OFF ROAD IN SALALAH DURING KHAREEF, OVERLAND 7 DAY EXPEDITION TO OMAN, 21st AUGUST TO 27TH AUGUST ’24

SALALAH, THE COASTAL CAPITAL OF OMAN’S DHOFAR REGION IS THE MOST REMOTE DESTINATION IN THE SULTANATE. YET, ITS UNPARALLEL NATURAL BEAUTY OFTEN COMPARED TO THE TROPICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MONSOON (KHAREEF) SEASON WHICH LASTS THROUGH THE MONTHS OF JUNE TILL AUGUST OR EVEN TILL LATE SEPTEMBER.

A PROPER 4X4 VEHICLE, WITH A TRANSFER CASE, IS MANDATORY FOR THIS EXCURSION. AWD VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE TERRAIN ON THIS DRIVE.

IMPORTANT,
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/dubai-how-to-get-vehicle-permit-for-road-trips-outside-uae-fees-eligibility-explained

Please refer to the forum for discussion and questions, link here.

SOARING MOUNTAIN PEAKS RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, AND MAJESTIC WATERFALLS DROP INTO TURQUOISE RIVERS GUSHING THROUGH THE VALLEYS OF VERDANT ROLLING HILLS COVERED IN FOG, WIND-SWEPT TALL PALM TREES DOT THE WHITE SANDY BEACHES WITH HUNDREDS OF CAMELS FREELY ROAMING AROUND.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Eftalquot Cliff and beach, Mughsail Beach, Marneef Cave, Fazayah Beach, Shaat Sinkhole, Shaat View Point, Rakhyut Beach, Abandoned ship beach, Masood Hidden Beach and many more.

WE WILL BE HEADING DIRECTLY TO DUQM TO BREAK THE LONG DRIVE AND THEN TO SALALAH FROM DUBAI, TAKING THE SHORTER ROUTE, TO MAXIMIZE OUR TIME IN SALALAH, WE WOULD THUS BE TAKING THE MEZYAD BORDER IN AL AIN (WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE HAFEET BORDER).

AS A GCC (AND UAE) RESIDENTS, WE NO LONGER NEED A VISA TO ENTER OMAN, AS LONG AS OUR RESIDENCY IS VALID FOR A MINIMUM 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRIP, AND THE PASSPORT IS VALID FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE END OF THE TRIP. THE VISA ON ARRIVAL IS FREE FOR UAE RESIDENTS, (SUBJECT TO NATIONALITY), AS A TOURIST IN THE UAE, HOWEVER, ONE WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR OMAN VISIT VISA.

ONE CAN APPLY FOR THE VISA ONLINE VIA THE ROYAL OMAN POLICE WEBSITE, OR GET IT ON ARRIVAL AT THE BORDER (SUBJECT TO NATIONALITY).

UAE-OMAN BORDERS GET BUSY DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, SO VISAS ON ARRIVAL SHOULD IDEALLY BE AVOIDED OR ONE MUST ACCOUNT FOR AN EXTRA HOUR OR TWO FOR BORDER CROSSING.

THOSE, WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING THE OPTION OF COVERING THE 12-14 HOURS DRIVE IN ONE SHOT WITHOUT OVERNIGHT STOPS, ARE STRONGLY ADVISED AGAINST DRIVING AT NIGHT IN OMAN UNLESS ONE ABSOLUTELY HAS NO OTHER CHOICE.
MOST OF THE ROADS WE HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH DO NOT HAVE STREET LIGHTS, AND THE PRESENCE OF ANIMALS MAKES IT DANGEROUS.
THE MONOTONOUS ROAD DRIVE ON ROUTE 31 CAN EASILY MAKE A DRIVER FALL ASLEEP (EVEN DURING THE DAY, LET ALONE AT NIGHT).

NEW MEMBERS WHO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE THEIR WHATSAPP NUMBERS IN THEIR PROFILE OR SEND A WHATSAPP MESSAGE TO +97152 703 6860 WITH THEIR USERNAME, SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE WHATSAPP GROUP, FOR ALL TRIP-RELATED INFORMATION.

THE BOOKINGS FOR THIS EVENT CLOSE AT 12 AM, MIDNIGHT, ON MONDAY THE 21ST OF AUGUST ‘2023.

A WHATSAPP GROUP WILL BE CREATED AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE BOOKINGS AND THE RELEVANT INFORMATION WILL BE DIRECTLY CONVEYED TO THE CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS, ON MONDAY THE 19TH OF AUGUST ’24, ONE DAY BEFORETHE DAY OF THE DRIVE.

TRIP CHARGES:
AED3,000.00 PER VEHICLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, FOR NON MEMBERS.
AED1,500.00 PER VEHICLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, FOR DUBAI OFFROADERS MEMBERS.

Meeting Time: 9:00 AM 0900HRS. on Wednesday, the 21st of August ’24.
The drive ends at 6:00 PM 1800Hrs. Tuesday, the 27th of August ’24.

1. MAXIMUM 10 REGISTRATIONS.
2. MINIMUM OF 6 REGISTRATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE TRIP TO PROCEED.
3. Meeting Point: To be announced.
4. Please be punctual to avoid making many others wait for you, as well as to maximize our time on the adventure.

IMPORTANT:
a. The Driver of the vehicle must have a Valid UAE/ OMAN Driving License and the vehicle, Driver, and passengers must be covered by an appropriate insurance cover.
b. The Driver and all passengers of the vehicle should have read and be aware of the disclaimer of Dubai Offroaders, that they indemnify all the officials and Marshals of Dubai Offroaders and that they themselves bear full responsibility for any risk of property damage, bodily injury or death while participating in this Adventure sport.
c. This drive is not recommended for children under the age of 3 years.
d. Any child on the drive must be secured in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat.
e. Seat belts must always be worn by the Driver and all/ any passengers.

Please read, understand, and make sure that you are prepared with the following, prior to the drive,

1. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/welcome-to-dubai-offroaders/
2. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/disclaimer/
3. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/4×4-offroad-checklist/
4. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/sand-driving-safety-basics/
5. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/25-tips-for-an-enhanced-offroad-driving-experience/
6. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/do-radio-communication-guide/
7. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/driving-in-a-convoy-roles-and-rules/
8. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/trip-rules-for-dubai-offroaders-drives/

Checklist:

1. Fully functional four-by-four vehicle with a full tank of fuel.
2. Oman Visa, ideally taken prior to the date.
3. The cost of the Visa will vary depending on the applicant’s Nationality.
4. Cooking & BBQ equipment
5. Change of clothes, and swimwear.
6. The First Aid kit is detailed later.
7. Closed-toe footwear, waterproof material is preferable for Wadi hikes.
8. Refreshments for yourself and your passengers.

First Aid Kit             Standard First Aid Kit

INCLUSIONS            Route plan, guidance & on-site support, throughout the drive.

CANCELLATIONS     NO CANCELLATIONS OR REFUNDS WILL BE ENTERTAINED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE DRIVE, AFTER THE 16TH OF AUGUST ’24.

EXCLUSIONS

• UAE border exit fees and Omani visa fees.
• Boarding for 5 nights, in separate Hotels, depending upon availability.
• There will be a one-night stay at Duqm, two nights at Salalah, and one night at Nizwa if someone wants to break the return journey.
• THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE THEIR OWN HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS
• Any food and beverages for the trip
• All entrance and/or guide fees, if visiting any tourist spot/ attraction.