10 days adventurous roadtrip Oman – All female Tour of Oman
Adventurous Roadtrip Oman
Do you know where in the world Oman is?
Located in the Middle East, Oman is the neighbour of the emirates. But also to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The country is safe and super hospitable. Did you know that Oman has more than 4,000 km of coastline? So it can offer you a trip that gives you beach and sea but also allows you to experience the dryness of the desert.
Why I want to do the same round trip Oman more often? For myself, I think it’s good to return to the same place more often. Getting to know the location better, getting to know the local customs there better and thus being able to see beyond the first glance. It’s another deepening of my travels. Precisely something I want to emphasise with meaningful travel.
10 days adventurous roadtrip Oman – All Female tour Oman
After arriving at the airport in Muscat, the group is picked up by Abdullah and myself, it is the middle of the night and we quickly drive to the hotel to catch some more hours of sleep. I had been in Jordan before this trip en in between a few days in Dubai.
Day 1 Discovering Muscat
The Corniche (boulevard) runs along the entire coast and thus also in front of Mutrah Suq where you can browse in the nice shops with all the local but also touristy bargains you can think of. We drink delicious fresh juice and enjoy all the people walking by in robes. It is Friday and thus busy with local people.
This day we walk through the streets where the finance ministry is housed and where the sultan has one of his palaces. We hear from Abdullah that they never know where the Sultan of Oman actually is, including the staff. For this reason, cooking is done every day as if the Sultan is coming for dinner, if he does not come then the food is handed out.
That evening we take a walk through the streets of Oman, we are not in the tourist area (41 Way) so we dive right in. There, we eat at Royal Bucket Biryani (3729 way) where I also ate deliciously the day before. We immediately have a good time together. Afterwards, we dive into the supermarket to get some local delicacies for in the car and on the road. Favourite treat was surely the sweet peanut ball.
Day 2 The adventure starts
We start day 2 by checking out of Golden Tulip Headington Ruwi, suitcase in the car and off we go. The Oman roundtrip really begins now! Everything fits in the car and we slowly say goodbye to Muscat. Before we actually drive out of the city, we visit the Grand Mosque Sultan Qaboos.
Abdullah tells us that the Sultan had this mosque built so that everyone in it can talk to each other. It can accommodate thousands of visitors at a time. We are shown around by our guide Abdullah and he tells us about the mosque, about the marble and the beautiful imposing lamp. It is said to be the most expensive, bigger and more expensive than the one in Abu Dhabi. After this visit, we drive out of Muscat.
Flat tyre in the desert – Adventurous Roadtrip Oman
A bit of bad luck is allowed, right? You can only learn from that. We learn that many Omanis stop to offer help. It takes a while but then the tyre is changed, our shirts are wet with sweat and we drive on again.
That night we sleep in an OYO hotel, a simple but good hotel in Sur.
Day 3 Swimming and hiking
We check out right away this morning too. Even before we have had breakfast. We find a nice roadside restaurant where Abdullah helps us order breakfast. Delicious fresh fruit, omelette on bread and a fine good cappuccino. You can’t travel more local right? We learn right away how and what people eat here.
After this, we drive to Bimmah Sinkhole (Dabab Sinkhole) in an hour. And then a short walk through the park (Hawiyat Najm Park) which is situated around it with benches and paths, we walk down the steps into the sinkhole. We thoroughly enjoy the refreshing water and the beautiful clear blue colour it has. Meanwhile, the fish nibble at our toes and fingers.
A lovely start to this third day.
A lovely start to this third day.Before taking on this day’s challenge, the hike in Wadi Shab, we enjoy a delicious local lunch near the entrance to Wadi Shab. We eat very diverse food and it tastes delicious! We are in one of the small villages along Oman’s coast and life seems to be at a standstill. Every now and then a car passes in front of the terrace, we see a goat walking on the street but otherwise it is empty on the streets. This was no different during my first visit in 2019.
Wadi Shab – Adventurous and Active – Trip Oman
For me, this second time in the Wadi Shab is also a highlight. What a great feeling it gives to walk between two high cliffs and go deeper and deeper into the gorge. I know where we are going but like me the first time, the group is puzzled after every turn. We like to be surprised with the fun paths and streams we walk through.
Surely you’d like to walk through a gorge like that for 45 minutes?
Adventurous roadtrip Oman – Hiking in the Wadi Shab
At the end of the hike, we change clothes (we already had swimwear underneath) and go swimming to the waterfall in the cave. It is a longer swim than expected for some. We have some small rest points along the way where we jump off a rock and where we have to crawl briefly over a slippery rock but otherwise it is a swim at least 200 metres long. Needless to say, we make it and then enjoy the atmosphere in the cave.
You are momentarily isolated from the outside world and the waterfall clatters around your ears
It is a distinct combination of calm and energy.
It is already late when we return and, after 45 minutes of smooth walking, we just catch the last boat to get back to our car. We drive to Ras Al Hadd to check in at an OYO hotel. To save time, we eat a delicious takeaway Shawarma in the car as we can just barely catch our trip to Ras Al Rinz. We definitely don’t want to miss that.
Spotting turtles on a beach in the evening
We walk up the beach with a guide from Ras Al Rinz in a group of about 10 people. Several groups walk along the beach in the dark and for a moment Belinda loses us 🙂 Fortunately, she soon finds us again. Hereby my advice…stay close to the guide. You’ll see and hear the most and you won’t lose us hihi.
We ended up seeing 5 or 6 turtles, unfortunately they were not laying eggs but were just coming onto the beach or just heading back into the sea. We did see several small turtles that had hatched and were also heading out to sea. It remains a unique experience!
How cool is it to witness that?
Did you know that you can stay for the night in Ras al Jinz? I do think this is an unique experience. You can then see the beach at more timings and hopefully see a turtle early in the morning too.
Day 4 Culture and Wahiba / Sharqiya Sands
After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant where we try all kinds of different dishes, we drive to the desert.
The best moment of the day is when Belinda spots the first camel. A beautiful moment that scares Abdullah because he doesn’t understand what is being said and Belinda shouts quite loudly in all her enthusiasm 🙂 How nice it is that in the following days you see countless camels and this image too becomes ordinary and almost unremarkable. How nice!
Wahiba Sands – Highlight from this Tour Oman
We check in at a super nice Bedouin camp to stay there for two nights. The six of us have a big tent that also contains just 6 real beds. A double bed with four beds around it. Outside, we have a bathroom with no ceiling, so we shower in the open air. What a nice place! At the end of the afternoon, Abdullah drives us up the mountain and leaves us there after taking a nice photo of us. We enjoy the setting sun in this immense empty landscape.
When we return to camp, we get to join them for dinner. This is the first time there are fellow tourists and this is also the best place to see them. In fact, after dinner we are invited to a dance evening in the big Bedouin tent. We were laughing all the way! We are put into traditional attire and forward with the two French men and the little family to perform a traditional dance. The owner of the camp is a nice man who brings it super fun and in the meantime also shows us how to dance with a sword. We can’t get over it!
After this, the man invites us to the campfire and tells us more about the background of Sharqia Sands, which is actually called Wahiba Sands and how life works here. We are allowed to ask questions and he is only too happy to answer them. After a while, he tells us to help him feed his cattle tomorrow and that we are expected at 8.30pm. How nice! There is a whole programme in this camp and we are only too happy to participate!
During the trip, I shared photos and videos on instagram every day. Want to see some? Tour Oman Stories Insta
Day 5 Exploring the desert and swimming
Firest we had a good breakfast, and then we were taken into the desert, walking to the spot where the owner has his goats. There are a few young goats, and we are allowed to milk the mother. It’s almost a struggle to keep the little ones away from the mother so they don’t start drinking. After milking, we are handed a bottle and can feed the little ones their milk. A bit further, there are some camels that also receive some attention. Afterward, our names are written in Arabic in the beautiful desert sand, and we can take a nice photo of it.
Desert and swimming on one day!
Adventurous Roadtrip Oman
Most Beautiful Wadi Experience – Roadtrip Oman
We take a moment to pose in a small waterfall where a comfortable seat has been worn smooth by the cascading water. We also get the chance to make a beautiful jump into the deep water. Afterward, we swim back the last part to the rocks, where we lie down to dry off a bit before getting back into the car.
Day 6 Riding a camel and some cultural immersion
Today, after breakfast at the desert camp, we do check out and hit the road again. We visit a Bedouin tent to have some tea, buy souvenirs, and take a short ride on the back of a camel. It’s a very enjoyable experience and something you must do when in the desert with the Bedouins.
Afterward, we continue our journey to Ibra. There, we stroll through a market exclusively for women, where men are not desired. Various items are being sold, and we take a moment to browse. Unfortunately, most women, even if they have a headscarf on, prefer not to have their photo taken.
Following that, we walk through a part of an old city, observing beautiful ancient doors and several abandoned buildings. We learn that the city is 350 years old. We continue driving, and at Birkat Al Mouz, we take a walk through a palm oasis before entering another abandoned village. Abdullah informs us that villages are often abandoned to be rebuilt nearby, rather than renovating. There is plenty of land, so they simply leave their old homes behind.
Day 7 Immersing culture and hiking/swimming
On our way to Jabreen Castle, we have breakfast and search at several shops for water shoes, but unfortunately, we don’t find them. At Jabreen Castle, we receive a guided tour from a delightful young woman who speaks excellent English and explains everything to us very well.
The castle was built by an Imam who dedicated a significant portion of it to teaching children. She also showed us the rooms where he lived and how they kept the Imam secure. There were secret passages and hidden rooms where guards would be stationed during the Imam’s meetings. It was very interesting, and the castle itself is truly beautiful. Definitely worth a visit.
Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious mango juice and headed towards some old tombs. These tombs are worth exploring and can be found in various locations in Oman. They are round, former homes, a few hundred years old. After the resident passes away, these homes are sealed off, becoming the graves. They are uniquely constructed, with stones stacked on top of each other, yet surprisingly sturdy due to their design.
Relaxing and sunbathing during the all female tour of Oman
Afterward, we drove to Wadi Dam. First, we drove through a dry riverbed for a while, and then we hiked the last stretch. A dam had been constructed, and after that, we took a swim and enjoyed an hour of the sun on the warm rocks. Lovely! Just a peaceful hour, savoring the fact that you are in the middle of nowhere.
Afterward, we drove to Nizwa and checked into a comfortable hotel (Nizwa Hotel Residents Apartments). This hotel offers apartments with three bedrooms each, featuring a kitchen and a hall. It’s nice to have three rooms together, with each room having its own bathroom and sitting area. The hotel has a restaurant on the ground floor where you can sit comfortably and enjoy a delicious meal. They also serve delightful cappuccino!
Day 8 Exploring Nizwa
Adventurous roadtrip Oman – Exploring Nizwa
Day 9 Balcony Hike Grand Canyon Jebel Shams
One of the highlights of this adventurous roadtrip Oman
Balcony Hike – Jebel Shams
I’d love to share 100 photos of the views and the path we walked here. I find this hike absolutely amazing! We spent nearly 4 hours walking, so you can imagine that I’ve taken a lot of photos 🙂
The hike takes about 45 minutes to reach our endpoint. It leads to an old settlement where we can sit, eat bananas, feed goats, and have some water. Afterward, we begin our journey back.
We’re all doing great, thoroughly enjoying this beautiful hike.
As we drive back down, Abdullah treats us to one last exciting ride, a challenging journey through the gorge where we were walking high above earlier. During the hike, he had pointed out a tiny village deep below and the river running alongside it. He wanted to take us there, but after a few kilometers, the gorge turned out to be impassable. Nevertheless, he shared some amazing photos with us!
Day 10 Hike in Snake Canyon
Our last day of the Oman tour has arrived, but we still have a long journey to Muscat. So, be prepared for another adventure. We drive through the mountains of Jabal Akhdar towards the coast, providing us with some more breathtaking views. Before entering the rugged area, we catch a glimpse of Bahla fort and drive through this mysterious town. Abdullah mentions that it is the only city in Oman where black magic was practiced.
He told us, very convinced of its truth, that the town once moved an entire fort from Nizwa to Bahla overnight. As we passed by the remains, he pointed to it, indicating that only one tower remained. We also drove past some trees where sorcerers or witches used to make offerings. The legend goes that they predicted that pulverizing or damaging the tree would release the evil that had been expressed beneath them. For this reason, there is still a chain hung on the wall and around the roots of the tree to capture this evil.
Afterwards, we drive through Jabal Akhdar to reach Snake Canyon. We take a walk where water was promised at the end, but unfortunately, Abdullah hadn’t been here for a while due to COVID, and there was less water than expected. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful hike, and we did eventually see a snake swimming in the water.
Afterward, we drove back to Muscat, but not without Abdullah making an additional stop so we could relax at a hot spring. Meanwhile, our feet were nibbled clean by the fish, and we could completely unwind. We could look back on a diverse and challenging Oman tour.
We endured it all during this great tour of Oman
Highlights – Some lows
We had so much fun but also a small teardrop was shed.
But because of that we had the best talks and learned so much!
What else do you want out of a trip?
What a great group we had, and each person’s unique interests filled every gap. We couldn’t have wished for anything better!
I would love to do this adventurous roadtrip Oman again with delightful people – who else is interested? Get in touch with me for more information. There are still available spots on various dates in 2024. I organize this trip together with Abdullah from BlueskiesofOman. Of course, you are also welcome to contact Abdullah directly – it will make him very happy!
Will you share this adventurous roadtrip Oman for others to enjoy?
Want to read more about travels in the Middle East?
Visit the churches of Madaba and the Baptism site of Jezus – Jordan
The Complete Travelguide for Abu Dhabi and Dubai – UAE
Floating in the Dead Sea – Israel
Visit the former capital of Jordan – Salt
Crossing in the sanddunes of the UAE
Do you like active trips too? Go do the Wadi Shab hike too when you are in Oman!
I hope you enjoy this beautiful world as much as I do
Jacomijn is een politieagent uit Nederland die jou graag laat zien hoe je veilig, actief en gezond de wereld kan over reizen. Safe and Healthy travel is a MUST
Related Posts
-
The ruins of Jerash – Once a prosperous Roman city – Jordan
-
The 1916 train journey in the Wadi Rum, Jordan – Journey through 1916 – The story of the Arab Revolt
-
Walking the 1000 steps of Haifa – Israel
-
Come join me on this 10 days Adventure and Culture in Oman – Safe and Healthy Travel – Will you Join this Trip to Oman
