Oman Off The Beaten Path

 
by henri123
 
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by henri123
  • on top of the slope...
      on top of the slope...
    by RocknRolla
  • on our way down
      on our way down
    by RocknRolla
  • Down at last
      Down at last
    by RocknRolla
  • A few from the slope
      A few from the slope
    by RocknRolla
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Day Trip to Rustaq

by ashwini62

From Muscat you can drive for an hour and reach Barka where the fish market and souk are worth a stop, as also Bait Na'am, a fortified house. This is where the Imams used to overnight during their journey to the interior.From Barka the drive continues along the famous Batinah plain, the main agricultural area of Oman. Then on to Al Hazm, where you visit the impressive fort before stopping at Rustaq Fort.Al Rustaq Fort nestles at the foot of Al Jabal Al Akhdar on the edge of the Batinah Plain. It was originally built on Persian ruins circa 1250 CE. However the imposing present-day structure was rebuilt by the first ruler of the Ya'ruba dynasty in 1650 CE. Rustaq fort was carefully built with stones fixed together with mortar and mud bricks. Its four towers and several wells spell the vision and architectural excellence of the bygone days. It also houses many buildings like a mosque,...

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Wadi Khabb Shamsi

by traveldave

Wadi Khabb Shamsi is one of the many wadis in the rugged and spectacular Ras al-Jebel Mountains of the Musandam Peninsula. Most of the wadi is arid and rocky with little apparent life. However, the wadi is home to many birds and mammals. The local Shihuh tribe has also managed to eke a living out of this inhospitable land, relying on infrequent rains to water their crops, and tending herds of goats to provide meat and milk.This is a part of Oman that few visitors will ever see. However, for those interested in hiking in the desert, birdwatching, or geology, Wadi Khabb Shamsi well worth the time and effort it takes to travel there.

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The Hanging Gardens

by traveldave

The Hanging Gardens gets its name from luxuriant green vines that drape from the steep cliffs of Jebel Qatar after the winter rains. It is located in an isolated, hot, and desolate wadi, known as Fossil Valley, not far from Buraimi. The only way into the wadi is by a rough track across a rocky plain for which a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. And there is not much reason for anyone to visit the Hanging Gardens unless they are interested in desert hiking, birdwatching, or just exploring.I went to the Hanging Gardens to find desert birds that can be difficult to find elsewhere. At the time of my visit, the winter rains had not yet started, so I did not see any of the vines that the valley is known for.

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Wadi bani khalid

by renzoponso

visit this amazing mountain oasis valley where the sands leave place to the verdant green of the tropic and life is still slow and worth to live.meet friendly locals - we have been invited for lunch in a house and met kind and intelligent people

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Great vistas in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar

by Farwoody

Just a 3-hour drive inland from the capital of Oman, Muscat, going up to Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (the green mountain) is a wonderful experience not to be missed. We went up this August and despite very hot, muggy conditions at sea level, the temperature at the top (1700-1800 meters) was perfect. It's nearly as uncluttered a place as one can find anywhere in the world. Curiously enough , there's a location where Princess Dianna is reported to have camped for a week. The locals still live much as they have for hundreds of years and there are comparatively few tourists with only one hotel at present. The views are magnificent. This and Nizwa below are essential if one wants to really see the "heart of Arabia".

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Dibba

by traveldave

Dibba is a sleepy port city located just under the towering mountains of the Musandam Peninsula on Oman's east coast. The border between Oman and the United Arab Emirates actually runs through the middle of Dibba, and visitors can freely cross the border with no immigration formalities. However, an Omani visa is necessary for those traveling on to Khasab at the tip of the peninsula. Dibba is further divided between Fujairah and Sharjah emirates on the United Arab Emirates side of the border. Dibba is one of the oldest cities on the Arabian Peninsula. Nearby archaeological sites date from about 3,000 B.C. to the early Islamic period. Before the Muslim conquest, Dibba was the capital of the area which is currently made up of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.The surrounding area was also the site of the Battle of Ridda, which occured in 633 A.D., and which was the last battle of the Muslim...

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Off the Beaten Coast Road

by dansc0tt

If you are heading down to (or up from) seeing the turtles in Ras al Hadd then make sure that you find the coast road. Right now this isn't too difficult but given the rate of construcion of the dual carriageway it won't be easy for long. Keep your eyes open for some very pretty & very secluded white sand beaches -perfect stop for a picnic and couple of hours of your very own beach!!

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Al Ain and Buraimi Border no longer open

by AndyjbLawrence

I have been an expat. resident of Buraimi for around four years and have enjoyed the warm hospitality and kindness of the Omani people. Now the delays caused by an entirely inefficient and racist control system implemented this week at the UAE border has meant that I and many other expats will probably now have to leave Buraimi. You can expect hours of delay at the UAE borderpost due to the inefficiecy of the system. If you are an Emirati or Omani you may be waved through but it will be based upon a cusory look at your skin colour and clothing. Call it racial profiling. This move will cause great economic losses to Buraimi and Al Ain. All tourist websites should now please remove all references to an open border between Al Ain and Oman as it no longer exists. We had previously been told that the problem had been resolved between Oman and the UAE but this is definitely not the case. In an...

Buraimi

by traveldave

The town of Buraimi shares the Buraimi Oasis with Al Ain in Abu Dhabi emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors can pass freely between the two towns and countries without any border formalities. Visas are only required for those traveling deeper into Oman, and the checkpoint is several miles beyond Buraimi. The border crossing between Buraimi and Al Ain is a busy one, with Omanis going to Al Ain for cheaper shopping, and travelers going to Buraimi to say they have been in Oman.Buraimi has always been on a strategic route between the interior of Oman and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. In 1952, Saudi Arabia claimed Buraimi. Negotations to determine ownership of the oasis failed, and in 1955 there was a small-scale war which resulted in a Saudi withdrawal from the area. However, it was not until 1975 that a border acceptable to all parties was established.During my short visit...

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Off Road Exploration

by JohnniOmani

One of the true highlights of visiting Oman is off road travel into the mountains, wadis, sand dunes and coastline. Hiring a landcruiser or Rav 4 can be expensive but most tour companies offer half day or full day tours. Oman hasnt been touched by mass tourism so get out there and see it!

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Unique Places in Oman

Top 3 Hotels in Oman

InterContinental Al Bustan Palace Muscat  Muscat

 16 Reviews and 186 Opinions  If you have a chance to visit this prestigious hôtel , you will not regret it. Outstanding... 

 Hotels in Muscat

Hilton Salalah  Salalah

 6 Reviews and 99 Opinions  The minute I entered this hotel I knew something was special and it did not take me long to discover... 

 Hotels in Salalah

Sur Beach Hotel  Sur

 4 Reviews and 23 Opinions  This hotel is a three star option and in my opinion the best you can choose in Sur. Having stayed... 

 Hotels in Sur

78 Hotels in Oman
 
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Reviews and photos of Oman attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Oman sightseeing.

Experience Oman
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Oman
  1. Muscat Off The Beaten Path
  2. Salalah Off The Beaten Path
  3. Nizwa Off The Beaten Path
  4. Sur Off The Beaten Path
  5. Al Hazm Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in Oman

 

Popular Regions in Oman

Mintaqat Masqat Off The Beaten Path  Muhafazat Zufar Off The Beaten Path  Muhafazat Musandam Off The Beaten Path  Al Mintaqah ash Sharqiyah Off The Beaten Path 

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Questions and Answers

JOSERAMON6D profile photo

Q:  who could inform me about a really good local travel agency or tour operator in oman, in order to book with them a 15 days round... 

lynnehamman profile photo

A: I recommend Nomad Tours in Oman. We stayed at Nomad Guest House in Muscat- it was excellent, and Lorna (the owner) can organize any tour that you might like to... 

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