FAST FACTS:

Visas: Can be obtained at Seeb International Airport or when entering any UAE gateway upon arrival

Distance from Seeb International Airport to Muscat: 32 kilometres

Major Cities: Muscat is the capital is green as green can be, and defies being classified as part of a desert country. The roads are lined with well-manicured green lawns and trees and during winter this is interspersed with a profusion of multi-coloured flowers.

The city has steadfastly retained its old-world character with old Muscat possessing a quaint charm with many forts, castles, mosques and towers dotting the landscape. of particular note are Jalali and Mirani forts flanking Al Alam palace. The Corniche, with its promenade and souks (markets), is one of the highlights of the city. The old souk of Muttrah is an ideal spot for tourists to buy keepsakes and treasures. Greater Muscat boasts high-rise business properties (but not too high), world-class highways, upscale suburbs, elegant mosques, large green parks, archaeological sites, museums and world-class hotels. it is no wonder that Muscat is increasingly becoming an attractive tourist destination among the world’s travel going public.

There are regular flights between Oman and majior cities of the world and daily bus service between Muscat and Dubai. Other major cities include Sohar, Sur, Khasab, Nizwa and Salal

Oman Excursion

Rock climbing
With rugged mountains, rise to 3,000 metres amongst a maze of spurs and wadis, deep canyons and towering cliffs, getting onto the mountain in a four-wheel drive is easy and for the rock climber, every mountain face presents an enigmatic challenge.

Trekking
Oman is an amazing place for exploration and discovery, especially by foot in its spectacular mountain scenery. The country is the best kept tourism secret of the Gulf region, if not the entire Middle East, having striking scenery, friendly people and year-round sunshine. The climate is almost perfect for walking and provides relief from the hot plains and coastal area camel racing

Camel racing is an exciting sport where camels and their owners congregate at racetracks around the country. racing camels are bred for the track and are highly prized possessions.

Crowd enthusiasm is high on these occasions; however, race day is not some of the areas where several species of marine turtle come to lay their announced far in advance, so it is best to know someone who has an eggs. Green turtles, loggerheads, Hawksbill and leatherbacks live for inside track as to when a race is scheduled. over 100 years and swim the length and breadth of the indian ocean only to return every year to the same sites to lay their eggs. it is necessary to Bull fighting acquire a permit to visit the official nesting sites as the turtles are protected bull fighting is very popular in oman, but it is a far cry from the spanish as an endangered species. variety. in this instance, two brahmin bulls of the same size are pitted against each other. The first one to get knocked down or run away is Watersports declared the loser. The fight lasts only for a few minutes and the bulls What’s your pleasure? A sporty sloop or graceful l catamaran? A convivial suffer no injury except perhaps a wounded pride and a bad headache. yacht or speedy jet-ski? How about a carefree course on a stately dhow? bull fighting usually takes place on Friday afternoons in the cooler winter perhaps game fishing, dolphin and whale watching, boogie boards and months at arenas along the batinah coast, notably in seeb, barka, banana boating and of course there’s scuba diving and some of the best sawadi and sohar. diving in the world is on offer in the most pristine environment known to man.

Tours & Excursions

Game fishing
Game fishing is now becoming very popular in oman as would-be anglers Horseback riding try their hand at hooking the big one. species such as Marlin and Tuna are Don’t miss the allure of the Arabian stallion. if you like riding, oman has outdoor Activities ighly sought. The sport is affordable and omani waters are abundant in trails and the horses to take you there. You’ll find the royal stables in seeb oman’s diverse terrain of mountains, deserts and seascapes are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream the bait fish that attracts larger predators. is a good spot to observe equestrian events staged for public and private come true. From diving to photography, to rock climbing to ice skating, oman offers a variety of The coasts off sur and Masirah are especially suited for this unique sport. gatherings. And if you go to the Al Kamil/Al Wafi region of the country, you activities to suit the taste of any traveller. can find the best breeders and trainers the country has to offer.

Scuba diving
Oman has a varied coastline over 1,600km long. There is a wealth of underwater flora, marine life and diving thrills awaiting the underwater explorer. A complete range of diving courses, diving equipment and activities (night dives, wreck dives, etc. are all catered for by professional instructors). photography and filming For serious and casual photographers, there are photo opportunities galore - stark majestic mountain ranges, serene sandy beaches and lush green jungles - all within the click of a shutter. Wildlife, rustic villages, majestic forts, colourful natives - there is inspiration everywhere.

Note: While photography is permitted throughout the sultanate and there is beautiful scenery everywhere, photography of government and military installations is not permitted. likewise, photographers should be very circumspect when it comes to photographing anyone, particularly women. it is not advisable to take pictures without requesting and obtaining permission before hand.

Rustaq fort
It is amongst the oldest and the tallest, and is surrounded by watch towers. Al batinah, originally known as Qalat Al Kisra, was built in the 13th century. it has four towers and the falaj ran through the fort to supply water to its inhabitants. should this become contaminated, the inhabitants were able to rely on a well. There are many rooms to this fort and it also boasts a mosque, weapons room, prison and reception area.

Bahla fort
The main feature - the 7 mile long walls - were patrolled by sentries night and day. The internal staircases and walls were built of mud, coated with gypsum and sarooj (a traditional type of mortar) which are as hard and solid as present-day cement.

Nizwa fort
Built by imam sultan bin saif al Ya’arubi in 1668, it is the biggest fort in the Mirbat castle Arabian peninsula. it was once used as the imam’s headquarters and is Dating back to the 19th century it is located in the Welayat of Mirbat in a stronghold designed to withstand some of the most aggressive sieges. Dhofar Governorate. This castle played defensive and administrative roles The traditional doors are inches deep and over the lintel of each is a hole throughout history. it is furnished and equipped with handicrafts from through which boiling oil could be poured over the marauding enemies. Dhofar Governorate and from the other regions of oman.

Abrin fort - Khassab castle
This was built by imam sultan bin saif Al Ya’arubi in 1670 as a defensive located on the coast in Welayat Khasab to the north of oman, it consists stronghold as well as living accommodation for the imam. it has rooms of four buildings surrounded by a wall and it was built in the sixth century and ceilings decorated with fine carvings. A.D. in 1989 it was restored by the Ministry. it has two huge towers with walls two meters thick. Finely painted flowers and symbols are found on the ceilings in the “living” rooms. The tomb of Al Mintrib castle imam bil’arab remains within the fort. one of the oldest castles in Welayat badiya, it was built during the reign of imam A’zzan bin Qais Al busaid (1285 A.H. - 1868), and was used in thenakhl fort past as a centre for the Welayat. in 1989 it was restored by the Ministry.

Nakhl Fort
(Al batinah) is within an hour’s drive of Muscat and provides a morning of sightseeing. The fort is 350 years old and is set in a gorge, Al Khandaq castle surrounded by a mountain enclave. in 1990, sympathetic restoration located in Hamasa town in Welayat buraimi. it was called (Al Khandaq) work began, using traditional building materials and period furnishings. because of the ditch surrounding it. it is a square shaped building with Forts & Palaces The carved master gate is believed to date back to the 1830’s during the four circular towers and a main gate surrounded by high fences. in 1994 reign of sayyid said bin sultan. it was restored by the Ministry. Al Hazm castle Albuquerque located in Al Hazm town in Welayat rustaq, the fort was built by imam sultan Albuquerque in 1507 described sohar Fort as a fortress of square shape, bin seif the 2nd between 1123 A.H.–1711 A.D., when he established Al with six towers round it, having two very “large towers”. The fort was so forts Hazm town as a capital of oman instead of rustaq. The Castle is distinctive large that it then rquired over 1,000 men for its defence. Forts and Castles are oman’s most striking cultural landmarks and, from other omani castes and forts by its magnificent shape and massive together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used building. it contains the tomb of its builder / imam sultan bin seif (the 2nd). as defensive bastions or lookout points. Forts were often the seats of administrative and judicial authority.

Sohar fort
There are over 500 forts, castles and towers in oman with a coastline of 1,700km, so they were needed to protect it from potential invaders During the reign of imam/nasser bin Murshid Al Ya’arubi, he was able to conquer and expel the portuguese from this fort and it served as an administration centre for the ruling Al busaid dynasty .

Jalali and Mirani
These iconic buildings are among oman’s most famous forts stand at the entrance to Muscat bay. Mirani, built before the arrival of the portuguese, was originally shaped like a tower. Then in 1588 the portuguese rebuilt it on the ruins of its old structure, adding emplacements, stores, living quarters for the commander and a place of worship. The building was enlarged to its present size in the reign of imam Ahmed bin said, the founder of the Al busaidi state in the 18th century, and his grandson sayyid said bin sultan, at the beginning of the 19th century. The forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani are the capital’s most prominent landmarks and were built in the 16th century AD. 200 During the reign of imam/nasser bin Murshid Al Ya’arubi, he was able nakhl fort past as a centre for the Welayat. in 1989 it was restored by the Ministry. nakhl Fort (Al batinah) is within an hour’s drive of Muscat and provides a morning of sightseeing. The fort is 350 years old and is set in a gorge, Al Khandaq castle surrounded by a mountain enclave. in 1990, sympathetic restoration located in Hamasa town in Welayat buraimi. it was called (Al Khandaq) work began, using traditional building materials and period furnishings. because of the ditch surrounding it. it is a square shaped building with Forts & Palaces The carved master gate is believed to date back to the 1830’s during the four circular towers and a main gate surrounded by high fences. in 1994 reign of sayyid said bin sultan. it was restored by the Ministry.

Al Hazm castle
Albuquerque located in Al Hazm town in Welayat rustaq, the fort was built by imam sultan Albuquerque in 1507 described sohar Fort as a fortress of square shape, bin seif the 2nd between 1123 A.H.–1711 A.D., when he established Al with six towers round it, having two very “large towers”. The fort was so forts Hazm town as a capital of oman instead of rustaq. The Castle is distinctive large that it then required over 1,000 men for its defence. Forts and Castles are oman’s most striking cultural landmarks and, from other omani castes and forts by its magnificent shape and massive together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used building. it contains the tomb of its builder / imam sultan bin seif (the 2nd). as defensive bastions or lookout points. Forts were often the seats of administrative and judicial authority.

Currency: The Omani Riyal (OMR)

Public Holidays: New Years Day, January 1 and Oman National Day and the birthday of HM Sultan Qab0os – 18 November

Business Days: Saturday to Wednesday

Hotels: Oman’s diverse range of guest properties, from three-star to six, offers a captivating blend of contemporary luxury and classic aesthetic, together with time-honoured Arabian hospitality.

Seasons: Oman is a destination for all seasons. Though temperatures in summer soars over 40C, the five star resorts and spas in Muscat and the temperate coastline of Salalah offers the traveller the ultimate Arabian respite.  

The varied geography of Oman has resulted in a wide variety of climatic conditions. Although lying in the tropics, the Sultanate is subject to seasonal changes like the more temperate regions of the world

During the winter it is cool and pleasant, but summer on the coast is hot and humid. The interior remains hot and dry, except for the mountains where temperatures can drop drastically at night.

The hottest months are June through August but on the southern coast of Dhofar the monsoons bring light but persistent rain, resulting in a cool and misty summer. Rainfall varies but in general remains sparse and irregular. In the south, most of the year's rainfall occurs during the summer monsoon months. In the north, the opposite occurs.

Here most rain comes from occasional winter storms which descend out of the eastern Mediterranean during the months of January through March, depositing an annual average of 10 cm of rain on the capital area.