Packing List: Clothing & Equipment
Clothing (October–April / Peak Season)
| What | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Light, long pants (2–3) | Sun protection, cultural respect | Zip-off pants are practical (short at the pool, long in the mosque) |
| Long-sleeved shirts/blouses (2–3) | Sun protection + respect | Linen or cotton — synthetics smell in the heat |
| Light headscarf (women) | Mosques, conservative areas | Can also serve as sun protection |
| Swimwear | Wadis, sea, hotel pool | In the wadis: water shoes or neoprene shoes! |
| Sturdy hiking shoes | Jebel Shams, wadis, canyoning | No flip-flop hiking! The Balcony Walk is exposed |
| Water shoes / neoprene shoes | Wadi Shab (swimming over sharp rocks) | ESSENTIAL for Wadi Shab! |
| Fleece jacket / light jacket | Desert nights + Jebel Akhdar/Shams | At night in the desert and at 2,000+ m it can drop below 10°C |
| Sun hat / keffiyeh | Sun protection | A keffiyeh scarf (from 1 OMR at the souq) protects head AND neck |
Equipment
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ | UV radiation is extreme — do not underestimate it |
| Water bottle (1–2 liters) | Drink 3–5 liters/day! Refillable = less plastic waste |
| Headlamp (waterproof) | Turtle tour, desert night, caves in wadis |
| Dry bag | Wadi Shab: phone + camera must go through water! |
| Adapter Type G | British plugs in Oman |
| Offline maps | Download Google Maps offline maps for Oman — no network in the desert |
| Small backpack (20–30L) | For day trips in wadis and mountains |
Travel Preparation Checklist
- ☐ Apply for eVisa (evisa.rop.gov.om) — 1–3 days processing time
- ☐ Passport valid for at least 6 months
- ☐ Travel health insurance with repatriation
- ☐ Book rental car (SUV or 4x4 if desert/mountains planned)
- ☐ Apply for International Driving Permit (at the citizens' office, approx. 15€)
- ☐ Pre-book Ras al Jinz turtle tour online
- ☐ Reserve desert camp in Wahiba Sands
- ☐ Download offline maps (Google Maps → Oman → Download)
- ☐ Check Ramadan dates (varies annually)
- ☐ Organize credit card with low foreign transaction fees
💡 Tipp
The most common mistake: Taking too little water. In the desert and on hikes, you need 3–5 liters per person per day. Dehydration is the most common reason for doctor visits by tourists in Oman. Buy 5-liter canisters (0.30 OMR) at every gas station in the morning and always have water in the car.
