5 Day Trip Around Oman
DAY 1: Drive/Fly to Muscat. Have a day lounging by the pool at The Chedi and spend a night in luxury.
DAY 2: Have a morning relaxing and a delicious lunch by the sea at The Chedi. Drive 1 1/2 hours to Wadi Shab. Visit the Sink Hole and spend a night at the Wadi Shab Hotel.
DAY 3: Wake up early and head to Wadi Shab and begin the hike. Once completed, drive down to Ras Al Jinz, stopping in Sur on route for a spot of lunch and a visit around the oldest town in Oman. Stay a night at The Turtle Reserve and prepare to wake up early!
DAY 4: Wake up at the crack of dawn to see the Turtles (Turtle season is at its best either in July/August or October/November). Fill you belly with breakfast before heading up the mountains. Stop at Nizwa for some lunch and a spot of site seeing before heading further into the mountains (note you will need a 4X4 car from Nizwa onwards) to Jebal Shams and stay here - http://www.booking.com/hotel/om/jebel-shams-resort.en-gb.html?sid=8453da0430e51cd82711ca03e59d5107;dcid=4
DAY 5: Watch the sun rise over the mountains before either driving back to home or back to Muscat to catch a flight.
Wadi Shab - Oman
Wadi Shab is probably one of the better things I have experienced whilst travelling. Roughly an hour and a half drive south of Muscat, right between the sea and the mountains lies the infamous Wadi Shab. It is arguably one of the most gorgeous and scenic places in Muscat and is well worth a visit if you are ever in Oman.
The entrance isn't overly inspiring, and doesn't do the trek ahead any justice.. Well sign posted off the main road you will arrive under a bridge where cars are parked up. From there, locals are waiting with boats to transport you across the river so you can begin your adventure. Beyond the entrance, the wadi rewards you with gorgeous aquamarine pools filled with tiny frogs and fish, rocky mountains, caves and waterfalls. The terrain throughout the hike varies as you go along, starting off with a well laid out path, leading to walking around the sides of cliffs, followed by large rocks and finishing off with a 10 minute swim into a cave which is covered in waterfalls. Pools are conveniently situated throughout the trek giving hikers the perfect opportunity to jump in and cool off! There is also a great jumping point where one can safely fling them self off a cliff into deep, cool, refreshing water.
The hike takes around 3 hrs to complete (if you are stopping for swims) and it is advised to bring water and food with you (we bought neither and struggled) as well as appropriate footwear (we wore flip flops - worst idea) as the rocks can get slippy. It is untouched nature at its best and for an added bonus it is also free (except the boat ride at the beginning which costs 1 OMR).
If you are making the trip down to Wadi Shab and looking for somewhere to stay, your best bet is Wadi Shab Resort. A mere 5 minutes away from the wadis, its cheap and cheerful and a perfect resting place. Each guest is given a large room with clean bathroom and terrace out the front. The pool is small (and slightly warm!) but there are sun beds and great views of the skyline and beach from the pool side. With one cafe, buffets are popular but the food is decent, and fills you up before the trek - for more info visit: http://wadishabresort.com/. Please note that the staff speak very little English, so head to reception if you have any queries - they are extremely helpful.
If you have time to squeeze in one more thing, head to the Sink Hole. Roughly 15 minutes away from the hotel, the big sink is a natural watering hole where anyone can go for a swim. Situated in the Hawiyat Najm Park, on the road between Dibab and Bimmah (slightly closer to Dibab) it is also a free attraction and a great site to see.
The Shangri-La - Muscat, Oman
The Shangri-La, situated the other side of Mutrah (Old Town Muscat) from the Chedi, offers completely new experiences with whiter sand, taller cliffs, more mountains and more wildlife. The Shangri-La is an impressive resort with three hotels on its premise, all three specializing in a different holiday experience. Al Waha is the dedicated Family hotel and the largest of the bunch. We had a room here during our stay and even though the hotel was largely kid orientated, the layout was well kept, the rooms were spacious with thick walls (no noise traveled which was great!) and the pools were big. The restaurants on the other hand were mainly focused on feeding children, with the more upmarket eateries based in the other hotels. However, the beauty of a large resorts means you can leave you hotel to dine in another, and luckily the other hotels have a large variety of cuisines on offer. There were many methods of transport linking up each hotel, my favorite being the lazy river which ran between Al Waha and Al Bandar. Alternatively there are shuttle buses and plenty of pathways as well as the beach of course.
We only visited Al Bandar a few times, mostly to dine and swim. A number of pools also dominate the grounds at Al Bandar surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars. There is a jacuzzi and in pool chairs to keep cool in the sun. This hotel is the focal point of the resort and is the base for all food, wine and entertainment, as well as the place you go to indulge in various water sports.
Al Husn is the last and most luxurious hotel of the bunch. Sat on the cliff, it offers great views of the mountains behind and the sea in front. The hotel has its own 100 meter private beach, as well as a specialized Turtle Beach where visitors can see the babies hatching from their shells at certain times of year. Its not a kid friendly hotel and children under the age of 16 can not use the pool or beach, however, like the rest of the hotel, they are free to use the facilities elsewhere.
In total, there are 14 restaurants, seven cafes and pool bars, and six lounges and bars all offering dining options from tradition Middle Eastern cuisines to Brazilian Steaks, Italian pizzas and various snacks. We ate at Bait Al Bahr which offers up amazing local seafood - a brilliant setting on a decked out terrace over looking the beach, its a great place to go on a cooler night in order to take full advantage of the terrace and the views. In between Al Waha and Al Bandar, its peaceful and relaxing. The food is great, with a large selection and the staff are helpful and accommodating. We also dined at Capri Court which was a lot smaller, yet a lot more swanky than expected. The food was proper Italian and we dined on a mixture of Foie Gras, Seafood and a massive meat platter - it was exquisite! According to the concierge, the top restaurants are Sultanah or Shahrazad, both situated in Al Husn Hotel and both need to be booked 24hr in advance.
For me though, the best thing about this part of the coast line is the water related activities. Take advantage of this and make sure you take a trip to either go dolphin watching or snorkeling. The cliffs look amazing from the sea, and the coast is covered in secret beaches and great snorkeling spots. Muscat is also apparently a great place to dive, and luckily The Shangri-La has a center on site.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hotel and for the first time in a while, i didn't think I could get bored of the place if I'd stayed a few days long - loads to do, loads to see and great value for money.
The Chedi - Muscat, Oman
Minimalist Chic, luxury retreat, where mountains meet sea, The Chedi Muscat ticks all these boxes - the perfect place for a relaxing vacation surrounded by immaculate landscaping and sleek architecture. Occupying 21 acres of the Gulf of Oman beach with a splendid back drop of the Jaajjar mountains, The Chedi provides guests with the space to escape from the outside world and slip into their own Arabian inspired dream. The decor is a mix of traditional Omani cultural in its most minimalistic form, with a modern touch which creates a fantasy world for all guests. While the interiors are spectacular, fitted out with smooth arch ways, traditional lanterns, Arabian furniture plus the flavorsome smells of incense,the exteriors really bring the WOW factor to The Chedi. Small pathways with immaculate manicured hedges cage small water fountains and pools creating an brilliant calm, each one leading to a different location on the grounds whether its rooms, one of the many pools or maybe just a 'chill' area decked out with plush seating and surrounded by roaring fire pots.
The hotel comprises of three swimming pools, all infinity in style dropping off onto the beach. Each pool is facilitated with a restaurant making life a lot easier when you want a bite to eat. Free mint infused water is also handed out throughout the day keeping you hydrated and feeling fresh. Each pool also accommodates massive double or triple sun loungers making star fishing and snoozing very do-able. The infamous Long Pool at The Chedi is definitely a must - see and probably a tourist attraction in itself. 103 meters in length, it is the regions largest pool. The Long Pool also sits next to the Spa which is 800 square meters of relaxation and fitness heaven complete with a large team of wellness professionals. There are also tennis courts at the guests disposal and a great beach - probably one of the better places in the hotel to watch the sunset.
Six restaurants and two lounges cover the culinary side of the hotel. They have everything on offer from Mediterranean to Middle Eastern, Asian to Indian as well as a top notch wine and beverage list. Guests can pick from dining under the stars whilst wiggling their toes in the sand or they can dress up and dine in style - the option is there to suit every mood. The Fine Dining restaurant is the main spot, and also serves a fantastic breakfast with buffet and al a carte on offer. The Fine Dining also plays host to a small chocolate counter which are made daily - scrummy!
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The rooms are very much in line with the rest of the premises, complete with over sized windows, sky high ceilings and minimalist decor. Each room is on the ground floor and each suite is decked out with an balcony or outdoor private seating area. To add to the excitement, each room comes decked out with a BOSE sound system, extensive TV and movie list, Nespresso machine and Aqua di Parma products - a real touch of luxe.
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Sleek without being OOT, its a perfect place to wind down, chill out, eat well and relax. With an authentic Omani touch its a great way to get a feel for the Oman culture and with the fantastic and tentative staff its a no-brainer when it comes to picking places to stay in Muscat.
Ras Al-Jinz Turtle Reserve
20 minutes outside the Southern town of Sur lies Ras Al-Jinz, the world renown nesting ground for the endangered green turtle - probably the most populated turtle beach on the Indian Ocean, and also the only place where the public can see these fascinating giants in their natural habitat. Even though its a bit of a trek (nearly 8hrs) from Dubai, it definitely an unmissable experience and in my past travelling adventures, I have never been anywhere that is so specialized/focused on only one thing.
After passing Sur its not too difficult to navigate to Ras Al-Jinz, however be warned.. if you are staying at the hotel it is not clearly sign posted, and in actual fact the hotel is in the same place at the reserve. The grounds are split into three sections, the first comprising of 'luxury suite tents', the second is a museum, food hall, the standard rooms and the main reception and gift shop, and the third is the beach.
We had picked to stay in the luxury tent, which are set up on the cliffs above the Turtle Reserve with access to a buggy running you to and from your digs. The tents were in fact great and a lot more luxurious than i had expected, fitted out with a bathroom, a large AC unit, a massive double bed, mini bar, TV plus wooden terraces outside the front and back of the tent. The only down fall was the wind... Due to the positioning of the resort, the winds have a tendency of picking up making sleeping with flimsy walls quite difficult.
Turtle hours happen twice daily - once at night between 9.30pm and 11.30pm and once in the morning between 4am and 6am. During the night session Ras Al-Jinz opens its doors to the public, enticing hundreds of people to the sandy shores to spot the amazing giants. These tours are guided and no photography is allowed. When we visited Ras Al-Jinz, more than 200 people turned up for the night tour, everyone pushing and shoving to get to the front, which somewhat ruined the experience for us guests who were staying. Luckily, the 4am slot is only for hotel residents and tour-free meaning you can roam the beach by yourself searching for the big muma's and their babies. As it was light, photos without flash were allowed and we spent hours running through the sand to find the turtles. Within the two hours we got to see the muma's laying their eggs before waddling back to the sea, and a tonne of babies, scrapping for their lives to make it to the water - it was incredible, i honestly never released baby turtles were so small!
With no pool to lounge around and not a great deal else to see except Turtles, there is not a lot to do at Ras Al-Jinz, so if you are planning a trip it is best to plan it so you are not there for too many days.. I found that one day was plenty.
If you are an animal lover, this is an experience not to be missed, and considering it costs less than 600aed to stay a night, get fed and have two chances to see turtles, its well worth the trek. One thing to note however is that the food is very basic, and reminded me a bit of school dinners. However, if you are not a fussy eater you'll do just fine :)
6 Things To Do In Muscat, Oman
Muttrah Souk & Corniche – right by the sea, the Souks in Muscat house a variety of spices, local trinkets, fabrics, incense, gold and fish! Taking over many cobbled, narrow streets the stalls are vast, so make sure you leave plenty of time for a proper explore and some bartering! The Corniche is right by the Souks, and is beautiful around sunset.
Old Town Muscat – if you are looking for some culture and town history, this is the place you want to head to. Full of old stone turrets, watch towers and castles, this is where you get an idea of where Muscat came from. Climb a turret and take in the views of Muscat from above.
Tour on the sea – head down to the Marina and go on a boat trip. They have everything on offer from Dolphin watching, snorkeling, Dhow cruises, fishing and coastline cruises. We went with Azzaha Tours, who are situated in the Marina (see previous post) and went on a dolphin and snorkeling trip, which was probably the best part of our mini break. I highly recommend it – not only do you get to see great sealife but you also get great views of the mountains and landscape.
The Sultans Palace – The Sultan of Oman is extremely popular amongst his people, and seeing his palace was a real reflection of his character. Like most palaces, it was large in size, however it was also colorful and fun, and definitely different from previous palaces/castles I have visited before.
The Grand Mosque – not that ive had the opportunity to visit many mosques in my life time (so I don’t really have a lot to compare it to), this piece of architecture is incredible. The design itself is amazing, and the colour and material used is exceptional. If you only have time to visit one landmark in Muscat, this is the one you don’t want to miss.
The Royal Opera House – even though I did not get the opportunity to see the grandeur of inside, I must say from the outside it’s an extremely impressive (and vast) piece of architecture. They have performances through-out the year, so if Opera is your kind of thing, go and witness the magic!
Bon Voyage x
KARGEEN CAFE - Muscat, Oman
09.02.14
Kargeen - direct translation meaning 'little wooden cottage' is set in the center of Muscat (and known by every taxi driver who works in town!) serving up local cuisine in a chilled out, cosy environment. Done up in wood, wrought iron and decorated with bright rugs, the restaurant blends Eastern style with classical Western culture with ease. The menu boasts a selection of food, including burgers, pizza and pasta however they mostly focused on traditional local dishes and Arabic specialties (which they do extremely well!)
Even though it is dry, they offer a large selection of fresh mocktails and smoothies and also have a large array of shisha on offer which is a must (in my opinion) when heading out to any Arabic/Lebanese restaurant.
Try the Omani Shawa - spiced lamb and rice. The lamb quite literally falls off the bone onto your plate, full of tangy tastes, and Omani spices. The Moutabel is also probably the best i've ever tasted..
Whether you are looking for a full on meal or just a quick coffee, Kargeen is the place for you. They provide amazing food, great service, a buzzy atmosphere and an all round unique and interesting dinning experience.
For more info please visit: http://www.kargeencaffe.com/en/
Azzaha Tours, Muscat, OMAN
09.02.14
Based in the Marina Bander Al Rowhda, near Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Azzaha Tours is one of the leading sea tour companies in Muscat. They operate all sea tours from Dolphin watching and snorkeling to fishing trips and beach parties, and also include Dhow and coastal cruises. For a mere 25 rial, we were treated to a morning of dolphin watching (where we witnessed around 200 dolphins swarming around our boat!), a trip to a beautiful deserted island called Bander Al Khayran and snorkeling. The boats aren't over crowded, all equipment and snacks are provided and the trips are from 10am until 1pm daily.
All other activities and prices can be found on their website http://azzahatours.com/
This was by far the best thing I did whilst I was in Oman - make sure you take a morning to go and explore the sea!
Bon Voyage x
The Grand Hyatt, Muscat, OMAN
09.02.14
Over the weekend, a friend and I were lucky enough to be able to spend a night at The Grand Hyatt in Muscat, Oman. Reasonably priced, great friendly service, an amazing pool and facilities and a beautiful beach - perfect for a stroll during sunset.
For further information please visit http://muscat.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
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