Oman Desert Odyssey

Customer Reviews

• Musafir

  · November 2nd, 2018
  Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced a new online system for visitors to apply for Oman tourist visas online. The applicant must be outside the Sultanate of Oman at the time of application. Applicants who want to apply for Oman visa needs to fill online visa application form, upload required documents and pay oman visa fee online to process Oman visa. Everyone needs a visa to enter Oman officially the Sultanate of Oman unless they are citizens of one of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE). Citizens from countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and all EU countries are eligible to apply for an Oman online visa. The online visa application is quick and simple, requiring applicants to answer a series of basic questions. Additionally, all foreign nationals residing in GCC Countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait) regardless of their citizenship, are also eligible to apply for visa to Oman. I have received my Oman e visa from [external link removed in moderation]
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• Sherry

  · May 24th, 2013
  This was the first time this trip was run - so there were a few growing pains with the organization as well as what the detailed itinerary notes were as compared to what actually happened.  However - NONE of that overshadowed the superb hiking, views, good guides, and fun time!  The hiking was harder than I had originally expected, but we only hiked about 4 hrs (except one day where we did 8 hrs) a day so it was very manageable.  There was plenty of time to rest at the campsites!  The camping food was fresh but simple and the camping gear used was basic.  It was a real camping and hiking experience, not a luxury one.  This trip was a true hiking adventure! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to Bilad Sayt took a little work – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the unique places to see in Oman . It was literally off the beaten path as we had to get there by 4×4 and then by foot.  We hiked by jagged canyon walls jutting up from the pools of water and shading me from the sun. I wondered if it could get any more beautiful than this – and my answer to that question came as I rounded the corner out of the canyon and stepped out into the sunlight. This is when I saw my first glimpse of Bilad Sayt – a fairy tale like village typical of the old Omani communal settlements of the past.  What did you think of your group leader? Rob was really knowledgable about Oman and was very well trained in adventure hiking and travel.  He was personable and did a good job of keeping us all together when hiking even though we were all different speeds - not easy!  There were two days where he had to leave the group and leave his other two leaders in charge. They were lovely and did a good job - but I did think that it was slightly odd that the group leader left for 2 of the 9 days.  Overall - the 3 of them were really great, fun to be with, safe, and knowledgable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is not a luxury camping trip - this is roughing it.  The food is very simple, the tents are average, and you are without showers for 5 days.  However - if you love wide open spaces, unique landscapes, camping, and hiking - then you'll love it.  I would recommend proper hiking boots - even though I did all the hiking in trainers - but I would have preferred boots as some of the terraine was really rugged.  Be prepared for a decent amount of driving. Oman is a big country so we did hike a lot - but we also spent a lot of time in a car driving to the destinations.  The guides will provide you a lot of knowledge about the Omani history and culture but be aware that you don't really come in much contact with the culture or people because you are spending most of your time hiking remotely.  Bring a great camera - the views are spectacular!   Is there anything else you would like to add? One piece of advice - if at all possible - change the itinerary to view the Nizwa souq on a Friday during the cattle and goat market.  We missed this by a day and was really the highlight of the market from what I had read.  The souq was really fun regardless - but seeing the live auction would have made it even better!
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• Sherry

  · May 24th, 2013
  This was the first time this trip was run - so there were a few growing pains with the organization as well as what the detailed itinerary notes were as compared to what actually happened.  However - NONE of that overshadowed the superb hiking, views, good guides, and fun time!  The hiking was harder than I had originally expected, but we only hiked about 4 hrs (except one day where we did 8 hrs) a day so it was very manageable.  There was plenty of time to rest at the campsites!  The camping food was fresh but simple and the camping gear used was basic.  It was a real camping and hiking experience, not a luxury one.  This trip was a true hiking adventure! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to Bilad Sayt took a little work – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the unique places to see in Oman . It was literally off the beaten path as we had to get there by 4×4 and then by foot.  We hiked by jagged canyon walls jutting up from the pools of water and shading me from the sun. I wondered if it could get any more beautiful than this – and my answer to that question came as I rounded the corner out of the canyon and stepped out into the sunlight. This is when I saw my first glimpse of Bilad Sayt – a fairy tale like village typical of the old Omani communal settlements of the past.  What did you think of your group leader? Rob was really knowledgable about Oman and was very well trained in adventure hiking and travel.  He was personable and did a good job of keeping us all together when hiking even though we were all different speeds - not easy!  There were two days where he had to leave the group and leave his other two leaders in charge. They were lovely and did a good job - but I did think that it was slightly odd that the group leader left for 2 of the 9 days.  Overall - the 3 of them were really great, fun to be with, safe, and knowledgable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is not a luxury camping trip - this is roughing it.  The food is very simple, the tents are average, and you are without showers for 5 days.  However - if you love wide open spaces, unique landscapes, camping, and hiking - then you'll love it.  I would recommend proper hiking boots - even though I did all the hiking in trainers - but I would have preferred boots as some of the terraine was really rugged.  Be prepared for a decent amount of driving. Oman is a big country so we did hike a lot - but we also spent a lot of time in a car driving to the destinations.  The guides will provide you a lot of knowledge about the Omani history and culture but be aware that you don't really come in much contact with the culture or people because you are spending most of your time hiking remotely.  Bring a great camera - the views are spectacular!   Is there anything else you would like to add? One piece of advice - if at all possible - change the itinerary to view the Nizwa souq on a Friday during the cattle and goat market.  We missed this by a day and was really the highlight of the market from what I had read.  The souq was really fun regardless - but seeing the live auction would have made it even better!
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