Tourism in Oman

In Tourism in Oman there is an outline of the travel opportunities in Oman. More detailed information on geography are under Geography of Oman.

• 6.1 Hiking
• 6.2 Off- Road
• 6.3 Diving
• 6.4 Kiteboarding
• 6.5 Archaeology
• 6.6 caves

Accessibility

Oman is served by several international airlines from Europe, the neighboring Arab countries and the Indian subcontinent. Many connections require intermediate landing or change, mostly in Dubai. The central airport is located in Sib near the capital Muscat. From Salalah airport, there are few flights to neighboring countries.

By land, Oman is difficult to achieve. Only the border with the United Arab Emirates is entry visa and transport connections open.

Locomotion in the country

In 2005, there are only two domestic flight connections: several times a day from Muscat to Dhofar (Salalah ) and multi- weekly in the unconnected by land exclave of Musandam (al- Khasab ).

The public switched traffic is handled by buses. Between the major cities are regular buses, usually only one to three times daily, decreasing trend, as many Omanis have private vehicles. On shorter branch lines, but also on bus routes, driving taxis depart when they are full. Only in the capital region, there is a public transport with buses and taxis. It is otherwise dependent on one of the many taxis that are very low due to the low gasoline prices and therefore often also take trips to more remote places. Railroads do not exist in Oman.

Since the bus network is organized in a star shape, the places are mutually connected rare and many attractions are not in the proximity of urban centers, use most of the tourists from abroad, the services of tour operators or rent a car or all-terrain vehicle. With normal car, all cities can reach on good asphalt roads, even to small towns and districts of the slopes have now been paved. Most roads lead through levels or by wide valleys, so that you can get very quickly through the country. Despite the many mountains there are few real mountain roads.

Accommodation

Oman is now well equipped with hotels. Most are at least lower middle class so that Oman is not a cheap travel destination, double room you get from 40 Euros. Hotels ( sometimes called the Guest House or motel ), there are

• In all parts of the capital region of Yiti about Muttrah to Sib
• In the Batinah Ras as- sawadi in as- Suwaiq and in Sohar
• In al - Khasab ( Musandam )
• On the western Al Hajar Mountains, Nizwa and Bahla in and Ibri
• Buraimi on the border with the UAE
• On the eastern Hajar Mountains and Ibra ', in al - Qabil, at the branch to Wadi Bani Khalid and in Sur
• In Dscha'alan at Ras al Hadd, and in Bani Bu Ali
• On the island Masira and on the way there in al - Hajj
• On the way from north to Salalah, accommodation to Adam, Haima and Thumrait and 3 Resthouses between
• In Dhofar in Salalah, Mirbat and Salalah

Desert camps are located on the northern edge of the desert Ramlat al - Wahiba. A simple camp is located between Rustaq and Awabi. On the west coast of the island Masira there is a Kitecamp. Hostels are available in Salalah and in al - Aschchara, south of Ras al - Hadd. A new one will be built in the mountains near al -Hamra. Camping is always possible anywhere; in the mountains, the winter temperatures can reach freezing or even below.

Food

It is easy to eat in Oman. Everywhere there are at least simple restaurants, takeaways and cafes, which are mostly run by Indians or Pakistanis. They are cheap and generally offer good food. In larger towns, especially in the capital region, there are also specialized restaurants. In so-called " hypermarkets ", even by European standards often huge supermarkets, you get alternatively all day long fast, ready cooked meals, often with a large selection. In restaurants, the following applies: Arabic food is rarely meatless, so vegetarians in Indian restaurants have better chances. Beyond the major cities is available almost always present, but very simple and often without choices.

Authentic Omani you eat sitting on the floor on a carpet. There to lean on pillows, and the shoes remain outside the door.

Attractions

Oman travelers delight in deserts, in wadis in spectacular mountain landscapes, oases to ancient fortresses and forts, on the ruins of old mud and clay villages to markets and on beaches.

Landscapes

• High mountains and valleys in the Jebel Hajar al - Akhdar and Jebel Shams
• A particular challenge for mountaineers constitutes nearly 1000 meter high south-east wall of the Jebel Mixes
• Sandy desert with dunes: Wahiba
• Wadi Bani Khalid, a valley with colorful mountains and pools, which are used as water storage
• Fjords in Musandam

Forts

• Al - Hazm: a fort with hidden paths
• The Fort of Nachl situated on a cliff and has furnished rooms
• The Palace of Dschabrin
• Hisn Tamah who are not yet ready restored fort of Bahla

Markets

• The capital city of Muttrah Souk has the largest selection is very much alive and full of atmosphere.
• The souq of Nizwa was largely rebuilt and is organized by product. Friday is the animal market.
• In Ibra there on Wednesdays women's market offering in which mainly women their products.

Interesting cities / districts

• In al - Minzafa, about 5 km from the center of Ibra ', are many rich mud houses whose ceilings but have all collapsed. Since the doors are open, can be a good impression of not so long past living arrangements win.
• The old center of Mana is surrounded by a city wall, though the adobe houses crumble, but still give a good impression earlier life again.
• The atmosphere of Muttrah, especially on the Corniche at the waterline with old merchant houses and in the Souq, will also be retained in the future. However, the residential area of the Shiite originating from Baluchistan Lawatis is not accessible.
• The port city of Sur in Oman acts as the only truly urban living in its former structure.

Plant

• Frankincense trees in Dhofar
• Date palms in all oases

Wildlife

• Reserve the Arabian oryx
• Turtles on the coast south of Ras al - Hadd Ras al - Jinz
• Dolphins off the coast of
• Many birds can be connected to the lagoons in Dhofar and in Ras al - Hadd watch

Beaches

Oman is not just a water park. Although there are many lonely or hotel beaches where you can swim, there are virtually no bathing infrastructure, as the beaches are not normally used by local people for bathing. Beaches as places of encounter, jogging or soccer games, but are becoming more popular with the locals.

• The large beach of Yiti located in a beautiful mountain landscape, near the capital.
• In Dhofar, Khor Ruri front of the lagoon, is a beautiful, framed by rocky beach.

Activities

Hiking

Hikes of varying length are possible, especially in the mountain regions. It is often guided by tracks that meander through wadis and lead to small oases. In the Jabal Shams even leads a signposted path, as there is a two -day walk from the pools at Wadi Bani Khalid Mukal in Wadi Tiwi on the coast.

Off- Road

Deserts and remote mountain regions are suitable for trips with corresponding vehicles. So also traversals of Hajar can be made that are not otherwise possible. Increasingly, former off- road trails are paved. An internationally known highlight for off-roader is a ride in the Wahiba Sands.

Diving

Diving and snorkeling can be seen on many rocky shores, such as in Musandam, south of Qantab, and Fahal and Daymaniat islands that are reachable from Ras as- sawadi and Muscat from. Also around the capital Muscat region, there are several opportunities to snorkel and dive. On the eastern outskirts of Muscat there is a diving school.

Kiteboarding

Oman offers very good conditions for kiteboarding. Especially the island Masira in the south of Oman is considered wind safer spot in summer constantly over 20 knots of wind speed can be achieved due to the monsoon.

Archeology

Interested in archeology can find evidence of ancient cultures in Oman.

• The old frankincense port Samhuram, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List on the subject of incense
• 4000 year old beehive tombs lie at Bat and Al - Ayn
• It is believed Ubar, a former legendary rich place to have found at Shisr

• The large karst cave Al Hoota Cave since 2006 has principally open to the public, but irregularly closed.
• Collapsed karst caves there are in Dhofar Jabal Samhan in