The Coastal Road Trip from Muscat to Salalah, Oman

Hosted by

Zeus Azusa

02 Aug 23 → 13 Aug 23

Guided trip

12 days

8 stops

2 - 4 Mates

Oman

Are you looking for an authentic Oman trip that doesn't cost too much? Oman offers one of the most amazing sceneries - beaches, valleys, deserts, and mountains. The coastal road is one of the most beautiful in the world, and we will travel all the way from Muscat, the capital to Salahlah - a subtropical section of Oman. Muscat is a very old port city with an amazing history. Local people are incredibly hospitable by nature, friendly and welcoming. Then we head over to the old city of Nizwa through the mountains where you'll see a fort that was built in 17 Century AD. You can read all about it here - https://nizwafort.om/en/about-fort/ From there, heading down to see all the gorgeous and empty beaches, and down to Salalah. Salalah is known as the "green heaven". Even though it's still a part of Oman, you'll feel like you've stepped into a completely different planet! The massive trees and beautiful flowers, not to mention the views atop the mountains are just out of this world. We will explore the area for 3 days, then head back up to a few other magical locations off the coast of Oman. Drives will be between 2 to 6 hours long, but mostly it'll be about 3 hours to the next destinations - staying at little hotels and local inns along the way. The roads are pretty good, and we won't be driving late into the night. I've done the trip to Salalah twice, but both times it was directly from Dubai to Salalah and back, without making any stops along the way, which is like a 16-hour drive. I've ALWAYS wanted to do a longer road trip, making stops along the way, so here we are! I LOVE road trips - and regularly do up to 10-hour drives on any given weekend just to see what's out there. And share my finding with friends. I've been to Oman loads of times as it offers so many adventures, and that is definitely in my blood. What is included in the Price: ➡️ All accommodations (hotels and Airbnb, with shared and private rooms upon request) ⚠️ Prices are based on sharing basis - some only offer 1 large bed for 2 adults, so if you need your own bed or your own room, please let me know early (additional cost will apply) ➡️ SUV Rental ⚠️ Only 2 drivers can be listed, and 1 person will have to give a credit card for security reasons. Insurance will apply only if driven by the drivers listed, so if you do not want to drive, please let me know beforehand. An international driving license may be required (let me know which country and I'll let you know) Not included in the price: ➡️ Meals, snacks, drinks ➡️ Fuel (this, we will split - don't worry, it's less than US$1.00 per liter) ➡️ Visa cost (most countries will not require a visa, I'll check for you once you confirm) ➡️ Travel insurance (if you're from Germany, it will be included) ➡️Other personal requirements In general, people in Oman are extremely hospitable and friendly, though not everyone may speak English. It is one of the safest countries in the world! Do you have a question? Ask in the Q&A below! Can’t wait to hear from you! 🙌🏻

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Oman - Muscat - The Coastal Road Trip from Muscat to Salalah, Oman

Oman - Nizwa - The Coastal Road Trip from Muscat to Salalah, Oman

Oman - Ras Madrakah - The Coastal Road Trip from Muscat to Salalah, Oman - 1

Zeus Azusa

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Globetrotter, seeking to find more of the history, culture, nature and wilderness of the world

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Muscat

Day 1-2

We will stay a night at a hotel (twin share - single available at additional cost), and visit the historical city of Muscat with its mixture of old and modern. There are houses built on a side of a rock using mud as well as massive malls with everything you need. The city is very intricate, and the port is truly gorgeous. We can find a nice place to sit on a quiet beach. After a restful night, we will get up early, enjoy the sunrise as Muscat is on the East Coast, then go pick up an SUV to rent for the road trip! Please remember, you will all be expected the share the drive.

Nizwa

Day 2-3

After a good hearty breakfast at the hotel in Muscat, we will pick up a rental SUV. After having decided who will drive when the day before, driver #1 will start the journey to Nizwa - which is just about 350km away - or around a 4-hour drive. The roads are very good, so it'll be a nice journey with plenty of photo stops along the way. We will be going through the mountain area, so you will definitely want to capture the amazing beauty! We should arrive in Nizwa around 11 am - please keep in mind, August will be hot in the Middle East - so we won't be spending too much time outside, but we will find a nice place for good lunch. Then drive around the old city to see the sights. The accommmmodation will be in a motel, twin share (single room available at additional cost) - we'll check in, chill until the evening when the weather is better and we will go to the old souq (market) and you can visit the old fort as well.

Ras Madrakah

Day 3-4

We will hit the road inland by 8 am through the mountain area to Ras Madrakah, about 550km (approx. 6 hours drive). We will take it easy, taking as many stops as we want, and enjoying the scenery. Ras Madrakah is a small fishing town with an amazing beach. We will arrive around 2 pm, have a nice lunch and jump into the ocean! No hotels have been found anywhere in the area so we'll drive about 2 hours from there to Haima and stay at a small hotel there instead. It will still give us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful beaches - the weather there will dramatically be different from Muscat or Nizwa area. Much cooler outside, beautiful breeze, and of course, emerald waters!

Salalah

Day 4-8

The longest drive of the trip - 620km (approx. 7-hour drive) to Salahlah. We will start early, around 6 am. The road is good - but around there, there isn't much scenery after we turn into the inland road, but not to worry, we will keep the drive fund and lively throughout! In Salahlah we will find a big villa for all of us to share, again it'll be two to a room so if you need your own space, please let me know early so I can arrange this - it will be an additional cost though. Salahlah is unlike anywhere else in the region. In the summer months, it's wet and cool and everything turns green. We can go up the mountains above the clouds, find beaches where camels walk, discover waterfalls, and breathe in clean air. This is THE destination for those looking for something incredibly unique and special. The city itself doesn't have much to offer, but the mountains are gorgeous, and we'll have a very experienced offroad driver to show us plenty of them. We will spend 4 nights there, giving us plenty of time to explore.

Ash Shuwaymiyyah

Day 8-9

After bidding goodbye to Salalah early on day 7, we will get back on the road for a 270km drive (approx. 3-hour drive) along the coast to Ash Shuwaymiyyah. This is the famous coastal road that is rarely visited, so be ready for a spectacular ocean view. Ash Shuwaymiyyah is at the mouth of a valley (called Wadi locally) and we can drive inland a little with our offroad capable car. We can even have a little hike up the Wadi if we're all up for it! The area is not established at all, so there are no hotels anywhere nearby. We can camp out in the open as it is extremely safe there. Evenings will be very cool, so a tent and blankets will be provided. We will bring provisions from Salahlah to make a nice quick breakfast as well!

Duqm

Day 9-10

Continuing up from Shwaymiyyah, we will head to Duqm, 395km away (approx 4 hours drive). In the slightly larger city, we will see more wadi, hike if everyone is up for it, see if we can find fresh water to jump into - or enjoy the beachside and snorkel. We will stay at a small hotel there, twin a share basis. Single rooms are available at an additional cost.

Al Hadd

Day 10-11

We will start early to get to Ras Al Hadd, 485km away (approx. 6 hours) - but we might take a little detour and try to hit the coastal road which may add a few kilometers on this trip. Why? Because this is where the desert meets the beach! There aren't many places in the world where you can witness this. Also, Ras Al Hadd is a famous turtle beach and we want to see turtles! We will check into a gorgeous chalet, jump into our swimming costumes and jump into the beautiful waters (don't forget your snorkel equipment!). The last time I was there, I discovered hidden beaches with gorgeous reefs, requiring serious offroading techniques to get there. Once again, if you like to have your own room, please let me know in advance and there will be an additional cost. Ras Al Hadd has long pristine beaches that are great for relaxing walks on the beach, finding little treasures along the way and just staring into the mysterious ocean.

Muscat

Day 11-12

Back to the city - 250km (approx 3 hours) drive from Ras Al Hadd. We will take this drive later in the afternoon, depending on your schedule (need your flight details if you're flying). Here, you can do your last-minute souvenir shopping if you need, and see more of the sights if you missed something on our first day. We will return the rental car and stay at a nice hotel for our last night. If you want privacy, please let me know in advance - there will be an additional cost.