Dubai To Muscat

Day trip from Dubai to Muscat List here is some pointers from my trip to Muscat on 23 Oct 06. Go on the road to Hatta. Distance approximately 180 Km. Get passport cleared for exit from UAE. Proceed to travel out of UAE, on the way, stop to get insurance for driving in Oman (8 Rials or DHs80). Stop at Al Wijajah Border Post at Oman. Alight from vehicle and enter immigration building (bring driving insurance along). Get a tourist map for Oman from information counter. Pay DHs60 (DHs 30 if you have UAE residential visa) to obtain visa form. Queue again to get passport stamped with visa. Drive towards Muscat by looking out for sign posting leading to Soha, Muscat or Salalah. Checkpont along the way: Shinas - Liwa - Sohar - As Seeb - Muscat. Distance from Dubai to Muscat is approximately 500 Km. For return trip, retrace journey. After passing Shinas, lookout for the roundabout leading to Al Wajajah Border Post. Get passport stamped to exit Oman. Pay vehicle exit fee (DHs 20) for Oman. Drive 7km to Hatta to get passport stamp for entry into UAE.

See Al Jalali Fort and Al Mirani fort They are located in Qasr Al Alam Street. The forts were built in the rocky mountains, in 1580, during the Portugese occupation as prisons and have now been converted into museums. Corniche Area The recently renovated corniche area is a popular place for a walk and also for its many not-so-expensive eating places. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque This is the third largest mosque in the world and mostly the entire complex is open to non-Muslim visitors. Ladies are however expected to keep their heads, ankles and

wrists covered while visiting the mosque. Must sees in the mosque include the Swarovski crystal chandelier, the largest hand made persian carpet in the world and the marble panelling. Mutrah Souk The maze-like souq (or marketplace) is often described as the best in the Gulf region which also includes a fish markets. The souq has several shops for jewellery, traditional Omani handicrafts and Omani food at reasonable prices. Several shops also accept credit cards. Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace This is the office of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman. This beautiful palace stands on the head of a natural deep water harbour and is guarded on either side by the twin forts of Mirani and Jelali. Visitors are not allowed to visit the palace, but they are allowed to take photographs at the entrance of the palace. Bait az-Zubair Museum The museum itself features displays on Omani social history, while tours are frequently run of the neighbouring reconstructed townhouse Muscat also has a large number of small and large parks, the largest being the Qurum National Park or rose gardens which include a large manmade waterfall, a lake and an amusement park which is a must to visit during the Muscat festival. Other popular parks include: Riyam park - also with rides and an Arabian watch tower. Visited in The Amazing Race 9 Naseem gardens - which houses a Japanese garden and Kalbuh park. A number of factories are open for visitors such as the Omani halwah factory and the Amouage perfume factory. Amouage perfume is the most valuable perfume in the world. [edit]

Museums

Bait Al Zubair Bait Muzna Gallery Children's Museum, Shatti al qurum Marine Science & Fisheries Centre, between the Al Bustan Palace Hotel and the Capital Yacht Club. National Museum, near Abdulridha Mosque-Ruwi. Natural History Museum, in the Minstry of National Heritage and Culture. Al Khuwair Omani French Museum, Near muscat police stn, Located at old Muscat in Bait Fransa. Omani Museum, Medinat Al Alam (Information City) near Ministry of Information. The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, Bait al falaj. [edit][add listing]

Do

Walk down the water front in the Corniche area for some cool sea breeze and treat yourself to some sandwiches and Halib (Tea with Milk) / Sulaimani (Black Tea) at one of the wayside restaurants. The tea cost about 50 baisa. From the water front enter the Mutrah Souk and bargain for some arab headgear (costs 1 rial), garments, nuts and spices, incense, earthen ware etc. Before getting back to your hotel have dinner at one of the wayside restaurants on the waterfront. Night Safari Scuba Diving Visit the Oman Dive Centre at Bandar Jissah. Rock Climbing Trekking Camel Racing Turtle Watching Dolphin Watching 1. Horseback Riding Day 2: MUSCAT CITY TOUR Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial center existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbor, Muscat means "Anchorage" and lies in a natural volcanic bowl. Our tour of the Grand Mosque (except Thursday and Friday), the Natural History Museums (which houses flora and fauna and a giant fossil) and Bait Al Zubair Museum (except Friday) is a brief introduction that traces Oman's history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market and the colorful Muttrah Souq. We proceed for a photo stop to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, flanked by the 16th century Portugese forts Mirani and Jalali. (Ladies fully covered with a scarf and men in trousers).

Day 3: MUSCAT - NAKHL - AL HAMRA - JABREEN - NIZWA Depart from the Muscat hotel. Proceed to visit the Seeb fishing village and drive to the sparkling springs at Nakhl. Drive through the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf. This stretch of graded road is very adventurous and for the physically fit only as it involves steep bends and bumpy roads. Visit the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt where one is awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. This 70 km stretch of road continues unto the village of Al Hamra, famous for its date plantations. Drive a little further to Jabreen to visit Oman's most famous castle built in the 17th century, which boasts some of the finest examples of Omani achievement in wood carvings and ceiling paintings. Overnight at the Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.g