Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
U.A.E / OMAN U.A.E / OMAN
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 45
U.A.E / OMAN
Hey all, I will be doing a 3 week self drive tour from Dubai into Oman in July with the intention of looping back to Dubai.Im just looking for info good routes which i could take primarily in Oman??Also info on petrol costs,security visas etc.I have sorted out my rental car and insurance for Oman.Is the border with Yemen stll closed to Foreign traffic??
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jan 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
Without wanting to state the obvious but...do you realise that this area is close to the hottest on the planet in July? High 40's with 80% plus humidity every day has even the locals departing the country in droves. The heat is VERY hard on vehicles. It melts the tyres and stresses cooling and AC systems. Seriously, if you can postpone it for a few months you'll have a much better time.

That said, if you are determined to go, petrol costs are low (about $1.50 a gallon), visas are easy to get at the UAE/Oman border (you might have to buy insurance - about US$30). Security is not an issue as it will be far too hot to camp. Hotels are expensive and often full so this might be an issue.

There are plenty of posts on where to go in Oman. A very good book is "the Oman Explorer" which is available everywhere in the Gulf and probably Amazon. I haven't driven into Yemen so I don't know but a search will turn up lots.

I would again recommend you delay your holiday for a few months - you have no idea how unpleasant this place is in summer.

cheers
Brett
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Feb 2006
pac pac is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: nyc, usa
Posts: 6
Brett, why are accomodations so hard to come by that time of the year?

Is it just a question of very limited supply of places to stay in these countries?

I would think the the heat would make most stay away during those months.

-thanks
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Feb 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
The problem is the speed of development. There is a general lack of capacity in the hotel sector. Couple this with a govt encouraged tourism and conference sector, and an endless stream of business and govt people trailing through looking for a piece of the pie, and accomm can be difficult to get. There is such a shortage of capacity that hotels are also full during summer.

At work, we are used to prices doubling overnight due to some conference in town, or to every hotel being full. This is a problem in UAE, Qatar, and Oman. Bit of a drag, but booking WELL ahead should secure a room at a regular price.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Feb 2006
pac pac is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: nyc, usa
Posts: 6
Brett, the hotel scenario in UAE sounds like a challenge for anyone on a budget regardless of time of year. Are you aware if Oman has the same issue?

In your experience, do hotels "lose" reservations because a conference is in town and they can raise the rates?

-thanks
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Feb 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
Hi Pac

Hotels are expensive and frequently fully-booked in Oman also.

In my experience, bookings are not cancelled to make way for higher-rate paying customers. However, conference events are known to the hotels a long way in advance and you might find rates are double even when you try to book six months in advance. (this mainly applies to the UAE rather than Oman)

(really) Crap hotels begin at about $US50 in UAE and Oman (assuming no clash with major events). There might be cheaper places around but I don't know of them.

If I were to do a budget ride to this part of the world I would come in the cooler months and camp out, with the occasional night in a hotel to scrape off the grime and wash the gear.

Oman is a fantastic place to visit, but coming in summer will be expensive and physically unpleasant.

Then again, lots of people like it tough. If you can handle the hardships, and summer is the only time you can go, then you gotta go - Oman is a must-see-before-you-die place I reckon.

cheers
Brett
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Feb 2006
pac pac is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: nyc, usa
Posts: 6
Brett, thanks for the background on hotels in UAE & Oman.

Outside of the typical guidebooks is there a good resource for hotels for either country? I haven't been able to find much in the way of specific hotels on this board from other members the way there is for other parts of the world.

I'd be interested to get your recommendations for travel destinations & rides in both countries.

I saw on another thread that your upcoming trip might take you by ferry back to Oman from Iran. Will you be heading straight back to Abu Dhabi or are you intending to spend time in Oman if time allows?

Anyone I have talked to about the place has raved about the beauty of Oman. Thanks for your feedback.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Feb 2006
jc's Avatar
jc jc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Mandurah, Western Australia
Posts: 231
Listen mate, UAE and Oman is verry interesting but let me tell you, summer is not the time to visit, unless you have been here in summer and know exactly how hot it realy is. I've been on a ride during August and by 10AM you cannot enjoy it anny more. It was 45 Deg and the bike ran hot (BMW) and we were wet in our sweat, and verry exhausted.

The only place worth visiting that time is Salalah, when tempratures are in the 20's and monsoon rain falls every day and scenery are green, July to September.

UAE tempratures are close to 50in the day and 'cool' down to 35 at night. you switch your warm water geaser of and use the 'cold' water as hot water.

It is up to you, just wanted to share that with you.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top