Journey from Muscat to Salalah
I had a chance to visit Oman, as my company got a project in Al ghaftain which is situated in the Wilayat (similar to district) of Al Wusta region. The capital of Al wusta is Hayma. This project location is situated at 600km from Al seeb airport of Muscat (capital of oman) and 400 Km from Salalah. I had the option of either fly to muscat and take a rented car , drive all the way to Al ghaftain or take a flight to Salalah and drive back 400km. I tried both the option on different trips, and this blog is a combination of both the route.
The total distance of 1040Km drive from Muscat to Salalah can be broken up in to 9 segment.
Segment 1 - Muscat - Nizwa - 175 Km
Segment 2 - Nizwa - Adam - 56 Km
Segment 3 - Adam - Al ghabha - 119 Km
Segment 4 - Alghaba - Hayma - 199 km
Segment 5 - Hyma - Al ghaftain - 90 Km
Segment 6 - Al ghaftain - Muqshin - 65 Km
Segment 7 - Muqshin - Qatbit - 64 Km
Segment 8 - Qatbit - Thumrayat - 195 Km
Segment 9 - Thumrayat - Salalah - 77 Km
Arriving At Muscat
I took morning air arabia flight from Sharjah airport. The flight departs at 9.00 am and has a flying hour of 45 minutes to Muscat. On arrival, i collected the entry permit (As I am having a Dubai Residency visa). I had my breakfast from Mirchi restuarent in the airport which serves Idly, vada and dosa. After finishing my breakfast I went straight to Rent a Car counter. Even though there are plenty of car agencies ranging from AVIS, Europcar, Sixt, Value plus, etc are available, if you have not booked in advance getting a car of your choice will be very difficult. Finally after waiting and pleading for assistance, I got a chevy Aveo, at around 12 in the afternoon. The rates were little bit expensive compared to Dubai. The rates vary from 11 OR to 20 OR per day with 200 Km milage allowance
Muscat - Nizwa
I set my navigator to my destination in Gaftain. I stopped at a shell fuel station, to fill my tank. The road from Muscat to Nizwa (the old capital of Oman) pass through the hilly terrain. The distance is 175 km on the muscat salalah highway. The town of Nizwa is situated away from the main highway, but I stopped there for my lunch. Nizwa is a fort city, and has got a well net work of irrigation system named Falaj. The stream orginates from mountain, and flow underground for morethan 50Km to reach Nizwa . The Nizwa fort is one of the main attraction.
Further on the Nizwa-ibri highway after 25 Km from Nizwa is Al hutta Cave which is beleived to be formed from the collition of the sea bed, resulting in withdrawing of Sea from this area. The route to al hoota cave mander along the agricultural farm, mainly growing cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Further details of Alhoota cave can be found in their web address http://www.alhootacave.com. I had a confusion regarding the direction of Al hoota cave. The last signboard existed near Nizwa roundabout. Once you enter the Bahla road, you will not find any further sign board, and I totally losed the direction. However you need to travel further along this road for another 25 Km till you reach al Maha petrol station.
From here take a right turn, and follow the road, where you can see a signboard welcoming you to Al hoota Cave visible. This is not visible when you are travelling in the Main Ibri road.
Visiting the al hoota cave need prebooking which can be either be done through their website or from their office at Muscat. Dont think of picking ticket from the counter as they seldom sell ticket across the counter.
After completing the Cave visit, get the assistance of the counterstaff for free route map to Jabel shams. Further down towards Thanuf, you will find the sign board Al Hamrah and take a right turn and proceed further to Jabel shams. This is situated at an altitude of 3000m above sea level, and one of the highest point in Oman. The worlds second Canyon after the Grand canyon of US is situated here. The first 30kM of road is in a very good condition. However the last 10km is village mud road, and manuovering with a normal sedan is difficult especially rainy season. The view at the top of the Jabel shams is breath taking view, and chilled air always blows. The temperature varies from 20 deg during summer to 0 deg during winter. The place also receives occational snow fall also.
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Nizwa - Adam
So After finishing my Lunch from the Pizza hut situated in the Nizwa, I reentered the Muscat salalah road. From Nizwa, the road is single carriage way with dual lane. But traffic is very small. When you drive past nizwa, you will leave the mountains behind and it is the sigh to say bye to the Hajjar mountain range , and desert will accompany you for your further journey. The road traverse along the desert, and no sign of any form of vegitation. Adam town is situated at 56 Km from Nizwa.
As you are preparing to travel along the desert highway, ensure the following
Tanks are full
Airconditioning working properly
Check your tyrepressure and tyre condtion
If you are doubtful about the fuel level ,immediately fill your fuel from the nearest fuel station The fuel stations are located almost 200Km apart and does not have any modern convenient staion. While driving be careful when approaching near the heavy vehicle as some times your car will be sucked inside due to high pressure and wind. The next 500 Km drive is very dry with no special attaction except for sand dunes on both the side.
The next town after Nizwa is Adam, and stock what ever cold drinks or food you need as you cannot find any other outlet once you cross Adam. Adam is a municipality and you can find small restaurents, workshops, police station, etc. If you want to get some technical assistant for your car do it here in Adam.
Adam to Al ghaba
On your drive after Adam your next stopper could be possible only at Al ghaba. Ghaba is not a town, but famous for the wayside motel . The motel is managed by Safeer group of companies, and they charge you 10 OR for one night. There is a small restaurent to serve you food. Dont underestimate from the look of the building from outside, but inside it is well maintained restaurent, with 10 to 15 rooms with all aminities
I stopped here for taking a short break. If you are running short of fuel try to fill from the Al maha fuel station, as your next fuel station is situated in Hyma which is another 200 Km.
Al ghaba to Hayma
After the short break I continued my drive towards Hyma, and my car reached almost 140 Km per hour. The road was damaged in many places and construction work is going on to built new road. However during my second trip, the work was completed almost till Hyma. Distance from Alghaba to Hayma is 200Km
Finally by 6.00 in the evenig, I could able to glimse the sight of buildings and flashing neon lamps, indicating that I am approching Hayma. Hayna is a small town with all facilities like drinking water, Hospital, shops, houses, and this town is flourished due to the Petroleum Delvelopment of Oman. After Al ghabba next place where you can stay over night is in Hayma. Hayma has got a hotel named Hayma tourist hotel as well as one motel. I stopped at Hayma, and filled my car with all sort of food stuff, for my 2 days stay at Al ghaftain.
Hyma to Al Ghatain
Similar to Qitbit, Al ghaftain is not a town, but just because of the motel situated in the middle of the desert highway , this place is famous. Except for the motel and the fuel station, there is nothing else available in this area. No human inhabitation in the vicinity.
Al ghaftain is situated aaround 100Km from Hayma, and in middle of no man land. After the short break I started off again at 7.00 in the night and reached my destination at around 8.30 pm. I drove straight to Al ghaftain Motel and restaurent located at 5km from my project site on the salalah high way. After hayma the next hotel is situated at Al ghaftain. This hotel is managed by a company named GTC who operates regular bus services from Salalah to Muscat and Dubai.
The motel is situated in a isolated place but due to passenger buses and Trucks that fills diesel from the shell fuel pump make this area lively. I met the manager Kumar, who is with this hotel for more than 18 years. I checked inside the room and had a nice shower. I had my dinner from the restuarant attached with the motel. The tandoori roti is vey good and most popular among the travelers.
I stayed in Al ghaftain for one day, and set off to Salalah in the early morning as I found driving in the day time is very tedious, and tiresome.
Al ghaftain to Mugshin
Mugshin is going to become a flourishing town, thanks to Sulthan who build around 100 villas for the local omanis with all amenities. The construction is nearing completion and may be next time, this town will become one of the favourite stoppage for the travellers. I drove past this town, with out any stopover.
Muqshin - Qatbit
As I started off early in the morning, the next point where I could sip a hot cup of tea is at Qatbit. Again Qatbit is not a town, but due to the Motel and some mechanical workshop, this is a favourite place for the truck drivers, to attend any mechanical problem. There is a shell fuel station inside this motel. The motel is surrounded by lush green trees, and also house lot of birds. The music of singing bird, is very pleasent while you refresh tea from the restaurent.
Qatbit - Thumrayat
After finsihing my cup of tea, I set again towards Thumrayat one of the long streatch which covers 195 km. On your way you can see lots of agricultural farms on both sides, and this area exports lots of vegitables to Dubai and other places.
Thumrayat is a town, which houses the royal omani airforce. Keep all documents in handy as you will come across occational verification by Military police. On your right you can see spralling airforce base, with lot of fighter jets. There is a runway exclusive for airforce.
After Hayma, thumrayat is the next town, which got all facilities like banks, ATM, hotels, rest house, showrooms, etc.
Thumrayat to Salalah
From Thumrayat you can see the glimse of Dhofar mountain range. Salalah is situated on the other side of the Dhofar mountaion. Because of this mountain, Salalah receives monsoon showers similar to India. As a result of this monsoon season, Khareef crop is famous in the month of June july. The view of mountain as you climb the dhofar is very beautiful. Lush greenery on the both side. On reaching the hill top you can have a splendid view of the city of salalah. There are lots of rivers, dams, and good network of irrigation, makes this land fertaile. Salalah looks similar to Tamilnad town of pollachi. coconut trees and Plantain are the major crops. I sip tender coconut in dubai cut from this town. The town though bustle with activities, still lack the proper road. The beach front boast many resorts like hilton, . There is a bird santury, and this city hosts few malls like lulu. The local transport mainly depend on the omani taxis. There is an airport with flights connect to Muscat. Airindia express connects salalah with few towns in Kerala, once in a week. As I reached salalah at half past 11, I had pleanty of time to catch my flight back to Muscat. So I explored salalah, by visiting the beach, some agricultural farm. I had my lunch from Indian vegetarian Udupi hotel in Salalah. Then I spend few hours in Lulu Hyper market.
By 4 pm I reached salalah airport. I parked my car in the parking lot, which is free and waited for the rental agency guy to pick the car. As most of the rental agencies are manned by local omanis, they had a break time from 1 to 4pm in the afternoon. After returning my car, I waited for my boarding pass at the airport. As this airport is very small, the staff will come from their local offices, before the scheduled arrival of the flight. I enjoyed the ambiance of airport compared to dubai which is very crowded. The aircraft comes very close to the boarding gate, and you have to walk few meters to board the aircraft.
The journey time from salalah to muscat by flight is one and a half hour.Oman air flies 4 flights per day, and they are going to introduce a daily flight from dubai to salalah, from June 2011.
On my arrival at muscat, I checked with the local oman air office for connection flight to Dubai, unfortunately all the tickets were sold out. I was recommended to try with european carrers like swiss air, lufthansa or KLM, as they fly from Muscat via dubai. The seats get filled up only at Dubai. I got a ticket in Swiss air, flying Muscat-Dubai-Zuich. This was my first experience in an european carrer. The aircraft was almost empty. The flight departed from Muscat around 11.50 pm, and reached dubai by 12.45.After clearing the emigration formalities, I reached home back in sharjah at 2.00 am. Eventhought actual flying time is less than half hour, the formalities at the airport is lengthy which will deter your plan to fly.
The total distance of 1040Km drive from Muscat to Salalah can be broken up in to 9 segment.
Segment 1 - Muscat - Nizwa - 175 Km
Segment 2 - Nizwa - Adam - 56 Km
Segment 3 - Adam - Al ghabha - 119 Km
Segment 4 - Alghaba - Hayma - 199 km
Segment 5 - Hyma - Al ghaftain - 90 Km
Segment 6 - Al ghaftain - Muqshin - 65 Km
Segment 7 - Muqshin - Qatbit - 64 Km
Segment 8 - Qatbit - Thumrayat - 195 Km
Segment 9 - Thumrayat - Salalah - 77 Km
Arriving At Muscat
I took morning air arabia flight from Sharjah airport. The flight departs at 9.00 am and has a flying hour of 45 minutes to Muscat. On arrival, i collected the entry permit (As I am having a Dubai Residency visa). I had my breakfast from Mirchi restuarent in the airport which serves Idly, vada and dosa. After finishing my breakfast I went straight to Rent a Car counter. Even though there are plenty of car agencies ranging from AVIS, Europcar, Sixt, Value plus, etc are available, if you have not booked in advance getting a car of your choice will be very difficult. Finally after waiting and pleading for assistance, I got a chevy Aveo, at around 12 in the afternoon. The rates were little bit expensive compared to Dubai. The rates vary from 11 OR to 20 OR per day with 200 Km milage allowance
Muscat - Nizwa
I set my navigator to my destination in Gaftain. I stopped at a shell fuel station, to fill my tank. The road from Muscat to Nizwa (the old capital of Oman) pass through the hilly terrain. The distance is 175 km on the muscat salalah highway. The town of Nizwa is situated away from the main highway, but I stopped there for my lunch. Nizwa is a fort city, and has got a well net work of irrigation system named Falaj. The stream orginates from mountain, and flow underground for morethan 50Km to reach Nizwa . The Nizwa fort is one of the main attraction.
Further on the Nizwa-ibri highway after 25 Km from Nizwa is Al hutta Cave which is beleived to be formed from the collition of the sea bed, resulting in withdrawing of Sea from this area. The route to al hoota cave mander along the agricultural farm, mainly growing cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Further details of Alhoota cave can be found in their web address http://www.alhootacave.com. I had a confusion regarding the direction of Al hoota cave. The last signboard existed near Nizwa roundabout. Once you enter the Bahla road, you will not find any further sign board, and I totally losed the direction. However you need to travel further along this road for another 25 Km till you reach al Maha petrol station.
From here take a right turn, and follow the road, where you can see a signboard welcoming you to Al hoota Cave visible. This is not visible when you are travelling in the Main Ibri road.
Visiting the al hoota cave need prebooking which can be either be done through their website or from their office at Muscat. Dont think of picking ticket from the counter as they seldom sell ticket across the counter.
After completing the Cave visit, get the assistance of the counterstaff for free route map to Jabel shams. Further down towards Thanuf, you will find the sign board Al Hamrah and take a right turn and proceed further to Jabel shams. This is situated at an altitude of 3000m above sea level, and one of the highest point in Oman. The worlds second Canyon after the Grand canyon of US is situated here. The first 30kM of road is in a very good condition. However the last 10km is village mud road, and manuovering with a normal sedan is difficult especially rainy season. The view at the top of the Jabel shams is breath taking view, and chilled air always blows. The temperature varies from 20 deg during summer to 0 deg during winter. The place also receives occational snow fall also.
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616514634387106482"
Nizwa - Adam
So After finishing my Lunch from the Pizza hut situated in the Nizwa, I reentered the Muscat salalah road. From Nizwa, the road is single carriage way with dual lane. But traffic is very small. When you drive past nizwa, you will leave the mountains behind and it is the sigh to say bye to the Hajjar mountain range , and desert will accompany you for your further journey. The road traverse along the desert, and no sign of any form of vegitation. Adam town is situated at 56 Km from Nizwa.
As you are preparing to travel along the desert highway, ensure the following
Tanks are full
Airconditioning working properly
Check your tyrepressure and tyre condtion
If you are doubtful about the fuel level ,immediately fill your fuel from the nearest fuel station The fuel stations are located almost 200Km apart and does not have any modern convenient staion. While driving be careful when approaching near the heavy vehicle as some times your car will be sucked inside due to high pressure and wind. The next 500 Km drive is very dry with no special attaction except for sand dunes on both the side.
The next town after Nizwa is Adam, and stock what ever cold drinks or food you need as you cannot find any other outlet once you cross Adam. Adam is a municipality and you can find small restaurents, workshops, police station, etc. If you want to get some technical assistant for your car do it here in Adam.
Adam to Al ghaba
On your drive after Adam your next stopper could be possible only at Al ghaba. Ghaba is not a town, but famous for the wayside motel . The motel is managed by Safeer group of companies, and they charge you 10 OR for one night. There is a small restaurent to serve you food. Dont underestimate from the look of the building from outside, but inside it is well maintained restaurent, with 10 to 15 rooms with all aminities
I stopped here for taking a short break. If you are running short of fuel try to fill from the Al maha fuel station, as your next fuel station is situated in Hyma which is another 200 Km.
Al ghaba to Hayma
After the short break I continued my drive towards Hyma, and my car reached almost 140 Km per hour. The road was damaged in many places and construction work is going on to built new road. However during my second trip, the work was completed almost till Hyma. Distance from Alghaba to Hayma is 200Km
Finally by 6.00 in the evenig, I could able to glimse the sight of buildings and flashing neon lamps, indicating that I am approching Hayma. Hayna is a small town with all facilities like drinking water, Hospital, shops, houses, and this town is flourished due to the Petroleum Delvelopment of Oman. After Al ghabba next place where you can stay over night is in Hayma. Hayma has got a hotel named Hayma tourist hotel as well as one motel. I stopped at Hayma, and filled my car with all sort of food stuff, for my 2 days stay at Al ghaftain.
Hyma to Al Ghatain
Similar to Qitbit, Al ghaftain is not a town, but just because of the motel situated in the middle of the desert highway , this place is famous. Except for the motel and the fuel station, there is nothing else available in this area. No human inhabitation in the vicinity.
Al ghaftain is situated aaround 100Km from Hayma, and in middle of no man land. After the short break I started off again at 7.00 in the night and reached my destination at around 8.30 pm. I drove straight to Al ghaftain Motel and restaurent located at 5km from my project site on the salalah high way. After hayma the next hotel is situated at Al ghaftain. This hotel is managed by a company named GTC who operates regular bus services from Salalah to Muscat and Dubai.
The motel is situated in a isolated place but due to passenger buses and Trucks that fills diesel from the shell fuel pump make this area lively. I met the manager Kumar, who is with this hotel for more than 18 years. I checked inside the room and had a nice shower. I had my dinner from the restuarant attached with the motel. The tandoori roti is vey good and most popular among the travelers.
I stayed in Al ghaftain for one day, and set off to Salalah in the early morning as I found driving in the day time is very tedious, and tiresome.
Al ghaftain to Mugshin
Mugshin is going to become a flourishing town, thanks to Sulthan who build around 100 villas for the local omanis with all amenities. The construction is nearing completion and may be next time, this town will become one of the favourite stoppage for the travellers. I drove past this town, with out any stopover.
Muqshin - Qatbit
As I started off early in the morning, the next point where I could sip a hot cup of tea is at Qatbit. Again Qatbit is not a town, but due to the Motel and some mechanical workshop, this is a favourite place for the truck drivers, to attend any mechanical problem. There is a shell fuel station inside this motel. The motel is surrounded by lush green trees, and also house lot of birds. The music of singing bird, is very pleasent while you refresh tea from the restaurent.
Qatbit - Thumrayat
After finsihing my cup of tea, I set again towards Thumrayat one of the long streatch which covers 195 km. On your way you can see lots of agricultural farms on both sides, and this area exports lots of vegitables to Dubai and other places.
Thumrayat is a town, which houses the royal omani airforce. Keep all documents in handy as you will come across occational verification by Military police. On your right you can see spralling airforce base, with lot of fighter jets. There is a runway exclusive for airforce.
After Hayma, thumrayat is the next town, which got all facilities like banks, ATM, hotels, rest house, showrooms, etc.
Thumrayat to Salalah
From Thumrayat you can see the glimse of Dhofar mountain range. Salalah is situated on the other side of the Dhofar mountaion. Because of this mountain, Salalah receives monsoon showers similar to India. As a result of this monsoon season, Khareef crop is famous in the month of June july. The view of mountain as you climb the dhofar is very beautiful. Lush greenery on the both side. On reaching the hill top you can have a splendid view of the city of salalah. There are lots of rivers, dams, and good network of irrigation, makes this land fertaile. Salalah looks similar to Tamilnad town of pollachi. coconut trees and Plantain are the major crops. I sip tender coconut in dubai cut from this town. The town though bustle with activities, still lack the proper road. The beach front boast many resorts like hilton, . There is a bird santury, and this city hosts few malls like lulu. The local transport mainly depend on the omani taxis. There is an airport with flights connect to Muscat. Airindia express connects salalah with few towns in Kerala, once in a week. As I reached salalah at half past 11, I had pleanty of time to catch my flight back to Muscat. So I explored salalah, by visiting the beach, some agricultural farm. I had my lunch from Indian vegetarian Udupi hotel in Salalah. Then I spend few hours in Lulu Hyper market.
By 4 pm I reached salalah airport. I parked my car in the parking lot, which is free and waited for the rental agency guy to pick the car. As most of the rental agencies are manned by local omanis, they had a break time from 1 to 4pm in the afternoon. After returning my car, I waited for my boarding pass at the airport. As this airport is very small, the staff will come from their local offices, before the scheduled arrival of the flight. I enjoyed the ambiance of airport compared to dubai which is very crowded. The aircraft comes very close to the boarding gate, and you have to walk few meters to board the aircraft.
The journey time from salalah to muscat by flight is one and a half hour.Oman air flies 4 flights per day, and they are going to introduce a daily flight from dubai to salalah, from June 2011.
On my arrival at muscat, I checked with the local oman air office for connection flight to Dubai, unfortunately all the tickets were sold out. I was recommended to try with european carrers like swiss air, lufthansa or KLM, as they fly from Muscat via dubai. The seats get filled up only at Dubai. I got a ticket in Swiss air, flying Muscat-Dubai-Zuich. This was my first experience in an european carrer. The aircraft was almost empty. The flight departed from Muscat around 11.50 pm, and reached dubai by 12.45.After clearing the emigration formalities, I reached home back in sharjah at 2.00 am. Eventhought actual flying time is less than half hour, the formalities at the airport is lengthy which will deter your plan to fly.
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