Salam Oman!

Greetings from HumSafars! Our next adventure, after Kenya, was a remarkable road trip to another country with couple friends, covering total of ~3200 KMs (equal to the Kashmir to Kanyakumari distance on Google Maps!). Originally, we planned to fly to Salalah from Dubai, explore the city with a rental car and skip Muscat, but flight cancellations disrupted our plans. We considered an alternative: flying to Muscat and driving to Salalah, but the cost of renting a car for a one-way trip was astronomical! Skipping the overnight bus option, we decided to embark on our longest road trip yet, by driving all the way from Dubai to Salalah!

Endless playlists + coffee + best friends = best road trip ever!🚗🛣

Day 1 – To avoid the weekend rush, we left late evening for our trip. The plan was to drive all night and reach after ~14-15 hours, with a couple of us having driving licenses if needed (we didn’t though). Departing 10 PM on a Sunday, we arrived at the border via Abu Dhabi close to midnight, finding it completely empty except for officers and guards. We smoothly completed the formalities, paid the entry charges, and faced no delays whatsoever.

We had hoped to buy sim cards at the border, but given the late hour, it wasn’t possible. Panic set in as none of us had activated international roaming, and we had no internet for the next 12-14 hours. Fortunately, a helpful officer provided temporary Wi-Fi access, allowing us to download an offline map to our hotel. Trust me, Google maps offline is a lifesaver, guiding us through most of the journey and even offering reroutes when needed!

With newfound confidence in the map and half a can of Redbull down, we entered Oman to be met with absolute pitch darkness! Despite being an international highway, it lacked streetlights and even road markers at many points. At the first petrol station, we hoped to buy a sim, but the stores would only open at 6 am, leaving us without one yet again. We gulped down more liquid energy and continued towards our destination.

One thing about overnight drives, everyone in the car feels obligated not to sleep, so we played music loudly, sang, and laughed at random things. The pitch darkness, sleep deprivation, and isolation made us discuss Jins (Genies as per Arabian mythology, apparently common in Oman), leading to some (alleged) hallucinations – someone saw people cycling, another saw people sitting in a circle in traditional white dress and what not. All fun and laughter, none of it serious, but it provided great entertainment.

As daylight broke, we stopped at a petrol pump to fuel up the car and ourselves. Grabbing breakfast and finally managing to get sim cards, we marveled at the past 6 hours, where we only saw 10-12 cars on the road the entire stretch. What an adventure we had pulled off!

Around 3 PM, we reached the resort, greeted by its magnificent beauty. Instead of resting after the long drive, our adrenaline pushed us to freshen up and jump into the pool, play around in the water, and enjoy the sunset. Sipping fresh cocktails, smoking sheesha, and savoring heavenly pizzas at the restaurant, we finally called it a day, retiring for the night. An unforgettable start to our road trip!

Life is too short to not take the scenic route!🏜

Day 2 – Fully refreshed after a much-needed rest, we finally savored our ocean-facing rooms before diving into the breakfast buffet. With our own car and a flexible itinerary, we had listed a few places we wanted to visit. After breakfast, we headed to Ain Razat, not too far from our resort.

Ain Razat is a freshwater stream surrounded by caves, a charming picnic spot with a beautifully maintained garden nearby. Despite the scorching heat, we waded in the water, capturing crazy pictures and exploring the caves for a better view. Next, we drove an hour to Marneef cave and blowholes near Al Mughsail beach. The view from these caves, overlooking the ocean, was simply majestic! The blowholes were awe-inspiring, with sea water gushing out of them like a whale spouting water. The child in us couldn’t resist getting drenched in the splash, while the ladies also posed for some Marilyn Monroe-inspired pictures above the openings.

After a fun-filled time and more photo-taking, we relaxed at a nearby café, relishing cold beverages with the soothing sound of crashing waves beneath us. The Mughsail beach, not far away, called to us for a breathtaking sunset and some playful water activities. We loved the dome-like structures there that offer comfort and shade from the harsh sunlight. The beach provided a picturesque setting with vibrant colors (and countless birds!).

Back at the resort, we freshened up and returned to the beautiful pool. Later, we indulged in more delicious food at the beachside restaurant when our waiter told us of a beach party that evening. Reached there to find a “White” themed party, with the DJ playing music from around the world. Coincidentally, a few of us were already in white attire, making the experience even more enjoyable as we danced and partied with the soft sand tickling our toes. Finally, well after midnight, we called it a night, knowing we had spent an incredible day filled with unforgettable moments!

Keep Calm and take a trip to Oman!🧿💙

Day 3 – Today’s plan involved exploring diverse places, so we charted out the most efficient route. After a filling breakfast, we leisurely set off to the Anti-Gravity hill, quite similar to Kashmir’s magnetic hill where you just leave your car in neutral and watch the miracle of it moving uphill on its own. This phenomenon wasn’t as dramatic as expected, so we tested it with a metal can, which rolled uphill convincingly. Next, we headed to the Tawi Atair sinkhole, the deepest in the Middle East. After a decent hike in the heat, it was a major disappointment, mainly due to the time of the year we visited (and maybe the expectations we had built in our heads). In all the photos we had seen, it was lush green, with a natural waterfall and beautiful blue water, but alas that only exists during monsoons! All we found was a big sinkhole with withering vegetation around it and no visible water at all.

Mildly disheartened, we moved on to Wadi Durbat, an ever-flowing stream with pristine blue waters. Before reaching the spot however, we stopped at a cute café overlooking the stream and a small forest. We were also greeted by an entire big family of camels just roaming around the premises. It was quite fascinating to see how unbothered they were with our presence, and just went about their business without a care about the photos we clicked.

Refreshed by some cold beverages, we reached the clearing of Wadi Durbat and were greeted by a sight which can only be compared to seeing an oasis in the middle of a desert. Lush greenery, clear blue water, and steady waterfalls greeted us magnificently. We couldn’t resist taking a small boat ride closer to the waterfalls for the experience (and better photos obviously). While the experience was very soothing and pleasant, we could only imagine the area’s beauty during the monsoons.

After capturing many insta-worthy pictures, we returned to the resort to enjoy the beach during sunset. Despite splashing around in the pool earlier, the ocean couldn’t be missed. We relaxed on the beach, admired the sunset, and grabbed some dinner nearby before calling it a day.

Found our perfect desert oasis!🌊

Day 4 – Today was a day with no specific itinerary, except for driving to the capital city of Muscat. We had intentionally scheduled one night there on our return journey to explore nearby attractions and make the drive easier. So, after a scrumptious breakfast, we headed out for the ~9.5-10 hour journey.

The daytime drive turned out to be quite refreshing and invigorating, in stark contrast to our onward night journey. With the sun illuminating the landscape and the road stretching ahead in an almost unending straight line, it was a relief to have a clear view of the route. The convenience of cruise control allowed us to set a comfortable speed and effortlessly glide through the scenic journey.

However, a significant portion of the road lacked guardrails, and camels, with their casual disregard for road rules, often meandered into our path making us extra cautious as we continued our little adventure. Moreover, with a notable absence of speed cameras along a substantial stretch of the road, many drivers seemed eager to test the limits of their cars, pushing their speedometers to the extreme (I can neither confirm nor deny what we did).

In complete contrast to the serene and quaint beauty of Salalah, Muscat was a city like any other, with bustling malls, traffic, and the works. We contemplated grabbing dinner at a nearby eatery but opted to order in to unwind and recharge for our last night in Oman.

The day’s journey might not have been filled with specific attractions, but the scenic road trip made it an adventure worth cherishing. With our spirits high and enthusiasm intact, we concluded the day, savoring every moment of our time in this vibrant city, eagerly looking forward to what the next day had in store for us.

Muscat- a city that never ceases to amaze!✨💫

Day 5 – Today was marked for exploring Muscat, before making our way back to Dubai. Our planned destinations were conveniently located close to each other, so we began our adventure in the Fort area, just beyond the scenic Mutrah Corniche stretch.

Our first stop was to see a few notable monuments, including the Al Alam Palace, also known as the Sultan’s Palace, one of Oman’s six royal residences. Next, we visited the Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts, which faced each other, guarding the Gulf of Oman. Regrettably, these places are not open to the public, allowing us to admire their grand architecture and imposing presence only from the outside. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the visit, taking the opportunity to walk around and capture many photographs, some of which turned out quite quirky and fun. Families around us were also having picnics, making the atmosphere lively and cheerful.

Next on our list was the Mutrah Corniche, a delightful waterside area with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shopping options. The sight of boats and yachts in the calm waters tempted some for a sail into the Oman Gulf, but we decided to simply stroll along the street, admiring the serene water and charming architectural structures.

Of course, we couldn’t resist exploring the souvenir shops, where we picked up a magnet, frankincense and a few small items to bring back home. The drive back to the border was relatively short, taking just over 4 hours. We took advantage of this and discovered some lovely cafes along the way, making the journey back as enjoyable as the trip itself.

As we reached the border, we concluded our unforgettable adventure, cherishing the memories we had created during our time in Oman. If you’re seeking an adventure, we highly recommend driving down and exploring this marvelous country from the UAE. Even if you opt for a flight, the journey isn’t too long, making Oman a perfect destination to consider for your next long weekend getaway! With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, would definitely recommend a visit!

’til our paths cross again!🚞

Few Pointers-

• If driving, ensure your UAE driving license (or an international license) is valid, and check if your car insurance covers Oman. You might need an “Orange” card at the border.
• Get a local sim or download offline maps in advance since you’ll encounter long stretches of uninhabited roads with no one to ask for directions.
• Roads are well-maintained, and with a strong headlight, an alert driver (self-praise deserved!), and good company, you’ll travel safely even in the dark. Watch out for wandering camels, especially on highways without guardrails.
• Time your trip when the border isn’t too busy to avoid potential delays. Though we didn’t experience traffic, others have faced hours of waiting.
• Be cautious about carrying excessive alcohol or restricted items as thorough scans are conducted at the border.
• A rule of thumb: refuel when your car’s fuel meter reaches 60% to avoid getting stranded in the desert.
• If visiting Salalah during monsoons, don’t miss Ayn Athum and Ain Garziz, beautiful waterfalls and springs worth exploring.
• While credit cards are widely accepted, carry some Omani Riyal for convenience at smaller establishments, petrol pumps, and cafes.
• Salalah is renowned for its Frankincense, known for its healing properties and fragrant aroma. Consider bringing some back home. Also, don’t miss trying the various types of exotic Omani halwa if you have a sweet tooth!
• Approx. costs of trip
  • Visa (USD 14 per person), Car permit (USD 8 per person)Petrol (Total trip) ~USD 190Hotels in Salalah and Muscat ~USD 545 for 2
  • Miscellaneous (Food, shopping, SIM card, boating etc.) ~USD 275 for 2
• Hotels we stayed at-
  • Salalah- Salalah Rotana Resort
  • Muscat- Ramada Encore by Wyndham

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