We read a lot about the Oman and saw a lot amazing things in the TV. So we really wanted to visit the Sultanate of the Oman. We took a direct flight from Frankfurt to Muscat with Oman Air. Oman Air is an amazing airline with an incredible service on board. We were very thrilled and can highly recommend the airline. A lot of tourists were spending their vacation in the sultanate.

As we arrived in Muscat we promptly realized that Muscat is a very clean city. You could even say, you can eat from the ground. Muscat the capital of the country is a very small traditional city with no skyscrapers. You cannot compare it to Dubai at all.

We saw a lot of local people with the typical “Omani Dress” buttoned to the neck and very clean without any crease. Omanis are also picky with their cars. It´s not a joke, but It is forbidden to drive with a dirty car.

We were spending our first night in the Park Inn Hotel. The Hotel is located very central and it is close to a brand new Shopping Mall. Of course we used the time and walked through the Mall.

The Shopping Mall is a little bit smaller than the Malls from the UE. But they have the same kitch. A little train is driving especially for children. It’s a good opportunity for parents to do their duty.

Sultan Quaboos Grand  Mosque

We were starting our roundtrip on the next morning, our guide picked us up just in time. The first stop of the day, was for sure the Sultan Quaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. It is one of the biggest mosque in the world. Even for non moslem visitors, is it allowed to visit the mosque. If you don´t have a headscarf, you can rent it at the entrance.

Sultan Quaboos Grand Mosque

The Mosque is very gorgeous. Especially the big gold dome and the candalabra. You can´t  describe how beautiful it is, you have to see it for yourself.

Saskia, Bastian, the Imam and Mohammed in the Islamic Information-Center

We were welcomed in the islamic informationcenter with sweets and a cup of tea. We met a very nice old iman and he told us a lot about his religion. Also religion is not our thing, it was interesting.

Big Palace of Sultan Quaboos and little market

The next stop after we visited the mosque, we stopped at the seat of the government of Sultan Quaboos.

We were very impressed as we passed Muscat, they do a lot for tourism and they built up a lot of new hotels in higher standards. The tourism is starting up slowly it´s absolutely not crowded there.

Later we visited a tiny little market. It smelled of frankincence in different aromas. Each familiy has their own recipe and it is passed down from generation to generation.

Desert Oasis – Wadi Khalid

The Oman is not just a desert but also has many small mountains. Our guide brought us to the most popular oasis of the country. This Sweetwater is a resort for many omani families. The crystal clear water reflects a great picture. The oasis is flooded four to five times per year.

Wadi Bani Khalid Oase

Desolate villages Wadi Badi Habib

It also has a lot of historic to offer for example the old villages in Wadi Badi Habib. The village is ca. 2000 meters above sea level and was inhabited 100 years ago. The loam houses were destroyed from storms and bad weather over the years.

A little mini Omani in Nizwa Fort

The Arabian Oryx Desert Camp

We spent our last trip with our guide in the Arabian Oryx Desert Camp.

Shortly before sunset, we were able to reach the top of the sand dune.

The view from there was amazing! A pinch of sand blew across the hilltops and made the scenery perfect.

The tents in beduinen style are luxury and are good equipped with a bathroom and air conditioning. Remember also, we are in a desert, and for that was it absolutely amazing

Salalah – the caribbean of the orient.

Salalah is 1 hour away from Muscat and with about 150.000 citizens the 2^nd biggest city in the sultanate of Oman and is located in south west, close to Jemen. You can also find the summer residence of Sultan Quaboos here. Salalah is also extremely popular for francincense. In the past, francincence was similar handled as gold. Dhofar was the biggest transhipment port, from where it was shipped to Africa, Asia and Europe. Today the trade routes are very important for shipment. Nowadays, the country is financed by his black gold and is trying to get more tourism and build more hotels by the coast.

Museum of the Frankincense Land

Apropos, Salalah is dream destination especially for Arabian tourists, because in the summertime it changes in a wonderful green and flowering landscape with sparkling springs. That must look amazing.

The top activities in Salalah are dolphine watching and diving. But we didn´t the activities, because we did it in other countries.

Our conclusion, the Sultanat of Oman, is not very popular for Europeans and we feel, that mass tourism is coming slowly. Actually we spent 5 nice days in Salalah in the wonderful Rotana Resort with a beautiful beach.

Infobox

Hotel:

Park Inn Hotel Muscat 
Salalah Rotana Resort

Visa:

40 US Dollar, directly at the airport

Currency:

Omani Rial OMR
The current course you can look up at Oanda

Language

Arabic
English

Local time

You can read the local times here

High Season

The best time for the Oman here

Health:

The vaccination passport should be checked by a doctor and refresher courses such as tetanus, yellow fever and hepatitis A, B, C may be performed.

You can read more about this here.

Safety

You can find all entry requirements at the listed embassies

Embassies

For US Embassy: link
For UK Embassy: link
For AUS Embassy: link

Information about the tour guide

Name: