Oman Itinerary - Winter 2018
We are not going to lie. Our initial knowledge of Oman was pretty much what we saw on the Australian reality travel show "Travel Guides", in which six ordinary families or friends were dropped in a destination for a week-long vacation. Each group served in the role of the professional travel critics. Of the six episodes of the first season, the one of Oman piqued our interests particularly. As I learned about the country and its people, it became clear that Oman is the rare success story where its modest natural resources are put to good use.
As our first Middle East adventure, Oman was a perfect gateway to the Middle East for Americans. While most will think of Jordan or U.A.E. when it comes to traveling to the region, Oman's respect for cultural tradition and thoughtful economic development makes the country the perfect gateway to the Arabic culture of hospitality. In contrast to its popular neighbor Dubai, Oman's understated character is its biggest asset. And the country is really thoughtful with its tourism development. Aside from the cruise ships in the Sultan Qaboos Port, mass tourism has yet to arrive in Oman.
giant incense burner at the Al Riyam Park in Muscat.
Our two-week swing through northern Oman encompassed a wide range of physical and cultural landscapes. From the bustle of Muscat to the tranquility of Musandam and the majesty of Jebel Shams to the magnificent souq of Nizwa, our time in Oman is full of daily adventures. While we could have layered in a trip down to the Dhofar region and the city of Salalah in the south, most locals advise only visiting the south during the monsoon season, known locally as Khareef. So below is how we spent our two weeks in the Sultanate of Oman:
Day 2 - Dubai - Khasab
Pick up at Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira, UAE/Oman border crossing Tibāt, arrival in Khasab, hotel check-in, lunch, mountain safari to Khor Najd, As Sayh & Jebel al Harim, dinner
Lunch: Telegraph Island Restaurant
Dinner: Al Mawra
Hotel: Atana Musandam Resort
Day 3 - Khasab
Khasab Castle, Village of Qadah, full-day dhow cruise, dinner
Lunch: on board
Dinner: Al Shamalia Grill Restaurant
Day 4 - Khasab - Muscat
We woke up early to catch our flight to the Omani capital, Muscat. Khasab Airport was perhaps the most remote and dramatic airport that we ever flew from. An hour-long flight was extremely scenic and was
Muttrah Corniche .
The
Flight to Muscat, car rental pickup, Mutrah Fish Souq, lunch, National Museum of Oman, Al Alam Palace, hotel check-in, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Lunch: Fishers Grilled in Mutrah
Dinner: Turkish House Restaurant
Hotel: Centara Muscat Hotel Oman
Day 5 - Muscat - Al Rustaq Loop - Muscat
Nakhal Fort, Al Rustaq Fort, lunch, Al Hazm Castle, Little Snake Canyon, dinner
Lunch: Lulu Hypernarket Rustaq
Dinner: Begum's Restaurant
Day 6 - Muscat - Nizwa
As much as we enjoyed our time in Muscat, we were ready to leave the cosmopolitan capital. But before our departure, I could not
Lunch: Bait Al Luban
Hotel check out, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, lunch, Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah Souq, Riyam Park, Royal Opera House, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, drive to Nizwa, Airbnb check-in, dinner
Dinner: Barbeque Nation Nizwa
Apartment: Airbnb in Nizwa
Day 7 - Nizwa - Jebel Akhdar - Nizwa
Nizwa Friday Goat Market, Nizwa Souq, Birkat Al Mouz, drive to Jebel Akhdar, lunch, Diana Point, Wadi Bani Habib, Village of Al Aqur, Al Ayn & Ash Shirayjah, Izik Ruin, dinner
Lunch: Robo'u Alsaab Restaurant
Dinner: Boom Burger
Day 8 - Nizwa - Jebel Shams
Nizwa Souq, Nizwa Fort, Tanuf Ruin, Old Village of Guhl, drive to Jebel Shams, hotel check-in, Jebel Shams sunset, dinner
Lunch: Marsa Alsaiyaad Fish & Seafood
Dinner: Sama Heights Resort Jebel Shams
Hotel: Sama Heights Resort Jebel Shams
Day 9 - Jebel Shams - Misfat al Abriyyin
Hotel check-out, Balcony Walk, Al Hamra, Bait Al Safah, guest house check-in, dinner
Dinner: Misfat Hospitality Inn
Hotel: Misfat Hospitality Inn
Day 10 - Misfat al Abriyyin - Jibreen
Misfat al Abriyyin, Jibreen Castle, lunch, Al Ayn’s Beehive Tombs,
Wadi Damm, hotel check-in, dinner
Lunch: Fwanees Bahla Restaurant
Dinner: Wahat Al Tabiya
Hotel: Jibreen Hotel
Day 10 - Jibreen - Bahla - Wahiba Sands
Hotel check-out, Bahla Souq, Bahla Fort, lunch, drive to Al Wasil, desert drive to camp, sand dune sunset, dinner
Lunch: Barbeque Nation Nizwa.
Day 11 - Wahiba Sands - Sur
Sand dune sunrise, breakfast, Wadi Bani Khalid, drive to Sur, hotel check-in, laundromat, dinner
Breakfast: Sama al Wasil Desert Camp
Laundromat: Pure Snow Laundry
Dinner: ???
Hotel: Sur Grand Hotel
Day 12 - Sur - Wadi Shab - Sur
Wadi Shab, lunch, Bimmah Sinkhole, Sur city drive, dinner
Lunch: Tiwi Grill Restaurant
Dinner: Zaki's Restaurant
Day 13 - Sur - Al-Bustan
Hotel check-out, dhow shipyard visit, Al Aygah Castle, Al Ayjah Lighthouse, Al Ayjah Bridge, car wash, drive to Al-Bustan, resort check-in, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drink, dinner
Dinner: Shahrazad
Hotel: Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa
Day 14 - Al-Bustan
Private beach, private pool, lazy river, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drink, dinner
Lunch: Circles
Dinner: Tapas Restaurant
Day 15 - Al-Bustan - Muscat
Private beach, private pool, resort check-out, Old Town Muscat, Kalbuh Park, Muscat Old Watch Tower, Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah Souq, hotel check-in, dinner, Lulu Hypermarket
Lunch: Al Tanoor Restaurant
Dinner: Begum's Restaurant
Hotel: Centara Muscat Hotel Oman
Day 16 - Muscat - Dubai - New York
An early morning start to our long journey back home to New York. Not known to us, our time in Oman was unexpectedly prolonged due to a 10-hour delay as the result of an equipment failure for our Emirates 777 jet. It was perhaps the most frustrating flying experience I have ever encountered and I guess in hindsight, we could have spent more time in Muscat, instead of the misery of having two meals at the "Automatic Restaurant" in the dilapidated terminal that was about to be shut in the coming months. Well, that travel ordeal could be a separate post altogether.
