The history of the lands on which Oman is located goes back to 10 thousand years ago. Today, the population of the country, located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, is close to 5 million. Not only Omanis live in the country, but also people from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Of course, the fact that so many different people are together makes Oman as important as any other country in the world. If you have a plan to go to Oman, we want to help you when and how to do it. For this reason, there is information that will be useful for you in the continuation of our article. So let our Oman tour begin.
First of all, a visa is required for Turkish citizens who want to visit Oman. Although the tourist visa is valid for 6 months, visitors can only stay for 30 days.
So, how can we reach the exotic country of Oman? You can reach Muscat Airport in the capital city of the country from Istanbul Airport with a 5-hour direct flight. On the way back from Muscat, there are direct flights to both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Public buses, shuttles offered by hotels and taxis are among those that can be used to reach the center, which is 10 kilometers from Muscat Airport. Remember, if a taxi will be used, it is recommended to negotiate a price in advance. In addition, apart from Muscat Airport in the north of the country, there are 9-hour flights from Sabiha Gökçen to Salalah Airport, which is located on the Yemen border in the south, via Qatar.
In the country, which is in a strategic location, public buses are generally preferred for urban transportation. It is quite ideal with its bus networks, connections and long-distance services owned by the state. In addition, car rental is a popular option in Oman. Regular taxis, private taxis, and the ferry service that provides access to the islands are other transportation alternatives. The cost of orange and white taxis varies depending on whether you share the taxi or not, rather than price and distance. If you plan to rent a private car, it is recommended that you pay attention to animals such as camels and monkeys that you may encounter while driving in mountains, valleys and deserts.
The best times to visit Oman are between October and April, when thermometers show between 17 and 35 degrees Celsius. Since June, July and August are spent in the country with scorching heat, you may not be able to make a comfortable visit. It is very important to make the right timing so that you can enjoy the untouched nature environment such as hiking in the mountains, desert safaris and canyon camps, diving in coral reefs and driving in valleys.
The Muscat Festival, which lasts from the end of January to the end of February, where you will enjoy Omani music and traditional flavors, is an event where you can witness the local beauties. Starting in mid-July and lasting until the end of August, the Salalah Tourism Festival includes many activities where you will discover restaurants, cultural shows, music, plays, theaters, circuses and more. Held in mid-March to keep the camel race alive, one of the oldest Arab sports, the Sultan Camel Racing Cup is a favorite of tourists and locals alike. In addition, one of the biggest cultural celebrations in the country takes place on November 18, the day the former Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Said was born. During this period, the whole country is decorated, schools, public offices are closed for 3 days, all regions are prepared for parties, celebrations and performances. In order to experience the local atmosphere, we should mention that there is a date that can be preferred.
Apart from the traditional festival mentioned above, it is also useful to know about the special days in Oman. You can choose the time of your visit to the country according to these days. Here are the special days of Oman:
-Sultan Kabus' Birthday (November 18)
-Hz. Muhammad's Birthday (December 12)
- Awakening Day (23 July)
-New Year (1 January)
December can be another great alternative to discover the extraordinary experiences of the Arabian deserts and the lifestyle of the desert bedouins. Since the temperatures are not too high, visitors can get a taste of this incredibly hard life and experience different sports activities such as sandboarding, camel riding, and stargazing.
