Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mobile Phones
Temporary local GSM connections can be made through the purchase of an
Omanmobile
(
www.omanmobile.om
)
Hayyak SIM card (OR3), which includes OR1 worth of call time. Al-
ternatively,
Nawras
(
www.nawras.com.om
)
and
Friendi Mobile
(
www.friendimobile.om
)
offer a similar
service. These cards can be purchased on arrival at the airport and from shopping centres
in Muscat.
TOURS
Tours in Oman are generally tailor-made for the customer in private vehicles with an
English-speaking driver-guide. This is great for your itinerary, but painful on the pocket
unless you can muster a group of three or four to share.
The following are average prices per vehicle for a full-day tour from Muscat. Picnic
lunch costs an extra OR5.
TOUR
COST (OR)
dhow cruise
25 (per person)
dolphin-watching
20 (per person)
Jebel Shams
130
Nakhal & Rustaq
90
Nizwa, Bahla & Jabrin
100
Sharqiya Sands
130
Wadi Shab & Wadi Tiwi
110
Tour companies abound in Muscat, Salalah and Khasab; they offer camel safaris, 4WD
touring, camping, city tours, caving, rock climbing, dhow rides, dolphin-watching and
combinations thereof. Some recommended agencies are as follows:
Alive Oman
( 97 300007; gordon@aliveoman.com)
Offers a personal service for adventure tourism
and specialises in sourcing Omani guides.
Bike & Hike Oman
( 24 400873;
www.bikeandhikeoman.com
)
Offers a number of spectacular cyc-
ling and hiking tours in the Hajar Mountains.
24 493232;
www.desert-discovery.com
)
For trips to the Sharqiya Sands.
Desert Discovery
(
Explore Oman
(
www.exploreoman.com
)
An experienced UK-based company.
Mark Tours
( 24 782727; www.marktoursoman.com)
A popular and experienced company that can
tailor-make study tours and adventure trips.
