Visit Oman – 2/2013
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Visit Oman – 2/2013 – during long weekend of June 06, 2013.
Now that the summer has set in and not much can be done in the sand dunes, why not explore the Wadis and Mountains of Oman. This trip aims at that.
BTW, You may be wondering, as to why this trip is being called 2/2013. Well, though I wasn’t in the convoy, you all did the Star-Fish Dunes as “Visit Oman – 1/2013”. Hence this trip is being called 2/2013 😉 .
So having sorted out the nomenclature of the trip, what we intend to do is as under:
Aim: To explore the Wadi and Mountains on the east coast of Oman
Level of Difficulty: Easy, but the car should be in good shape and the “low-range” should be in perfect working order
Agenda:
Thursday, June 06, 2013 :
– 7am: Departure from Dubai,
– 12.30pm: Arrive in Muscat and depart for Wadi Shab,
– 2pm: Arrive at the road head to Wadi Shab (150 kms from Muscat), http://www.amazingplacesonearth.com/wadi-shab-oman/
– Trek to wadi Shab pools; swim at the natural lake and cave – Trek to the big pool is about 3kms and back.,
– 6pm: move to camp site at white-sand/pebble beach (or depending on the day-light at our disposal, we can drive up the Salamah Plateau and camp at a higher elevation).Friday, June 07, 2013 :
– 8am: Drive up the Salamah Plateau – it involves steep climb up the plateau on a graded track, somewhat similar but much longer and steeper than the good-old Ziggy Bay climb,
– Visit the opening to the Majlis Al Jinn (2nd largest cave chamber in the world with an area of 4 million cubic meters inside it),
– Drive thru the mountain villages and pass by the pre-historic Bee-Hive Tombs on our way to the Wadi Tayeen,
– 12pm: drive thru the Wadi Tayeen; this wadi has water all thru the year,
– 4pm: Arrive at Ibra and proceed to Dubai or Muscat as applicable.Notes:
– Drive to Muscat is about 420 kms. Do keep atleast 45minutes – 1 hr for visa formalities at Hatta Border.
– Its’ advisable for the participants to go the Omani consulate in Dubai and procure an advance visa. The Consulate grants visa on the same day. This takes away the uncertainty and discretion of the border staff.
– Though the summer has already set-in, the temperature sometimes on the Salamah plateau may be bit lower than the usual pleasant range. Therefore, it will be wise for you to pack one fleece jacket/blanket.
– Do not forget to pack your swim wear.
– Trek to Wadi Shab pools involves walking thru the rocks and boulders. Therefore you need to wear full or 3/4th length trousers and proper trekking/hiking shoes to protect your knees and ankles. Slippers and flip-flops are risky in such treks. I use my regular SWAT boots and they work well in that terrain.We will have more details of the trip as we inch forward to the D Day. So, put in your name if you are game for this adventure.
1. Ahmed Pervez
2. Ajay Sikri
3. Arun D Souza
4.
5.
6.
Thanks Ajay Bhai,
This should be Fun, I am in!!!!
6th of June has been officially declared as a holiday for all Private & public sector employees in UAE…and there is not much else that we can do here in Dubai except for a couple of afternoon drives…so this is a good opportunity to get out and widen one’s horizons…and see a bit of different scenery…as well as experience some unique experiences.
1. Ahmad Pervez
2. Ajay Sikri
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz
5. Razik
6.
7.:thanks: Ajay Saheb for this opportunity 🙂
Hi Ahmed Saab
Is this trip only for guys or we can bring family along? Since there is trekking involved to reach the cliff dive site, I was wondering if any of the registered members will be coming along with family?
Regards
Sajid
quote Saj:Hi Ahmed SaabIs this trip only for guys or we can bring family along? Since there is trekking involved to reach the cliff dive site, I was wondering if any of the registered members will be coming along with family?
Regards
Sajid
Dear Sajid and other friends
Families are welcome. In fact, the Wadi Shab is a fantastic family location to trek to and swim.
Important clarifications:
– It is not necessary for every one to trek, those who do not want to trek, can sit and relax next to he big water body at the beginning of the trek, very close to the car parking.
– Even those who decide to trek, don’t need to do the whole length of the wadi. there are plenty of rest points/benches on the trekking route. in case, anyone doesn’t feel like walking further, can sit on one of the benches on the side and have samosa 🙂 and coke till the contingent returns back.
– In view of above, we “don’t trek to the camping spot”, rather “shall drive together to the camp spot”. The start and end points for trek are the same and there’s a nice relaxing spot next to the parking for those who don’t feel like stretching their legs.
– In case, very few people are game for trekking, we may decide to cut short the trek and return back early to the start point. However, by doing this, we will definitely be missing the big lake at the end of the Wadi, but will still get a change to swim and dive at the smaller corners.
Hope the above helps you to decide in bringing in the families to the Trip
cheers
Based on yesterday’s discussion during the drive, and upon some member’s concern as they were not able to register for this drive, since it was posted as an intermediate drive.
The drive category has now been moved to Newbie trips, so that this trip is open to all interested members.
This, however, does not change the difficulty level of the drive and since the drive involves certain rather steep gradients with precipitous drops close by, we have to make sure of the Off Road worthiness of our vehicle and be specially vigilant that the low transfer gear case is in perfect functional order.
So…the tally is shaping up as follows…
1. Ajay Sikri
2. Ahmad Pervez
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz TV
5. Razik
6. Saif Khan
7. Manda Reddy
8. Leonard Fernandes
quote Ahmad Pervez:So…the tally is shaping up as follows…1. Ajay Sikri
2. Ahmad Pervez
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz TV
5. Razik
6. Saif Khan
7. Manda Reddy
8. Leonard FernandesHi All,
Any more info available for obtaining the visa from the consulate. Like the location or their timings etc.
What is the expected return into DXB ?
Cheers,
Leo
quote leo.austrian:Any more info available for obtaining the visa from the consulate. Like the location or their timings etc.
What is the expected return into DXB ?
Cheers,
LeoHi Leo
the Oman Consulate is in the diplomatic area and is very close to main road from Burjuman to Makhtoum bridge. you can check up the timings and formalities by calling them at 04-3971000. you can also refer to the link http://www.consulate-dubai.com/oman.html.
regarding expected return to Dubai, the way this trip is conceived, you should be able to return back to Dubai by 10pm on Friday.
Taking visa at the consulate will be advisable since long queues are usually seen at the border visa counters during the long weekends.
Updated list of participants as follows…
1. Ajay Sikri
2. Ahmad Pervez
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz TV
5. Razik Rizwan
6. Saif Khan
7. Manda Reddy
8. Leonard Fernandes
9. Avinash Reddy
10. Rajesh🙂
quote razik:Updated list of participants as follows…1. Ajay Sikri
2. Ahmad Pervez
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz TV
5. Razik Rizwan
6. Saif Khan
7. Manda Reddy
8. Leonard Fernandes
9. Avinash Reddy
10. Rajesh🙂
Hi All,
Looks like a good no already, Can we have some more details about the agenda in order to plan food/ water for the journey.Lunch – Time and place / Can we BBQ or do we pack for the 1st day
Fuelling stops, since Fuel is cheaper in Oman.
I am planning to get the visa at the Border itself. Will there be a problem. I have carried a copy of the Car Insurance with Oman cover. Do we also need our Passport copies Pictures Etc.** Sorry lots of questions.
Cheers,
Leo
quote leo.austrian:quote razik:Updated list of participants as follows…1. Ajay Sikri
2. Ahmad Pervez
3. Arun D Souza
4. Firoz TV
5. Razik Rizwan
6. Saif Khan
7. Manda Reddy
8. Leonard Fernandes
9. Avinash Reddy
10. Rajesh🙂
Hi All,
Looks like a good no already, Can we have some more details about the agenda in order to plan food/ water for the journey.Lunch – Time and place / Can we BBQ or do we pack for the 1st day
Fuelling stops, since Fuel is cheaper in Oman.
I am planning to get the visa at the Border itself. Will there be a problem. I have carried a copy of the Car Insurance with Oman cover. Do we also need our Passport copies Pictures Etc.** Sorry lots of questions.
Cheers,
LeoLeo,
I will attempt to answer couple of your queries:
1. There are 2 fuel stations that sell Omani gas before you actually drive into the country. One (Al Maha) after the Hatta fort hotel r/a & the other (shell) after UAE border/immigration point at the Omani customs check point. Distance between these 2 filling stations is roughly 15kms. First station after entering the country is approx 25kms after Omani immigration point.
2. To obtain visa on arrival you need your passport(s), car registration & insurance. Please check “visa on arrival eligibility” before hand to avoid disppointment. This is usually based on the traveller’s residency status/designation on the visa. I’m referring to south asian country passport bearers only!Hope this helps 🙂
That’s right Razik,
We will need passports with valid residence Visa for self and All Our passengers as well as the original car registration along with proof of Omani car insurance. We will need to get OMANI visas at the border and they will want to see that you have Omani insurance before they will let you across.
Insurance can be paid for at the border, if required.Cost:
UAE exit stamp: 35AED, Oman visa: 50AED.
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