AboutPeter Ochs Expertise I am a seasoned traveler and resident in the Middle East. I can answer most questions about the Eastern gulf: cultural, historical geographical, as well as travel logistics. I specialize in tours to Oman but can also handle other countries in the GCC ( UAE, Qatar, etc.) I don`t do Yemen, at least not yet.
Experience
Past/Present clients World Wildlife Fund
Shell Petroleum
Halliburton
Ericcson
US Embassy, Muscat
Oman Sheraton
Lufthansa
Swiss Air
Edu-tainment Travel Services
Expert: Peter Ochs Date: 8/26/2007 Subject: visiting oman
Question Hello,
I'd like to travel to oman for 3-4 weeks at the end of october/begin november.
A few questions before a book my flight:
* is it easy to travel on my own as a girl?
* can you get around easy enough without driving licence?
* is is safe to camp or stay in cheap accomodations?
* can i find things like hostels or budgethotels?
* is it easy to find several-day-tours over there or should i book these in advance?
* i don't want a complete booked travel, but some days in a small group would be nice. is this possible?
* are there places to avoid?
All kind of tips are welcome!
Hoping for an answer,
kind regards,
Lieve Vanherck
Answer is it easy to travel on my own as a girl?
Much easier than other Arab countries
* can you get around easy enough without driving licence?
In the capital area--yes
In the interior-you'll have to book through a tour operator
* is is safe to camp or stay in cheap accomodations?
Camping-very safe to camp in the mountains and beaches and desert
* can i find things like hostels or budgethotels?
There are some cheap hotels in the outlying towns, but nothing in the way of hostels.
* is it easy to find several-day-tours over there or should i book these in advance?
I will put you in touch with Desert Discovery. They can handle most of your needs specifically and have access to the facilities you need. Their office is in the capital area in Athaibah (on the way from the airport).
Contact: Reinhold Thaumuller
Tel. (968) 24 493232
Mobile: (968) 9932 8858
Fax. (968) 24 490144
Email: tours@omantel.net.om
Web: www.desert-discovery.com
* i don't want a complete booked travel, but some days in a small group would be nice. is this possible?
Yes
* are there places to avoid?
There are very few places that are off limits in Oman and the country is very safe--Nothing much in the way of crime.
There is nothing in way of terrorism and fanaticism, so you don't have to worry. (Unlike Yemen where local tribes have been known to kidnap tourists and use them as leverage to obtain government services.) I would advise you to travel in a group if you go to any place in the interior. The desert can be very unforgiving.
