Eeyore

When parentals are out at the end of the month, we're planning to drive up to Khasab, then down the other side of the Musandam to Dibba. Only thing is, the road situation seems a bit vague, and proper road maps of Musandam seem to be impossible to locate in Dubai.

There *seems* to be a major road that travels all the way from Khasab to just north of Dibba... anyone know for sure?

Autonomy

It's my understanding that there is not a direct route. You can try to go from Khasab direct into Wadi Bih, however the check point will not let you through...

Go to Khasab, double back to RAK then go through Wadi Bih to Dibba. It will be a stunning, but long one day drive...

The latest Offroad Explorer has a good map of Khasab / Musandam and the routes in and out...

Eeyore

No time, sadly. The map we looked at in MoE yesterday indicates a major road "under construction" running down the eastern side of the Musandam and stopping just north of Dibba; given that the map is a year or two old, hopefully it's largely complete by now - or complete enough to get us a long way down before having to switch to smaller roads.

shiva

The wadi bih road is now manned by border ploice at the weekend (closes at 6pm i think) so you will need visa's before you go as i dont think they will issue them, shouldnt be a prob if you've got them to go to khasab first. during the week it seems to be unmanned so no issue at all.

but check as apparently its changed twice in the last two weeks!!!

Jeeper

Two more posts mate for the big 1,000.......what you got in store for us.......

MJC

I'm going from Khasab tomorrow, I'll tell you then what the situation is.

I do know that you cant get into UAE from the border post at Wadi Bih though, don't try it.

Speak Saturday

MJC

No it's not open, and to be honest I couldn't see any road construction of the level you speak. The only way from Khasab to Dibba is Via Wadi Khasab BUT ONLY if you're an Omani (dunno about UAE Nationals). There is no other main road out of Khasab apart from the one you come in on.

Wadi Khasab is a Mountain Road that goes to 5200' on a dirt track with numerous hairpins, interesting, but certainly not relaxing.

Went to Golden Tulip for a quick Orange Juice on the way back, it looks OK, nothing special, but good for a relaxing weekend.

One word of warning tho, driving through RAK is a nightmare.

Pics If you're interested are posted in my usual place.

CasaNova

GCC Citizens (UAE Oman Qatar Bahrain Kuwait and Saudia) donot require Visa's of any sort for any purpose for visting any GCC country. It Open opportunities and open borders for citizens of each country.


documents require to enter or to live: Drivers license, health card, NIC or passport (a must for airport) (not required for land travel)

Zannie

Cheers Hun, will be a good idea to stay an extra night at the Golden Tulip after the dhow cruise and head off to Dibba in the morning, looks like it'll be the scenic route!! Will speak to Khasab Travel re visas going on this route.

Zxx

PS - good piccies, hardly any of you though...

Eeyore

Interesting - I'll speak to someone at the Omani embassy about it. I've seen two maps now that indicate a major road under construction between Khasab and Dibba.

Yes, we were there last year. Middle of Ramadan but they still had normal food service, which was nice.

Autonomy

Sorry - where please? I'm off there on Weds and would like to have a look...

Thankie.

TA5

Gareth, This is the info I have about the road from the Wadi Bih Relay Organizers...

"The Sheikh of RAK is building a new road up a subsidiary Wadi ( Shahhah )
off waid Bih that will eventually go to the top of Jebel Bil Aysh one of
highest mountains in the area . This road goes through a spectacular wadi
but currently only climbs to an altitude of about 500 metres."

Jeeper

Did you run this?
I didn't see you there.....but then again i've no idea what you look like so go figure!

TA5

No, didn't run it, i cycle i don't run. Although i did run quite a bit in the Arabian Quest Races, but that just reminded me how much i dislike running...

...how was it by the way. Kind of funny that the Wadi Bih relay is no longer in wadi bih!

Jeeper

Was a good weekend....a little hot at the end of the run though.
Might cycle it next year.