Oman with kids

I need to admit that I had some doubts about going to Oman until the last minute. Even if it was only me deciding on the destination, route, attractions, hotels etc, I was not sure if this is what we want. Fortunately Oman has exceeded our expectations in the best way possible! It was a real adventure and we are all very happy that we did it!

Some numbers for a start:
2 kids and 2 adults
4 flights
over 1800 km by car
3 trips with 4 wheel drive car
0 trains, 0 buses, 0 tuk-tuks 🙂
1 motorboat trip
1 camel ride
1 mosque
2 fortresses
4 wadis
1 turtle laying eggs and a few looking for their way to the ocean
a dozen of dolphins jumping around our boat in the sea
2 baptized goats (Chocolate and Oscar)
2 visits at Omani houses
Liters of fresh squeezed fruit juices drack
Kilograms of eaten rice, chicken and hummus
Long hours spent in a pool
2 crazy zip-line rides
Many challenges and lots of joy after having completed them

To make a TOP 5 list, we had to vote. Adam was excluded as he couldn’t decide if he liked dolphins, turtles or camels the most 🙂 But here it comes – our best Oman memories:

1. Wahiba Sands desert and everything we did there!
   We spent the night in Bedouin Rustic Camp, sleeping in huge tents with a shower under the sky. In the afternoon we had the chance to ride with a huge car on the dunes (dune bashing). It was super fun and kids loved it. Gabriela was calling „again, again” forcing our driver to drive up and down huge dunes. Everyone got the opportunity to drive themselves, even Adam! After driving, we were dropped off on the top of a dune, to stay and watch the sunset.
   In the evening, we were dressed up in traditional Bedouin clothes and taught how to dance a traditional dance. Even Adam got his own white dress which he loved. After dancing, we had a dinner and then, until the late hours, we were sitting by the fire and listening to the stories told by the owner of the camp. I have never seen so many starts in the sky… beautiful!
   Early in the morning, Tomasz got up and climbed up the dunes to watch the sunrise. The rest of us slept like babies. After the breakfast, we went to feed goats and camels. Kids decided to name some of baby goats and Tomasz was a pro milking a mommy goat. After animal’s breakfast, we went on a camel ride. We decided only on a short one and it was actually a good decision as I didn’t feel very comfortable and safe holding Adam all the time. But Gabriela was riding on her own and was very proud of herself. Before we left the camp, Tomasz took the kids to ride the sledge down the dunes! Yes, the same one that we use for snow. Could it be more fun?
   Our stay at the desert took less than 24 h, but it was a greatest adventure of our holidays!
   

2. Wadi Shab
I think that this is definitely the most beautiful wadi in Oman and a must for everyone who likes trekking. We have to admit, that it wasn’t an easy walk to reach the wadi’s biggest attraction, which is a lake with waterfall. We actually couldn’t go until the very end, as you need to swim and it was too far for the kids without arm puffs. But after 1 hour of trekking, we reached a small lake and had a swim in its crystal clear water. Gabriela was super brave and climbed on the rocks like a little goat. Adam has to be carried most of the way, as it was too dangerous for him to walk. That’s why we would not recommend Wadi Shab to families with kids that are too big to be carried, but to young to actually be able to meet the challenge of walking on sometimes slippery rocks, through the water and in the heat. We were all very tired, but also very happy that we did it. Kids need challenges!

3. Our stay in Millenium Resort Musannah
It was here we spent our last 4 days just relaxing by the pool and by the sea. Our first all-inclusive holiday with the kids – which we liked, but only for such a short time. The hotel itself was very nice, clean and the food was delicious (even though our kids didn’t agree on this one). There were 4 swimming pools, movie nights for kids and zip-line rides. We were quite lucky because during our stay, the hotel was pretty empty, it even happened that we were alone in a swimming pool! On our departure day, they were expecting a group of 100 people coming – that would change our feelings for sure.

4. Geotrack Muscat
It was our first hike that we did in Oman. If you don’t plan to go to the „real” mountains in Oman, but would like to get a feeling of them, this track is perfect. Starting close to Riam Park and finishes in Muttrah Souq. It took us 1 h 45 minutes to make it, but please remember that we were with two kids, so adults only can make it in 1 h for sure. It’s a good idea to do it early in the morning or like we did, in the afternoon, when the track is mostly in the shadow. Please just remember that sun is setting down at 17.30 during the fall, so better not start too late 🙂 First part of the track is climbing up the hill, partially on steps, partially on rocks. While climbing we are getting beautiful views over the Muscat shore and mountains. Once we climbed up, we need to go down which is much harder actually. You need to be very careful not to slide on the rocks. The second part of the track leads through a wadi. There are some small water pools, but not more than that. If you would hope that this part is easier because you don’t need to climb, you are wrong. It is still a huge challenge to stroll between the rocks, especially for small foot 🙂 Gabriela did great and prove us that she can do such things. Adam had to be carried most of the time, like in Wadi Shab, which he didn’t really like. He wanted to be a big boy and climb himself. We definitely recommend hiking there, but please remember, that smaller kids have to be carried as it is to step and too dangerous for them.

Dolphin watching
We actually got two attractions on 4th place. Watching dolphins in their natural environment was a wonderful experience and I think that at least Gabriela got a lesson from it and will not drag us to dolphinariums anymore. Adam was also super excited when he saw dolphins jumping around our boat. Beside watching dolphins our trip included also snorkelling in a beautiful scenery.

5. Goat market in Nizwa
This is one of Tomasz’s favourites as he was the one who got up early in the morning to get to the market and take part in the craziness. If you want to see how goats and cows are being sold in Oman, you need to be there at 7 am. Me and kids joined after the breakfast, but it was too late. Some goats were left, but no selling anymore. Market aka souq in Nizwa is one of the most famous in Oman. Goats and cows are being sold only on Friday mornings, but otherwise there is a lot of other things to watch and buy. There are few separate buildings (souqs) with different products: vegetables, meet & fish, antiques, furniture and even separate one for dates. You need to taste and buy dates once you are in Oman. It’s the best treat they have 🙂

If I would have to top up the list until 10, I would include following:

6. Jabal Shams
Highest mountains in Oman, with its famous canyon reminding of Great Canyon. We went there with a pre-booked guide as we didn’t rent a 4-wheel drive car ourselves, which you need to get to Jabal Shams. It was a great choice, as Abdulqadir was very nice and helpful. While he was driving, we could just focus on beautiful views. The main track in Jabal Shams is called Balcony Walk. We did only a part of it, as it takes 3-5 hours to make a round trip and we would not make it with Adam in a carrier. Again, Gabriela was great, and Adam wanted to go on his own and not being carried. Recommend to anyone who loves mountains!

7. Wadi Bani Khalid
It’s another beautiful place. An oasis in the middle of the mountains and desert. It is very easily accessible. No special car is needed and you reach water pools after just 10 min walk from the parking area. It’s a very popular place among local people to have pickings and family gatherings. There is a restaurant and toilets, as well as life guards for those who decide to swim and jump from high cliffs to the water. There is also a cave around 1 km from the pools, but we unfortunately didn’t reach it.

8. Nizwa Fort and Jibreen Castle
Oman is known not only from mountains and desert but also its amazing fortresses. We have decided to visit two of them (we actually planned to visit Nakhal Fort as well, but it was closed), both close to each other. I must admit that they are pretty similar to each other from architectural point of view. But inside the Nizwa Fort there is much more to see. In Jibreen Castle most of the rooms are empty with only carpets and pillows on the floors (kids loved it). In Nizwa Fort, there are more exhibitions with furniture, documents etc. Both definitely worth visiting!

9. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The biggest mosque in Oman and the only one that turists can visit. It used to have the biggest carpet and biggest chandelier in the world until a new mosque was open in Dubai. Theoretically, kids under the age of 10 are not allowed inside, but the guide have seen our kids and invited them to come in. Maybe it’s not the most kids-friendly attraction in Oman, but I don’t think you can miss it once you are in Muscat.

10. Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve
I’m myself surprised that Turtle Reserve landed on place no 10. But the reason is, that fall and winter is a low season for turtle watching. While in the summer months, you can meet hundreds of turtles laying eggs on the beach in one night, in the cooler season, you are lucky if you meet 1. We have met 1 big turtle and a few little ones trying to get to the sea. Adam was more excited than Gabriela, as she was mostly tired and it was not easy to see in the darkness. I think it would be a better idea to get up early in the morning and go for the sunset watching tour. But we went in the evening (around 9.30 pm) and were not able to get up at 4.30 am again 🙂 Anyway, it is a great experience to meet those majestic animals in their natural environment.

There were also some places that we visited, that didn’t steel our hearts, but maybe they will inspire someone else:
Wadi Mistal – the first wadi that we visited was a big disappointment. We have actually assumed, that there is water in every wadi (and if you look on Google Maps, you will see a huge lake there), but it was definitely not the case. The only thing worth visiting was Wakan Village up in the mountains with fantastic views over the valley. We got there with randomly met Oman guy who invited us home and offered to drive to the village (for a fee of course).
Wadi Tanuf – probably great off-road drive, but with our car we didn’t get far. Nice views though!
Al Hoota Cave – advertised as one of the main attractions in Oman, but not really worth a visit in our opinion. The cave is pretty beautiful, but the way you visit it, destroys the impression. You need to visit with the guide, who runs through the cave. There is almost no time to look around, no time to take pictures. It is extremely humid inside, and even if temperature is 10 degrees lower than outside, it is hard to bare being inside. Not much fun for as, just being careful on slippery steps and not admiring the cave.
Nakhal Hot Springs – if you are visiting Nakhal Fort or going to Wadi Mistal, you can stop by the Hot Springs, put your feet into the warm water and get a fish pedicure, but don’t make it a day’s top activity 🙂

To sum up, Oman is a great place for nature and adventure lovers! So many various landscapes: mountains, see, desert and oasis in wadis. Definitely a place to go for active holiday!