WELCOME To Musandam, Oman: " Norway of the East " . This is an isolated enclave, disjointed from the rest of the country forming the geographical north western tip of the region. Whilst you can fly from Muscat, the other way to get to Musandam is through the United Arab Emirates. Another road starts from Daba in the southern part of Musandam, going through jabal ramps. There is a military check post at half-way point of the road. Special road permits are required to pass across. It is also important to note that this road is navigable only by 4x4 vehicles. View Map!!

From Dubai, you drive along the coast through to Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and then cross into Musandam, Oman. Because of this geographical site, this Omani enclave stands as an isolated and remote destination. From a tourism point of view, it is only recently being discovered, and tourists are going there in numbers. Khasab is the main centre in Musandam. New addition in its airport helped to welcome flights coming from Dubai and other neighbouring international airports. The large numbers of fjords have given Musandam the name 'Norway of the East'. It is also a splended place to enjoy observing a virgin, beautiful marine life. Most of the population is engaged in fishing. Livestock bound for the United Arab Emirates comes in through Khasab from Iran. Iran is barely an hour from Khasab by speedboat. On the return, the Irani boats carry electronics and smuggle American cigarettes to Iran consumers.

Wilayat Khasab is located in the farthest north of the Governorate of Musandam, overlooking the Gulf in the north, and Oman Sea in the east. It also overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which 90% of the oil production of the Gulf region passes to the international markets. This area of the Gulf has a tortuous fjord-like coastline. There are about 136 villages scattered on the coasts and along the wadies. There is not much settlement on the mountains. The name ' Khasab ' is attributed to the fertility of the land as termed in the Arabic language. Khasab is also famous for its subterranean fresh sweet water. Although Wilayat Khasab resembles a tongue stretching out into the sea and its underground water faces a tremendous pressure of the saline waters from all sides, nevertheless Khasab water is the sweetest of all in the Arabian Island. Look at the map and you will firmly believe it is a miracle. Don't miss the chance to taste it! There are a number of castles, forts and towers in this area. The most famous one is the castle of Khasab. It dates back to the beginning of the era of Al Busaid. It was renovated at the beginning of 1990 by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. The second castle exists in Al Kamazra Block. It is rather small and it is not known when it was constructed. There are also three other small towers, Al Siba tower which is located in Al Siba area, and the tower of Kabss Al Qasr - of which only ruins remain, and the tower of Said Bin Ahmad Bin Sulaiman Al Malik which is located in Bani Sanad. The existing part is all that remains of a huge fort. There are also old mosques, such as that of Al Siba which is called 'the western mosque'. It was restored in 1980. The other two mosques are: that of the old Suq and that of Al Kamazra, both were also restored during the same period.