Muscat Off The Beaten Path Tips by peaceness98 Top 5 Page for this destination

Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra

the only Arab Royal Orchestra in the world that plays Western Classical music.

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra (ROSO) was established by order of HM Sultan Qaboos in 1985 and formed under the the Royal Guard of Oman. Young Omani boys and girls are carefully selected, trained as orchestral musicians and receive a general education in purpose built accommodation at Bait Al Barakah.

There are some regular concerts in the Oman Auditorium of the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Al Nahar Resort

Rent a 4x4 and leave Muscat for a day or two-
If you drive to Sur, you can pass by Al nahar resort:
http://www.emptyquartertours.com/nahar.htm

a cute little motel, set up to give you the experience of living in bedion surroundings.

-More off the beaten track idea's on my Muscat Intro page.
-Tour operators list available in the below website (I recommend Bani Wahiba Camping, Ras Al Hadd turtle watching, Wadi Bani Khalid Wadi Swim, Wadi Shaab Wadi Swim/Walk/BBQ), you can do all these over 4 nites.

Rates are around US$ 30 per nite, call them to confirm

Website: http://www.destinationoman.com/touroperators.html

Wahiba Sands (Out of Muscat)

Grab a 4x4 and go to the Wahiba sands and live with Bedions

shop around with local tour providers, you'll find some much cheaper than others

Website: http://www.nomadicdesertcamp.com/tourpackage.htm

Whale & Dolphin watching

Rent a boat off Bandar Al Rowdha near al bustan
There are various day and overnite trips, providing meals and activities.

Phone: +968-737293

Website: http://www.whalecoastoman.com/WhaleWatching.htm

Horse Back Riding

Some the finest Arabian Horses are available in Oman- you can go horseback riding in the national Qurum Park for a small fee
if you're a professional rider you might preffer to go to the stables at the Seeb Horse Centre.

Seeb Horse Centre, Seeb. Contact Saada, telephone below.

Phone: +968-603501

Supernatural/Magic Tourism

An unknown fact about Oman is that, as an ancient arabic civilization, many myths were carried down from old ages

Arabs very much believed in witchcraft (white and black magic), in Genies and in the super natural.

Oman can very well be one of the best supernatural-tourist destinations in the Gulf, and not only limited to Muscat:

1- in Dhofar: Go to Khor Rouri, it is local belief that it's the meeting spot of all the top witches and sorcerrors of the world, you won't find a single local there on a thursday (meeting day). I understand there are some rocks naturally shaped like a round table with chairs..I'm yet to confirm that.

2- in Sharqiyah Region(next to wadi shab): go to Majlis al Jinn (literelly genies/spirits sitting room)
Even if you don't find genies, Majlis Al Jinn is the second largest cave chamber in the world. Worth the visit.
Majlis Al Jinn itself was discovered in 1983 by Don Davidson, a geologist.

3- Not sure if you'll find any, but many signs titled "Local Traditional Doctor" hides under the guise of herbal medicine, when in reality their exorcists (yes, muslims have those too)

4- in Nizwa/Bahla: try to ask your guides about the local legends and stories related to genies, witchcraft and such- There lots of chilling stories and poems written about things that 'happened' to children, ladies, strong men. The Dkhaliya region is particularlly rich with these stories.

Website: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0304/feature2/zoom1.html