Musandam Trip from Dubai Enchanting Guide

Starting your Musandam trip with a direct flight is usually the best choice. That’s always been my favorite because nothing’s worse than messing up the first days of your trip due to flight delays or missed connections. 

For our trip to Oman, we decided to fly to Dubai first for a one-night stopover. Then, we planned to travel by land into Oman through the Musandam Governorate, which is an Omani exclave. After enjoying a few days of leisure activities, we’d either take a local flight. Or a five-hour high-speed ferry to Muscat, the capital, to continue our Omani adventure.

Musandam Tour from Dubai Fun

Why choose the Musandam Peninsula? With a population of just over 30,000, Musandam tour has limited natural resources. Besides, it has historically been remote due to its geographical isolation from the rest of the Sultanate. 

Because of its key position in the Strait of Hormuz, this small area was separated from the United Arab Emirates. It was incorporated into the Sultanate, which had favorable relations with the British. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route, with about one-fifth of the world’s oil passing through it. Given Iran’s control of the opposite side of the strait, Oman’s geopolitical significance is increasingly vital from a Western perspective.

For tourists, Musandam’s arid, fjord-filled terrain stands out in the Middle East. Often dubbed the “Norway of Arabia,” Musandam boasts unspoiled natural splendor. These secluded villages have started drawing in international tourists. It is particularly those from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Western Europe.

Due to its closeness to Dubai, this area has become a favored retreat from the bustling city. Much like the rest of Oman, it offers a chance to savor peace and seclusion. The trip is making it the ideal destination for a getaway within your getaway.

GETTING THERE

I was genuinely enthusiastic about our Musandam trip, but discovering a regularly scheduled bus service from Dubai to the Musandam Peninsula proved to be an extremely challenging task. The sole practical choice is to either book a private taxi or join a pre-planned tour. After months of investigation and thoughtful deliberation, we decided to book a three-day, two-night excursion through Khasab Travel and Tours.

Enchanting Experience

Truthfully, this marked my first experience booking a packaged tour since my childhood. I reached out to them via email and completed a reservation form. It received a brief email response confirming that a driver would collect us at 8 a.m. in Dubai toursim on the appointed day. I must confess that I began to feel apprehensive about the pickup several days before the trip, despite receiving additional confirmation emails.

To my immense relief, the driver arrived punctually at the Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira Hotel as scheduled. We had been informed that we would be taken to a transfer point to catch a bus to Oman. To our surprise, the driver took the two of us directly to our hotel in Musandam. The three-hour trip from Dubai led us through the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Ras al-Khaimah. Although the drive through the UAE might appear uneventful, our driver kindly provided occasional commentary about the different emirates along the way. 

Characteristics

It’s fascinating to observe how the political and economic characteristics of each place are reflected in their architectural and urban designs. Sharjah is a prosperous yet conservative Islamic emirate. Left a distinct impression with its densely packed and imposing housing complexes reminiscent of Hong Kong. 

As we ventured further into the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, the atmosphere became noticeably more laid-back. With open agricultural fields and charming seaside villas creating a serene and idyllic setting.

The landscape underwent a noticeable transformation as we neared the Omani border. Majestic mountain peaks began to rise from the previously flat desert terrain. There was an unmistakable sense of anticipation between us. To be candid, we were more than ready to bid farewell to the UAE; the artificiality of the country had started to wear on us. 

Conclusion: 

Even in such a brief visit. Before we realized it, we had reached the border checkpoint. For U.S. passport holders, there’s an AED 35 exit fee for leaving the UAE and OR20 visa fees for obtaining a 30-day tourist visa for Oman.

Both border crossings followed the same procedures, and thanks to our driver’s efficient assistance, we breezed through in just 15 minutes. There was a distinct sense of anticipation as we reached the passport entry stamp checkpoint with the Royal Oman Police. Under the watchful gaze of the Omani flag, our adventure continued northward along the picturesque coastal road toward Khasab.