Looking for ways to enjoy your Eid Al Fitr holidays in Oman without breaking the bank? The leading travel and tourism offices have some suggestions on how, where, and when to visit during the three-day holiday period.
According to Waheed al Balushi, Head of Ground Operations of Salam Air, there are numerous beautiful local destinations in Oman that offer unique experiences to keep you entertained throughout the holidays.
He recommends Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and Nizwa 'Harrat Al Aqr' as the main spots to visit. The renovation of old buildings in these areas has revived the charm of the old quarters. Harat Al Aqr has now become a major tourist attraction and is considered one of Oman's best-kept secrets.
Waheed also suggests visiting the Oman Across Ages Museum, which will only be closed on Eid day but will be open the following day. A visit to domestic destinations in Oman would not be complete without exploring this museum. Additionally, he mentions that many people will be going camping in Bidiyah due to the pleasant weather, making it an ideal outdoor camping destination.
Sunil D'souza, CEO of Travel Point, highlights that the mountains are a major unique selling point of Oman tourism. Exploring the rugged mountains and experiencing the wilderness of these magnificent natural formations would be an ideal activity during the holidays.
Sunil expressed his preference for an ideal travel itinerary, which includes visiting Al Jabal Al Akhdhar or Jabal Shams, exploring Nizwa, a city listed by Unesco, followed by a trip to Wakan village, Wadi Shab, and Majlis al Jinn hikes near Sur. Additionally, he mentioned that a visit to Salalah would be perfect, despite it not being the tourism season, in order to appreciate the landscape and enjoy surfing on the beaches.
However, there are still unexplored places that the majority of people have not yet visited. Ejaz Kazi, from Eazy Travel, suggests that those in the city can engage in a low-impact healthy activity by doing an early morning or late afternoon Muttrah-Riyam trek.
In addition to the trek, Ejaz listed some lesser-known attractions such as the Jarnan Cave and the Zukait beehive tombs in the Wilayat of Izki.
Kazi also mentioned several other activities that one can try without requiring extensive planning, including visiting Wadi Al Arbiyeen and doing a bit of trekking at Misfat Al Abriyeen mountain village, overnight camping in the mountains like Jabal Shams or Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, exploring the Snake Canyon in Wadi Bani Awf, and experiencing wild camping in Rimal Al Sharqiya.
According to Nishad from Caravan Tours and Travels, the top five destinations in high demand among local holidaymakers, as well as visitors from GCC and western countries, are Wakan Village, Al Alia Village, Wadi Shab, Wadi Al Arbiyeen, and Majlis Al Jinn, which is the world's second largest cave. Nishad strongly recommends visiting these places during the holidays.
However, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) emphasizes the importance of prioritizing safety during the holidays for a secure Eid. An ROP official stated that the use of mobile phones while driving is a major cause of accidents, and therefore, people should refrain from using phones while behind the wheel.
It is also important to take extra care to prevent domestic accidents, accidents while on vacation, and incidents of drowning.
