Catch up on our Oman event

You joined us in your hundreds for our virtual Oman event which saw our expert speakers take the incredible country right to the top of our travel lists with their inspiration on Oman’s more wild side. If you missed the event or had to leave early, you can catch up on a full recording and all the highlights here…

Watch the full recording

Your questions answered: 

What is the best time of year to visit Oman?
The best time to visit Oman is between November and March, when the temperatures are a bit lower, making it ideal for outdoor adventure.

What would you recommend for a first time visitor in Oman?
To get the best out of Oman, Audley recommend a trip to take in as many of the different landscapes as possible. The charm of the country lies in visiting the coast, the desert and the mountains.  A typical trip would see you starting in Muscat, going along the coastal road to Sur or Ras Al Jinz, and then to the Wahiba Sands for a night in the dunes.  The final stop on your exploration would be Nizwa and the Hajar Mountains.  Here you can visit some of the forts and hillside villages, and you can also do some walking in the Jebel Akhdar or around Oman’s Grand Canyon at Wadi Nakheer. If possible, you should time your trip to be in Nizwa on a Friday, when the livestock market happens which gives a great insight into the Omani way of life. You can see all of Audley's recommended itineraries here. 

How long do you need in Oman?
You need an absolute minimum of 10 days to do the country justice. To get the best out of it you need to move around to see the many different landscapes such as the coasts, the desert and the mountains. If you want a bit more time at the end, you can always add on a few days to relax at the beaches of either Muscat or Salalah. Those who want to do more of a comprehensive trip will need at least 15 days.

How do you get around Oman? 
There isn't much in the way of public transport so the best thing to do is hire a car. You will need a four-wheel drive to get up in the mountains and in the desert. There is an option to have an Omani driver with you or you can self-drive.

Is it safe to travel as a solo female?
Yes. Oman is very a safe country for all visitors. Travelling between the different locations is usually done in a four wheel drive car, which you can do with an Omani driver, or on a self-drive basis.  Both options are completely safe but I would say it’s more sensible to take a driver so that you aren’t having to both drive and navigate!

When is the best time of year to see turtles hatching?
The best time is April - August. You can see them on the beaches around Muscat and also further south at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. 

How easy is Oman for independent travel and camping?
You can travel independently with a hire car, but we recommend using a local guide for the best experience as they have a wealth of knowledge. 

How easy is it to cycle in Oman?
Cycling is not very common in the Gulf region, but the Omani roads are excellent if you do want to do some cycle touring.  Be warned however that the gradients in the mountains are extremely steep so you’ll need to be fit and travel during the cooler months. Some hotels in the Hajar Mountains also have mountain bikes to use in the area. Cyclists are not often seen in Muscat, apart from during the Tour of Oman, which happens in February most years, and appears to be encouraging more of an interest in cycling in Oman as a whole.

Are the hiking trails marked in Oman?
The trails are often marked in Oman, with white, red and yellow marks. A guide is not strictly necessary for all walks, but sometimes nice to have as they can give you a bit more of an insight into Oman and the area you're visiting.

Is it possible to visit Masirah Island?
It is definitely possible to visit Masirah Island and Audley can help to organise a trip for you. There is only one hotel there, so for the moment it remains quite undeveloped with very long, deserted beaches.

Can you tell us about frankincense in Oman? 
The frankincense trees can be seen in Salalah. The spice is very important in Oman and can often be smelt wafting from souk stalls, hotels or courtyards. A good place to learn of its history is at Salalah’s Museum of Frankincense Land. Be sure to go to the Al Husn Souk where you can buy all kinds of frankincense, including really rare varieties.

What was the name of the book recommended by Phoebe? 
The book is called Arabian Leopards of Oman by Andrew Spalton. 

What do our experts recommend? 

Rob: Walking Oman’s Grand Canyon is truly spectacular. The terraces built in the canyon where the roses grow for the rosewater are beautiful.

Sarah: Walk through the villages in the Jebel Al Akhdar. It's a great way to just bump into local people and take the opportunity to meet them, talk to them and scratch beneath the surface of Oman.

Phoebe: You cannot miss the Well of Birds. I’ve never heard such a crescendo of birdsong.

Israa: My top tip is don’t stay long in Muscat. It’s worth going to see what is beyond Muscat.

What did you have to say? 

Fabulous presentations by all. Very keen to visit. Have only transited the airport on the way to Kerala, India. Hope to visit.

Fantastic Presentations. Thank you all.

Israa, very interesting and well presented.

Thanks so much for such all the interesting presentations.

I never thought of Oman as an adventure holiday destination. Thank you all for your presentations and informing us of what Oman can really offer us as tourists.

Really interesting and enjoyable presentation. Thanks very much.

Very interesting presentations  and Oman is definitely now on my list.Thanks Lyn and everyone.

Thank you to all the presenters: wonderfully informative, beautiful images and so enjoyable.

As ever, intoxicatingly and captivatingly fab!

Many thanks everyone. Great presentations and introduction to a wonderful country.

Thank you so much. A wonderful presentation once again.

Thanks all, fascinating and tempting, can't wait to see a leopard!

Excellent presentation ... thanks to everyone!

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This event was brought to you by Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.