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Khasab (Arabic: خصب) is a city in the exclave of Oman northwest of Muscat. It is the capital city of the Musandam peninsula on the coast of the Hormuz Straight between Iran, United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Khasab was a city isolated from the rest of the region for long time. Only until since the contraction of the new road coming from the United Arab Emirates that Khasab itself started to develop in terms of infrastructures and and a more serious touristic interest driving companies.
Khasab offers the perfect starting point to explore the unknown Musandam Peninsula and its special and unique traditions and culture. Today you can enjoy great locations in and around the city and spend 2 or 3 days enjoying the region.
Khasab is great to spend a weekend off from Dubai or to visit on your way to Muscat taking the twice a day ferry-boat along the deserted and arid rocky coast of Musandam.
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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 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.
* Flights from Muscat to Khasab go daily for a 45 min flight.
* 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.
* 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.
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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.
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Car Rental
Delivering car at air port and ferry, service costumers within 30 kilometers of khasab musandam,car with driver or without driver.
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On foot
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.
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By bicycle
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.
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Organized minivan tours
Many travel agencies in Khasab provide minivan city tours, for half or full day visits to the city, including all of Khasab's best sites and locations.
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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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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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Telegraph Island boat tours twice a day Dhow boat excursions depart from Khasab. Currently quite a few agencies take care of this. Prices per trip start at 15 Rials if going with other people, and 30 Rials if you go alone.
*The new road allows access to Tawi where you can visit some prehistoric drawings / rock engraving of boats, animals and warriors.
*As temperature is far more pleasant during the evening, you can walk around the city center along the avenue and center mosque. Also there are a couple of gardens that are opening by night and where you can see families playing with their kids.
*4wd rides to Jebal Harim, 2087m /6847f above sea level. On these trips organized by several agencies in the city, you can appreciate the beautiful desert rocky mountains of Musandam.
*All of Musandam Coast has amazing waters to dive. Near Khasab there are few diving points and zones where you can see and swim among fishes using a diving mask with a shaped tube called a snorkel and swimfins.
*If you take one of those dhow boat excursions into Musandam beautiful coast, you'll be able to see dolphins just 10 minutes away from Khasab port.
*KHASAB MUSANDAM Travels and Tours is an expert in organizing and operating domestic tours and other services which includes Dhow Cruise Tour, (Exclusive) Dhow Cruise Tour, Khasab Dolphin Watch, Khasab City Tours, Khasab Beach Camping, Khasab Snorkeling and Swimming.
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Travel Agencies
This travel agency provides half / full day Dhow cruises with snorkeling equipment & safety jacket, 4x4 Mountain Safaris around Musandam.
*Khasab Hotel organizes 4x4 Mountain Safaris, Dhow boat excursions and city tours. Book on the reception with the hotel friendly staff.
*PO Box No 123, Postal Code 811, Musandam, Khasab, S. of Oman. Phone: 00968 26730813 (sales@dolphinkhasabtours.com) This travel agency in the town of Khasab provide various services like Dhow cruise, Mountain Safari, City Tour, Diving etc.
*PO Box No 151, Postal Code 811, Musandam, Khasab, Sultanate of Oman. Phone: 00968 26731123 (khasabseatours@gmail.com) located near to Khasab Port is prestigious company based in Oman specializing in exclusive Travel and Tours in Musandam. Khasab Sea Tours offering; "Dolphin Tours Khasab, Beach Camping, Mountain Safari, Fishing Tour and other exciting Musandam Tours".
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In Khasab city center there are different supermarkets with the usual groceries, cookies, bread, bottled water, ice cream, etc.
*Many local Musandam handicraft and Omani souvenirs can be bought in the shop inside Khasab Castle. Very friendly staff local.
*In the tiny Sikkit market in the town center you can buy fresh palm dates.
*KHASAB MUSANDAM Travel and Tours is an expert in organizing and operating domestic tours and other services which includes Dhow Cruise Tour, (Exclusive) Dhow Cruise Tour, Khasab Dolphin Watch, Khasab City Tours, Khasab Beach Camping, Khasab Snorkeling and Swimming, Khasab Overnight stay on Dhow Cruise, Khasab Mountain Safari, Kayaking and Banana Riding in Khasab etc .
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Local meat and fish dishes in this restaurant located in center city. Expect to pay from 1 Rial to 2 Rials depending on what you eat. Some vegetarian/vegan options.
*Many supermarkets have freezers with several types of ice cream. With the extreme heat of Musandam Peninsula, enjoy a cold creamy ice cream.
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Some restaurants can prepare you fruit milk shakes. These are made with real fruit and often mixed with ice cream and full pieces of fresh fruit.
*All the local restaurants serve black tea. This is the traditional tea from the region. Usually nowadays is Lipton Black Tea.
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Double, tripple, deluxe and family rooms. Swimming pool and restaurant. Buffet breakfast included on price. Free Internet Access
and Airport pick-up.
*Sea view rooms, Swimming pool, Children pool and play area, Gym, Conference and meeting facilities, WiFi Internet.
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Oman National Bank ATM; Muscat Bank ATM;
*You can exchange money in the city center banks during weekdays and also on the Western Union office during weekends.
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Twice weekly ferry-boat from Khasab to Muscat. Minivan service to the border with United Arab Emirates from where you can call a taxi to pick you up and take you to Ras al Khaimah.
* Muscat Ferry Boats travel every Wednesday and Saturday 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.
* Flights from Khasab to Muscat go daily for a 45 min flight. You have to buy the tickets with at least the day before you fly.
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Image:Big_Mosque_Khasab_Ras_Musandam_Peninsula_Oman.jpg|Roundabout and big mosque in center Khasab, Oman
Image:Garden_Mosque_Khasab_Ras_Musandam_Peninsula_Oman.jpg.jpg|Garden and small mosque in center Khasab Oman
Image:Sikkit Market Khasab Musandam Oman.jpg|Sikkit Market in center Khasab Oman
Image:Telegraph_Island_Ras_Musandam_Oman.jpg|Telegraph Island in Musandam Peninsula Oman
Image:Ferry_Boat_Muscat_Khasab_Oman.jpg|Inside view of ferry-boat from Khasab to Muscat Oman
Image:Dhow_Boats_Khasab_Ras_Musandam_Oman.jpg|Dhow boats in Khasab dhow port Oman
Image:Khasab_Museum_Castle_Musandam_Oman.jpg|Khasab Castle Museum exhibit Oman
Image:Iranian_Smugglers_Khasab_Ras_Musandam_Oman.jpg|Iranian Smugglers Khasab Musandam Oman
[[wikipedia:Khasab]]
