I am thinking of going to Oman for about 5 days, keeping it nice and simple; Bike and tent and thats it!
Now i have had a few people telling me its a bit dodgy camping due to snakes and such, which to be honest that does'nt bother me. Can anyone give me some of there valuble advise and tell me a good route to ride, i would like to aim for salalah.

much appreciated

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

I've got some waypoints in Mapsource format (cheap guesthouses, points of interest etc.) if you'd like them, especially around the Dhofar area, Masirah Island and the Muscat to Sur coast.

If you take the main road south to Salalah watch out for one extra long gap between petrol stations. I think it's between Adam and Haima (around 320km).
Stephan

Thanks, that would be great if I could get those way points off you, I'm riding 650 dakar I believe that should have the range for that particular section? Do you know about the camping situation in Oman, whether there are any rules concerning this?

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Beddhist & Lars have just spent a couple of months in Oman and Yemen and I think they just put up their tents whenever they found a suitable spot. There are no specific regulations that I know of. Just be courteous and discreet.

When I went down in my car last October, I just set up a camp bed next to the car and slept under the stars (and above the snakes).

PM me an e-mail address and I’ll sort out the waypoints file.

Peter (Beddhist) left a valid Omani SIM card with me for fellow travelers. If you don’t have roaming and would like to borrow it for convenience and extra security you’re welcome to pass by Sharjah and pick it up.

Stephan

hey Dude, Im in Saudi and I'd recommend taking a lightweight camp bed if you can manage it. They are handy for chilling out on too. This time of year you don't need a tent in Saudi.. too hot.

It's snake and scorpion season now and they get attracted at night to the warmth. I don't think it is a big risk if you are camping a couple of nights but there are quite a few out there in the desert.

We usually sleep on the roof, in the back of a 4x4 with the seats down or on a camp bed. Nobody sleeps on the ground.

Only time I've ever been stung.. in the Caribbean in a 'normal' bed.. fekkin scorp climbed up a trailing sheet and stung me in the toe when I moved. It hurt.

regards

Rich

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'Peaches are better than Tanks'

You'll love Oman. People are friendly and hospitable. Country is breathtaking. Roads are good. Most of the more interesting and mystical history of the peninsula comes from Oman. Looks like Stephan has you squared away with routes (a long ride to Salalah is definitely worth it). Snakes aren't really a worry (always remember bities tend to bite moving, aggressive animals, not sleeping humans). I've never worried about snakes in Oz let alone in the middle east. Of course if you're sleeping in a tent then it isn't an issue at all. The biggest problem I found was nosy locals waking me up in the middle of the night for a chat or to check I was ok. Omanis in the countryside seem to like to get on the booze on the beach in the middle of the night (Lots of warning of approaching gendarmes I suppose, but I don't really know why. Oh yes I do, cos I like to get on the booze on the beach too.) so be very selective about where you camp when sleeping there (the crowds hit about one hour before dusk - about the time you are setting up). Try to be very discreet wherever you camp - if you can stay hidden you are less likely to have an interrupted sleep. be prepared to drink lots of tea. Have fun.

As Stephano said, we camped in Oman most of the times. No problem at all.

In western Oman, it can get difficult to get fuel off the main road, though.

Lars

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I didn't see any snakes or scorpions, but then, my eyes aren't that good any more... I keep the tent closed (flyscreen), so not even midges can get in. Shake out your boots before getting in or keep them inside.

The only issue I see is travelling to Salalah for only 5 days. For me it would be a shame to spend most of my time on long hot desert stretches. I found the mountains in the North interesting enough. If you have reasonable tyres you can get off the tar road. Lars even rode his overloaded GS into the Wahiba Sands. I wanted to ride up the coast there, but my chain wore out too fast...

Down in the desert places like Adamaren't towns at all, just oil rig supply bases. You may have to ask around for petrol, but it should be available. Somewhere I have waypoints for lonely gas stations. Will dig them out.

Don't miss Nizwa!

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

But he practiced in the UAE first...


Nizwa is strongly associated with magic and genies in the Arabian peninsula.
More prosaically, it has a famous old fort.


If you go along the Wahiba Sands, don't miss the sunken car photo opportunity: N20 59.371 E58 47.541

And the long trip down to Dhofar is definitely worth doing.
Stephan

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Hey guys,

Firstly peter & Sephano, am sorry I didn't get there the other weekend, was just too much to do in one day in Dubai. Never have enough time when I get over there!

Shiek, if you come over through Hatta you can always bunk at home in Sohar for a night. I have a spare bed and ! If you ride across the mountains then to Niza that will take 3 hours which is a great ride and I can point you in the right direction. I had 5 days off of work several weeks ago and planned to go to Salalah then as well but just didn't have enough time. Also I didn't want to spend hours on the bike in the mid day heat. It is close to 40 here now! Bit warmer with riding gear on too!

I ended up going to Nizwa, Sur, Ras Al Haad etc and having a good look around the mountains and Wadis here. You can camp anywhere you like there, nobody worries at all. They are great ppl when you get out of the towns. Don't know when your coming over but give me a call if you like, nine, five, 22, seven, three, six, 1, code is 968. If it's this weekend I will be able to join you for a bit of the way. By the way, I work about 3 km from the Hatta border at a mine here, drop in if your over at all. You can't miss it there is a enormous half built workshop on the right!

Oh, the snakes. Nearly forgot, Brett is right the only time you have a prob with them is if by accident or if you go looking for them. Take this from an aussie where we have heaps of em........haha.

Ok, maybe hear from you soon.

Cheers
Ivan

After seeing these images and accounts, I have to go!

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Okay, I'm actually leaving for Oman round about the 20th for however long (i have 2 weeks off). So if there is anyone in the area wants to come along, it'd be great!

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Sam
What time are you off next weekend? I could join you down to perhaps Nizwa or Muscat (depending on your route) on Friday & Saturday if it suits your plans.
Stephan

Well, nothing is set in stone, so I can do fri, and the route as yet is more of a destination, so if you know of one then I'm pretty cool with that.

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Hey Sam / Stephan

You will like Nizwa, it's much cooler there too, but you guys should be used to the heat? I tell you it's great to ride for 2 days down to Salalah through the desert and heat and then as you climb the mountain just before Salalah it begins to cool down, get foggy then rain. Amazing place I must say. A ride to the Yemen border is also a great ride climbing up and through the mountains.

There is a cave, just your side of Nizwa (sorry can't remember it's name) but the roads around there are quite good, there is also a road up over the mountain back towad the coast which is a hard but good ride. It's asphalt up to the top then the track narrows and and becomes gravel. I went through there 2 up on the 12GS and burnt my back rotor out! Faulty disc actually, was changed under warranty tho.

Anyways guys let us know how you go. I have to go back to work on Monday.....bugger!

Cheers
Ivan