Oman-Discovery
Oman is like a fairy tale from the Arabian Nights and it is actually said that Sinbad the Sailor was born in Sohar and set out on his adventurous journeys from Oman. We will never know whether this is true. What is certain, however, is that Oman can look back on a centuries-old tradition as a seafaring nation.
The famous dhows, which are still being built in a shipyard in Sur to this day, were used by Omani traders to export their goods, especially incense, which was then worth gold, all over the world. Their trade routes reached as far as India and China, from where they brought spices, silk and other treasures back to Oman.
The wise policies of the late Sultan Qaboos continued this tradition when he led Oman into the post-oil era by building ports and roads. The entire country is now criss-crossed by a network of well-developed roads. These new roads are almost too good for us motorcyclists, and we are always looking for the old, smaller roads where motorcycling is really fun.
We will concentrate on the north. Most of the interesting and worth seeing places can be reached via asphalt. The routes through the mountains are particularly easy to drive on. We will also encounter a few beautiful gravel roads, which can be mastered by any good road driver.
Routing
1. Day: Getting there
Depending on the departure airport, you can travel to Dubai with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus. In any case, we have to expect over 10 hours of travel time.
We wish you a good flight!
2. Day: Arrival in Dubai
You arrive in Dubai early in the morning. We will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. After a few hours of sleep and a good breakfast, we will pick up the bikes from the shipping company or the rental company, depending on which option you have chosen.
3. Day: Drive to Sohar / ca. 240 km
We leave Dubai immediately after breakfast. The route is not long, the roads are in the best condition, and we could actually arrive in Sohar around midday, but you never know how much time the border procedure will take. You can get through it in an hour, but it can also take four, five or more hours. That always depends on the mood and sometimes also on the competence of the border officials. That's why we prefer to leave a little earlier.
4. Day: Drive to Al Musanaah / ca. 340 km
Actually, Sohar and Al Musanaah are only a good 130 km apart. But that would mean two hours of boring motorway driving, and that's not why we're here.
Instead we will cruise in a wide arc through the Hajar Mountains, have a wonderful day of driving and take in a few sights along the way.
5. Day: Drive to Muscat / ca. 160 km
Today we'll do it like yesterday, instead of rushing the direct route to Muscat, we'll drive into the mountains again, and in addition to an exciting day of driving, a visit to an important fort in Nakhal is also on the agenda. We will reach Muscat in the early evening.
6. Day: The big wadi circuit with swimming in As Seifa / ca. 190 km
Today we get to know a typical aspect of Oman, wadis. Wadis are dry valleys that turn into raging rivers when it rains. There are two wadis on our route today. That means a lot of gravel and little asphalt, but the gravel roads are also important connecting routes in Oman and are therefore well developed.
After so much dust, we look forward to a refreshing swim in the Arabian-Persian Gulf on the beach of As Seifa.
7. Day: Sightseeing in Muscat / ca. 100 km
There is a lot to see in Muscat. We visit the Corniche and the old souq of Mutra, the Sultan's Palace in Old Muscat and the Quaboos Mosque. We will end the day on one of Muscat's beaches.
8. Day: Drive to Sur / ca. 230 km
We find our way to Sur on side streets with little traffic. On the way we stop at Wadi Dhaygah Damm Park. There is a large reservoir here with incredible mountain scenery.
After that the journey becomes a little more difficult and only then will it be decided whether we can cover the entire route on gravel. Sometimes the road is impassable. In that case we would have to travel the rest of the way on the highway.
9. Day: Hike through Wadi Shab / ca. 100 km
After breakfast we visit the only shipyard in Oman where traditional dhows are still built. Then we get on our motorbikes and drive to Wadi Shab, about 50 kilometres from Sur. It is one of the most beautiful wadis in the country. The support vehicle is with us, so we can leave our motorbike clothing in the car and set off appropriately dressed. After about an hour's walk we reach the swimming pools with wonderfully refreshing spring water. We spend a relaxing afternoon here. In the evening we return to Sur.
10. Day: Wadi Bani Khalid and off into the desert / ca. 175 km
Today we have another wadi on the program, Wadi Bani Khalid, also a pearl among the wadis. After a 20-minute walk we reach the first pools. These are several interconnected pools that can be reached by swimming.
We have to arrive at the meeting point for our desert stay around midday. From here there are two options for reaching the desert camp. You can either be chauffeured in a jeep for a fee (not included in the travel price) or drive yourself on a motorbike.
11. Day: A day in the desert
We spend a relaxing day in the desert. The unique atmosphere, the silence and the vastness captivates everyone.
If you prefer action, the usual desert activities are available: camel riding, dune bashing, etc. These activities must be organized and booked individually on site and are not included in the travel price.
12. Day: Drive to Nizwa / ca. 265 km
On the journey to Nizwa we visit the "Gate to the Desert", the oasis city of Adam. At the time of the caravans, Adam was the last chance to get water and food before setting off on the long journey south, lasting days or weeks. Today Adam has lost this meaning and the old clay city is inexorably crumbling into dust.
13. Day: In and around Nizwa
Today we're getting out of bed early. The Nizwa goat market begins around six o'clock, a unique experience and a highlight of our Oman trip. In addition to goats, sheep, camels and cows are also available here. In addition to sellers and buyers, this spectacle attracts both international and local tourists.
14. Day: Al Hamra, Misfah, Jebel Shams / ca. 240 km
In a large tour we visit numerous places around Nizwa. Al Hamra, an abandoned clay town that is still well preserved, the small, tranquil village of Misfah Al Abriyyin, hidden away in the mountains, the Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman and here also the Grand Canyon of Arabia, Bahla with its gigantic fort and, if we still have enough energy, the ruins of Tanuf.
15. Day: Drive to Ibri / ca. 170 km
The direct route goes to the Beehive Tombs of Al Ayn. These are beehive-like burial sites that can be found everywhere in Oman. They date from around 3,000 BC.
Then we take a branch line to Ibri, the last station in Oman.
16. Day: Drive to Dubai / ca. 280 km
The circle closes. The last journey takes us directly to Dubai. The only obstacle is the border between Oman and Dubai. Let's hope we get there quickly.
17. Day: Farewell to the bikes / ca. 50 km
Depending on where you got your bikes from, they will now go back to the shipping company or the rental company. Afterwards we have some time to look around Dubai.
18. Day: Flight home
The journey of discovery through Oman is coming to an end. Today you are flying back home. I hope we were able to give you an impression of this wonderful country and hope to welcome you soon on one of our other trips to India or Nepal.
