TRIP OVERVIEW Unleash your inner adventurer on this stunning swimming holiday amongst the fjords of Oman’s spectacular Musandam Peninsula. From the incredible swims to the breathtaking scenery, this really is a SwimTrek trip like no other! Often described as the ‘Norway of Arabia’, the Musandam Peninsula is one of Oman’s great wildernesses. It lies at the extreme north-eastern tip of Arabia and is cut off from the rest of Oman by the large expanse of the UAE. Because of this it feels like real frontier country and indeed it looks as much to its near neighbour, Iran, as it does to its own capital, Muscat. It is undoubtedly the most spectacular area anywhere in the Persian Gulf with the steep red rock Hajar Mountains plunging into the blue waters off the Arabian Gulf, creating a labyrinth of massive fjords (khors). It is an untouched natural environment with dolphins being regular visitors to the fjords. This is a swimming location that will be sure to live for a long time in the memory.
WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR? This is really adventurous swimming as we swim in the waters just off the Strait of Hormuz which divides Oman from Iran. Many of these swims are unique and had never been swum before SwimTrek’s arrival in this area. LOCATION SUMMARIES Musandam Geographically, the Musandam peninsula juts out into the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entry into the Persian Gulf, from the Arabian Peninsula. Khasab Our base for the trip is in the lively northern town of Khasab, lying on a plain nestled between the mountains and the starting point for our trip up Khor Ash Sham fjord. With Iranian traders loading up goods in the Old Souk to take back across the Strait of Hormuz, it feels like a frontier town. SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 1 Khor Ash Sham Fjord The longest and most dramatic of the many fjords in Musandam, Khor Ash Sham is our swimming base for our SwimTrek trip. All the khors (fjords) are actually ooded valleys, formed as a result of Musandam’s progressive decline beneath the Eurasian continental plate. Craggy cliffs litter the landscape along with small island communities which are accessible only by boat. Telegraph Island Telegraph Island was once a crucial hub in Britain’s link with her empire. At the centre of the telegraph line between London and Bombay, it was originally known as Zazirat al Maqlab and it offered a refuge from the potentially hostile local tribes of the mainland. TRIP SCHEDULE Start Point Atana Khasab Hotel, Khasab, Oman, www.atanahotels.com Start Time 16:00 on Day 1 Finish Point Atana Khasab Hotel, Oman, www.atanahotels.com Finish Time 09:00 on Day 6 Day 1 After checking into the hotel you will have some time to settle in and explore before we meet later in the evening for our welcome meeting, featuring a description of the days ahead, followed by a safety brie ng. We then get out for our acclimatisation swim at nearby Bassa Beach to get you used to the local waters in preparation for tomorrow’s day of swimming.
Day 2 We depart from our hotel and travel to Khor Ash Sham, the largest of the Fjords in the Musandam peninsula. The rst thing you notice is the sheer size of what you are entering. We arrive in the shing village of Nadi . From here we head out on our rst swim of the trip, swimming across Nadi Bay and then going along the khor’s southern shoreline until we reach the remote outpost of Qanaha. There, the local dialect Kumzari, which is more Farsi than Arabic, can be heard spoken. After a lunch of local food on board our dhow, we attempt our rst crossing of the khor by swimming from Qanaha to Khor Point. It’s a stunning crossing of Khor Ash Sham. In the middle of the crossing, you can see down the entire length of the khor for the rst time. On arrival back at our hotel overlooking the sea, we carry out a stroke technique session and video analysis in the hotel pool, with stunning views.
Day 3 We leave the hotel and head east again, passing our swims from yesterday. Our rst port of call is to the small coastal hamlet of Maqleb. From here we swim directly across to Telegraph Island, the old British repeater station. On reaching the island we get out at the steps and explore this old symbol of the Empire. We take lunch on the island and enjoy unrivalled views along the Khor.
SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 2 The swim in the afternoon starts from Telegraph Island; we swim across to Sham, one of the area’s larger settlements on the north side of the khor. This part of the khor is one of the most likely areas to spot the spinner dolphin, which is local to these fjords. Day 4 The morning is taken up with a ve-bay hop, as we cross between peninsulas before ending up at Seebi Island, famous for its golden white sands. You can see the bottom the entire way around on our circumnavigation and there are a number of get-out points along the way. In the afternoon we cross to the remote cove of Shisah, where in the last two years we have spotted a pod of the local spinner dolphins. The cove’s blue azure waters are a tting end to a wonderful day of khor swimming. Day 5 Up early as we travel down the entire length of Khor Ash Sham, a distance of over 20 kilometres. The red rock Hajar mountains appear as an impenetrable barrier before us. We travel to the remotest village (Seebi) in the khor, where the water is generally at its clearest. From here we swim along the coastline, where the cliffs literally plunge down into the sea. We pass Turtle Rock as well as swim under the imposing cliff face of Mount Seebi. After lunch, taken on board the dhow, there is an opportunity to walk up the side of the narrow isthmus which separates the Persian Gulf (Khor Ash Sham) from the Gulf of Oman (Khor Najd). It is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular views in the whole Middle East. After nishing our last swim we jump back onto the boat and enjoy a cruise for the nal time past this quite magni cent land and seascape. Day 6 After the exertions of the week, it’s time for a relaxing swim from directly in front of our hotel. We head towards Bassa Beach, popular with local swimmers. After a brief stop, we swim back to the hotel, thus bringing to an end this unique swimming trip in the fjords of Musandam. TRIP INFORMATION Essential Equipment Checklist In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items: ✓ Item ✓ ❏ Swimming Costume x 2 ❏ Small Daypack ❏ Swimming Goggles x 2* ❏ Waterproof Jacket ❏ Sun Hat and Sunglasses ❏ Sweater ❏ Waterproof Sun Cream (high SPF) ❏ Walking Shoes ❏ Towel ❏ Aqua Shoes ❏ Additional Layers for the evening** ❏ Item SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 3 *Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions. **In previous years, the nights have been signi cantly cooler so we would also recommend bringing with you a few extra layers for after your swims and evening meals. SwimTrek will supply swim hats. We will have a limited supply/range of ippers, rash vests and wetsuits available on the trip, however we cannot guarantee sizes for all. If you have your own ippers, rash vest or wetsuit, we would recommend you bring these with you in order to maximise your enjoyment of the trip. Please note that SwimTrek will provide water and electrolyte drinks in shared water bottles on your safety boat. If you prefer to use your own drink bottle, please feel free to bring one along. Swimming Distances Swim Distance Swim Distance Nadi - Qanha 4km Qanha - Sham Point 2km Maqleb - Telegraph Island 5-Bay Hop and Seebi Island Circumnavigation Mount Seebi Coastal 4km Telegraph Island - Sham 2km 3km Seebi Island - Shisah 3km 2km Khasab Coastal 1km Swimming Conditions Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as sea lice, jelly sh, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures, however if you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the of ce prior to booking. Walking Distances There are small walks on this trip which are mainly to get us to and from the start and nish of a swim. Most walks take place on recognised paths and tracks, however there may be cases where we walk along trails or other unsealed surfaces and care should be taken in these areas. Walking Distances Walk Distance Khor Ash Sham – Khor Najd 1km Due to the inaccessibility of the fjords, the walking is limited. The one walk is a steep walk up the side of the isthmus separating Khor Ash Sham from Khor Najd. Good trainers or walking sandals would be required. There is always the option of not going on the walks should you so wish. Temperatures Month Water Temperature* Air Temperature* February 23˚C 23˚C December 23°C - 25°C / 73°F - 77°F 23°C / 73°F SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 4 * Please note that these temperature are indicative and should be used as a guide only. Weather Caveat For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip exibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible. Group Size and Boat Support This trip has a maximum group size of 15. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort. Boat support on this trip includes one main boat (Traditional Dhow) and two in atable boats to be piloted by your SwimTrek guides and a local boat pilot. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed. GETTING THERE There are two options to reach Khasab, either via Dubai or Muscat, Oman. The easiest way to get to the start of your trip though is to y into Dubai and make the connecting SwimTrek transfer at 10:30. We suggest that you use the following websites to search for alternative ight options for this trip. Flights: www.skyscanner.net While we have outlined various travel options below, they are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend con rming your ights and other travel arrangements as early as possible in order to avoid price rises and availability issues. Travel Via Dubai, UAE As mentioned above this is the easiest way to get to Khasab, and there are numerous ights into Dubai International Airport (DXB) from most major international cities. A limited selection of these ights is included below. Airline Departure Airport Emirates Dublin, Frankfurt, Gatwick, Heathrow, Zurich British Airways Heathrow Lufthansa Frankfurt, Heathrow Swiss Heathrow, Zurich Designated Transfer - Dubai Airport to Khasab SwimTrek offers a transfer from Dubai Airport to Oman, leaving at 10:30 on Day 1 of the trip. This drive
usually takes 3-4 hours, depending on any delays at the border crossing. A return transfer is also offered at the end of the trip, arriving at Dubai Airport at approximately midday. If you would like to join SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 5 these transfers, please inform the SwimTrek of ce once you have made your booking. Please note that the cost will vary depending on the number of travellers and must be paid locally, using the local currency (Omani Rial). Prices below are for a one-way transfer: Number of Passengers Cost 4 Passengers (minimum required) OMR35 per person 5-7 Passengers OMR28 per person 8-10 Passengers OMR25 per person 11 + Passengers OMR20 per person Travel Via Muscat, Oman It is also possible to travel to Khasab by ying into Muscat, and then catching a connecting ight or ferry to Khasab. Please note that this option is often longer and more expensive than travelling via Dubai. Airline Departure Airport Oman Air Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Heathrow, Munich Turkish Airlines Frankfurt, Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Munich Egypt Air Frankfurt, Heathrow, Munich, New York KLM Berlin, Bristol, Heathrow, Manchester Gulf Air Various U.S. Cities Travel via Ferry From Muscat you can y Oman Air to Khasab or alternatively catch a ferry. This service though only runs twice a week: Thursdays at 12:00 arriving into Khasab at 17:00 and Saturdays departing at 11:30 arriving at 16:30. Prices and ferry timetables can be found at www.nfc.om. Public Transport and Taxi to Atana Khasab Hotel From Muscat International Airport there is a bus that runs twice a day to Dubai, this service runs twice a day from the airport and the journey time is approximately 4½-5 hours and costs between £10-£15. Please see the following link to the bus schedules www.mwasalat.om. Once at Dubai Diera Terminal you would then need to catch a taxi to the hotel, this will take between 2-3 hours with the the estimated cost of £80 (345 AED). You can book this via www.dubaitaxi.ae. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Accommodation Perched on a rock face, the Atana Khasab Hotel, is a 4-star resort offering panoramic views of the Strait of Hormuz and the spectacular Musandam shoreline. It’s an ideal location for our SwimTrek trip. Our accommodation is based on twin-share and en-suite facilities. There are limited single rooms available at a supplement. SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 6 Meals All breakfasts and lunches on day 2, 3, 4 and 5 are included. There is a regular opportunity to eat out in town or at the hotel with the group for the evening meals should you wish. Extra Expenses You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as the lunches that are not included in your trip price, dinners, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. The local currency is the Omani Rial. The price for eating out in Khasab uctuates considerably depending on the restaurant. The average price of a 2-course dinner in Khasab town is around 5OMR (£8) while at the hotel, the price is closer to 15OMR (£25). Passports and Visas - Travelling via Dubai Customers travelling via Dubai will need to obtain a UAE visa. More information about this visa can be found here: www.dubai.ae. Citizens of 33 countries, including all E.U. member states, U.S.A., Canada, Australia and New Zealand can apply for a free visa upon arrival at Dubai airport. Citizens of these countries can travel to Oman on the UAE Visa for up to 21 days. Please be aware that visa regulations are subject to change, so it is advisable to check with your local travel authorities prior to your trip. Passports and Visas - Travelling via Muscat The Musandam Peninsula, including Khasab, is part of Oman. Non-Omani citizens require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. All travellers require an Omani visa to enter the country. As explained above, travellers with a UAE visa can travel to Oman for up to 21 days without applying for a separate Omani visa, however those entering Oman directly will need to apply for a visa upon arrival. A 21-day visa costs 20 Omani Rials, while a 10-day visa is available for 5 Omani Rials. Again, please be aware that visa regulations are subject to change, so it is advisable to check with your local travel authorities prior to your trip. Vaccinations There are currently no essential vaccination requirements for Oman, however it is advisable to re-check this information eight weeks before you travel. You should also ensure that your immunity to tetanus and polio is up-to-date. SwimTrek Ltd. 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2DF, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 739 713 | E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.swimtrek.com Page 7