Family overnighter in Oman
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i checked with Oman Consulate, and they said it is not possible to get the visa, the Passport must be renewed first.
:((and the new passport will be ready by 12th April,
so I guess I cannot come this time
:(( :((
Im gonna miss another wonderfull trip of ajay bhai… 🙁
Please count me in!!
Confirmed as of 24/03/2009 : (picked up from the earlier page):
1. Ahmed Parvez and family – 2 days
2. Ajay Sikri and family – 3 days
3. Naved hasan and family – 3days
4. Pankaj Malik and family – 3 days
5. Anil Berry and family – 2/3 days TBA
6. Manju and and family – 2/3 days TBA
7.
8.Stay arrangement confirmed so far:
Apartments:
1. ajay sikri
2. Pankaj Malik
3. Naved Hasan
4. Anil BerryCamping:
1.
2.
one of our memeber. susan and her family may join for the trip.. she will confirm by next week..
if she is coming she will have two cars with her..
in view of the ongoing adverse weather and based on the advice of senior friends who know Oman well, we have decicded to put off the trip to next week or thereafter. this is because the Wadi Bani Aaab and Wadi Ghul, both part of our trip route, are known to have severe flash floods even couple of days after the rains get over. it is therefore not worth taking risk especially with families and kids around.
we shall review the position once the weather clears up and shall post fresh dates
my sincere apologies for this deferment.
I am in total agreement with Ajay.
It is just not worth the risk, since our target areas of Hajar Mountains are notorious for flash floods.
Let us touch base later & discuss the next possible date/s.
Rains –
Good for me.
breaking news: it appears that our decision to defer the trip was timely, as Omani Met department has given a hailstorm warning over this week and schools all over Oman have been shut due to this warning. even a trip to hatta this weekend will have to be carefully reviewed.
Hi guys,
I thought I’ll put some notes for you all regarding this trip as we did the same last weekend.Areas visited in our trip: Muscat, New road to Sur, Tiwi, Ras Al Jinz, Ras Al Hud, Nizwa, Jebel Akhder Range
Highlights n Pointers:
Muscat: Everyone knows about it.
But there is one point to mention as v intended to go to Jebel Akhder first and took a detour towards Wadi Al Hamra from the main Muscat Road. The road was very much visible on the map and I confirmed with a police car who suggested the same route to enjoy more and cut the journey by 80-90 kms but after an hours drive on a single road we ended up on to a wadi road (total kacha) snaking up in the mountains. It was 4pm already and v were just on car. V didnt take a chance due to the rains happened a few days earlier, but I think this would be a good ride in the mountains. Minimum two vehicles suggested for this one. Al Hamra was about 63 kms from the tarmac and from Al Hamra to Nizwa the map shows more or less the same distance.
Note:- Our decision not to attempt the wadi proved to be a good one cause the road v drove back to join the Muscat highway was washed away at 4 points in the next 50 kms of our drive. Therefore v ended up in Muscat and the kids enjoyed their KFC 🙂 and v had nice chicken n other stuff at TAAZA (recommended) – it is right after u cross the Gabrha area towards muscat on the right hand side after the first LULU in the city.Ras Al Jinz
Book before you go to Ras Al Jinz as they have blocked the area to the beach with an office/hotel. The rent starts at AED 900 for one room or AED 380 per person. And they take two trips to the beach for turtle watching, one at 9pm and the other at 4am with hundred people in each go. The charges are AED 30 /person. But we camped out there in full moon and remained in the waiting list for the 9pm visit to the beach, finally got a go from them at about 9:30pm.Here is the contact info for booking Ph: +968-96 55 0606, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
There is a beautiful road build from Quriyat to Sur (will be a toll road eventually), dont forget to get out of the highway to see the unspoiled villages right on the coast. Because this road is brand new and the old means of travel were not that easy therefore still the developments have not spoiled the area yet. But with that said, doesnt mean it’ll stay as is for long due to the new road.Also keep few hours to stop at a village named Tiwi where there are a couple lakes going into the mountains. One would have to cross some shallow water to go to the other side to continue nice trek for about 45 minutes. You will cross water another time while walking up the stream. Its shallow water so no worries, if v cud do it with 3 small kids then anyone should b able to do it. V loved this spot. There were only few locals for picnics or the tourism vehicles who brought some westerners for visits.
Note:- If you want to camp closer to the water then you would be driving for 15 kms to Ras Al Hud and camp after the last hotel on the beach. There is an area of few kms protected by the park rangers for turtles and no camping allowed there.
Wadi Bani Khalid:
Yet to do this one in detail.
It is 40 km off of the Sur road going towards Nizwa. It has some nice pools and unspoiled canyon driving.Jebel Akhder:
Only 4x4s allowed beyond a certain point.
Sayq Plateau is a small town on jebel where one could stay either in the only hotel (Hotel Jebel Akhder – which was full but dont forget to pick one info page from them about the area) or two hotel apartments(just behind the only petrol station) or camp anywhere. The mountain is dry n rough as any other place in Hajjar mountains but there are a few villages one must go n c. Rather hike/trek in them to enjoy more. The walks in these villages are through the fruit orchards (will ripe in jul/aug), its rose season out there. The trekking was really nice and v did quite a bit despite having children. Other than those 3-4 villages theres nothing much out there. There is one more interesting thing out there and that is the very steep roads leading to some non green villages. The drive becomes walking on 1st gear and for longer spans.Verdict: I found Jebel Shams more interesting in my last visit as there is no town up there but I cant compare the green villages from jebel akhder as it was different and interesting.
Nizwa: Just another town in Oman
I would b glad to furnish anyone with more info if required. I’ll post my travelogue at http://www.familyoffroaders.com
For pictures uploading, I always had difficulty. Jessil dear – could u get them from my facebook and upload here or I could provide in the CD.
Thanks for the detailed report… Will surely come in handy for our planned trip this season…
Have created a folder for you in the Photoalbum… you can upload pictures there…
:thanks:
quote wrangler:this trip as we did the same last weekend.Adeel Bhai,
I have a complain,
You should have called atleast, I wanted to go.
Thats unfair.
:((
quote humsafar:quote wrangler:this trip as we did the same last weekend.Adeel Bhai,
I have a complain,
You should have called atleast, I wanted to go.
Thats unfair.
:((Sorry about that but u had passport problems for ur wife I suppose 😕 …… n on top of that due to the spirit of the trip I didnt want to hijack a trip altogether. I took a chance and didnt want others to do the same as it was clearly posted that due to rains the trip was postponed. I was in afix due to kids holidays ending on the 12th so had to make it. 🙁
Next time… 🙂
No Worries Adeel Bhai.
There is always a next ime.
😀
quote wrangler:Hi guys,
The road was very much visible on the map and I confirmed with a police car who suggested the same route to enjoy more and cut the journey by 80-90 kms but after an hours drive on a single road we ended up on to a wadi road (total kacha) snaking up in the mountains. It was 4pm already and v were just on car. V didnt take a chance due to the rains happened a few days earlier…..
Note:- Our decision not to attempt the wadi proved to be a good one cause the road v drove back to join the Muscat highway was washed away at 4 points in the next 50 kms of our drive.the wadi bani awf road shown on Omani maps between Al Hamra and Rustak is misleading as it’s a tarmac only till the top of the hill behind Hoota Cave and thereafter it’s a graded track only. this track gets washed off during rains at couple of places. Wadi Bani Awf is known to gather water as deep as 10-20 feet during rains and resultant flash floods.
your decision to skip the offroute was very good as a friend of mine who is based in Nizwa told me yesterday that 4-5 cars were reportedly washed off in that area and Wadi Nizwa during the last 2 weeks of adverse weather.
In any case, travel by highways/major roads is quite safe provided you follow the wadi crossing markings and the water depth pole indicators on both sides of such crossings; travel thru wadis has to be avoided for atleast 10 days after the rains have fully stopped.
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