A WEEK IN OMAN

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Hannah Marder

  A WEEK IN OMAN

  

  Written February 2011

  A great short trip with a big variety of activities and scenary.  Oman is beautiful country that has a bit of everything in a relatively small space.  There are cultural aspects as well as a range of activities and definitely no time to get bored. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing a green turtle carefully burying its newly laid eggs, and then watching tiny hatchlings emerging from the sand further down the beach.

  Attempting to sand board before watching the sunset from the top of dune at Wahiba Sands.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Very good, also the assistant group leader.  His leadership style was quite relaxed and flexible.  I liked that they left us free to explore and investigate sites for ourselves rather than dragging us on stiffly organised tours.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The trips notes were often inaccruate, I hope Exodus will rectify this in resposne to my feedback.

  There is no 'participatory camping' on this trip.  The two 'camping' nights barely qualify as such.  You stay in permanent huts with proper beds and shared, clean bathroom facilities.  There's no 'camp chores' and food is provided in the form of decent buffet meals in the communal dining areas. 

  There's no need to bring a sleeping bag - I promise!  Please don't waste space in your luggage bringing one. 

  Lots more meals were included than it says in the trip notes and food wasn't as expensive as the trip  notes seem to think - you definitely won't need the recommended £270 worth - more like £100 would be more than enough, so don't change lots of Rial that you won't use.

  There's no free time on day 7, at least not enough to do anything much with.  You certainly don't have time to go dolphin watching or on other excursions as the trip notes suggest.  There was also no quad-biking offered at any point.

  You really can't get pictures of the turtles, so don't even think about trying - resign yourself to it now.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  As mentioned above, the itinary is quite relaxed and generally you are left to explore alone rather than be taken on tours - I loved this, but I suppose some travellers may not like it and therefore they may want to consider if this is the right trip for them.

  It's a really good trip for people like me who get bored very easily, no matter how stunning the scenary and interesting the activity. 

   
• 

  Angharad James

  A WEEK IN OMAN

  

  Written February 2011

  Oman is a stunning country with very friendly and hospitable people. This was a fantastic holiday that I shall treasure memories of. The scenery was beautiful, stark, majestic and awe inspiring. February was an excellent time of year to go with very pleasant, warm weather and also coinciding with the Muscat festival. There was so much variety in this trip - turtle watching, trekking though a canyon, swimming in wadis and discovering caves, camel riding, sand boarding, 4x4 off road adventure, exploring forts and souqs, visiting mosques and local fish markets, snorkelling and kayaking off a wooden dhow. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many highlights:

  Driving over the sand dunes, sunset and the camp fire at Wahiba Sands.  

  Swimming in the beautiful pools at Wadi Shab.

  Watching a giant green turtle laying eggs and seeing baby turtles hatching elsewhere on the beach.

  Seeing the fish market at Muttrah and the cattle market at Nizwa.

  Exploring the forts at Nizwa and Jabrin.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The two leaders (who doubled as drivers also) were friendly and fun to be around. They were very flexible with the group and patient with lots of photo stops from the 4X4s. The driving was excellent.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The group flights out were problematic with delays and missed connections (where more time by the airline should have been allowed). This made for a very long journey and little sleep before the first day of the holiday. Those flying with a different airline or making their own flight arrangements did not have these difficulties.

  Take lots of memory for your camera - I certainly took many more photographs than I expected to.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would definitely recommend this holiday!

   
• 

  Hugh Cullen

  A WEEK IN OMAN

  

  Written October 2010

  I have already written to your Customer service manager about the appalling flight arrangements which are the remaing memory of this Exodus holiday. A discusting way to be treated. 

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• 

  Nicola Matthews

  A WEEK IN OMAN

  

  Written October 2010

  Oman is a beautiful country and well worth a visit.  There is a lot of variety to this trip, from turtle watching to walking around the rim of the Grand Canyon and the day trip in the Dow.  I was on the October 2010 trip and our Gulf Air Flight did get delayed at Heathrow on the way out, which meant we missed our first night in Muscat.   It did not spoil the holiday overall (well, nothing a walk through Wadi Shab on the first day couldn't fix).  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We were very lucky to see turtles coming out the sea, laying their eggs, covering them up and then going back into the sea.  We also saw lots of little hatchlings.  The day trip on the Dow was also very relaxing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pleasant and friendly.  I think it was the first time they had run the trip and they were very open to feedback.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  • Our trips notes advised that a sleeping bag was required, however, all of our accommodation included full bedding - even in the desert.  
  • Water is provided on this trip so no need to buy your own. 
  • Wear a t-shirt if you go swimming in the wadis so as not to offend the locals. 
  • Most of us didn't spend any money until at least 4 days into the trip due to some meals being included. 
  • We were not permitted to take any photos of the turtles or video them so bear this in mind before packing heavy equipment solely for this purpose. 
  • Ladies need to take a scarf that completely covers their hair for the visit to the Grand Mosque. 
  • Ensure that your tour leader makes arrangements on the last day to store your luggage so you can make the most of your free time before you go to the aiport (this normally happens automatically on this type of trip but it didn't on this one).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A lot of time is spent driving so be prepared for that, although the scenary is stunning and it is too hot to do anything too active apart from swim (I went in October).  The Grand Canyon rim walk is cooler (mid to late 20s).

   
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  peter jones

  A WEEK IN OMAN

  

  Written March 2009

  We had a great break. Not energetic enough for Peter but It was a busy week, never a dull moment, in an very different culture that was thoughly enjoyed by me and our son Owen (aged17)  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Swimming in the wadis

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was fantastic. It was insightful to have a local leader with his experience of being in the Omani Airforce. He was able to share his culture and pride in his country that made this an extra special trip for us. He shared memories of his childhood and the differences that the countrys prosperity had brought to his 7 brothers and 6 sisters.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You dont need much spending money as you can dine like a king for a £10 and there isnt much shopping that you cant get in the UK

  Read the section "is this trip for you" in the trip notes. Some group members expected a guided tour...

   You dont need to take pillows.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It was much posher than we expected with up market hotels

   
• 

  Nigel Hunt

  A taste of the Middle East

  

  Written November 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching the turtles on the beach was worth every penny of the trip ...t..o be so close to such a unique activity  was a wonderful experience

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Highly knowledgeable about Oman which gave a useful insight into a country trying to move into the current century

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Omani people were hospitable and friendly ......in one hotel I met a Judge who had studied in England and chatted for quite a while. .....he insisted in paying for me as 'You are a guest in my country' ...imagine someone in Yorkshire offering to do that to travellers!