Trans-Arabian Voyage

Greetings…I’m a Chinese-Malaysian planning to embark on a Trans-Arabian solo backpacking starts from Bahrain on Jan’11 which I will fully rely on public transportation such as buses, minibus, microbus, train, metro, dhow, etc. and am looking for the possibility for hitch hiking as well. Organized tour shall be considered only for those inaccessible and/or without public transportation area. I will skip Abu Dhabi as Liwa Oasis is more to Sheikh or the rich’s place even though the scenario en route might be rewarding. So, my first stop will be most probably Dubai (I’ve been to all the so-called tourist destination in Dubai such as those abandoned artificial islands, hollow luxury hotels and shopping malls, infinite bottles of inhabitant skyscrapers and found little interesting there). Anyway, I open for any better suggestion here. Dubai is my stop over point to travel to Musandam (Oman enclave in UAE) before heading to Muscat and Yemen.

1.      Understanding that I can actually use my UAE 1-month free visa to enter Musandam by land to waive the Oman VOA visa fee (OMR 20?), is it the same waiving method I can practice if I travel to Oman again (Sohar) from UAE (Fujairah)? Or I need to apply for separate/multiple visas?

-          I’m fairly sure that the visa waiver is between Dubai and Oman, rather than UAE and Oman. This means that it only works if you travel directly between Dubai and Oman, which is limited to the Hatta / Wajajah border post. It doesn’t apply if you cross in Musandam, or from Fujairah where you will have to pay the 20 OR (200 AED) visa price. Each entry needs a separate visa.

2.      Can I travel to UAE (Fujairah) via Dibba border crossing point? Or there is only one border crossing point which is Tibat?

-          No. Only the one crossing at Tibat is available to you.

3.      Rumors have it that one can take ferry ‘Shinaz’ from Musandam to Muscat and vice versa? Is this true?

-          Totally. I think it runs 3 times a week in each direction and costs around 50 OR. This would save you the second Oman visa fee.

4.      Is there any interesting place or activity to do in Musandam other than diving/snorkeling and dolphin watching?

-          Off-roading, hiking, climbing and camping.

5.      I heard that Jebel Hafeet is a magnificent lookout point for the Rub al-Khali. Is it possible and safe to walk or hitch hike to the lookout point/summit and camp overnight there?

-          No doubt you can see some sand and dunes from Jebel Hafeet, but certainly not the Empty Quarter. That is at least 40km away.

-          It’s a good view, but not that great. Walking to the summit would be a very long trek, but you can probably hitch. I'd say doubtful to be able to camp – it’s a fairly busy place, and I think you'd get moved on. Yes by saloon car - tarmac road all the way.

6.      I heard that the Muscat-Sur coastal road offer some picturesque scenery. Is the Muscat-Sur public bus using this coastal road or it still plies with inland route?

-          Yes, it's beautiful. I'm not sure which way the bus runs.

7.      Since Oman is too expensive to travel until there is no room for budget backpacking, I’m planning to bring my own tent and set up the camp there at most of the night but allowing a few days staying in ‘cheap’ hotel along my journey (2-3 weeks) ? Any advice on this?

-        Camping is possible outside the cities, but will be hard to find anywhere for privacy as you don’t have transport. You will definitely get hassled by kids camping close to any habitation - mostly through curiosity.

·         Just a thought - you do know you won’t be able to pick up a Yemen visa in Oman?Needs to be got in your home country. Have a good trip.

·         You will not be able to get the Yemeni visa while overseas without residency or using an expensive tour agency. Furthermore, hitchhiking here is not common. Never mind that the areas you will be travelling are at war and kidnappings are frequent. To further complicate matter, you are unlikely to get permission for overland travel west of al-Mukalla, through either Abyan, Shabwa or Ma'rib governates, meaning you will have to fly to either Aden or San'a.