Tuesday, March 21, 2017

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip

sightseeing Muscat and Oman's highest peak - Jebel Shams
March 17 to 18, 2017

“Those who have achieved their dreams didn’t do it sitting in a comfort zone. They challenged the status quo.” - Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry

My 51st solo backpacking trip, 30th in Asian continent (11th in the Western Asia and 4th in GCC Countries), 59 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip is the first country I visited on the new beginning of my expat life and to accomplish the highest summit hike of Oman. 

Interesting Facts about Oman: 
1. Crime In Oman Is “Extremely Rare”
2. Omanis Breed The Finest Arab Horses
3. Oman Has Only One Public University
4. Oman is also one of the oldest human-inhabited places on the planet.

timezone - +0400H UTC;   capital - Muscat;   language - Arabic

currency - Rial (OMR) 1 OMR = 2.6 USD = 10 AED
visa - GCC Expat Professionals are visa on arrival

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (ONTC Bus Station location in Dubai)

2 Days Solo Backpacking Trip in Sultanate of Oman (Dubai-Muscat daily bus schedule)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman (bus fare of 55 AED for one-way and 90 AED for roundtrip)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (visa on arrival stamp valid for 1 month)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Ruwi Bus Station in Muscat)

This another race against time, short backpacking researched in somehow detailed manner has a compressed itinerary designed as follows;

TWO DAYS SOLO BACKPACKING IN OMAN ITINERARY


March 16, 2017 Thursday
0730h ETD Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal 25aed
0930h ETA Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Dubai; bound to Oman National Transport Co. (ONTC)
1000h ETA Al Rigga Metro Stn; Dinner at Fiesta Pinoy 30aed
Buy bus tickets for Dubai-Ruwi roundtrip 90aed
1100h ETD ONTC Deira, Dubai (beside Ponderosa Steak House)
Total: 145 AED

March 17, 2017 Friday
0045h Hatta Border, UAE exit visa fee 35aed
0130h Al Wajajah Border, Oman visa on arrival fee 5omr
0600h ETA Ruwi Bus Terminal, Muscat
Buy ticket going to Bahla roundabout 2.20omr; Breakfast Burger + Tea 0.50omr
0800h ETD Ruwi Bus Terminal, Muscat
1100h ETA Bahla roundabout; taxi to Al Hajir 10omr; Hitchhike; 4x4 ride to jump-off 10omr
1230h trek start; gradual ascent on a rocky terrain; magnificent view on the Grand Canyon 
1845h summit; very cold with strong wind chill; not much view due to fog and almost dark surrounding
1900h start decent; very exhausted; lost a couple times but still managed to stay on the painted trail
Total: 27.7 OMR

March 18, 2017 Saturday
0100h back to jump-off; cleaning, nap in the resort (free)
0630h hitckhike back to main road
0745h Drop to Al-Hamra Village; taxi to Bahla roundabout 0.50omr
0830h ETD Bahla roundabout; bus to Ruwi 2.40omr
1130h ETA Ruwi Bus Terminal; KFC lunch 2.70omr; taxi to Grand Mosque 7.0omr; Refreshments 0.70omr
1500h ETD Ruwi Bus Terminal, Muscat, Oman
1830h ETA Al Wajajah, Oman Border
2000h ETA Hatta, UAE Border 
2300h ETA ONTC Deira, Dubai; Fiesta Pinoy Dinner 25aed; taxi to Al Ghubaiba 20aed
0000h ETD Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Dubai 25aed
0200h ETA Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal
Total: 13.30 OMR + 70 AED

TOTAL BUDGET : 625 AED (USD 170)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Burj As' Sahwah Roundabout)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (The National Museum)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Children's Museum)

2 Days Solo Backpacking in Winter Oman via Crossborder Bus Trip (Sohar Mosque)

UAE (Hatta) - OMAN (Al Wajajah) CROSSBORDER IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT

Bus Schedule: From Deira, Dubai at 2300H to Ruwi, Muscat at 0600H (March 16-17, 2017)
Hatta Border: arrived 2245H; easy going procedure, just pay the exit visa fee of 35 AED / 4 OMR.
Al Wajajah Border: arrived 2330H; alight bus first with all your belongings for bag inspection. Then, proceed to Immigration building for entry visa, availed visa-on-arrival (working as a Mohandes). Visa fee costs 5 OMR / 50 AED.

OMAN (Al Wajajah) - UAE (Hatta) CROSSBORDER IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT
Bus Schedule: From Ruwi, Muscat at 1500H to Deira, Dubai at 2300H (March 18, 2017)
Al Wajajah Border: arrived 1830H; easy going procedure
Hatta Border: arrived 2030H; proceed directly to Immigration building for entry visa, no payment, just bring passport. Then, Immigration Officer inspection on-board.

Self-guided Solo Winter Day-Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl)


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