The perfect Oman itinerary | Best places to visit on a roadtrip in january
Filmed on : January 2025
Filmed in : Oman
Embarking on a 10-day road trip through Oman was an adventure we'll never forget. From the thrill of wild camping under the stars to the excitement of off-roading through rugged terrains, our journey was filled with laughter, close calls, and unforgettable family moments. In this blog post, we'll share the logistics of our trip, our itinerary, tips for planning your own adventure, and a breakdown of our budget. Whether you're dreaming of your own Omani adventure or simply curious about what it takes to explore this stunning country, we hope our experiences and insights inspire you.
Planning Your Oman Road Trip
Why Choose Oman?
Oman offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. From stunning desert landscapes to lush wadis and vibrant coastal towns, the country is a treasure trove of diverse experiences. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Oman has something special to offer. It can be the ideal introduction to the Middle East if you've never been in the region before.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Oman is during the cooler months, from October to April. During this period, the weather is pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and exploring historical sites. Summer months can be extremely hot, especially in the interior regions. We were there from January 3rd to January 13th 2025, we found the temperature really perfect, the baths in the wadis were always welcomed. We still needed the AC in the car for the afternoons.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Visiting Oman is straightforward for most travelers. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa online before traveling. It's essential to check the latest visa requirements and ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Additionally, having travel insurance is recommended for a hassle-free trip. For europeans travelers, we recommend Chapka that we've been using for our long-term travels since 2023.
In terms of flights, while there are direct fights from 110+ airports, you'll probably have a layover somewhere in the Arabic peninsula. Flights are very frequent with the UAE with prices starting at around 60usd from Sharjah. Consider breaking the journey and allowing some time for Dubai or another Emirate if your schedule allows, that's what we did to avoid the expensive flight fares. We took the bus from Sharjah to Muscat, that's an option as well (if you have time.)
Our 10-Day Itinerary
For this trip, considering the time we had and that we didn't want to craft too ambitious of a plan, we decided to stick to northern Oman and to not drive all the way to Salalah. In 10 days, it could be doable, but the road is very monotonous with not much around, so it's a big commitment. Figuring out a way to do a one-way trip, with giving the car back in the South and flying back to Muscat might be an option to consider.
Day 1: Muscat
Start your adventure in Oman's vibrant capital. Explore historic sites like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (although it's now a paid monument and quite expensive) and the Mutrah Souq. Enjoy the city's blend of modernity and tradition. Pick up your rental car.
Day 2: Al Hasha & Wild Camping in the valley
Al Hasha is an abandoned village that makes for a great stop and intriguing pictures. Right away, you're transported in the mountains and oasis of Oman. Continuing the road a bit further, we camped in the riverbed. Incredible stargazing opportunity, and awesome family-time testing out our newly acquired camping gear.
Day 3: Little Snake Canyon & Crossing the mountains
Explore the winding paths of Little Snake Canyon, offering stunning views and a sense of adventure as you navigate the terrain. First opportunity to swim or just picnic outside like the locals. Don't mind the occasional snake! From there, drive across the mountains and test your driving skills and your car on the steep and narrow rocky roads.
Day 4: Al Hamra, Bahla
Discover the ancient village of Al Hamra, known for its traditional mud-brick houses and rich history. Don't miss the Bait Al Safah museum: a glimpse into Oman's past. You might consider visiting the Bahla Fort, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, but as of 2025, the monument is really lacking tourist information.
Day 5-6: Nizwa, Birkat al Mawz & Al Sugra, Saiq
Explore Nizwa, known as the "Pearl of Islam." Visit the old town in the evening, shop at the lively souk for local crafts and spices. For an extra special experience, aim to be there on a Friday morning to witness the famous Goat market. Stop by Birkat al Mawz to see the ancient falaj irrigation system, then head to Al Sugra for a peaceful retreat in nature. We visited only as a day trip but staying in Sugra must be an incredible disconnection from the world. Access only by 4wd and then by a 10-min walk down and up.
Saiq is a great place to stop after Sugra, it offers an unbeatable view on the valley and green terraces of roses and other crops. Watch the sunset with a picnic.
One stop we hadn't anticipated is the visit of the Oman Across Ages museum, 25-min south of Nizwa. The building alone is worth the drive but the inside deserves equal praise. The history of Oman is masterfully displayed in this state of the art museum. Plan to spend 2h, and dress conservatively, a dress code is enforced. There is a cafe in the museum.
Day 7: Sugar Dunes
Head south towards the Sugar Dunes for a thrilling off-road adventure in the sand. Our best camping experience of the entire trip, spending the night between the Arabian Sea and the desert. Don't be too adventurous in the dunes if you're solo, you can get stuck very fast. That being said, it is a well known spot so you would find someone to help you (at least during the high season).
Day 8: Ras Al Hadd & Sur
This was a long day of driving along the coast for us, repositioning for our next adventure. Expect to eat great seafood and have a glimpse into another aspect of Oman, its coastal life, which used to be most important part of its economic activity.
Day 9: Wadi Mibam
Venture into Wadi Mibam for a scenic and challenging drive. You can decide to go with or without guide, they are objectively not needed to find the entrance of the Wadi. Bath in the pools or opt for a more active canyoning session down the river.
Day 10: Wadi Ashab & Yenkit Bay
Hike through the lush landscapes of Wadi Ashab, and get to the pools. The last one features a secret access to a hidden cave, it's exhilarating to get to and quite exhausting as you need to be swimming constantly without pause as you enter. The riverbed can be very slippery so many people opt to buy water shoes and other equipment from the entrance: we managed without. We were there at 7am, at the opening time and enjoyed the wadi with very little people for the first 2 hours. From 10am, expect crowds.
We continued the road to Yenkit Bay, offering breathtaking views overlooking the fjords. Finding a camping spot wasn't so straightforward as lots of land has been privatized recently and the apps still show outdated information.
Travel tips
Car Rental Tips
Book your vehicle early: Especilly in the high season, it can make or break your trip to secure the car you want for your Oman roadtrip, so make sure to anticipate. We used Economy Car Rental to book ours, and everything went smoothly.
Choose a 4WD Vehicle: Opting for a 4WD is essential for navigating Oman's diverse terrains. It offers safety, comfort, and the freedom to explore off-road. It's worth it to go over your budget for the car as you will spend so much time in it. Only choose a two wheel drive if you're sticking to the highways (the asphalt road are in great shape).
Air Conditioning: Ensure your rental car has air conditioning, as it's non-negotiable in Oman's climate.
Follow Speed Limits: Oman has numerous speed cameras, so adhere to speed limits to avoid fines. Although we were pretty careful we ended up receiving one ticket, forwarded by the rental company for 10omr, around 25usd.
Understand 4WD Modes: Familiarize yourself with the 4WD modes and be comfortable pushing the car to its limits, depending on your itinerary in different scenarios, going steep uphill, driving on sand, ...
Carry Sufficient Water: Always have enough water in the car, especially when venturing into remote areas.
Wild Camping Tips
Legality: Wild camping is legal everywhere in Oman, so take advantage of this freedom to camp in stunning locations.
Night Temperatures: Nights can be chilly, but with basic sleeping bags, you should be comfortable. We found cheap sleeping bags from Carrefour to be sufficient in January.
Camping Equipment: Major supermarkets offer affordable camping gear, so there's no need to bring equipment from home.
Food Options: Supermarkets have a great selection of pre-cooked food, perfect for quick meals on the go. However, food options can be limited in remote areas, so stock up on groceries when possible.
Budget breakdown
This budget is for 4 adults for 10 days, camping for 4 nights, and spending 6 nights in hotel or guesthouses, sharing a family room. We tried to keep costs at a minimum while still having a great time.
Transportation: 770$ / 710€. This includes the 4WD car rental for 9 days at 67$/day and 165$ of gas for 2000km (1242mi).
Accommodation: 485$ / 450€. That's 6 nights of hotels with an average of 80$/night for 4.
Restaurants and cafes: 350$ / 325€. We usually did one meal a day eating out.
Groceries: 270$ / 250€. That includes 65$ of camping equipment, the rest is food and drinks for breakfasts, snacks and a meal per day.
Visits: 140$ / 130€. Bait Al Safah, Bahla Fort, Oman Across Ages museum, Wadi Ashab
Sim card: 18$ / 16€. Data for 10 days, gotten quickly at the airport.
Total: 2030$ / 1880€ spent in the country, that is 51$ / 47€ per person per day.
Considering the incredible emotions we felt, the sense of total freedom and the unique landscapes we discovered, the budget is quite reasonable. Being 4 in one car helps keep the costs low and if you are ok with constantly camping and cooking your own food, you can bring the total even lower. What ended up being expensive for us was the time before and after in the UAE were the prices of accommodation and activities are considerably higher.
Some of our best memories
Struggling with our cheap stove the first night wild camping, looking for 20 minutes for the perfect rock that would fit the rod
Dressing up in traditional dishdasha and abaya in the Bait Al Safah museum in Al Hamra
Sunset with a view in Saiq, drinking tea, surrounded by locals doing the same
Driving in the Sugar Dunes and the peaceful evening camping there
Being the first ones in Wadi Ashab and having the canyon for ourselves
Camping the last night on the top of a hill overlooking the Yenkit Bay
Our Oman road trip was an incredible adventure filled with stunning landscapes, thrilling experiences, and warm hospitality. If you're seeking a safe and exciting destination, Oman is the perfect choice.
For more travel inspiration, check out our Oman video and our posts and saved highlights on Instagram. Start planning your Omani adventure today—you won't regret it!
