Oman Off Roading Questions

[wolfy1988]

Hi All,

My WIfe and I are flying to Oman from Kuwait for a weeks holiday at the end of February and I am hoping someone may be able to offer advice on the best route to take to experience tough terrain and great sights.

I will be hiring a Land Cruiser from Europcar and whilst its not my wife's favorite idea, hopefully camping for 2/3/4 of the nights.

My questions are as follows:

1) Where are must see places?

2) Where to drive for tough off road terrain, I am hoping the combination of the car being a Land Cruiser and the fact its a rental means it should be good off thee black stuff. I have a compressor to take for the tyres etc.

3) Camping, can we sleep in the car? Its seems to me a much better idea to buy an inflatable double bed and sleep in the back of the LC with the seats down and some sun shades in the windows, warmer and more comfortable than a tent, not to mention easier.

4) Any other advice most appreciated!

J

[shirt]

But the Oman explorer guide, contains maps, routes and guides by region. I highly recommend camping on top on jebel shams as on a clear night the sky is amazing and its so clear and silent you can hear the airliners passing overhead.

You can camp anywhere on public land in Oman. Palm groves are good as this means plenty of quick lighting firewood. Beaches are also great. We camped on the beach near the chedi hotel, had a wash in the sea the following morning then hit the hotel for 5 Star breakfast!

As for unimissable, balat sayt / snake canyon / jebel shams would do it for me. The scenery around there is amazing and the passes pretty easy to navigate

Edited by shirt on Friday 8th January 22:33

[wolfy1988]

shirt said:

But the Oman explorer guide, contains maps, routes and guides by region. I highly recommend camping on top on jebel shams as on a clear night the sky is amazing and its so clear and silent you can hear the airliners passing overhead.

You can camp anywhere on public land in Oman. Palm groves are good as this means plenty of quick lighting firewood. Beaches are also great. We camped on the beach near the chedi hotel, had a wash in the sea the following morning then hit the hotel for 5 Star breakfast!

As for unimissable, balat sayt / snake canyon / jebel shams would do it for me. The scenery around there is amazing and the passes pretty easy to navigate

Edited by shirt on Friday 8th January 22:33

Thanks Shirt, Im glad you have suggested those places as we are already doing as you say. Im very much looking forward to it.

Im hoping to find some tricky rocky terrain, I'm not much excited about sand driving, as I dont want to get stuck every 3ft with an angry wife shouting 'I told ya we should have stuck to the road' etc

[Fats25]

A bit of a thread hijack from me (sorry!).

I am looking at driving down towards Muscat in the next couple of weeks. There won't be any camping for us, it will be hotels only (looking at the Shangri La or Cheddi for a couple of days/nights relaxing).

Question is this (from those that have driven there) - I am undecided whether to take the Camaro (uncomfortable, thimble fuel tank, but fun on the right roads), or the Truck (very comfortable, and lots of space for golf clubs, and able to drive in desert/wadis and beach - but not as much fun on the road).

What are the roads like from Dubai on the way there? What is there to see on the way there that the truck would be useful for?

I do have the Oman off road book at home, so will take a look, but always good to get some opinions from those that have done it.

[shirt]

It's a mind numbing lot boring drive, endless straights punctuated by a series of ever grander roundabouts. Take the truck.

[Fats25]

Worse than driving to Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah?!

So I will take the truck, and that makes it easier for Golf Clubs too , are there any off the beaten trail sites I should go and see on the way down or the way back?

edit - I decided to stop being so lazy and found this that looks interesting:-

http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/places-to-see-in-om...

Edited by Fats25 on Monday 11th January 07:27