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In the past few decades, Oman has proved its worth as a top destination in the heart of the Middle East. There was a time when the Sultanate was a preferred holiday destination for residents of the surrounding Islamic countries alone, but today this beautiful country welcomes thousands of tourists and business visitors from all around the world throughout the year. Known for its grand tourism infrastructure, Oman is equipped for all kinds of travelers and interest groups with its lavish 5 star hotels amidst scenic locations, luxurious transport facilities, leisure activities, sports activities, museum and cultural marvels, etc. The government of the country is promoting travel and tourism in a big way, and has realized that today’s tourists are not only interested in leisure but also other activities. For instance, there are tourists that are specifically interested in trekking in Oman, or watching marine life.
Nowadays holidays are multi-faceted. Families have a mix of generations that have varied interests. While the wife looks forward to a holiday in Oman to shop for antique goodies, indulge in traditional spa treatments and lounge by the poolside and enjoy the sun, the husband wants to explore mountain trails through trekking or bicycling, watch camel racing, and get the adrenalin pumping through fun water sports. Some young adults come to the Sultanate for adventure holidays that include activities such as water sports, rock climbing, trekking, bicycling, scuba diving, camel racing, horseback riding, dune bashing, desert camping, golfing, hiking, wildlife watching, etc.
These days, trekking is fast- becoming one of the most favourite activities for tourists. And, why not, since Oman is one of the most pretty and scenic countries in the world. With abounding rugged mountain ranges, unspoiled deserts, lovely beaches and endless landscapes, the country lures in trekkers from the world over. If you are considering a trekking holiday in Oman, research the various trekking points along the Al Hajar mountain range. The mountains start from the northern border of the United Arab Emirates and are spread to the central eastern parts of the country. Check out places like Jebel Shams, which are the most celebrated for trekking activities. For example, a narrow trail called ‘the balcony walk’, along the edge of Wadi Nakhr is popular with trekking enthusiasts.
The perfect season for trekking in Oman is from September till about May. The months after May are too hot to be out under direct sunlight during the day. In fact, the most pleasurable months are October to April for such activities. You can get in touch with a good local travel agency in Oman to plan your desired adventure holiday. Reputable travel agencies are experts in designing tailor-made holidays that will make your vacation, one that will be remembered for years to come.
We live in a busy world. Rarely get time to relax. In such a scenario the whole point of going abroad for a vacation is leisure. A drastic change in scenery, people and ecology is just what the doctor ordered, and what place fits the bill to the T other than the Sultanate. Leisure travel to Oman is becoming increasingly popular with avid travelers from the West. Getting here is easy, thanks to multiple flights from almost all major cities of the world, traveling within the country is hassle-free by internal flights or rental cars, accommodation is top class no matter what the destination, the country offers all modern-day amenities and the people are well-known for their rich culture and hospitality.
If leisure is a priority, Oman is the place to be. It offers spectacular landscapes coupled with world-class luxury, in addition to cultural heritage sites, amazing architecture, fun activities for the whole family to partake in, scenic architecture, and much more. The main component of a leisure holiday is luxurious accommodation. Thus, the first step right after your have booked your first class air travel seats should be to consider your 5 star and spa options. Most 5 star hotels in the country have their private spas within the vicinity, but if spa treatments are a must for you to enjoy your holiday experience, check online for hotels that have reputable spas or offer treatments that interest you. Official hotel websites are ideal for this kind of research, as they provide comprehensive details about their in-house spas including treatment menus and charges. If 5 star hotels seem out of your budget, try 4 star resorts or hotels in the city. There are plenty to choose from.
To truly relax in a foreign country, one cannot hope to rely on public transport. Keeping up with bus schedules or waiting around for taxis can be stressful and put a dent in your enjoyment. Hence, it may be advisable to rent a car. You can ask your hotel travel desk or travel agency to make the arrangements for you or simply get in touch with an international car rental company and make the booking. A majority of companies offer chauffeur driven vehicles as well, obviously for an extra charge. But the deal is well worth it. After all, wouldn’t you rather enjoy the scenery than worry about directions, traffic and maps?
Leisure travel in Oman is all about activities and places. A good hotel situated in a scenic location, spa treatments and a luxurious sedan or SUV to take you wherever you wish to go is a major chunk of it, but there is more. No holiday to this country is complete without a trip to the traditional market called Souk and a boat ride aboard a traditional Dhow.
The Sultanate is packed with activities for all who come to visit there can enjoy. These include some water sports, sailing, boating, scuba diving, kite surfing, desert safari, shopping, sightseeing, camel racing, horse racing, architectural excursions, trekking, hiking, rock climbing, mountain climbing, cave exploring, wildlife watching, bird watching, marine life watching, swimming, mountain biking and cycling in Oman. If cycling is an activity you enjoy, you are sure to fall in love with this country. His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Hamdoon Al Harthi himself has chosen to use this popular activity to be a mode in introducing the riches and culture of Oman to the world. His Tour of Oman reached over 180 countries last year alone, and is being used as a tool to promote the tourism and sports potential of the country.
The country has so much to offer that exploring all of it and truly enjoying the vacation in just one trip is just not possible, unless you are on a month long holiday. If you browse online for images on Oman, you will realize the earlier statement holds true. You will also notice that the pictures show diverse topography. The fact is that the country can be divided into three distinct regions in terms of topography. The first is the rugged mountains and deep fjords which lie in the north of the country. The Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands and the two large salt flats in the central region of Oman. And the scenic green hills of the Dhofar region that lie in the south. The winter is fairly cool and pleasant for cycling or mountain biking. The summer months are hot and humid, which make them a no-no for such activities. Many tourists avoid the central regions of Oman during the summers especially from June to August, as being out and about is not enjoyable.
If you want to cycle your way through the trip, it may be a good idea to catch hold of a reputable travel agency to make the relevant accommodation bookings for you. This is imperative to not try and do them yourself, as they know the country and facilities better. Plus, who can be better at guiding you to plan a foolproof fun adventure than a local travel agency. All you need to do is go online and make a quick search for a well-known travel agency operating in the country. It may be wise to select one that has the main office in the city you land in. For example, if you are landing at the Muscat International Airport, choose a company that has an office in Muscat. This way, you can visit the office and get one-to-one detailed last minute information if needed. Once you have found the ideal company for the job, give details of your trip. This should include the dates of travel, the regions or towns you wish to pass or make a stop at, the type of accommodation you want, your budget for the travel, other activities you might be interested in, the type of cycle you will be carrying or need to rent in the country, etc.
If you are keen about cycling in Oman and do not want to use any other mode of transportation for your internal travel around the country, you are roughly going to need about four weeks or a little more just to cover the three regions mentioned earlier. The estimated distance covered by you would be in the range of 1000 kilometers to about 1400 kilometers, depending on the places you choose to visit. For example, a route like Muscat, Sur, Wahiba Sands, Ibra, Nizwa, Jebel Shams, Wadi Bani Awf, Rustaq, Nakhl, Seeb, Muscat, would be 1200 kilometers.
While there are many of us who leave things to the last minute, a smart traveler always knows his options in advance. If you are looking for interesting excursions in Oman to make your next trip to this wonderful country more fun, read on for some options you may want to consider.
The best way to find out what types of tours are available through reliable travel and tourism companies, you can always browse online before making the required bookings. Another way is to get in touch with a well-known travel agency in Oman. Not only can the local travel agency help you tailor-design your holiday and stay, but also offer a lot more insight than you can gather through online searches. Some of the most reputable travel agencies of the country can plan your holiday to fit your needs to the T. This includes getting you to Oman by the quickest route by air, booking tickets, arranging for a rental car with or without a chauffeur for your convenience, booking tours and excursions that suit your interests and desires, and make sure that your are staying at hotels that fit your budget yet provide all luxuries you require, among others.
Oman has a lot to offer to each and every traveler. Hence, you may want to choose the excursions that include things that you enjoy or want to see. For example, the country offers activities as varied as scuba diving, boating, sailing, rock climbing, trekking, camel riding, horse riding, desert safari, camping, caving, off-road driving, dune bashing, shopping at modern malls as well as traditional Omani souqs, whale watching, turtle watching, dolphin watching, bird watching, kite surfing, etc.
Sightseeing alternatives include a large number of forts, four very renowned World Heritage Sites, beautiful beaches, exotic scenery, magnificent textured mountains, one of their kind caves, palaces, intriguing architectural marvels, ancient villages, plantations, endless deserts, reserves, valleys, Strait of Hormuz, islands, lagoons, canyons, Geosites, water springs, rock parks, etc. In addition to these, depending on the dates of your travel there are many unique and exciting festivals that take place throughout the country at certain times of each year. Some of the best known of these are the Muscat Festival, Salalah Festival, Sinbad Classic, Oman International Rally, Dubai – Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, Cultural Theatre Program organized by the Misnistry of Tourism, Oman Desert Express, Bidiyah Challenge, Tour of Oman, Oman World Fireworks Championship, etc.
A good way is to pick a few activities that interest you, a few sights that you don’t want to miss out on and aim at attending at least one festival or event that can give you a glimpse at into the Omani style and outlook. You can also share the shortlist you have created with your travel agency and see if they can plan the ultimate holiday for you. Another option is to simply go through the array of excursions they offer. Most travel agencies have private or group excursions such as Mystical Muscat showcasing the city and some adjoining sites, Fascinating Forts including a trip to the famous forts at Nizwa, Al Hoota Caves tour, Twilight Dhow Cruise, Amazing Dolphins for dolphin and whale watching, Batinah Bash to see Batinah coast and sites, Majestic Mountains, and many more.
With so many already designed excursions in Oman available for booking, even over the Internet or phone, things like planning your tours has become simple and quick. And in case these choices don’t make you jump for joy, you can have your excursions tailor-made for a few extra bucks. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tours today.
If you are planning to travel to Oman in the near future, read on for details and tips to help you enjoy your trip even more. The first thing you will need to do is make a checklist. This should ideally include things like checking your passport for validity and getting a visa to visit Oman if required. For your visit to the Sultanate the passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the date of travel. For many nationals, Oman offers visa on arrival, so it may be wise to ask your travel agency for details or research the matter online. Another thing to remember while visiting a country like Oman is to carry your international driving license. You will be glad to do so, as driving and off-roading is simply a pleasure here.
Your personal checklist should also consist of things such as vaccines, travel insurance and health insurance. The most recommended vaccines for the Middle East are Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus. Next, you should make the required bookings for accommodation, travel, rental car, activities, etc. You can do these through a travel agency or through online portals easily. Of course, it is always better if your have friends and family who have already paid a visit to Oman, to guide you better. Some of the things you will need to know about the country are its language (Arabic), population (2.8 million), the time zone (GMT +4), its currency (Rial Omani – OMR), and the dialing country code (+968).
The best time to plan a vacation to this scenic land is between the months of November and March, when the weather is much cooler. While there are no railways in Oman, public transport is comfortable and efficient. To travel from one part of the country to another, it is best to opt for a rented car for take local flights. Major ports and harbours of the country are Al Wajajah, Matrah, Mina al Fahal, Sohar, Duqm, and Mina Raysut, and a must-see. If you are starting your journey of the mystique land from its Capital city of Muscat, some of places you should visit are the Bandar Khayran Reserve, the Hawiyat Najm Park, Mutrah souq, mutrah cornice, and the old city. You could also book yourself on a Muscat city tour. These are organized by most leading travel agencies of Oman. The tour takes up only about 4 hours and showcases the best this world-class city has to offer.
No travel to Oman is truly complete unless you visit Muscat, so make sure you tell your travel agency to start you off from there. Other places to see in the country include World Heritage Sites, textured mountains, caves, villages, fjords, forts, museums, dessert, etc.
Today when you think of the Middle East you imagine exclusive luxury hotels, skyscrapers and modern cosmopolitan environment. Well, a country which has yet preserved it scenic charms and rugged raw look is Oman. Almost untouched, the Sultanate boasts of a quiet magnificence that is reflected in the unending deserts, grand textured mountains, miles of coastline and stretched beaches, and unparalleled architecture that is unique. But, don’t underestimate its hospitality. This Sultanate is already home to more than 10 five star hotels and a large number of spas, three star and four star properties to give you the best of Omani hospitality. Many world travelers prefer to travel to Oman for special spa holidays that allow them to relax amidst luxury and beauty.
If you are curious about the country’s natural splendour, the best thing to do is get in touch with a good travel agency and a plan your next holiday here. Oman has tremendous natural beauty to showcase. It is packed with a number of reserves, valleys, mountains, caves, the Strait of Hormuz, rock parks, a canyon, lagoons, water springs, islands, beaches, deserts and Geo- Sites. The must-see reserves include the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Sanctuary for Natural Sceneries, As Saleel Nature Park, Al Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, Dhofar Lagoons, the Samhan Mountain, the Oman Botanic Garden, the Natural Living Sanctuary, the Wadi Sireen Reserve, and the Turtle Reserve.
Valleys are also synonymous with Wadis. Some of the most distinctive and beautiful wadis are situated in the heart of Oman. An oasis with habitants and unique vegetation, wadis worth visiting are, Wadi Al Arbiyeen, Wadi Muayden, Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Al Dayqah, Wadi Darbat, Wadi Andam, Wadi Al Nakhr, Wadi Al Shab, Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Abyad.
Oman houses some of the most beautiful beaches. With a coastline that covers a distance of more than 3000 kilometers, some of the must-see beaches are Al Bustan Beach, Mutrah Corniche, Duqm Beach, and beaches of Dhofar, Al Qurm Beach, Ras Al Hadd Beach, Sohar Corniche, Al Sawadi Beach and the coasts of the Al Wusta region.
The country is also known for having the world’s second largest cave system named Majlis Al Jinn. In addition to this, other celebrated caves include AlHoota Cave, Muqal Cave, Al Marnif Cave, and Teeq Cave and Tawi Ateer Sinkhole.
With so many things to see and places to visit, a travel to Oman should definitely be on your cards. Make your bookings now and enjoy the country that can only be described as one in a million, when it comes to scenic landscapes and unsullied beauty.
It is one of the last authentic Sultanates of the world. It has a coastline that stretches over 1700 km and is bordered by the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Oman. It covers a total area of around 309500 square kilometers with every square km packed with scenic exclusivity. Yes, Oman is beautiful! Since the time that it has opened its doors to the world Oman tourism has already grown leaps and bounds.
The government has taken a number of encouraging steps to tap into the travel and tourism industry of the world that is now worth billions of dollars and growing each year. There are some very important benefits for the traveler planning to visit Oman, in view of the Sultanate trying hard to be on every traveler’s must-visit list. First of all, the people are friendly and helpful to foreigners, crime rate in the country is extremely low, and the authorities display a flexible attitude in case the traveler is facing some problem on his visit. Secondly, the government has egged on the fast development of the tourism industry within the country, making way for international car rental companies, plenty of good travel agencies, luxury and spa hotels, civil infrastructure, etc. And to conclude, the country not only has a huge treasure chest of natural marvels for visitors to bask in, but also a wide range of recreational activities that one can take pleasure in.
While Oman is divided into regions, namely Muscat Governorate, Dhofar Governorate, Musandam, A’Sharqiyah Region, Al Batinah Region, A’Dakhiliyah Region, A’Dhahirah Region, Al Buraymi, and Al Wasta Region, it may be difficult to cover all the regions on a short stay. It is advisable that you rather shortlist activities and sights before planning the internal itinerary. Another option would be to get in touch with a reliable travel agency that can make an exclusive package for you, so that all your requirements are taken care of without the hassle of dealing with every single detail on your own. Most travel agencies in Oman are highly efficient and trustworthy to deliver what has been promised. These companies also have their own set of tour packages that you can choose from.
Some of the Oman tourism activities you may want to consider for your next trip are scuba diving, boating, mountain climbing, trekking, going on a desert safari, camping, turtle watching, caving, shopping at the traditional souk markets, whale watching, bird watching, dolphin watching, camel racing, horse riding, off-road driving, dune bashing, swimming, cycling, golfing, etc. Oman is full of valleys, reserves, mountains, caves, deserts, lagoons, wadis and souks, anda visit to this amazing paradise has the potential of being the best holiday experience you have ever had.
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