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Wilayat Khasab

About Wilayat

Khasab (Arabic: خصب‎) is a city in an exclave of Oman bordering the United Arab Emirates. It is the local capital of the Musandampeninsula and is dubbed the "Norway of Arabia".

History

The Portuguese built Khasab at the beginning of the 17th century, at the height of their naval presence in the region. The natural harbor gave shelter from tough seas. Unlike many forts, which were built on high ground for defensive purposes, Khasab was designed as a supply point for dates and water for Portuguese ships sailing through the strait. Today, Khasab is protected from floods by three large dams

Get in

Khasab is not of easy access although you have quite a few options of transportation including daily morning flights from Muscat (the Airport of Khasab, located few miles inland from the coast, on 27 June 2011, recorded the world calendar day highest minimum temperature of 41.2° C / 106.16º F), twice a week ferry-boat from Muscat or rent-a-car coming from United Arab Emirates.

 

You can also walk across the border taking a taxi from Ras al Khaimah to the border. You will probably have to hitchhike from the border to Khasab.

 

  • Muscat Ferry Boat (Muscat Ferry Boat), Muscat Mina, Khasab - Sultanate of Oman (Muscat National Port Authority), ☎ Toll free number 80072000. 3pm. Muscat Ferry Boats travel every Monday and Thursday departing at 12pm. The trip takes about 5 hours. Free wireless Internet. Lunch, snacks and beverages included in ticket price. You should get your ferry ticket in advance to assure your place on the boat. Business class: Return 85 Rials / One way 45 Rials. Tourist class: Return 44 Rials / One way 23 Rials.  

  • Fly from Muscat to Khasab (Muscat Khasab Flight), Muscat Airport - Sultanate of Oman. Flights from Muscat to Khasab go daily for a 45 min flight. 25 Rials one way.  

  • Driving from United Arab Emirates (Khasab from Dubai). One can easily drive from Dubai or any other Emirate taking the northern road towards Ras al Khaimah, heading north to the border. Road is in excellent condition. An Omani visa costs AED 50 (Dirhams) for most nationalities and can be bought directly at the border. 

  • Taxi from Ras al Khaimah to Musandam border crossing (Taxi from Ras al Khaimah). You can easily take a taxi from Ras al Khaimah to the border United Arab Emirates and Ras Musandam Peninsula. There are no taxis on the other side. Many trucks pass this border daily, so ask the Omani police officer to get you a ride in one of these trucks hitchhiking all the way to Khasab. 36km taxi ride on the Emirate side costs 56 Dirhams.

Get around

Musandam Peninsula is an amazing place and Khasab is the perfect location to explore this Peninsula. Like elsewhere in Oman and Emirates, taxis are not to be found in Khasab. You have to get your own rent-a-car in Khasab or rely on your hotel minivan transportation that can take you where you want.

On foot

  • Walk in Khasab (Walk in Khasab). You can also walk and hike around the region and in the mountains. If you're into full day treks, you can explore the city and nearby villages. During summer months, the Gulf region gets extremely and unbearably hot.  

 

Car rental

  • Abdullah Masood Mohammed Al Shehi Trading Est (Rent-a-Car Khasab), Muhafazath, Khasab - Sultanate of Oman, ☎ +968 508550013 / +968 99784020 / +968 92540406. 9am-8pm.  

 

By bicycle

  • Bicycle in Khasab (Bicycle ride in Khasab). If by chance you're living in United Arab Emirates and are visiting Khasab taking your own car, you can bring along your bicycle and explore the city and surrounding villages at ease.  

See

  • Khasab Castle (Khasab Castle), (In front of the sea facing Port Authority). The Portuguese constructed the present fortress in the beginning of the 17th century until their retreat from the region. This castle which house the Wali and his family in recent centuries and which once held prisoners, has been restored and transformed into a regional museum. In the courtyard of the castle are boats and houses representative of unique heritage of Musandam. Entrance ticket 0.50 Rials.  

  • Alkmazrh Fort (Alkmazrh Fort). This fort is located inside the city and it seems that belongs to a specific tribe among local people. Still today, the fort is taken care by the tribes youngsters proud of their ancestral possession. 

  • Khasab Dhow Port (Khasab Dhow Port). Just facing the Khasab Port Authority for the ferry-boat to Muscat, the traditional port for dhow boats is a place where you can appreciate and enjoy typical boats from this region of the Gulf. You can easily find boats to take you on a sea cruise. 

  • Iranian Smugglers (Iranian Smugglers). Khasab is known for its Iranian smugglers. From here everyday hundreds of small jet boats cross the Hormuz strait heading to Southern Iranian cities of Banda Abbas and Qeshm Island.  

  • Khasab Palm Groves (Khasab Palm Groves), (Old city). Hidden inside Khasab old city, you can visit and explore the beautiful palm groves. These oases are great and supply local people with some palm dates. 

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