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Most of you read this website and listen to the Sultanate podcast because of the information that I provide, but this project isn’t about me. It’s about filling a gap in the travel information for independent travelers to Oman. In other words it’s about YOU! While, I am the conduit for good information from my point of view, I do realize that my view is just that… mine.
So, in this episode of the Sultanate I meet and interview two pairs of travelers to Oman to get their perspectives. Both pairs originally reached out to me with questions they had while planning their visits. I love talking to new people, so I responded to their questions and offered to meet up with them when they were on the ground. It is interesting to me to see Oman from the perspective of a new visitor.
Briana Jorgenson and Jason Forman are a young American couple who wanted to visit the Middle East, but were a little wary to visit Egypt or Jordan because of the safety risks. After seeing Oman pop up on a “places to visit” list, they decided the sultanate was the right fit for them. They hopped on a Turkish Air flight and arrived with a very full, self planned, itinerary as many visitors do. (Be sure to check out Jason’s video from Oman on his Instagram account, it’s really fun to watch.)
Anthon Keuchenius and Bob Askew are long time travel buddies and chose to visit Oman so they can get close to Yemen. I though that was strange too, but I learned Anthon is journalist and writes a bit about Yemen. So, getting close to the story in Oman is the best he can do until the fighting stops. We actually met up twice during their visit. Once for lunch near the bus station at the start of their journey, and another time for a hike and overnight camp at the end. Anthon and Bob are longtime travelers with rich and diverse experiences to draw from.
So, join me as we talk to four travelers in Oman and hear about their own visits to Oman.
Update January, 2018 – Anthon published his article about Oman in the Dutch newspaper NRC, as well as on his website. Check it out.
Sultanate Ep 013: Traveler Interviews Links
Beyond the Route’s Reader 2017 SurveyThank you!- Briana’s Instagram @midnightcloaker
- Jason’s Instagram @illking and Flickr page
- Anthon’s Instagram and Twitter @abumelle, Facebook, and website.
- Bob wants to remain off the grid :)
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Ten Day Itinerary for Oman
- Day 1 – Arrive in Muscat, hire your 4×4. Overnight in hotel or jam out of town to camping location.
- Day 2 – Visit the coastal area between Muscat and Sur. Sights: Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi, Wadi Arbyeen, Wadi Dayqah Dam, Fins Beach, Bimmah Sink Hole, Salmah Plateau. Overnight in Sur or camping.
- Day 3 – Travel to the Sharqiya Sands via Sur. Sights along the way: Sur, Bilad Sur Castle, dhow boat shipyard, Wadi Bani Khalid. Overnight at one of the desert camps or camping.
- Day 4 – Drive down the coast via route 32. Sights: Sinaw, Bar al Hikman, Khaluf, the Rock Garden, Duqm, Ras Markaz, Ras Madrakah, Three Palm Lagoon. Overnight in Duqm or camping (recommended).
- Day 5 – Continue your drive towards Salalah. Sights: Huqf escarpment, Wadi Shuwaymiyah, new coastal road, Hasik, fishing villages, Mirbat. Overnight in Salalah or camping along the way.
- Day 6 – Explore the mountains of Dhofar. Sights: Wadi Darbat, Jebal Samhan, Taiq Cave and Sinkhole, camel farms, green hills. Overnight in Salalah or camping along the way.
- Day 7 – Take the coastal road west toward Sarfayt, and the Yemen border. Sights: Mughsail Beach, Rakhyut, Dhalkyut. Overnight back in Salalah or camping.
- Day 8 – Blast back north to Nizwa via route 31. Sights: Land of Frankincense, Rub’ al Khali, interesting driving. Overnight in Nizwa or nearby or camping.
- Day 9 – Explore the Hajar Mountains. Sights: Jebal Shams, Jebal Akhdar, via ferrata, rock climbing, hiking. Overnight in one of the many basic hotels on the mountains, or blast back to Muscat, or camping.
- Day 10 – Return to Muscat via route 15, and finish with sights in Muscat: Muttrah Souq, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, The National Museum, Bait al Zubair. Overnight in Muscat or on your flight.
Ten Day Itinerary for Oman – Map
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