The Travel Channel Guide to OMAN
Presenter(s): Gareth Davis
Gareth Davis reports on the little known Sultanate of Oman and discovers a place where visitors can explore mountains, deserts and hidden coves, shop in a souk, dive with dolphins, go turtle watching after dark, and by day enjoy year round sunshine with plenty of five star amenities.
TOURIST BOARD INFORMATION
The Department of Tourism
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 550 Muscat 113
Tel: + 968 771 7085
Fax: + 968 771 4213
E-Mail: dgt@mocioman.gov.om
Ministry
of Information
PO Box 600
Muscat 113
Tel: + 968 24 603 222
Oman, UK Tourism Office
Tel: + 208 877 4524
Fax: + 208 874 4219
Websites WWW.DESTINATIONOMAN.COM
WWW.OMANTOURISM.GOV.OM
LOCAL TOUR COMPANIES
For
desert adventures: Wahiba Sands Adventure Tours & Holidays
Tel: + 968 24 485 663
E-Mail: info@holiday-in-oman.com
Website: www.holiday-in-oman.com
To visit turtles at night: Ras Al Hadd Tourism
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: + 968 24 486 601
E-mail: rasahadd@omantel.net.om
DESTINATIONS
Jabrin Fort Hours: Saturday through Thursday 9:00-
16:00
Friday 8:00 -11:00
Fee: Cost 500 baiza
For best results hire a guide in the local area
Muttrah Souq
Hours: 9:00- 13:00
16:00 - 21:00
Muttrah is the only souq open on Friday morning
Grand
Mosque
Hours: Saturday through Thursday 9:00-11:00
No visitors allowed Friday
Bait Al Zubair
Hours: Saturday through Thursday 9:30 - 13:00 & 16:00 - 19:00
Closed on Fridays
Fee: Adults - 1 OMR Children above 10 - 250 baizas Children
below 10 - 215 baizas
Tel: + 968 24 736 688 for more information
Fax: + 968 24 74 0913
E-Mail: bazubair@omantel.net.om
Ras
Al Hadd
The peak visiting months are July through August.
To visit the campsite, apply for a permit from the Ministry
of Regional Municipalities and Environment.
Tel: + 968 24 797 973 for more information
Fax; + 968 24 797 977
Email: oasistrs@omantel.net.om
Fee: Cost of permit 1 OMR per person
ACCOMMODATION
Al Bustan Palace
PO Box 1998 Muttrah Postal Code 114
Tel: + 968 24 799 666
Fax: + 968 24 799 600
E-mail: albustan@interconti.com
Website: www.intercontinental.com
Amenities:
250 rooms
4 restaurants, 1 bar
Tennis village
Squash courts
Water sports
Grand
Hyatt Muscat
PO Box 951
Postal Code 133
Muscat
Tel: + 968 24 641234
Fax: + 968 24 605 282
E-Mail: hyattmct@omantel.net.om
Website: www.muscat.grand.hyatt.com
Amenities:
280 rooms and 54 suites
Beach side location
Water sports Valet services
The
Chedi
PO Box 964
Postal Code 133 Al Khuwair, Muscat
Tel: + 968 24 524 400
Fax: + 968 24 493 485
E-mail: chedimuscat@ghmhotels.com
Website: www.ghmhotels.com/thechedimuscat/index.asp
Amenities:
169 rooms
Spa & Fitness centre
Tennis courts
Meeting facilities
Car rental
Al Raha Hotel
PO Box 832
117 Wadi Kabir
Tel: + 968 24 701 622
Fax: + 968 24 793 568
Golden Tulip Resort PO Box 434
Postal Code 811 Khasab
Tel: + 968 26 730 777
Fax: + 968 26 730 888
E-Mail: info@goldentulipkhasab.com
Website: www.goldentulipkhasab.com
Amenities:
60 guest rooms and suites
Large swimming pool for adults, small for children
Diving facilities
Tour desk where you can buy a mountain safari, or a dhow cruise
Fishing activities from the hotel premises
RESTAURANTS
Restaurants generally stay open until 22:00 or 23:00. Opening hours vary.
Kargeen Traditional Omani City
Plaza
Tel: + 968 24 694 048
Al Dehleez Asian Greater Muttrah
Tel: + 968 24 793 545
Fax: + 968 24 786 581
Al Qurum
Blue Marlin/Bander Al Rawda (International)
Tel. + 968 24 561 500
Fax: + 968 24 567 761
Automatic
Lebanese
Al Qurum
Tel: + 968 24 561 500
Fax: + 968 24 567 761
Blue Marlin/Bander Al Rawda
International
Marina Bander Al Rowdha
Tel: + 968 24 737 940
Fax: + 968 24 737 285
Oasis By The Sea
Continental
Shatti Al Qurum
Tel: + 968 24 602 757
Fax: + 968 24 602 699
ACTIVITIES
DIVING
Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre
Tel.: + 968 24 485 663
Fax: + 968 24 485 774
Ras Al Hadd Tourism
Tel: + 968 24 486 601
E-mail: rasahadd@omantel.net.om
Adventure Tours & Holidays
Tel: + 968 24 485 663
Diving Fee: Two dives with full equipment, including transport,
permit etc = 38OMR
Website: www.holiday-in-oman.com
WADI BASHING
Bahwan Tours
Tel: + 968 24 704 455
Tel: + 968 24 706 798
Email : yahya@bahwantravels.com
Adventure Tours & Holidays (listed above)
BOAT TRIPS
Ras Al Hadd Tourism (listed above)
Al Marsa Dhow Charters
Musandam Peninsula
E-mail: infor@musandamdiving.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VISAS
Visas are issued for two groups of nationals, National Group I and National Group II. Visitors from Egypt, Iran, India, Jordan, Albania, Morocco, Syria, Byelorussia, Bulgaria, Russian Federation, China, Poland, Rumania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine are in National Group II and should check where visas can be issued.
Single Entry for National
I
Visa is issued upon arrival - in all land, sea, and air entry
points - after completing visa application form. Visa is valid
for 1 month from date of entry. Visit Fee: OMR 6
Multiple Entry for National
I
Visa is issued upon arrival - in all land, sea, and air entry
points - after completing visa application. Visa is valid for
1 year from date of issue. Visa-holders can stay in the country
for three weeks each visit and can return to Oman anytime.
Visa Fee:OMR10
For more information go to: www.rop.gov.om/services_passport2.asp
TIME
GMT + 4 hours
CURRENCY
Rial OMR
CLIMATE
The best time to visit Oman is from October to April. The coolest months in Muscat are December and January. Daytime temperatures stay below 30 C. The hottest months are July and August with temperatures rising to 50 C.