Oman on the road, the itinerary and the five things not to be missed to see a different country, far from the tourist destinations recommended by the guides. Here is the post with all the travel tips in Oman.
THEOman is a country that has only recently begun to appear in the world of tourism promotions. But it still remains a niche tourism, not widely advertised (luckily !?), either because of the costs that are around in the medium-high range and the growth of the country, which began only in the 70s. The country, however, does not lend itself to becoming a destination for backpackers and in fact you will find only hotels as accommodation facilities and a car as the only way to move around the country, which is inevitably necessary to cross the wide desert areas.
I was intrigued and fascinated by Oman for its "unpopularity", which makes it a highly authentic country and affected, and its breathtaking natural beauties, which make Oman a unique country of its kind: in the morning you can admire the sunrise on the coast and in the evening see the moon rise from the dunes in the desert. Or enjoy the breeze at 2000m after a hot day in the Omani hinterland.
We have relied on aexpert local guide which organizes tours customized to the needs and interests of each individual and exempts from the usual "all-inclusive" package but wants to show the culture of their country.
Crossing the country by car and traveling between 200 and 300 km per day, we were able to explain the extreme beauty of every corner of the country. Hamad, our guide during the ten days in Oman, showed us places dear to him, explained the kindness and hospitality of the Omanis and revealed the pride of a nation towards its leader.
While the biggest expense is due to overnight stays and off-road rental, Oman allows you to experience and discover its spectacular nature without putting your wallet. Here are the five things not to be missed for a trip out of the ordinary and have an authentic experience.
Wadi Tiwi
If you are looking for heaven on earth, go to Wadi Tiwi. Wadi means water and refers to a stream bed where a stream of water flows. Oman is full of them: both on the edges of main roads and as hidden oases. On the road from Muscat in the direction of the South, past the Tiwi village, we enter the hinterland uphill road. Even our eyes struggled to perceive the pure beauty of the place: an oasis surrounded by millstones and rocky walls, turquoise and crystalline water reflecting the green of the vegetation. We are the only ones. We dive in and it's an ineffable sensation. Try it for yourself!
The tailor of the sultan
The sultan is the political leader appreciated by the entire population, a man of few words, far from the media, but of great facts. A visit to his tailor will give you an idea of who he is. Hamad takes us to the village Alakh Dar, where we are lucky enough to know him and see him at work in his humble home-laboratory. One of the humblest and most charismatic characters at the same time, offers us oranges and dates, and tells us satisfied with his work for the sultanate. He is the last of the family to weave using the traditional method for which each weaving requires a meticulous work.
Stock up before entering the desert
Before taking the road in the desert, we stop in thelast village useful for stocking up on water, juices and fruit in an emergency. We cross the desert for about four hours, admiring different types of landscape: despite what the desert may evoke, a vast expanse is covered with vegetation. We reach the campsite where we spend the night, without electricity. We admire the sun setting behind the dunes and the red moon peeking out from the opposite dunes. A desert walk at night it's priceless: the full moon that lights up and sink your feet into the cool sand after the heat of the day. The desert also seems to be resting.
Stop with karak and reqaq
Stop in one of the villages you come across on your way, in local bars for a karak, tea, and reqaq, Omani bread. A bit like going back in time and being seated on a small table on the side of the road in Italian villages drinking a cup of espresso with friends. The karak, fundamental moment of daily life in Oman, it is served with milk and sugar and there are several varieties, ginger or other spices. Same for the reqaq: vaguely similar to a crepe, try it stuffed with cheese and honey. A real treat while watching the country life go by.
Coffee with Bedouins
Another experience to savor the life of the local people in Oman is the coffee break with the Bedouins.
Just outside the city of Bediyah, we go to a Bedouin village near the desert to visit the family of the man who owns the camels competing in the famous race. All desert houses have an adjacent space that allows those passing by to stop and refresh themselves. We sit on the carpets and are served some Omani coffee (Arabic coffee with the addition of cardamom) and dates, a precious resource in the desert. Your cup will be refilled continuously unless you signal that you don't want any more, i.e. wave your hand in which you hold the cup.
A country to be discovered now, before it's too late.
Are you still undecided !?
The first photo is by samuela urbini
