We wanted to go on this road trip for a really, really long time. So when the Eid holidays finally arrived, we packed our bags and camping gear, and hit the road for an unforgettable Oman adventure!
Day 1: The Midnight Camp (21:00, April 8, 2024)
Hatta – Suhaila Lake
Our journey began later than planned, which meant we reached Hatta after dark. Let me tell you, finding Suhaila Lake in pitch darkness wasn’t easy! Neither Waze nor Google Maps was particularly helpful on those unlit roads. Mental note for next time: start earlier to arrive while the sun’s still up!
Despite the challenging arrival, we managed to find a decent camping spot (though it was pretty crowded with other holiday-makers). We quickly pitched our tent, got a campfire going, and devoured the biryani we’d picked up on the way. Perfect camping dinner!
Waking up the next morning was magical. The landscapes revealed by the daylight were absolutely stunning! We lazed around a bit after catching a glimpse of the sunrise, then freshened up and packed our gear. Time to head toward the Oman border and start the next leg of our adventure!
Day 2: Sohar Explorations (April 9, 2024)
Sohar Fort (12:45 PM)
The fort looked absolutely beautiful from the outside! Unfortunately, it was closed (probably because of the Eid holidays), but we still enjoyed admiring the architecture and chilling in the surroundings for a while before heading to our hotel.
Royal Garden Hotel – Sohar
After our fort visit, we checked into the Royal Garden Hotel to freshen up and rest a bit. This place was perfect for recharging our batteries!
Quick Hotel Review:
- Bed comfort: Very good
- Bed neatness: Very good
- Washroom cleanliness: Very good
- AC: Working very well
- WiFi: Very good
Click here to book the hotel- Royal Garden Hotel, Sohar.
Sohar Corniche and Beach (18:20 PM)
Refreshed after our hotel break, we headed out again. We initially planned to visit Sohar Souq, but it seemed unusually empty (maybe we went to the wrong place?), so we changed course and went to Sohar Corniche and beach instead.
This turned out to be an excellent decision! The beach was extremely peaceful and relaxing—exactly what we needed after our journey. We had brought portable chairs in our car, so we set them up and just sat by the water, enjoying the evening breeze and calming sounds of the waves. Pure bliss!
Safeer Mall, Sohar (19:37 PM)
As evening approached, we visited Safeer Mall for some snacks and to pick up dinner for later. On our way back to the hotel, we were treated to an unexpected delight—countless individual fireworks lighting up the night sky! It was exciting to see these colorful bursts of light spreading across the darkness, a perfect end to our first full day in Oman.
Day 3: Magnificent Muscat (April 10, 2024)
Royal Opera House (14:45 PM)
We woke up a bit later than planned (note to self: actually use the alarm next time!) and had our brunch on the road. Unfortunately, we missed visiting the Grand Mosque as it closes at 1 PM, so we had to admire its beauty from the outside. We did spot the iconic Clock Tower on our way, though!
Our first proper stop for the day was the Royal Opera House in Muscat. This place is absolutely huge and incredibly photogenic! The architecture is stunning, and we spent quite some time wandering around and taking pictures.
Oman Avenue Mall (16:05 PM)
Next, we dropped by Oman Avenue Mall to cool off from the afternoon heat. We wandered around, grabbed some snacks, and just enjoyed the air conditioning for a while. It’s a nice mall to spend some downtime in.
Mutthrah Fort (17:02 PM)
After the mall, we headed to Mutthrah. The area was extremely crowded due to the Eid holidays! I was hoping to go up to Mutthrah Fort, but we couldn’t find an official entrance or any staff members to ask. Rather than risk an unofficial route, we decided to enjoy the view from the bottom and move on.
Muttrah Souq (17:33 PM)
The famous Muttrah Souq was our next stop! Despite the crowds, the space was large enough to move around comfortably. This traditional market was a feast for the senses—colorful textiles, the scent of spices, shining ornaments, and the buzz of shoppers and sellers. I picked up a beautiful scarf and a small souvenir before we headed back out.
Muttrah Corniche (17:58 PM)
We then drove along the beautiful Muttrah Corniche. The views were absolutely gorgeous, with the blue waters on one side and the rocky mountains on the other. Unfortunately, being a holiday, parking spots were impossible to find. We ended up just driving around the corniche, which still offered amazing views!
Muscat Gate Museum (18:10 PM)
As we continued our drive, we passed by the Muscat Gate Museum. It appeared to be closed, but we still enjoyed viewing the impressive structure from outside.
Shri Shiv Mandir (18:22 PM)
Our final stop for the day was an old temple in Muscat. It took us some time to find it, tucked away from the main roads, but Waze and Google Maps eventually led us there. This temple is over 100 years old! There was such a peaceful atmosphere as soon as we arrived. The temple was well-maintained, and we spent a good amount of time there soaking in the tranquility before booking our hotel for the night.
Ramee Guestline Hotel, Qurum (19:20 PM)
For our night in Muscat, we stayed at the Ramee Guestline Hotel in Qurum. It was decent, but not as impressive as our previous accommodation.
Quick Hotel Review:
- Bed comfort: Average
- Bed neatness: Good
- Washroom cleanliness: Good
- AC: Good
- WiFi: Average
- Breakfast: Good
Click here to book the hotel- Ramee Guestline Hotel, Qurum
Day 4: Coastal Wonders (April 11, 2024)
Drive towards Bimmah (11:15 AM)
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we checked out and hit the road toward Bimmah. The drive along the coast was absolutely magical! The road winds along the shoreline with the deep blue sea on one side and rugged mountains on the other. We couldn’t stop saying “wow” at every turn!
Bimmah Sinkhole (11:46 AM)
The Bimmah Sinkhole was our first stop, and it definitely lived up to the hype! The turquoise water looked absolutely surreal against the rocky surroundings. We descended the stairs to get a closer look and spent some time enjoying the view. While we didn’t go for a swim, just being there was amazing.
Wadi Shab (14:43 PM)
Our next destination was the famous Wadi Shab! We arrived around 1 PM to find it predictably crowded, with vehicles parked everywhere. After grabbing some snacks from a nearby grocery store, we made our way to the boat that would take us to the start of the hiking trail.
There was quite a wait for the boat, but the anticipation made it worthwhile. The trek itself was incredible—walking alongside clear pools of turquoise water with mountains towering on both sides. We didn’t complete the entire trek, making it about halfway before turning back, but the experience was unforgettable!
Getting back was another adventure with a long line for the return boat and heavy traffic at the parking area, but these minor inconveniences couldn’t dampen our spirits after such an amazing experience.
Al Ayjah Plaza Hotel, Sur (18:04 PM)
We reached the coastal town of Sur by evening and checked into the Al Ayjah Plaza Hotel. The timing was perfect—we got to watch a beautiful sunset from the hotel! The warm orange glow reflecting off the water was breathtaking.
Quick Hotel Review:
- Bed comfort: Good
- Bed neatness: Good
- Washroom cleanliness: Good
- AC: Good
- WiFi: Bad
- Dinner (room service): Average
Click here to book the hotel- Al Ayjah Hotel, Sur
Al Ayjah Lighthouse (18:40 PM)
After settling in, we set out to explore the town. Our first stop was the Al Ayjah Lighthouse, which offered amazing panoramic views of the entire area, including the impressive Khor al Batah suspension bridge. Standing there with the evening breeze and the lights beginning to twinkle across the water was magical!
Khor al Batah Bridge (18:40 PM)
We finished our evening with a drive around the beautiful city at night, making sure to cross the stunning suspension bridge. The bridge looks particularly spectacular when lit up at night! With happy hearts and tired bodies, we finally called it a day and headed back to our hotel.
Day 5: Historical Treasures (April 12, 2024)
Dhow Factory and Museum, Sur (9:40 AM)
After enjoying breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we visited the Dhow Factory and Museum in Sur. For a history buff like me, this place was absolutely fascinating! The museum is well-maintained and filled with information about the traditional boat-building techniques that made Sur famous. We even got to climb aboard some of the displays and really immerse ourselves in the experience.
Drive towards Nizwa (13:23 PM)
After the museum, we began our journey toward Nizwa. It was quite a long drive, but the scenery made it worthwhile—winding roads through mountains, vast desert landscapes, and quaint villages along the way. The peaceful drive gave us time to reflect on all we’d seen so far.
Nizwa Grand Mall (14:25 PM)
Upon reaching Nizwa, we stopped at the Nizwa Grand Mall for lunch. It’s impressively spacious for a mall in a smaller city! We enjoyed a relaxing meal at the food court before continuing our explorations.
Nizwa Fort (16:18 PM)
Nizwa Fort was next on our itinerary, and what a magnificent place it is! The fort is not only beautiful but also incredibly informative about the history and culture of the region. We spent a good amount of time wandering through its many rooms and climbing to the top for panoramic views of Nizwa.
Nizwa Souq (17:27 PM)
Just a short walk from the fort is the bustling Nizwa Souq. It was particularly crowded that day, possibly because it was Friday. While we found some interesting items, they seemed a bit pricey, and by that point, fatigue was setting in. We might have found better deals with more exploration, but our energy was flagging after such a full day.
Jabreen Castle (19:07 PM)
On our way out of Nizwa, we passed by Jabreen Castle. Unfortunately, it appeared to be closed by the time we arrived, so we had to satisfy ourselves with admiring its impressive exterior from the outside.
Remal Ibri Hotel
Instead of staying in Nizwa as originally planned, we decided to push on to Ibri for the night. This is because we had to be in Dubai the next day. The Remal Ibri Hotel turned out to be an excellent choice, especially considering its affordable price! It was a comfortable end to our busiest day.
Quick Hotel Review:
- Bed comfort: Excellent
- Bed neatness: Excellent
- Washroom cleanliness: Very Good
- AC: Very Good
- WiFi: Very Good
Click here to book the hotel- Remal Ibri Hotel
Final Day: Homeward Bound (April 13, 2024)
Ibri Castle (10:16 AM)
After checking out of our hotel, we spent some time exploring the area around Ibri Castle. Like many attractions during our trip, it was closed, but we still enjoyed walking around the exterior and taking in the views.
Back to Dubai
We then head back to Dubai earlier than planned. But even with this slight change of plans, our Omani road trip was an incredible adventure filled with beautiful landscapes, historical sites, and unforgettable experiences!
Trip Highlights & Tips
Our Favorite Spots:
- The magical morning view at Suhaila Lake
- The peaceful evening at Sohar Corniche
- The breathtaking turquoise waters of Bimmah Sinkhole
- The adventure of Wadi Shab
- The panoramic views from Al Ayjah Lighthouse
- The historical immersion at Nizwa Fort
Travel Tips for Fellow Road-Trippers:
- Start your journey early, especially when heading to camping sites
- Check opening hours for attractions, particularly during holidays
- Bring portable chairs for impromptu beach stops
- Have all your documents ready for the border crossing
- Download offline maps for areas with poor connectivity
- Carry plenty of water, especially when visiting wadis and hiking trails