10 days in Oman this September
Replies: 23 - Last Post: Aug 15, 2012 8:18 AM Last Post By: WK_Cheung
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10 days in Oman this September
Hi All!I'm going to be in Oman for 10 days this September and wondered if anyone could help me out with a potential itinerary using public transport (not driving to save on costs...). Ideally, I'd like to get down to Salahah from Muscat - how likely is is this given my short stay?
Also, I get the impression that Oman isn't really set up for backpackers.... Does anyone know of any hostels / popular backpacker type places in Muscat / Nizwah areas? And recommendations for tour companies taht people have used would be appreciated as well!
If anyone else is around at the same time and wants to share costs etc. I'd also be very interested in that!
Any help / advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Dan
1
I get the impression that Oman isn't really set up for backpackersIt really isnt. Tourism development here is aimed at the top end of the market, and the limited transport infrastructure and the large distances mean that backpacking is hard work. It can be done, but you wont find yourself bumping into lots of likeminded travellers.
The closest you'll get to what you're looking for is the handful of cheap hotels on the Muttrah corniche (see multiple past threads), which is where any other low budget travellers will likely be staying also.
As far as Salalah goes, its easy enough to get there - buses run daily and are pretty cheap, but, without transport, there's a very limited amount of stuff to do once you've arrived. All the places that make Salalah so exceptional are way out of town, and impossible to reach without transport. So you would spend 2 days of your 10 on a bus (and its a dull dull journey), and I dont know what you'd get out of it once you're there.
Given 10 days, no transport, and a very low budget, I'd say give yourself 3 days in Muscat, 3 days in and around Nizwa, using shared taxis and minibuses in both places, shell out for a 2 day/1 night stay in the Wahiba and try to sort out some kind of transport to spend a couple of days getting out to a couple of wadis or more remote areas.
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Sorry Esteban, I meant I've sent Danthenomad a message since I'm also going to Oman in Sep. Sorry for making u confused.7
Hi Esteban,I'll stay there for 7-10 days. As I'm also a solo traveler so I have the same goal as u: to keep the budget as low as possible.
I have done some research on the expense of the trip and I agree with genghis_caterpillar that the Salalah city itself doesn't offer any attractions to tourists. With a 4WD & a guide and perhaps some camping equipment u can get a taste of the natural beauty of Southern Oman, but personally I think that spending money in this way isn't really a wise choice for a short budget tour on Oman (12 h to there from muscat by bus), coz there seems to be some better destinations which offer more spectacular scenes. That's why I'll skip the entire Dhofar province in my trip.
For the big cities like Muscat, Sur, Nizwa, Barka u can explore the surroundings easily by microbus or shared taxi. However u can only access to some remote districts with a tour agency if u're not driving. The most spectacular & expensive parts in Oman are always the Jebel XXX, Wadi XXX & deserts. So it's really preferred to have some companions with u when visiting those places to reduce the cost.
Kei
9
Hey guys,I'm also planning a trip to Oman in September and looking for companions to keep costs down. I havent firmed up my dates and itinerary yet but I'm flexible. Is there anyway we could do this together?!
Cheers,
Yogesh
12
Hi, Good pm to all, We are 2 filipino engrs(man & woman) from Dubai and will be going to salalah,oman on Aug 16-thurs afternoon and will be back on aug 20-monday(afternoon) to enjoy our eid holidays there. Anyone care for a hitch and share all cost going there and all costs on the vacation trip. we are considerate to other people and really would like to go there. Please pm or message me here so I can give my mobile number. thanks!!! Also, I have UAE driving license so we can share the load of driving. I cannot bring my car as it is too old, chrysler concorde 2002 model. hehe. thanks again. reply asap.13
Hi Lemon 1975Ill be in Dubai begining of November and want to see at least something of Oman although now Im thinking of maybe making it easy and just coming to Muscat and making a full day trip to Nizwa ; at least it will give me a taste of the country and the next time I can see the dunes etc
what about you??
Esteban
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Well, I'm from Mumbai, India. The airfare to Muscat is cheap, but since country is expensive, I'm looking for companions. Ideally I'd like to travel for say 5-7 days. Dates/ itinerary are flexible.
