Why travel to Oman ?
Oman is a country almost unknown to tourists, yet it is one of the most stable countries in the region. It has an incredible diversity of landscapes, from wadis lost in the mountains to white sand dunes flowing into the sea. Landscapes will take your breath away!
It is extremely easy (and recommended) to do wilderness camping throughout the country. Drinking water spots are available in all villages and it is very easy to find a good 4×4 to enjoy the journey!
The itinerary indicated on the map below is the optimized one for a two-week trip, considering the different trips we made there. We were largely inspired by the trails of the “Oman Off Road” book.
How to plan your road-trip in Oman ?
To plan your route, we recommend you to buy the Oman Off Road book and have a functional GPS. This book is a Bible! It suggests 38 beautiful tracks that will surely help you to plan your own itinerary. Warning: it is often out of stock in Europe, but you can find it in any bookstore in Muscat. It will be essential, if you want to get out of the tarmac lanes, to rent a powerful 4×4 (read what 4×4 to choose article). If you are planning to head off to the Wahiba desert or to the “Sugar Dunes”, we recommend you to have some basic knowledges of sand-driving (read the Sand-Driving article) and/or to split the group in two cars (which will allow you to quickly get out of the sand). To access the Sayq plateau, a 4×4 vehicle is mandatory and Police checks are made.
The desert climate requires you to have your trip scheduled between October and May, otherwise temperatures can reach 50°C.
Our Oman off road GPS tracks
Practical Info for your road-trip to Oman
Spoken languages
Arabic
Some English
Tip: have a small lexicon with you
VISA
E-visa: €45, valid for 30 days
or €12, valid for 10 days.
Flight Tickets
€ 300 – 400 round trip (Paris)
Season: from October to May
cost of living
– Food: €5 – 10 for a meal at the restaurant
– Airbnb Muscat: €20 – 30
– Wild camping allowed throughout the country
– Fuel: 0.5€/L
4×4 rental
– Price: 70 to 90€/day
– Vehicle: Toyota Prado/Landcruiser
Warning: the mileage is often limited (200km/day or 124 miles/day). Get a GPS (the mobile phone with a good application like OsmAnd is also an option)
moto rental
It’s difficult to rent a bike in Oman without going through a tour operator with a guide (over €200 a day). In any case, it is essential to master sand driving to consider going throughout the country on a motorcycle!
Budget for a SUV road-trip to Oman
Our travel budget for a group of 3 people – 2 weeks – 12 days by 4×4 (May 2017)
| Price | Days | Group Total | Indiv Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 Rental (Toyota Land Cruiser) | 75 € /day | 12 | 900 € | 300 € |
| Accomodation Mascate (AirBnB) | 20 € /day | 2 | 40 € | 13,33 € |
| Food | 6 € /day /pers | 14 | 252 € | 84 € |
| Fuel | 25 € /day | 12 | 300 € | 100 € |
| Vehicle repairs | 90 € | - | 90 € | 30 € |
| Flight tickets | 370 € | - | 1110 € | 370 € |
| Others (camping equipment, taxi) | 80 € | - | 80 € | 26,67 € |
| Ferry to Masirah | 45 € | - | 135 € | 45 € |
| Mileage costs | 60 € | - | 60 € | 20 € |
| Oman Off Road Book | 40 € | - | 40 € | 13,3 € |
| TOTAL | - | - | 3007,00 € | 1002,30 €/pers |
Our favorite places in Oman
Wahiba Sands
This desert which took the name of the Bedouins of the Wahibi tribe has a 10,000km² surface. You can either circumvent it, or cross it! The most practical part, and the one that we recommend you if you are a sand driving beginner, is the one starting Bidiyah and ending at “1001 nights” camp. In order to cross Wahiba sands all the way, leave early in the morning, with two powerful 4x4s. The very last part until Qihayd can be quite technical. Everything will depend on how experienced you are with sand driving! Anyway, you will have the feeling of getting lost and this adventure will stay in your memory forever… Always keep an eye on your GPS and check out our article on Sand Driving before heading off!
Sayq mountains
A winding road takes you to the famous Sayq plateau perched between 2,000 and 2,400 meters. This place is famous because of its amazing geological structures. Here we are far from southern desert landscapes, it is a real chance to cool off and discover the rural life of this part of the country. You will go through charming stone villages, palm groves, cereal fields and large herds of goats. Warning: getting there in 4×4 is mandatory (you’ll come across police checkpoints).
Sugar Dunes
White dunes flowing into the see… an idyllic landscape! And, of course, water is hot, and bathing is highly recommended! The track is right on the beach, between sugar dunes and the sea. Camping on the beach, spending a night under the stars and waking up with sunrise over the sea… We hope it’s enough to convince you!
The turquoise waters of Wadi Bani Khalid & Tiwi
“Wadi” is a term for riverbed. Mirage or reality? In the middle of the rocks, sumptuous pools of fresh water are formed. Bathing is safe out there. It’s refreshing and very beautiful! What more could you ask for? We were often alone to enjoy places. Around these wadis, irrigation systems make agriculture possible. There are varied and amazing landscapes here and there as a result.
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