Written and photographed by Pinaki Chakravarty
More than 1,000km separate Muscat from Salalah. If you choose
to drive instead of fly, you will have to keep awake for what would perhaps take you 12 hours. Some have done it in less but be
prepared for a long haul, and take frequent breaks.
Remember that you have a massive stretch of desert to cross, 723km between Adam and Thumrayt. Don’t ever miss a fuel stop, and pay attention to the signs that will tell you how far away the next one is. Remember to carry enough water to survive a flat tyre or breakdown. Most of the road is single carriageway, which means you only have a painted line between you and oncoming traffic. Parts of the
highway southward are cracked and in need of repair, so slow down when you see the dark patches where the tarmac has broken off.
caves
Stories of the
bat cave
sea
Desert beaches
at Hadbin
desert
Emptiness at Ramlat Hashman
Kilometre readings from Muscat to Salalah
Total distances and those in-between
0km Muscat, Grand Mosque roundabout
146km till Nizwa
146km Nizwa intersection. Accommodation,
food, filling stations, mechanics in Nizwa.
Nizwa-Muscat dual carriageway with
lots of filling stations ends
15.5km till Izz
161.5km Izz. Al Maha filling station
41.5km till Adam
203km Adam. Omanoil, Shell filling stations. Restaurants, accommodation
114km till Ghaba
317km Ghaba. Al Maha filling station,
accommodation
97km till the trucker’s stop
414km Unmarked trucker’s stop. Not for cars
99.5km till Haima
513.5km Haima. Shell, Omanoil filling stations,
food, accommodation, provisions. Major town
94.5km till Ghaftain
608km Ghaftain. Shell filling station, 24-hour
restaurant, accommodation
126.5km till Qitbit
734.5km Qitbit. Shell filling station,
accommodation, garage
117.5km till Sayy al Khayrat
852km Sayy al Khayrat. Al Maha filling station
74km till Thumrayt
926km Thumrayt
34.73km till Wadi Dawkah
960.73km Frankincense park at Wadi Dawkah
48.27km till Salalah
1,009km Salalah Airport roundabout
|
|
