TOURS & EXCURSIONS

BASIC FACTS

Location

Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Oman coastline extends 1,700 Km from the straits of Hormuz in the north, to the borders of Yemen in the south and overlooks three seas: The Arabian Gulf, The Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.   Oman borders Saudi Arabia in the west; the United Arab Emirates in the northeast, Yemen in the south; straits of Hormuz in the north and Arabian Sea in the east.

The Total land area of Oman is around 309,500 sq. km which makes it the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula.

Topography

Oman possesses a rich & diverse topography ranging from rugged mountains and rocky deepwater fjords in the North, to the spectacular dunes of Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands and two large salt flats in the centre, to the lush green hills of Dhofar region in the South, with rugged coasts and placid beaches stretching along the 1,700 Km coastline.

The northern coastal strip along the Gulf of Oman is known as the Batinah Coast; a narrow fertile plain separated from the rest of the country by the Hajar Mountains. The highest peak is Jabal Shams (Sun Mountain) at 3,075 m. The southern slopes of the range are notable for their oasis towns where date groves flourish in the dry desert air.

In the south lies the second mountain range in Oman; the Qara Mountains, which attracts the light monsoon rains during the mid-summer months, turning them green with vegetation whose roots help delay the effects of erosion resulting in a soft rolling landscape more akin to central Africa.

As in the north, a narrow fertile coast plain lies between the mountains and the sea at whose centre Salalah lies, surrounded by lush vegetable farms and coconut groves.

Climate

The varied geography of the Sultanate 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.

The hottest months are June through August. The summer monsoon just touches the southern coast of Dhofar during these months bringing regular light rain to Salalah and reducing the average daytime highs to 30° C.

The most pleasant months to visit Oman are mid October through May when daytime temperatures fall into the lower 30s and below.

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.
 

Population

Approximately 2 million. Around of 1.5 million are Omani Nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India. Asia, Other Arab countries, Europe & USA.

Religion

Islam, Predominantly Ibadhi sect.

Language

Official Language is Arabic. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Swahili & Baluchi. English is widely spoken and along with Arabic is the common business language. Most hotel staff speak German and French as well.

Culture

Like all Arab countries, The Arabic Islamic culture dominates the life style in Oman. However, being an international market, people of various nationalities are also present.

National Dress

Men – Dishdasha (Robe), Kimah (Cap), Mussaar (Turban)
Women – Jallabia (dress), Sirwal (trousers), Thobe (overdress cloak), Lahaf (head shawl), Abaya (black cloak).
Women generally leave their face & hands exposed while in the desert, women of Bedouin tribes wear a mask, called (Birqa)

Currency

Omani Riyal is divided into 1000 Baizas, and is broken into denominations of 100, 200 and 500 Baizas, OMR 1/- , 5/-, 10/-, 20/- and 50/-

Time Zone

GMT + 4

Electricity

220/240 V 50 Hz, with 3-pin British type plugs

Alcohol Beverages

Most of hotel bars & restaurants in Oman are licensed to sell alcohol. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public and carrying alcohol while driving and / or driving under the influence of alcohol is heavily penalized.

Photography

While photography is permitted throughout Oman, and there is beautiful scenery everywhere. Photography of government & military installations is not permitted. Likewise, photographers should be very circumspect when it comes to photographing women.  It is not advisable to take pictures of women without requesting permission before hand.

Environment

Oman is one of cleanest countries in the world. Littering is forbidden. When traveling, particularly hiking and camping, be sure to remove any trash that you bring in.

Oman has one of the world’s most rigorously green governments, and a fascinating array of animals thrive in the protected areas. Sanctuaries have been set aside for rare Arabian Oryx, Giant sea Turtles (which come to Oman to breed), The Arabian Tahr (a wild Goat which nearly became extinct but now is flourishing) Arabian Wolf and Leopard, Striped Hyena and the sooty Falcon. 

Dining Out

There are a wide variety of restaurants in Oman offering all types of cuisine including Arabic, Indian, Oriental, European and American dishes. Traditional Omani meals are often eaten with hands, using right hand especially if food is served in a communal plate.

Tipping

Hotels & Restaurants usually apply a 15% service charge to the bill; however it is customary to tip for attentive service.

Airports

• Seeb International Airport, 40 Km from Muscat City Center.

• Salalah Airport

Visas

  * Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian nationals may obtain visit visas following the same procedures approved for the nationals set out in list No. (1) provided that they are part of tourists groups arriving to the Sultanate through a local tourist agent or a hotel or as a family. In the case of groups the number of females must not exceed the number of males.
 
Visa List 2

Shopping

Oman is unquestionably a great place for shopping as it blends the new with the old. The snazziest shopping Malls stand alongside wonderfully quaint traditional Souks (markets)