🇴🇲 Oman Adventure: 4 Weeks Off-Road, Wadis & Pure Silence
- Teddy
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Our First Week (of 4)
Oman is a country that instantly captivates you. Nestled between rugged mountain ranges, deep blue wadis, and the warm hospitality of the Omani people, we embarked on a four-week road trip adventure. Here's our report from the start of our journey – including valuable tips for planning your own trip.
🛬 Getting There: Tips for a Relaxed Start
Our journey was incredibly straightforward. Whether flying directly to Muscat or via Larnaca/Dubai – the connections are excellent.
• Money-saving tip:
Booking night flights often saves you money on your travel budget!
• Internet:
Get a SIM card directly at the airport (e.g., from Omantel or Ooredoo). But be warned: In remote wadis, you'll be completely offline – so download offline maps beforehand.
ATTENTION: Oman apparently blocks all VoIP to protect the state-owned telephone company OMANTEL. This means calls via WhatsApp and Instagram won't work. Our attempts to circumvent this using a VPN also failed miserably…
🚁 Important for drone pilots!
If you want to take aerial photos, prepare thoroughly. Rainer had the required license and passed the Oman test, but a small transposition error in the serial number caused 45 minutes of nerve-wracking waiting at customs.
Here's the link to register and obtain the permit:
Checklist:
Have your license ready, take the test beforehand, and double-check the serial number on the form! The officials are friendly, but very thorough.
🚙 Our “Home” on Four Wheels
After a short rest in Muscat, we picked up our off-road vehicle. The orientation takes about an hour – time well spent before heading into the wilderness for four weeks.
We can definitely recommend our rental company for the off-road vehicle with rooftop tent:
The vehicles are perfectly equipped and include everything you need for the road trip. There's also a WhatsApp group where you can stay in touch with everyone else traveling at the same time. You can sometimes get valuable tips from the community.
Pro tip for your first shopping trip:
We went to (perhaps) the world's largest supermarket! "LULU HYPERMARKET" is located in every major city and is highly recommended. It's often combined with a mall.
Stock up generously on water and supplies in Muscat.
• Culinary hack:
You'll find fantastic, freshly prepared rice dishes everywhere in the markets. We often bought them and ate them at our campsites – this saves you the hassle of cooking and lets you enjoy authentic local food.
🏜️ Route Highlights: Wadis & Mountains
Wadi Al Khoud & Wadi Al Abyadh
We pitched our rooftop tent for the first time in Wadi Al Khoud (Zone 6). Wadis are dry riverbeds that are perfect for off-road driving.
Wadi Al Abyadh is a true gem: Here you'll find the famous "White Pools" – natural limestone pools fed by mountain water. The silence there is indescribable – you could have heard a pin drop.
Nakhal & Al Rustaq
In Nakhal, an impressive fort towers over the town. Right next to it, a hot spring bubbles up from the mountains.
• Fun Fact: Small fish nibble at your feet in the springs – a free natural spa in the middle of the wilderness!
In Al Rustaq, the former capital, you can immerse yourself in the culture.
• Note:
Friday is a public holiday. Most shops are closed, but the famous cattle market takes place early in the morning (which we unfortunately just missed – so be sure to arrive early!).
Snake Canyon & Jebel Akhdar
Snake Canyon in Wadi Bani Auf offers pure adrenaline for climbing and swimming. The drive along the Al Barida Road through the mountains is breathtaking, but challenging. We were rewarded with the sight of the terraced fields at Jebel Akhdar.
• Interesting fact:
The fields are irrigated by the centuries-old falaj system (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It's fascinating to see how everything thrives in this otherwise barren landscape.
🛌 Accommodation Tip in Nizwa
After days in our rooftop tent, we treated ourselves to a little luxury in Nizwa: the "Stay Inn."
It's located a bit outside the city, but it's worth every kilometer. The chalets are brand new, have their own kitchens, great terraces, and even a hot tub – perfect for sorting gear and recharging batteries.
🔗 Useful Links for Your Trip
• Visa & Entry: Official Oman e-Visa Website
• Drone Info: RCAA Oman (Civil Aviation Authority)
• Accommodation: Stay Inn Chalets Nizwa on Booking.com
• Culture: Information on the Falaj Irrigation System (UNESCO)
This was a brief overview of our first week. The rest will follow soon or are already online?
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Do you have any questions about our route or drone licenses? Feel free to leave us a comment here or contact us via our Instagram or Facebook account.
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