OMAN TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY | The Pearl of Arabia đ´đ˛
Sculpted by the tirelessÂ
forces of wind, water and sun, Oman is a treasure trove of natural beauty. From coral reefs to mountains of sand,Â
narrow canyons to endless plains, this desert realm enchants every traveler. 5 weeks, 8000 km and innumerable adventures
– this is the Grand Omani Roadtrip. This travel documentary was produced in collaboration
with iDrive4x4Â and Al Maha Rent a Car. Our roadtrip through Oman started byÂ
picking up our vehicle at the airport. With the paperwork out of the way,
we were introduced to our four-wheeled companion. As we intended to explore all corners of the country, a reliable Land Cruiser was just what we needed. Before we could test the carâsÂ
off-road capabilities though, we had to navigate the morning traffic in Muscat. Omanâs capital is a bustling, modern city. Nonetheless, there are still traces of its history. By far the most splendid building inÂ
Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This house of worship is a delight in white. The interior of the buildingÂ
is just as astonishing. Our favorite sight of the CapitalÂ
Area lay 16 km offshore though. The Dimaniyat Islands are anÂ
archipelago of nine rocky outcrops surrounded by crystal clear waters. This nature reserve is free from human habitation
which allows both flora and fauna to flourish. But the real magic happens below the surface. As soon as we dipped our heads in theÂ
water, we came upon a plethora of life. Especially noteworthy were the corals thatÂ
grow abundantly on the rocky sea floor. These reefs do not only protectÂ
the beaches from erosion but also provide a habitat for countless species. Particularly interesting to watch wereÂ
the different species of parrotfish. These animals feed mainly on algae, but some subspecies alsoÂ
have a penchant for corals. Fascinatingly, once the coral fragmentsÂ
have passed through their guts, they will be excreted as sand. Whilst all the fish andÂ
coral were truly mesmerizing, our main reason for coming here was another. Green sea turtles can often be observed onÂ
the coral reefs that fringe the islands. For us, it was a dream come true
to watch these living fossils glide effortlessly through the water. Back on the mainland, we set offÂ
on our first offroad adventure. Embraced by the solitude of a wadi,
we soaked in the raw charm of the arid landscape. In Oman, as elsewhere around the Arab world,Â
the term wadi refers to a river valley. Most of these flood only after heavy downpours,
but some are fed by natural springs. Wadi Al Arbeieen, for example, isÂ
blessed with a steady flow of water. Continuing with our roadtrip, weÂ
followed the valley downstream. Because of its water crossingsÂ
and towering canyon walls, the trail was nothing short of spectacular. Back along the coast, weÂ
arrived at Bimmah Sinkhole. This water-filled depression was formed when dissolving limestone causedÂ
a collapse of the surface layer. With the afternoon quickly turning toÂ
evening, we decided to put up our tent. As we watched the shadows lengthen, the gentle lapping of theÂ
waves was immensely peaceful. Early the next morning, we boarded a small boat
that brought us across the mouth of Wadi Shab. Of all the river valleys in Oman,Â
this is one of the most exciting. A 2 km long hiking trail providesÂ
access to the many wonders of the gorge. However, it isnât the walkingÂ
that sets the wadi apart. Just another hiking trail in Oman This one leads through quite a lot of water so, we actually have to swim but, it is a lot of fun, even though it is a bit exhausting On our journey into the canyon,Â
we crossed several deep pools as well as some shallow sections. The further we swam, the more the walls closed in. Eventually, nothing but a small crack remained. All those with an insatiable thirst for adventure
can continue through this narrow gap. The reward for braving the darkÂ
passage is a hidden waterfall. Anyone with more courage than commonÂ
sense can venture even further. Compared to the popular Wadi Shab,
the nearby Wadi Tiwi is much less visited. The reason is its difficult accessibility, as it can only be reachedÂ
on a narrow mountain road. Setting out from the village of Mibam,Â
we walked down a series of stairs. What we then saw far exceeded our expectations. On one side, a raucous waterfallÂ
gushed down the rock face. On the other, a curtain ofÂ
droplets fell into a sunlit pool. Tantalized by the glistening water,Â
I couldnât resist climbing down. The view from below was simply outstanding. Accompanied by the sound of babbling water,
I made my way from one pool to another, all the while savouring the serene atmosphere. The biggest challenge,Â
indeed, was getting out again. Unlike the two previous gorges,Â
Wadi Fins was entirely dry. However, that did not take awayÂ
from its scenic appeal. Equally, the steeply rising JibÄlÂ
al-Ḥajar are distinctly arid. This mountain chain is theÂ
highest on the Arabian peninsula. Its name – which translates to Rocky Mountains –
perfectly captures the rugged character of the landscape. In the past, crossing theseÂ
mountains was a major challenge. Even today, the drive from the flatÂ
coastal plain is a thrilling adventure. Once we had made it to the top,Â
we were greeted by a plateau which is the birthplace of many wadis. After heavy rains, these river valleysÂ
are often ravaged by flash floods. But with no cloud in sight,Â
it was safe to continue. Well, at least the weather posed no threat. Our further route, on theÂ
other hand, was rather daring. The drive to the mountain bowl of Umq BirÂ
is certainly not for the faint of heart. Closely hugging a precipitous cliff,  the narrow trail winds its way
up and down a series of switchbacks. The main obstacle, however, was staying focused,
as the scenery was utterly spellbinding. At last, we arrived at the end of the trail. In front of us, majestic cliffsÂ
rose sharply into the sky. Even more captivating was theÂ
wadi at their feet though. Until just a few decades ago, locals used to practice subsistenceÂ
farming on terraced fields. Today, these abandoned plots are a vividÂ
reminder of a life fraught with hardship. Despite the seclusion, someÂ
people still live in the area. Most of the landscape, however,Â
is virtually untouched. At some point, we came uponÂ
multiple tower-like structures. Scientists have dated themÂ
back to around 5000 years ago. Surprisingly, those buildingsÂ
never served any military purpose, as they are in fact tombs. Due to their robust dome-shaped structure,Â
some of these so-called beehive tombs have withstood millennia ofÂ
wind, rain and even earthquakes. Fascinatingly, these burial chambersÂ
are not limited to a single location, but there are several sites around the country. Before we left the mountains, weÂ
also visited Wadi Bani Khalid. Omanâs most popular natural swimming pool is fed by various springs which provideÂ
a constant supply of fresh water. In the early hours of the morning, thisÂ
often lively place was peacefully quiet. The next part of our roadtripÂ
brought us back to the coast, which we then started to follow southwards. Along the way, we came upon quaint seaside towns, enjoyed the view of vast beaches
and looked out over a number of cliffs. We have just left behind the tarmac and we are now driving on sand because we are making our way into the Wahiba Sands Desert and the first rule when driving on sand,
is to lower the tire pressure because less air in the tire means a larger tire tread and that, in turn, means more grip on the sand because, if there is one thing we do not want to happen it is, getting stuck somewhere in the desert especially when the temperatures reach a scorching 40° Celsius Rimal Al Wahiba is a sprawlingÂ
sand desert that stretches 180 km in length and roughly 80 km in width. The biggest dunes can be found atÂ
its northern and southern edges. In contrast to that, large sections ofÂ
the inner desert are surprisingly flat. So far, there is no official roadÂ
through the desert, but over the years both bedouins and travelers haveÂ
left behind numerous trails. These tracks allow visitors toÂ
explore different parts of Wahiba – or to cross the entire desertÂ
from one side to the other. The traverse of Rimal AlÂ
Wahiba is not too difficult as many trails are well-trodden. But if you take only one wrong turn,  you might quickly find yourself
having to cross over a dune crest. Additionally, the elementsÂ
constantly reshape the land. Thriving as a relentlessÂ
sculptor, Aeolus, ruler of winds, ceaselessly moves grains ofÂ
sand from one place to another. The result is an ever-changingÂ
scenery of unfathomable wonder. At the same time, shifting sands cover old trails which means that picking theÂ
correct path is not always obvious. For that reason, anyone venturingÂ
here must carry a capable GPS. Saying all that, with good preparationÂ
and an appetite for adventure, crossing the Wahiba Sands willÂ
be a memorable experience. All those in the mood forÂ
sudden heart palpitations and intense perspirationÂ
can also hire a local guide. These know all the bestÂ
places to go truly off-road. Together with our guide Saeed, weÂ
took on some of the highest ridges. The pinnacle of excitement was when weÂ
drove up the crest of a massive dune. Although our adrenaline levelsÂ
were already perilously high, they rose even further uponÂ
realizing how weâd get back down. A further highlight awaitedÂ
us at the end of the day when we set up camp in the heart of the desert. Surrounded by an ocean of sand, we watched as the slowly setting sun tintedÂ
the landscape in orange hues. The next morning, we continued with our crossing. Soon after setting out, we came upon a mosque
that has been built in the middle of nowhere. Its number of worshippers must be rather low,
as we encountered less than ten cars in two days. Nonetheless, there is life in Wahiba. The most common sight is the Dromedary. These robust animals are perfectlyÂ
adapted to even the most arid climate. They can withstand temperatures of over 50° Celsius
and require very little water. Also known as Arabian camels or one-humped camels, dromedaries play a fundamentalÂ
role in Arab culture. For bedouins living traditional lives, they remain an importantÂ
source of meat, milk, and wool. Additionally, they are a status symbol, particularly when they belong toÂ
the rare breed of black camels. One of their most characteristicÂ
features is their single hump. This bodily protrusion serves as a fat reserve
for times when they find little food and water. Another adaptation to their environmentÂ
is their dietary flexibility. They will not shy away fromÂ
eating just about any vegetation, including dry and thorny desert plants. Seeing these animals thrive inÂ
even the most hostile landscape is a testament to their incredible resilience. Not far from the southern end of Wahiba,Â
we came upon a glittering expanse. Interestingly, these shimmering saltÂ
flats are not only pretty to look at. Salt is actively harvested here, as could be seen by the manyÂ
bags along the roadside. While driving on wet saltÂ
pans is a recipe for disaster, the main route across BarÂ
al-Hikman was perfectly safe. This 40 km long peninsula allows travellers to deeply immerse themselvesÂ
in a lunaresque landscape. While Bar al-Hickman is mostlyÂ
flat, the countryside further west is characterized by stunted trees and red rocks. Even more intriguing are the Sugar Dunes. This sea of pearly whiteÂ
sand radiates natural purity. Unlike in the Wahiba Sands,Â
there are no established trails. Additionally, the sand is notoriously soft. We did, however, spot the remnantsÂ
of some wind-blown tire tracks and decided to follow them as far as we could. While we soon realized thatÂ
we could go no further, a small herd of camels appeared in the distance. Demonstrating their superiorÂ
dune crossing abilities, it almost felt as if they were taunting us. But with large snowshoe-like feetÂ
that distribute their weight, they were at a considerable advantage. Having concluded our dune exploration,Â
we searched for a camp spot. Ironically, as soon as we had pitched the tent,
the wind started to pick up dramatically. Looking around us, the entire duneÂ
field suddenly seemed in motion. Camping in between sand dunes is undoubtedly one of the most romantic ways to spend a night but it can also be deeply uncomfortable especially on a windy day because the sand will creep into every single crevice be it ears, nose, mouth, eyes but of course also the entire tent and for that very reason we just abandoned our extremely beautiful campspot in between the dunes, and moved to a more open plain in the hopes of not waking up feeling like battered chickens Leaving the Sugar Dunes behind, we started our long drive toÂ
the southwestern corner of Oman. For the next 500 km, the landscape wasÂ
characterized by desolate nothingness. This only changed when we returned to the coast. This entire beach is covered in small sand mounds and, at first, we were quite confused as to what they might be we thought that maybe nesting turtles had come ashore
and dug a hole to lay their eggs but that doesn’t really make sense,
because turtles always lay their eggs above the high tide line so, there can only be one explanation for these which is that crabs have dug holes there is one coming out just now! dug deep burrows right here,
and left this entire beach covered in beautiful sand castles Come out now! You are proving my point! Heading a few kilometers inland,Â
we could scarcely believe our eyes. Ahead of us, steeply rising canyon wallsÂ
promised a welcome change of scenery. Little did we know that the subsequent trail
would be one of the most dramatic in Oman. At Wadi Shuwaymiyah, theÂ
elementâs steady craftsmanship has carved out a 25 km-long valley. In the process, layer upon layer ofÂ
earthâs history has been exposed. What differentiates this wadiÂ
from the surrounding countryside is the availability of water. Several springs are the lifeblood of a lush flora. The highlight, however, wasÂ
the drive through the canyon. Having reached the end of theÂ
trail, we decided to call it a day. Carrying on with our journey, theÂ
scenery did not disappoint either. In this part of the country, theÂ
ravages of time clearly left their mark. With unyielding tenacity, wind andÂ
water have chiseled monumental canyons. Elsewhere, these panoramas wouldÂ
be major tourist attractions, but here, far from any civilization,Â
we had them all to ourselves. The same applied to the magnificent coastal road. Flanked by cliffs on one side,Â
and the open sea on the other, we called this the âGreat Ocean Road of Omanâ. Thinking about Oman,
trees arenât necessarily the first thing that comes to mind so it is rather a surprise to come upon a veritable forest especially a forest of baobab trees Aside from Madagascar, Australia and Southern Africa these trees are also native to Yemen and Oman and with their massive tree trunks that can store huge amounts of water they are perfectly adapted to this arid climate which also allows them to weather even the longest draught But as a matter of fact, these trees have chosen
a good spot to put down their roots. The Dhofar Mountains in theÂ
southwest of the country rise up to 2100 meters. Even though the landscape wasÂ
dry at the time of our visit, only one month later,Â
everything would be green again. The reason for that imminentÂ
blossoming is al khareef. From June to September, thisÂ
monsoon blesses the Dhofar with constant, fine drizzle, breathing new life into the parched landscape. Aside from baobabs, the region is also famousÂ
for its Frankincense Trees. Visually, these plants arenât veryÂ
striking but their aromatic resin has brought wealth to Omanis for centuries. In addition to trees, the mountainsÂ
are home to many other sights. However, the high humidity soonÂ
had us escape to the inland. Our next objective was to drive toÂ
the most remote corner of the country. Hugging the borders to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, al Rub al Khali is the largestÂ
sand desert in the world. Also known as the Empty Quarter, this desert is no less thanÂ
1000 km long and 500 km wide. The only way to explore this region is with excellent preparation,
plenty of supplies and a reliable 4×4. In the past, this part of the ArabianÂ
Peninsula was almost impenetrable but today, gravel roads lead deep into the desert. One of these provides access toÂ
the countryâs highest sand dune. Needless to say, I could notÂ
resist the climb to its summit. This climb is utterly brutal it is just before 9 o’clock but the sun is already burning down
and we are getting close to 30° Celsius and the sand is extremely soft so, I can only walk 10-15 meters before having to stop for another breather Luckily, the spectacular viewsÂ
gave me frequent excuses to pause. The isolation of this place is simply magnificent After driving hundreds of kilometers to the most remote corner of the country and then, this truly arduous climb,
I am now sitting on my sandy throne on top of the highest sand dune of Oman and, in front of me, the beautiful desolation of the Empty Quarter opens up and I cannot imagine a more beautiful place to be Standing at 455 m, this mountainÂ
of sand towers above all others. Looking around me, I beheld a hyper-arid landscape
that is as hostile to life as it gets. Of course, our visit to the Empty QuarterÂ
was not limited to its highest dune. Following a series of gravel trails,Â
we ventured deep into the sandy realm. In the evening, we set up camp among the dunes,
mentally preparing for a daring expedition. Before you consider crossing the Empty Quarter, you need to be aware that you need to be extremely well prepared this means: ample sand driving experience a reliable vehicle carrying vast amounts of water. We are talking 80-100 liters here a lot of food, of course a detailed GPS route of the way your want to drive as well as an emergency beacon because this place is extremely remote
and pretty much as far away from help as it gets Up to this point, we had mainlyÂ
stayed on established tracks. But to cross the Empty Quarter, we neededÂ
to leave this last vestige of civilization. Al Rub al Khali is not a continuous dune field. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The terrain is an interesting blend ofÂ
rising sands and flat gravel plains. At first, driving across theseÂ
plains was comparatively easy. Nevertheless, route finding remainedÂ
difficult as the tire tracks of previous travelers led inÂ
every conceivable direction. The biggest challenge was yet to come though. Having crossed as far throughÂ
the open plains as we could, we now were face-to-faceÂ
with our first dune crossing. The golden rule for making it safely across
is to have one person scout the path ahead. Embracing that strategy, we slowlyÂ
traversed one dune crest after another. But, no matter how you look at it, venturingÂ
into this desert is extremely risky. Traveling alone means that there is noÂ
one to help you when things go wrong. That was a lesson we learned all too soon. This comes as a real surprise now For the last couple of hours we’ve been cruising over every sand dune and managed every type of sand in the process bur now, just before we wanted to set up camp we drove over this little sand dune here and immediately got stuck so, apparently, this particular sand is much softer and now, at 40° Celsius, we actually do have to dig ourselves out Two hours of digging and several failedÂ
attempts later, we finally made it out. To our great relief, theÂ
remaining stretch was much easier, allowing us to leave the EmptyÂ
Quarter without further mishaps. With the sand dunes recedingÂ
in our rearview mirror, we traveled 600 km until reunitingÂ
with the Hajar Mountains. After days of driving, a quietÂ
morning with a hearty breakfast was just what we needed. At an elevation of around 2000 meters, the Sayq Plateau is known for itsÂ
year-round pleasant temperatures. Even at the height of summer,Â
it is somewhat bearable up here. Today, most mountain villages are modern. However, there are also relics of the past. All across the plateau,Â
abandoned dwellings provide a fascinating glimpse into Omanâs history. Some of the buildings are very dilapidated,Â
while others are in much better shape. Just below the plateau, the settlement of Wakan
is an eagleâs nest perched beneath a rock face. Similar to the villages further up,Â
Wakan enjoys a fairly mild climate. This allows the locals to grow walnuts, apricots,
and pomegranates on terraced orchards. The centrepiece of the agriculturalÂ
success is a Falaj system. This irrigation techniqueÂ
has been used for millenia. Fed by a spring, dam orÂ
underground aqueduct, a series of gently sloping channels transportsÂ
water to where it is most needed. These days, even the most remote villageÂ
is connected to the outside world. Journeys that would have taken a week in the past
can now be managed in a couple of hours. Nevertheless, many mountainÂ
roads remain challenging. The best example is the track to Yasib. This steep road is notorious forÂ
its hairpin bends and narrow lane. Evoking a sense of apprehensive awe, parts of the journey leadÂ
below a mighty rock face. Rising hundreds of meters onÂ
one side and dropping down in equal measure on the other,Â
there is no room for mistakes. Although our main reason to drive upÂ
here was the simple joy of doing it, we were just as delighted by the phenomenal views. To cross over to the southernÂ
side of the mountains, we followed the gravel road through Wadi Bani Awf. This river valley not onlyÂ
entices with an exciting drive, but also offers access to Bilad Sayt. Due to its remote locationÂ
and its well-tended fields, the village has developed intoÂ
a popular tourist attraction. Much less visited are the ruins of Tanuf. This settlement was inhabitedÂ
until the late 1950s. However, when the violent internalÂ
struggle between the Sultanate of Muscat and the Imamate of Oman reached itsÂ
peak, the village was destroyed. Its ruins are a vividÂ
reminder of the rapid changes Oman has undergone in merely half a century. Just behind the village, we cameÂ
upon a herd of funny-looking goats. Similar to camels, these animalsÂ
show remarkable resilience. Sticking to a narrow gravel path,Â
we headed deep into Wadi Tanuf. Soaking in the jaw-dropping scenery, we could scarcely imagineÂ
a more impressive canyon. That is, until we entered Wadi Nakhr. Throughout the ages, a river has carved aÂ
deep gorge into the heart of the mountains. Massive cliffs rise up hundredsÂ
of metres from the valley floor. The sheer scale of thisÂ
landscape is hard to grasp. It comes as no surprise thenÂ
that this wadi has been nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Oman. At some point, the trail through the valley ended,
but the adventure was far from over. Heading up the dry riverbed, I embarkedÂ
on a somewhat challenging hike. But the hidden gem at the end of theÂ
track was more than worth the scrambling. Nestled in a secret cave, this sparkling pool offered theÂ
perfect opportunity to cool down. 1000 metres above, the panoramaÂ
was equally magnificent. In the distance, we could evenÂ
make out the summit of Jebel Shams, Omanâs highest mountain. Even better, our camp onÂ
the canyon rim provided us with an unobstructed view of the landscape. Aside from some cheeky goats, weÂ
had the entire place to ourselves. One of the most popular activitiesÂ
in the area is the Balcony Walk. Other than its canyon views, the trailÂ
provides access to an abandoned village. In the past, the settlement of AlÂ
Sab was home to around 15 families. Their houses were built below a rock overhang,
providing ample protection from the elements. Bidding farewell to theÂ
highest part of the country, we took a scenic gravel road to the west. Along its winding route, the trailÂ
mirrored the course of Wadi Damm. At first glance, this riverÂ
valley seemed completely dry. But, with just a little bit of effort,Â
we discovered many enchanting rock pools. One of them was particularly lovely. Fed by the waters of a nearby spring, thisÂ
pool was blessed with lush plant growth. It is utterly incomprehensible to us,
how people can hike to such a beautiful place and then leave all their litter behind and sadly this is not just from tourists but we have seen plenty of locals
just carelessly throwing away trash and the only thing we can really do is,
pick up whatever we can carry to leave the place cleaner for the next person Sadly, careless littering isÂ
not limited to this place. Pretty much everywhere around Oman,Â
trash diminishes the natural beauty. Shockingly, it took us less thanÂ
ten minutes to collect several bags full of plastic bottles, food containersÂ
and every other type of garbage. The last leg of our journeyÂ
brought us to Musandam, an exclave of Oman that is surrounded by the United Arab Emirates. Having completed all border crossings,
Musandam welcomed us with its wonderful scenery. Historically, the areaâsÂ
main industry was fishing. In recent years, however, tourismÂ
has played an ever increasing role. The reasons to come here are manifold, ranging from exhilarating mountainÂ
drives to the hunt for marine fossils. Those with keen eyes mightÂ
also discover petroglyphs. The main tourist attraction isÂ
the jagged coastline, though. Of course, the best way toÂ
experience it is on a dhow cruise. These traditional sailing ships are anÂ
important symbol of Omanâs maritime history. Leaving the port behind, we followedÂ
the coast towards Elphinstone Inlet. Locally known as Khor ash Sham, thisÂ
inlet is surrounded by staggering cliffs. In some places, the rock facesÂ
plummet more than 1000 metres. If it werenât so incredibly hot, one could imagine that this landscape was sculptedÂ
by the frosty hand of glaciers. In fact, Musandamâs nickname âNorwayÂ
of Arabiaâ very much alludes to this. However, the similarityÂ
between the rugged seashore and the fjords of ScandinaviaÂ
has completely different reasons. Due to the movement of theÂ
Earthâs crust, Musandam, which lies at the tip of the Arabian Plate, is gradually pushed under the Eurasian Plate. So far, its mountains remain above water, but the valleys have notÂ
escaped the grip of the sea. Some sections of the inlet are fairly shallow
and therefore perfectly suited for snorkeling. But our favorite experience was the encounterÂ
with Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins. This particular species is easilyÂ
recognizable by a fatty hump on their back. Similar to other dolphins,Â
they are known to pursue boats, often performing remarkable acrobatics. Back on firm ground, we set out toÂ
explore the peninsulaâs mountains. Just like the coast, the interior of Musandam
is marked by soaring peaks and deep dales. Standing out from the rest of the sceneryÂ
is the mountain bowl of Al Rawdah. This large depression is encircledÂ
by seemingly impenetrable peaks. The contrast between its resilientÂ
flora and the inhospitable barrenness of the mountain flanks was deeply captivating. The final stretch of our road trip inÂ
Musandam brought us to Wadi Khabb Shamsi. Following a freshly graded trail, we wereÂ
struck by the splendor of this dry river valley. Eventually, afternoon turned to evening. Neither rocks nor plants could escapeÂ
the gentle touch of the sunset. Arm in arm on a rock, we marvelledÂ
at the golden glow of the dying sun, reminiscing our incredible adventure. After 5 weeks, and driving almost 8000 km,
our roadtrip through Oman came to an end. From conquering precipitous dune crests toÂ
driving along dustopian (pun!) off-road trails, this journey was a bonfire of adrenaline. But beneath the panoply of theÂ
stars, we also found serenity. The desert arouses our primal urge toÂ
explore, to wander, to drift with the wind. In the open landscapes of its desolate vastness,
we can still hear the echo of our nomadic past. And so, it is only a matter of time until we will once again succumbÂ
to its bewitching whisper.
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Follow us on our roadtrip around Oman!
Sculpted by the tireless forces of wind, water, and sun, Oman is a treasure trove of natural beauty. From coral reefs to mountains of sand, narrow canyons to endless plains, this desert realm enchants every traveler. 5 weeks, 8000 km, and countless adventures – this is the Grand Omani Roadtrip.
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Key Stats:
Duration of trip: 31 days
Distance driven: 7645 km
Time of year: April-May (too damn hot!)
Total cost: Roughly 10237 Euro (Flight 1437 Euro, Car Rental 6015 Euro, Fuel 544 Euro; Accommodation 403 Euro; Visa 270 Euro, Tours 300 Euro; Other 143 Euro; Food & Drink ca. 1125 Euro)
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Thank you!
A big thank you goes to iDrive4x4 (Linda, Jeremy & Rob) and Al Maha Rent a Car (Gijo, Ibrahim, Pramod, Deepak & the entire team) for supporting us with our idea of creating an Oman Travel Documentary.
Real Talk:
Despite our attempt to keep our Oman Travel Documentary as authentic as possible, you are still watching a highlight reel. When editing, we naturally tend to choose the most exciting clips. You donât see the hours spent driving through less spectacular landscapes or our suffering because of the sweltering temperatures.
Full Disclosure:
This film was produced in collaboration with iDrive4x4 and Al Maha Rent A Car. These companies supported us by supplying a reliable 4×4 with camping equipment for the duration of our trip. All other costs were borne by us.
00:00 Intro
01:12 Muscat
02:19 Ad Dimaniyat Islands
05:10 Wadi Al Khabail
05:38 Wadi Al Arbeieen
07:01 Wadi Stab
09:03 Wadi Tiwi
10:44 JibÄl al-Ḥajar
12:10 Uma Bir
14:19 Beehive Tombs
15:20 Wadi Bani Khalid
16:12 Wahiba Sands
22:03 Dromedary
23:47 Bar al-Hikman
25:16 Sugar Dunes
28:04 Crab Burrows
29:03 WÄdÄŤ ĹĄ-Ĺ uwaimiyya
32:02 Drive to Salalah
33:00 Baobab Forest
33:26 Dhofar Mountains
34:50 Al Rub al-Khali
35:40 Ramlet Jedelah
38:22 Crossing the Empty Quarter
42:30 Sayq Plateau
43:47 Wakan
45:08 Drive to Yasib
46:06 Wadi Bani Auf
46:37 Wadi Tanuf
47:56 Wadi Nakhr
49:46 Grand Canyon of Oman
50:33 Balcony Walk
51:14 Wadi Damm
53:09 Musandam
59:03 Outro
#Oman #traveldocumentary
25 Comments
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Gawd I hate the desert đđđľ
The garbage everywhere is part of their culture and should not be frowned upon.
Beautifully filmed
I cannot take seriously a shit ass country and religion where you have to wear a t shirt while swimming.
Wow what a beautiful place for adventure. Hiking & the desert đ
And you can explore my homeland as well Afghanistan đŚđŤ
ؚ٠ا٠اŮŮ Řب؊ ŮاŮŘłŮا٠â¤
Excellent narration , views and background music as always đ
money talks simply as that
nothing is free
Great video great job đđť â¤đ
I am watching from Uganda đşđŹ â¤
Brilliant as usual, thanks for cleaning after tourists and locals. Such nature surely deserves better.
What an amazing shot! Thanks!
Couple of daredevils you are ! wow driving alone through the desert with barely a track ! These countries are so beautiful and still unspoiled. Years ago I saw a documentary how people were growing fruit and veggies just like what you showed. It might even have been these ! Thank you so much for sharing !
Once again, you and Anna do not fail to deliver a magnificent film! Thank you very much! â¤
This is such an amazing quality travel documentary. Hats off to you two on this incredible journey and filmmaking.
36:06 black clothes is not for the deserts lucas!
Amazing! Wow! Thank you for showing us Oman. Beautiful country. Greetings from South Africa
Ů ŘŞŮ ŮŘšŮŮ ŮŮŘاŮظ ŘšŮŮ ŮظاŮŘŠ بŮŘŻŮا
30:31 the background music with the stunning landscapes gave me goosebumps
Thank you for another exciting and exceptionally well filmed and documented adventure. Truly amazing. Can't wait for your next trip.
Let's hear it for Land Cruiser, the hero of this video!
What is the reason for restricting access to your website for users with Iranian IP addresses?
Amazing đđđť
God, I love these trips.