
My footage actually don’t do justice to the dimensions of this masterpiece.

Guides on the mosque

We employed a information contained in the mosque to get the total story. He was filled with information, able to reply questions and enthusiastic to take our image in all the favored vantage factors.

After our tour we visited the Islamic Centre the place we have been provided water, espresso and dates whereas studying about Islam.

Whether or not you spend time in Muscat at the start or finish our your Oman highway journey you could see the Grand Mosque. There’s no cost to enter – you don’t must get a information – and if they’ve time the volunteers within the Islamic Centre can take you on a tour free of charge.

Family stands in marble courtyard of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. They were conservative clothes covering their arms and legs.

Suggestions for visiting the Grand Mosque

Right here’s a couple of ideas for visiting:

  • Women and men must put on clothes that absolutely covers legs and arms. Girls should additionally cowl their hair, so carry a shawl 
  • In the event you do arrive in garments that don’t meet these necessities you may rent an abaya on the store on the entrance
  • You possibly can go searching between 8am and 11am Saturday to Thursday. Permit at the least an hour and a half
  • Consuming, ingesting and utilizing telephones just isn’t permitted within the prayer halls (though you may take smartphone footage)
  • Put on footwear which are simple to take away. You’ll must take them off to enter the prayer halls.

The place to remain in Muscat

There’s loads of choices for locations to remain in Muscat* together with Worldwide resorts, visitor homes and self-catering residences.

If you wish to add a snorkelling or a wildlife recognizing boat journey to your vacation in Oman then we’d advocate staying someplace just like the seaside entrance Kempinski* in Al Mouj marina, the place there’s additionally numerous trendy eating places and cafes.

Learn how to make this a ten day Oman itinerary

We had initially deliberate so as to add one other couple of days to our Oman highway journey itinerary, heading out to the coast from Wahiba Sands after which following the highway north to Muscat.

However the lure a couple of days on the brink of return to work and faculty was too tempting. Particularly, as expats, we now have so much longer than every week to discover Oman.

However it could be very simple to show this seven day itinerary into a ten day highway journey.

Extra locations so as to add to your Oman highway journey

Under are my recommendations for locations to cease over three or extra additional days on the highway in Oman. We haven’t visited all of them but, however hope to quickly.

See the turtles at Ras Al Jinz

Green sea turtle returning to sea at dawn after laying eggs on beach of Ras al Jinz, Oman

Two and a half hours East of Wadi Bani Khalid is the Ras Al Jinz nature reserve on the Gulf of Oman. This is without doubt one of the World’s largest nesting websites for Inexperienced Turtles and a should for nature-lovers.

The principle hatching season is from Could to September however it’s potential to see child turtles within the cooler months too.

We’re but to go to however it’s very a lot on our Oman bucket record.

It’s potential to keep in Ras Al Jinz* nature reserve otherwise you may need to use close by Sur as your base.

Uncover the Oman’s maritime heritage in Sur

Traditional wooden dhow boats and the shipbuilding district in Sur, Oman

Lower than an hour north of Ras Al Jinz is the historic maritime metropolis of Sur. It was as soon as an essential buying and selling port and website for ship constructing.

At the moment you may go to the Maritime Museum, stroll alongside the picturesque corniche and see the lighthouse.

Right here’s the place to remain in Sur*.

Discover Wadi Tiwi

A beautiful view of the wadi pool with lush green canyon walls covered in palms on either side

Beneath an hour North of Sur is the doorway to Wadi Tiwi – a surprising 36km canyon that stretches out to the Gulf of Oman.

We visited Wadi Tiwi in our first month in Oman and had essentially the most unbelievable day – great and a contact exterior our consolation zones.

It’s peppered with inexperienced plantations that break up the rocky panorama and towering cliffs.

There’s a cement highway that you would be able to observe 10km into the wadi to Mabim Village. That is the place from which to descend into the canyon for essentially the most stunning swimming pools and waterfalls.

We used native guides to assist us attain these because it’s not straight ahead. I’ve written all about visiting Wadi Tiwi with our children and canine, so do test this out should you resolve so as to add this to your Oman highway journey itinerary.

Go to Wadi Shab

Wadi Shab pool in the Sultanate of Oman

That is essentially the most well-known wadi on the highway from Muscat to Sur and is one other place on our bucket record.

You park on the South aspect of the wadi entrance and take a ship throughout to a path via the canyon. There are three units of swimming pools to see and it’s important to swim to succeed in all of them, so come ready to hike and get moist.

Wadi Shab is 10 minutes North of the doorway to Wadi Tiwi on Freeway 17, so it’s potential to go to Tiwi and Shab in someday. Nevertheless, you’ll need an early begin to match them each in.

Wild tenting is well-liked alongside the coast highway. Widespread spots embody Fins Seashore and White Sand Seashore. You’ll want 4×4 to entry each. Count on them to be busy with picnicking and tenting households on the weekends.

Tiwi Dawn Inn* is a seaside entrance possibility for non-campers.

Dip in Bimmah Sinkhole

People walking down to and swimming in Bimmah Sinkhole between Muscat and Sur in Oman

In the event you don’t fancy the problem of Wadi Tiwi and Shab, however nonetheless need to go to a pure magnificence spot on the highway again to Muscat, Bimmah Sinkhole is a simple cease off.

It’s simply off Freeway 17 between Bimma and Dibab and has picnic tables, bogs and a play park for youngsters. This isn’t a full or perhaps a half day expertise. We’ve been advised you want not more than an hour to expertise the sinkhole.

Nevertheless, we haven’t stopped right here but as canines are usually not allowed.

After Bimmah you might be inside and hour and a half of Muscat and the tip of our really useful Oman itinerary.

10 day Oman itinerary route

Right here’s the route I’d counsel for visiting these additional must-visit locations in Oman:

What number of days do you want in Oman?

We’d advocate a minimum of seven days to profit from your vacation in Oman and expertise the number of unbelievable sights it has to supply.

You would simply spend 10 days or two weeks following the highway journey route we now have urged from Muscat.

And there’s nonetheless much more to expertise just like the sub tropical local weather of Salalah within the South of Oman, the balcony stroll on Jebel Shams and snorkelling in Daymaniyat Islands.

These are all issues we plan to do whereas residing in Oman.

What’s the greatest month to go to Oman?

Claire, Mr Tin Box, their seven-year-old and their dog pose for a picture in front of the canyon. The Wadi Tiwi pool they are heading for is visible on the right
We’v discovered sightseeing is greatest performed firstly or finish of the day

If you wish to keep away from Oman’s scorchingly scorching months, when even the Omanis change to an indoor life-style, go to between the tip of October and starting of April.

April is when the temperatures begin to edge into the much less comfy early 30℃s peaking within the early 40℃s by June. They don’t drop again down under 30℃ till the tip of October.

A month you may need to keep away from, notably should you plan to spend time exploring well-liked sights, is Ramadan.

Oman is a Muslim nation the place consuming and ingesting (even water) in daytime just isn’t allowed through the holy month.

If you’re not Muslim it’s acceptable to eat and drink in personal lodging and worldwide resorts, however this may make sightseeing a bit tough, particularly if the climate is scorching and you want to keep hydrated.

Discover out when Ramadan is because of occur.

Is it costly to journey in Oman?

The price if journey in Oman just isn’t simple.

Highway journey gas

Quiryat beach: Mitsubishi Pagero 4x4 parked on sandy beach with mountains in the background on a sunny day. Children wave from the roof and boot of the car

As an oil producing nation gas could be very low cost in comparison with what guests from the UK and Europe are used to.

We refuelled 5 instances throughout our highway journey, which value about £150.

Consuming out and alcohol in Oman

We now have additionally discovered consuming out at native eating places to be cheaper or akin to the UK.

Resorts and chain eating places are typically costlier and alcohol could be very costly. Count on to spend £8 to £10 for a 33ml bottle of lager the place it’s accessible.

Lodging costs

Relying on the kind of lodging you e-book you may nonetheless get an excellent deal right here.

Our two rooms for 2 nights on the villa in Nizwa labored out at £250 in complete. Whereas our two nights half board in primary glamping lodging in Wahiba sands value £500.

Wild tenting is free and could be performed anyplace that isn’t nearby of homes or proper beside a highway. This implies you really want a 4×4, which prices extra to rent than a two wheel drive car.

Verify automobile rent costs*

Flights to Oman

One of many greatest prices of any vacation to Oman, particularly if you’re coming from the UK, goes to be your flights.

Oman Air fly direct from London Heathrow and there are one cease flights from numerous regional airports within the UK.

The oblique flights by way of Frankfurt and different Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations are typically cheaper, however these take so much longer so you want to weigh up the financial savings verses the time you’ve got.

In order that’s a spherical up of our first huge journey in Oman. We are able to’t wait to discover extra and, in fact, I will probably be writing about as a lot as I can.

In the event you don’t already observe me on Instagram I’m sharing our day journeys and longer getaways there utilizing the hashtag #TinBoxOman. You’ll additionally discover a spotlight from our highway journey in my Instagram profile.

Disclosure: this put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. In the event you click on on one in all these and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.

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