Staycations are more and more popular now. A staycation is where you actually choose to spend your holiday time closer to home.

Nowhere is a staycation more suitable than the Arabian Peninsula and particularly the Musandam area. We spend tens and thousand of dirhams flying to South America in search of something or braving the pesky Australian flies to find a big lump of rock in the middle of a desert when in reality you could just pack the Jeep with camping gear and head out into the some of the best wilderness areas in the world right at your doorstep

Dubai and the Middle East, especially over the winter, is perfect for adventures and a week is never going to be enough to cover everything in this region. There are so many adventure activities to take part in that you will be wondering why there are not more people here… Over the next couple of months we will look at the opportunities available in both Musandam, Northern Oman and further south in the Hajar Mountains near Muscat. We will even give you an example itinerary; a fun, adventure-packed seven days that will rival any adventure holiday that you have ever had.

Musandam

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Musandam, or the “Norway of Arabia” as it is called, is one of the great unspoilt destinations of the Middle East. This remote part of Oman is characterised by rugged, inhospitable mountains reaching up to 2000m. They drop steeply into the sea where the bays or khors are as clear as crystals with pristine blue ocean waters lapping these Middle Eastern coastal fjords. The dramatic landscape contrasts hugely with the surrounding desert regions of Musandam’s oil-rich neighbours such as the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain. Similarly, development here is well behind that of the fancy glittering cities of the modern Gulf, reflecting a refreshingly simple existence for the people who make this part of Oman their home. From Khasab’s impressive fort, the dolphins and spectacular marine life to the Bedouin trails, wild climbs and narrow roads carved into the mountains, there is a sense of how unique this remote part of Arabia really is and how steeped in the local history it is.

Musandam is a wild place where hidden khors are guarded by stark ridges, where dolphins play beside the dhows as they drift over busy reefs, where ospreys circle overhead, and where history is etched into every disputed channel and distant island. For anyone looking for adventure in a far off land or even close to home this is the place for you. The unique landscape of Musandam could have been made with adventure in mind. In the sea and in the mountains, world class activities come together in an amazing setting.

Musandam Adventure Safari

This is an example of a tour that could be done over seven days. Obviously it could take longer. It is suitable for anyone and no experience or particular skills are necessary. Some fitness might be helpful as it will allow you to experience a fantastic variety of adventure activities. It also exposes you to the very special culture and history of Oman and to relax in splendid surroundings.

Day One: Arrive in Khasab and explore the town and Old Fort. Khasab does have an airport with regular flights but most people will drive their own vehicles. If you are coming from Dubai, expect four hours and a border crossing with passport control. After the border the spectacular road hugs the coast passing deserted, golden sandy beaches and small villages before cresting the high headland at Al Harf and dropping down to Khasab. The few hotels here get fully booked at weekends and some have spectacular locations overlooking the bay. Alternatively take a right turn onto the trails and find a wonderful camping spot on the Al Harf Plateau. From here you can see the whole of the Musandam Peninsula and even Iran on a clear day. Khasab has all the basic amenities including a large supermarket so you can stock up here.

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Day Two: Because of the lack of development here and no artificial light sources you will see a huge sky full of stars and planets during the night. Today is a good day to explore further out into the peninsula by taking a traditional Arab dhow. Musandam’s fjords, known locally as khors are unique and special and packed full of wildlife. Khor Ash Shamm is only an hour from Khasab Port and here you can snorkel amongst the fantastic corals, kayak lazily around the dhow and wonder at the swooping birds around Telegraph Island. After a lunch of fresh fruit, hummus and flatbread aboard the dhow, the captain drops us at the foot of a rocky climb. 15 minutes later we have reached the lowest point in the peninsula and are staring out at the other side and a completely different body of water. To finish the day, we are dropped at a remote beach camp site where we will spend the night under those stars after enjoying a beach BBQ.

Day Three: At first light, the embers of the fire are raked over and the flames ignite again. Coffee and breakfast is taken in the early light with a million dollar view. Just behind the beach there is a trail that leads upwards for a couple of hours for a spectacular view over the landscape. It is the perfect hike before the planned rendezvous with the boatman and a return to Khasab and your vehicle.

Day Four: There is no time to spare and after stocking up on provisions and maybe a fresh juice or smoothie the next stop is the Mountain Road. This steep and winding 4X4 trail passes a fascinating variety of old villages and mountain huts before reaching the green oasis village of Al Sayah. Al Sayah has the dramatic backdrop of Jebel Harim, Musandam’s highest mountain complete with a military observation station on top. Continuing up the road to the Jebel Harim plateau, the altitude touches 1600m and the evenings are cooler. The views are stunning and camping is the best option to experience both sun setting and rising on the landscape below.

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There are several hikes and mountain bike trails from here — even one that takes you to the village at the top of the Stairway to Heaven. Peering down the steep cliff you can see the UAE at the bottom and wonder where the route goes.

Day Five: The day starts slowly as we wake amongst the mountains to perfect silence. The valleys and peaks appear as the sun rises and the next drive is equally spectacular to the once sea-locked coastal town of Lima. Only recently has the track been built through the mountains. A rugged car, confidence and belief are required to tackle this testing drive. Down on a good track from the Harim plateau and onwards to the Rowdah Bowl, passing the infamous checkpoint at Wadi Beih that blocks the transit of expats to Ras al Khaimah and even Dibba. After Rowdah, the new trail climbs before dropping suddenly through a steep valley and the flat bay of Lima. On route, stop at some of the pullouts for short hikes up to rocky summits close to the track for even wilder views. Lima is another oasis with a beautiful bay in which to swim and kayak. A mountain bike is a good option to get around the widespread village. Facilities are few but that is the appeal. A local restaurant serves biryani when it’s not prayer time. The beachfront curves around boarded by golden sands as the palm and mountains peek form behind. You will feel blessed as you set up your tent for the night whilst the tourists on the dhows pass by on the way back to Dibba and Dubai.

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Day Six: It is the penultimate day but we still have some exploring to do; a day in the mountains or a day at sea? A boat along the east coast is ideal, pausing to visit the white rocks and Sanaat Cave whilst looking out for the dolphins that frequent this coast. At times we jumped in and swam, clambered or climbed along the coast checking the rock pools and cliff jumps. All day, there are local fishing villages hidden from civilization from which boats power out of in search of the daily catch. We ended up at the back of a stunning khor on a wide sandy beach with probably the best view in the area. After exploring the village and taking tea we trekked along the beach, passing abandoned houses, a mosque and a graveyard until we are looking back at the village from a rocky headland. Here we enjoyed lunch before dipping in the waters and heading back to the boat for the ride back to Lima. It is difficult to imagine that we were just over the ridge in Khasab a few days ago when the adventure started.

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Day Seven: The final day and we have to head back slowly. It is time to return to Dubai. There is so much to do in Musandam that a second and third trip is necessary to fill in the gaps. Maybe a long weekend will help.

A hike for June

This hike takes you to the beautiful area overlooking Khasab, Musandam, Oman and the stunning headland towards the Peninsula. It’s a 20 minute scramble to get up the initial slope but from then on, its stunning walking near the coast and the old villages. You could combine this hike with your seven days in Musandam.

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Quick Checklist Route planning

Start Point 26°12’9.02″N56°15’20.67″E
Off road driving required No
Distance & Time from Mirdiff to Start 180km 150min + time to cross the UAE / Oman border
Navigation on hike Easy route finding with a limitless number of possibilities
Time required for hike 2 -3hours
Distance 4.1km
Elevation gain on hike 275m
High Point 149m
Grocery / water on hike No
Possible to encounter a vehicle on trail No
Suitable for all the family The start and end can be a little steep for very small children

 

If you would like to join a guided hike with OutdoorUAE please contact us.


 

Words By: Sean James & Andy McNae