Oman – Top things to do in 3 weeks

Route

Day 0 – Zürich – Muscat

After a 6h 30min direct flight with Oman Air from Zürich (21:55) to Muscat (06:35) we took our car from Thrifty directly from the airport. In the arrival hall you find all the car rental offices. To reduce the stress in the airport we had the 4×4 already booked through a german platform billiger-mietwagen.de.  As we prefered to have everything covered we book it with unlimited kilometers and fully covered insurance. We were not sure if we really needed a 4×4, because people said that the roads are pretty good. But due to our experiences in South Africa (we got stuck in the sand) we decided to take a 4×4. Which was a good decision at the end!

Day 1 (26th to 27th Oct.) – Muscat – Mutrah

From the airport you can take the 30km long Sultan Qaboos Road towards Muscat. On the way you can  stop to see the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Al Ghubrah. It’s the only mosque in Oman that also non Muslims are allowed to enter. The entry is free and it’s daily open for public form 08:00 to 11:00 except on Fridays. The most spectacular about the mosque is the giant Swarovski crystal chandelier in the middle of the prayer hall (weights 8t, 14m high and 8m wide). To enter you have to wear cloths that are reaching your ankles and wrists (man it’s okey with a t-shirt) and as a woman you have to wear a headscarf. You are allowed to take pictures.

In Shatti al Qurum you can visit the Qurum Natural Park (So-We 09:00-23:00, Th-Sa 09:-24:00, free entry). You can walk around and have a picnic there, but we recommend you to avoid the midday heat.

From the Riyam Park (Sa-Th 16:00-24:00, Fr 08:00-24:00, free entry) you can see the giant incense burner and also a view tower. For us it was a bit confusing, because the street to the incense burner was blocked and people told us that you can not visit it. So we just took some pictures from the street.

To learn a bit more about Omans geological evolution you can visit the museum Bayt al Baranda (Sa-Th 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-18:00, entry 1 OR). It’s not so big, and therefor not so crowded.

After sunset the 2km long Corniche of Mutrah awakes and the streets fill up with people going to pray or for a stroll in the souq (Sa-Th 9:00-12:00 and 16:00-21:00, Fr 16:00-21:00). There you can buy incense, antiquities and khanjars, a traditional omani dagger.

• Al Ghubrah:
  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
  • The Chedi Muscat
• Al Khuwair: Muscat Grand Mall, Natural History Museum, OIB Oman International Bank with golden door?
• Oasis Bawshar: Bayt Al Maqham (tower with views over the oasis) Sa-We 08:00-14:00 entry 0.5 OR?
• Shatti al Qurum:
  • Qurum Natural Park: So-We 09:00-23:00, Th-Sa 09:-24:00, free entry
  • Mara Land: Par, but nice indien restaurant Mumatz Mahal
  • Oil & Gas Exhibition Centre: So-Th 08:00-15:00, free entry
  • Qurum Heights
•  Mutrah: (best in the late afternoon or evening)
  • Harbor Mina Qaboos
  • Bayt al Baranda: museum Sa-Th 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-18:00, entry 1 OR
  • Corniche: 2km long, best in the evening
  • Souq: Sa-Th 9:00-12:00 and 16:00-21:00, Fr 16:00-21:00, arab Café Abna Haji Beri
  • Mutrah fort: enlightened during the night, not open for public
  • Riyam Park: Sa-Th 16:00-24:00, Fr 08:00-24:00, free entry, incense burner, view tower
  • Kalbouh Park

Food: Kargeen Restaurant in Muscat https://kargeen.com/
Accommodation: Naseem Hotel in Muscat/Mutrah – DR 71.-

Day 2 ( 27th to 28th Oct.) – Old Muscat – Sidab – Al Bustan – Qantab

Before leaving Mutrah you should visit the fish and fruit & vegetable marked (07:00 or earlier if you want to see how the fisherman arrive). Compared to other markets we have seen so fare, the Mutrah marked is very clean and well organized. People are friendly and not so intrusive.

As recommended we also wanted to visit the al Lawatiyah trading houses. But as it seem the local people living there got disturbed so much by the tourists strolling around their hoses, that they decided to close it for public.

On the way from Mutrah to the old town you take the Riyam street where you have views to both sides.

The old town area is pretty quiet and not so touristic as there are located most of the parliamentary buildings, the palace and some museums. For that reason you’r also not gonna find any restaurants. That’s why we eat some amazing fish in a tiny restaurant in Sidab/Sedab. Even though you can not enter in most oft he sights they are worth to visit. The Qasr al-Alam palace is just located next to the al Khor Mosque and the forts al Mirami & al Jalali. To learn more about the omani culture we recommend you to visit the National museum (Opening times).  It is full of information about the Sultan Qaboos and the development of the country. As stated in this article, you can browse your selection of available deals on smartphones and top brands and explore the service plans that best suit your needs.

On the way down towards Qantab you will pass al Bustan with a dhow “Sohar” on a roundabout.

In Qantab you can do a boat tour the arcs and ether enjoy the sunset like we did or spot some dolphins in the morning.

• Mutrah: (best in the late afternoon or evening)
  • Fish Marked: 07:00 or earlier
  • Fruit and vegetable Marked
  • Al Lawatiyah: trading houses, not open for public any more
• Riyam Street: views
• Old town:
  • Qasr al-Alam palace
  • Al Khor Moschee
  • Fort al Mirami & Al Jalali: not open for public
  • National museum
  • Bait Garaiza ?
• Sidab/Sedab: Fisherman village
• Al Bustan: roundabout with a dhow “Sohar” aka “Al Bustan Palace Roundabout”
• Qantab: beach, mountain, arch
• Bandar Al-Jissah: Extra Divers
• Wadi Yiti (off road)
• Wadi Al Khairan aka Bandar Al Khairan (Fjords, forest)

Food: in Sidab
Accommodation: Al Misfah Arabian House in Murrah – DR 57.-

Day 3 (28th to 29th Oct.) – Quriyat – Wadi Al Arbeieen – Bimma Sinkhole

• Quriyat: Fort and tower with nice viwes, eat Halwa
• Dibab: Wadi Al Arbeieen, beach
• Bimma/Bimah: Hawlyat Najim Park with the Bimmah Sinkhole, free entry (biggest natural pool in a chrater)

Food: Sea Restaurant in Sur
Accommodation: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF

Day 4 (29th to 30th Oct.) – Wadi Tiwi – White Beach – Qalhat

• Tiwi: Wadi Tiwi, drive in up to Harat Bidah and Maybam, 4×4 better, drive to a lonely wheit fisher house, drive under the giant hight way bridge to get to the Wadi Tiwi
• White Beach, Fins: snorkeling and swimming, dolphins, no changing rooms and showers
• Qalhat: Bibi Mariam Tomb, view point from the highway to the village

Food: Alhawash in Sur
Accommodation: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF

Day 5 (30th to 31st Oct.) – Ibra – Al Mudayrib – Sur

• Ibra
  • Ibra Castle: Sa-Th 09:00-11:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR
  • Woman Souq: every Wednesday 07:00-13:00, up to 1/2 day
• Al Mudayrib
  • Mud houses
  • Mud fort Al Khanayirah
  • Gates with wooden doors

• Sur
  • Fort Bilad Sur: So-Th 08:30-14:30, free entry
  • Fort Sunaysilah; So-Th 07:30-14:30, entry 0.5 OR, nice views to the city, 2 towers, west with 2 letters (only from outside)
  • City center: not so many places to park, Sur Hotel square has a lot of restaurants and coffeeshops
  • Camel race

Food: next to the marked in Ibra
Accommodation: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF

Day 6 (31st to 1st Nov.) – Wadi As Shab – Ras Al Hadd – Ras Al Jinz

• Wadi As Shab: a lot of rocky walls and good for hiking (if there is too much water you have to take a boat which costs you 1 OR per person go and get back, latest 17:30, Hussei, www.tiwiadventure.com ) park car under the high way bridge, 30min hike to the lakes and waterfalls, 15min later pools for swimming, The Cave only enter swimming,
  • TIPP: bring waterproof shoes or flipflops if you have sensitive feet so you don’t hurt yourself walking on the rocks, sunescreen, lunch, water. If you don’t want to leave things unatendet you should bring a drybag and a waterproofed case for your camera. Take all your garbage with you!
• Ras Al Hadd
  • Fort Ras Al Hadd: So-Th 08:30-14:30, free entry
  • Creek Khor Hajar and harbour
  • TIPP: Beach: swimming only between 08:00 and 17:00
• Ras Al Jinz
  • Ras Al Jinz Turtle Beach Reserve
  • Ras Al Jinz Scinetific and Visitor Centre (RAJSV): night 21:00 and dawn 04:00-06:00 (meeting at 04:50) turtle viewing, 30min in advance arriving, May to September, no photos with flush and no torches
  • * There are 7 kind of turtles and Oman has 5 of them. In Ras Al Jinz you can see the Green Back Turtle which weight around 140-180 kg and the panzer is 1m long. With 30 years they are fertile and they lay per season 100 eggs, which are breeding for 7-8 weeks. Only 3-4 form 100’000 turtles that hatch survive.
  • TIPP: Beach: swimming only between 08:00 and 17:00
  • Umm-An-Nar culture

Food: picnic
Accommodation: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Guest House in Ras Al Jinz – DR 77.-

Day 7 (1st – 2nd Nov. FRIDAY) – Ras Al Jinz – Sur

• Turtle morning
• Sur: Al Ayjah
  • Accessible with a bridge
  • Watch Tower: nice views
  • Fort Ayjah
  • Fisherman place
  • Lighthouse
  • Houses with nice wooden doors
• Sur As Sahil: difficult to go buy car bcs the streets are so narrow, east,
  • Khor AL Batah creek
  • Harbour, better by hight tide, beach not to swimm,
  • Market
  • Ghanjah “Fatah Al Khair”
  • Dhau Werft
• Asilah: only petrol station along the cost
• Al Ashkharah scenic route
  • scenic route N35 from Ras Al Hadd to Al Ashkara
  • beach
• Jalan Bani Buhassan
• Jalan Bani Buali
• Al Kamil Wal Wafi

Food: Zaki in Sur
Accommodation: Oriental Nights Rest House in Al Wasil – DR 50.-

Day 8 (2nd to 3rd Nov.) – Wadi Bani Khalid – Wahiba Sands

• Wadi Bani Khalid: climb a bit up so you have more natural pools, stairs to Mokal Caves where you need a torch, pass bei al Qahlah
  • TIPP: go early to avoid the crowd
• Bidiyya or al Wasil (Entrance to the desert Camps)
  • Wahiba Sands (Sharqiyah Sands), pick up at 15:00, for later pick up you have to pay 15 OR per booking
    • • sunset, 1/2 camel ride§
  • TIPP: take a torch, towels and some water. A scarf to protect your face from the sun, wind and the sand.

Food:
Accommodation: Nomadic Desert Camp, hut from 65 OR 2P (http://www.nomadicdesertcamp.com/Nomadic%20Desert%20Camp-5.html)

Day 9 (3rd to 4th Nov.) – Birkat Al Mawz  – Plateau of Sayq

• Al Mintarib
  • Oasis
  • Fort Mintarib: Sa-Th 08:30-14:30, entry 0.5 OR
• Al Qabil: Palmtrees????
• Izki: mud houses old town
• Sinaw: market
• Birkat Al Mawz / Birkat al Mouz
  • oasis with mud houses on the right side when you enter the city
  • Falaj watering system
  • Bayt Al Ridaydah
  • walk through the palm tree grove
  • street to the Sayq-Plateau, 4×4 checkpoint in Wadi Muaydin, 30min drive up
• Plateau of Sayq
  • “Lady Diana’s view point”: between Al Ayn and Al Fayyadiyah, view to Wadi Bani Habib, Sayq and Al Ayn and it’s terrass fields, Anantara Al Jebel Al Akhdar Resort, sunset
  • TIPP:  take a 4×4 so you can pass the police check point in Birkat Al Mawz. Book a room in advance.

Food:
Accommodation: Stone Guest House in Plateau of Sayq – DR 65.-

Day 10 (4th to 5th Nov.) – Plateau of Sayq – Nizwa

• Plateau of Sayq
  • Terrassfields with roses and pomegranates, falajs: 3h village walk
  • As Sharayjah: rose in April, pomgranades from September and October
  • Sayq: rose distillery, military jet wrack
  • Wadi Ban Habib: village with mudhouses and villas
• Fort Nizwa: Sa-Th 09:00-20:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 5 OR,
  • free tour of 30min.
  • see the sunset
• Souq Nizwa
  • from 09:00-20:30
  • West souq: silver and antiquites
  • Tea house: tea for 0.1 OR
  • East souq: spices
  • Craft souqu
  • Fruit and vegetable souq, try Halwa
  • Animal souq: every Friday from sunrise to 09:30
• Sultan Qaboos Mosque
• Gate

Food:
Accommodation: Date Palm Inn in Nizwa – DR 47.-

Day 11 (5th to 6th Oct.) – Nizwa – Jabrin – Tanuf – Al Hoota

• Nizwa: Falaj Daris UNESCO, watering system, free entry, 10min.
• Jabrin
  • castle UNESCO world culture heritage: Sa-Th 09:00-16:00 last entry, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR
  • 2h with audio guide
• Tanuf: mud houses, watering system, Wadi Tanuf
• Al Hoota Cave
  • 1km walk, 250 steps, 2h, very humid, book in high season online
  • www.alhootacave.com
  • Th-So 09.00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00, hourly guided tours, no photos, entry 7 OR

Food:
Accommodation: Bahla Hotel Apartments in Bahla – DR inkl. breakfast 57.-

Day 12 (6th to 7th Nov.) – Bahla – Al Hamra – Al Misfah Al Abriyeen

• Bahla
  • Fort Hisn Tamah UNESCO world culture heritage: Sa-Th 09:00-16:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR, 15 gates and 132 towers, go to a hill south above the fort!!!!
  • potery because of the clay
  • no explanation, no audioguide, big

• Al Hamra: right sdide to Bilad Sayt: palmtrees, village, mud houses, wooden doors, put long sleeves and legs, museum Bayt Al Safar (Jaber and Ali)

• Wadi Ghul and village Guhl: old mud houses, fort ruin
• Al Misfah Al Abriyeen
  • park car and visit it walking
  • dates and tea
  • Misfah Old House

Food:
Accommodation:  Sama Heights Resort in Jebel Shams  – DR inkl. half pension 94.-

Day 13 ( 7th to 8th Nov.) – Jebel Shamas – Wadi Damm Pools – Al Ayn

• Jebel Shams
  • 3000 mountain
  • balcony walk hike: 2h30min.
  • selling carpets and blankeds
  • views to Wadi Nakhar (Grand Canyon of Oman)
  • 4×4
• Al Hadjar mountains
  • Wadi Bani Awf and Bait Bimah: bathing, hiking, snake gorge 4×4!!!!! check wether because if there is rain you can not pass the Wadis  and plan enought time
• Wadi Damm Pools: 4×4 off road
• Al Ayn and Al Bat: beehive tombs UNESCO

Food:
Accommodation: Al Maid Hotel in Ibri – DR 23 OR

Day 14 ( 8th to 9th Nov. FRIDAY) – Ibri – Wadi Al Hawqayn

• Ibri: fort Sa-Th 09:00-15:30, Fr 08:00-11:00, closed for construction
• Wadi Al Hawqayn / Al Alhoqain: only locals

Food:
Accommodation: Season Inn Hotel in Barka – DR 43.-

Day 15 (9th to 10th Nov.) – Al Hazm – Al Rustaq – Nakhal – Barka

• Al Hazm
  • Fort: Sa-Th 09:00-16:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR, credit card only
  • nice, no audio guide
• Rustaq
  • Fort Qala’at Al Qesra (Al Rustaq): Sa-Th 09:00-16:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR, you don’t need a tour guide but if you want wan it costs around 8 OR for 2h
  • Old souq:
  • Source Ain Al Kasfah: sulfur
  • Mosque
• Nakhal/Nachl
  • Al Nahda Resort: Hotel with big garden open for public
  • Barka Ostrich Farm: daily 07:30-12:00 and 15:00-18:00, entry 0.5 OR
  • Fort Nakhal: Sa-TH 09:00-16:00, entry 0.5 OR, awesome views from the roof, picture from the hole fort from the coffeeshop (in construction)
  • Ain Thuwarah (Nakhal Springs): 3 km, mall street through date tree grove and gardens, following the Aflaj-watering system, into the Wadi Thuwarah
• Barka:
  • Fish marked and souq: Sa-Th from 06:30, bargaining, weaving
  • Old fort: So-Th 08:30-14:30, free entry (in construction)
  • Bull fights: only in winter and nor every week, Friday around 16:00
  • Ostrich farm

Relax at the beach

Accommodation: Season Inn Hotel in Barka – DR 43.-

Day 16 (10th to 11th Nov.) – Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve – Muscat

• Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve (Boat tour)
  • 30min. By boat
  • Not allowed to get on the islands
  • Diving and snorkeling
• Muscat
  • Beach Qurum (public): late afternoon walks
  • Royal Opera House
• Al Abyadnn
• Wadi Mistral: Wakan village off road
• Bayt Na’aman
• Al Fulaij: camel races
• Ras Al Sawadi:
  • Beach: Sleep Beach Resort
  • Fort
  • Boat trip to Seadi islands, one island is reachsble walking
• Al Mushana: only if you are a fort freack
• As Suwsyq: Fort: So-We 09:00-14:00, free entry
• Sohar:
  • Fort: Sa-We 08:00-13:30, Th 09:00-13:00, entry 0.5 OR, nice to see, walk in the garden
  • Fish marked: 08:00 in the morning
  • Sohar Port
• Buraimi:
  • Oasis
  • Fort Qsar Al Khandaq: Sa-Th 08:00-15:00, Fr 08:00-11:00, entry 0.5 OR, majlis meeting room, falaj saars and falaj buraimi
  • Old souq
  • Historic part
• Al Ain: in V.A.E., Clock tower and public tower, Camel marked

• Fish markets in the villages early in the morning
• Seeb/Sib
• Mawaleh: Fruit market
• Fanja: mud houses, fort, palm trees
• Bidbid: forts
• Samail/Suma’il
  • pass and canyon
  • dates

Accommodation: Carnelian by Glory Bower Hotels next to the Muscat Inetrnational Aerport – DR 70.-

Day 17 ( 11th to 12th Nov.) – Muscat – Khasab (Musandam)

11.02.19 07:40-08:45 flight from Muscat to Khasab

• Khasab Fort: Sa-We 08:00-16:00, Th 09:00-13:00, entry 0.5 OR
• Walk to the beach

Accommodation:

Day 18 (12th to 13th Nov.) – Khasab (Musandam)

• Boat tour with a dhow with snorkeling and dolphins, 20 OR p.P, 6h, 10:00-14:00, ., inkl. lunch, tea, dates, towels and snorkeling equipment

Day 19 (13th to 14th Nov.) – Khasab (Musandam)

• Hiking in the fjords, 50 OR p.P., inkl. guide, lunch, tea, speedboat to the fjords, 08:00-16:30
• Fish marked, buy fish and let it grill in the next restaurant

Accommodation:

Day 20 (14th to 15th Nov.) – Abu  Dhabi

• Louvre Abu Dhabi, entry 
• Ethiad Towers form the Emirates Palace
• Emirates Palace
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, free entry, sunset, 3h

Accommodation:

Day 21 (15th to 16th Nov.) – Abu Dhabi

• Fish, fruit & vegetable and carped marked
• Walk the corniche and visit the beach
• Ethiad Towers: 9.5 OR and you can use 5 OR for beveriges and food on the top, parking 1h for free, after that 1 OR 
• Sunset with views to the city, Qasr Al Watan, Ethiad Towers, Emirates Palace

Accommodation:

Day 22 (16th to 17th Nov.) – Khasab (Musandam)

• Boat tour with a dhow with snorkeling and dolphins, 3h, 13:30-16:30, 15 OR p.P., inkl. lunch, tea, dates, towels and snorkeling equipment

Accommodation:

Day 23 (17th Nov.) – Khasab – Muscat – Zürich

17.11.19 To save time and money we took the flight from Khasab to Muscat and then directly to Zürich. 09:35-10:40 (1h 5min) and 14:45-19:05 (…h ….min)

Map

Our Story

Costs

Transport:

• Flight: 2x 815 € 4 flights
• Car Oman: 1’270 € 4×4 all covered unlimited kilometers
• Car Emirates: 26 OR 2 days
• Petrol:
• Boat to Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve:

Accommodation

• Hotels:
• Desert Camp:

Food

• Breakfast:
• Lunch:
• Dinner:
• Snacks:
• Water:

Fun

• Turtle viewing:
• Desert tour:
• Forts: 0.5 OR (500 Baizas) p.P.
• Snorkeling
• Boat tour: 20 OR p.P. 6h
• Hiking: 50 OR p.P. 1 day
• Souvenirs:

Total:

Accommodations

1. Day: Naseem Hotel in Muscat/Mutrah – DR 71.-
2. Day: Al Misfah Arabian House in Murrah – DR 57.-
3. Day: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF
4. Day: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF
5. Day: Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments in Sur – DR 42.50 CHF
6. Day: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Guest House in Ras Al Jinz – DR 77.-
7. Day: Oriental Nights Rest House in Al Wasil – DR 50.-
8. Day: Nomadic Desert Camp, hut from 65 OR 2P (http://www.nomadicdesertcamp.com/Nomadic%20Desert%20Camp-5.html)
9. Day: Stone Guest House in Plateau of Sayq – DR 65.-
10. Day: Date Palm Inn in Nizwa – DR 47.-
11. Day: Bahla Hotel Apartments in Bahla – DR inkl. breakfast 57.-
12. Day: Sama Heights Resort in Jebel Shams  – DR inkl. half pension 94.-
13. Day: Al Maid Hotel in Ibri – DR 23 OR
14. Day: Season Inn Hotel in Barka – DR 43.-
15. Day: Season Inn Hotel in Barka – DR 43.-
16. Day: Carnelian by Glory Bower Hotels next to the Muscat Inetrnational Aerport – DR 70.-
17. Day:
18. Day:
19. Day:
20. Day:
21. Day:
22. Day:
23. Day:

Tips & tricks

• Visa: you can order your visa in the internet:
• Money:
• Cloths: respect the islamic culture and wear long sleeves and pants or skirts that are covering the knees. If you enter a mosque you have to cover your head with a headscarf and the sleeves have to reach the ankle and the wrist.
• Transport:
• Kilometers and time in the car:
  • Total: …..km and ….. h
  • Average per day: …….km and …….h

Language

• Hello: as salam aleykum, marhaba
• Thank you: shukran
• Please: afwas, men fadlak
• Excuse me: muti assif
• Yes/no: na’am/la

Food

• Tabuleh