Oman

What to see

Muscat

Capital city full of character, both ancient and more contemporary. The old quarter is dominated by two cliff-side forts and a palace whilst the heart of the city is its bustling souks.

Nizwa

Lush oasis town and former seat of power close to the rugged Western Hajar Mountains. Come to uncover the myths and legends associated with the place or trek the network of canyons and caves close by.

Dhofar

Subtropical southern province that’s known for its green hillsides and home-grown frankincense.

Salalah

Pristine beaches and a lush interior landscape are the lure here. Cooler temperatures and occasional rain provide respite from the desert.

Nakhal Fort

Oman has more than a thousand forts but the setting of this stronghold, centred on a giant rock, close to the Hajar Mountains and Batinah plain, is probably the most dramatic.

Top experiences / sites of particular interest

Wahiba Sands

Isolated desert region edged by fortified towns that is home to traditional pit-weavers and Bedouin tribes.

Sharqiya

An outdoor playground that’s ideal for walking or swimming but also has traditional villages to visit – take a 4WD and test your navigational abilities amidst a sea of sand.

Sur

Thought to be the home of Sinbad the Sailor, this enchanting coastal town sits on a stretch of glorious sand. Drift on a dhow, snorkel or dive to get the best from the area.

Ras al-Jinz

The favourite nesting site of the green turtle. Stay here to see the night-time drama of delivery and hatching.

Wadi Shab

Attractive wadi with green pools, caves, waterfalls and terraced fruit plantations to explore.

Jebel Shams

Take a 4WD to the roof of Oman in order to look down on Wadi Ghul, Arabia’s own Grand Canyon.

Ubar

Arabia’s fabled ‘Atlantis of the Sands’ was lost for over a thousand years until rediscovered in the 1990s. At present there’s little to see but archaeologists are working slowly to uncover further evidence and artefacts.

When to go

Weather & Seasons: Oman is generally warm and dry. The months between May and August are particularly hot and humid. From June to September there is a chance of light monsoon rain in Salalah. In general, the climate is best from September to April.Visit from November to March to take advantage of occasional rains, bursts of bloom and the chance to explore the desert without undue exposure to the searing sun.

Important Dates and Festivals: Festivals and events are generally connected with the Muslim calendar.

Getting there / around

Flights: There is an internationalairport close to Muscat(MCT).

Road: The roads tend to run north to south throughout the country and are in decent condition although it was only relatively recently that a network of roads and graded tracks was established and made it possible to penetrate the desert. There are also good connections to neighbouring states. Car hire is readily available in the main cities.

Potential itineraries

Short Trips: People travelling to Oman tend to do so in conjunction with a trip to one of its neighbouring states, combining a visit to Oman with a dash into Yemen or the UAE. If you choose, spend a week crossing Oman, travelling from Muscat through the desert to Dhofar and the cooler coastal climate around Salalah.

Longer Trips: In two weeks, tackle the northern tip of the country, travelling from Ibri in the desert to Nizwa, via the burial towers at Bat. Explore Jebel Shams before heading east to the coast, the turtle sanctuary at Ras al-Jinz and the beaches at Sur. Take the coast road back up to Muscat before catching the ferry to Khasab, perched on the Musandam Peninsula, a dramatic Omani outpost guarding the gates of the Gulf of Oman.

Guides

Overall Country Guides: There are comprehensive country guidebooks to Oman available from Bradt and Odyssey. Insight produces a guide to Oman and the UAE whilst Lonely Planet publishes a guidebook to Oman, UAE and Arabian Peninsula.

Maps

Overall Maps: There are comprehensive country maps of Oman available from Reise Know-How, GiziMap and the Oman Ministry of Tourism Anne Malin). Anne Malin also produces street maps of Muscat and Salalah.

Read More

Seven Pillars of Wisdom by TE Lawrence is an account of the 1915-18 Arab campaign that is widely considered to be the most evocative description of the Arabian Peninsula.

Arabian Sandsby Wilfred Thesiger is the master travel writer’s account of the exploring the Empty Quarter, in which he records the nomadic life of the Bedu before the discovery of oil changed the region forever.

Sultan in Omanby Jan Morris follows the Sultanate of Oman as he made the first crossing of the Omani desert by car in 1955 and captures centuries old life in the desert just as the oil-driven winds of change begin to blow.

Language

Arabic and English.

Currency

Omani rial (OR) made up of 1000 baiza.

Visas

UK and US citizens require a visa before entering the country.

Health issues

Inoculations for Hep A, Hep B, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid and Yellow Fever are recommended. Malaria is present in parts of the country.

Safety, FO travel advice

Generally safe.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Omani country representatives can be found

in the UK at

and in the US at

There are no tourist boards in either country.

For more information visit www.destinationoman.com.