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Let's Drive - Oman Weekender | The Green Mountain and Ghost Village Trek

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April 15th, 2016 · 6:30 AM

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All you mountain lovers out there - the much-awaited Oman weekend trip is here... Yay!!

Activities:
Long road trip (1000+ km), mountain drive, sightseeing, walking treks, camping, barbecue.

Trip fee:
AED 50/- per person, Advanced Members go free.

Vehicle:
4x4 cars with Low gear for the mountain drive (sedans can go until the foothill, and then park-&-ride uphill).

Oman Visa & car insurance (you need to buy your own):
- GCC citizens and residents (professional category) get visa at the border - please check your eligibility at the Royal Oman Police website to avoid last-minute disappointment:
{http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_pr_visas_agcc.asp}
- Oman insurance for your car (you could buy it at the border, but buy it beforehand and save time).

Trip Plan:
We will start from Dubai at 6:30am on Friday morning, and enter Oman via the border at Al Ain (check link below for visa at the border post!!). On reaching Jebel Akhdar foothill, the police post only allow proper 4x4 cars to pass through, so if you are driving a sedan, you will need to park there and ride in a 4x4 car (please self-arrange your ride with fellow Gypsies).
The tarmac road uphill is in great condition but is steep in sections, and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding the valleys. For those who haven't done this drive before, it is a mountain drive like no other in this region! We will stop at several places for sight-seeing and to marvel at the geological formations.
In the evening, we will camp on top of the mountain, with barbecue, bonfire, song-and-dance.
Next morning, we will explore more of the mountain and trek in the abandoned village in Wadi Bani Habib. The mountain and its surroundings have so much to see and do, so if time permits, we will visit/ trek to other locations.
We will start our return journey at 3 pm on Saturday.

Important:
1- Only 4x4 cars with low gear are allowed for the mountain drive. (However, you may drive your sedan to the base and park-&-ride.)
2- No "open passengers list" for this drive. Only drivers can bring their own guests /passengers. Please coordinate directly with the drivers if you need a ride.
3- Yes, we'll camp on the mountain (we know a sweet spot)!
4- Trip meetup points will be shared with the selected members on our trip Whatsapp group.
5- All cars should have basic rescue gear/ first-aid kit (no tire deflation needed).

What to Bring:
1- Enough food/snacks and water/drinks for the duration of the drive. (Note: there are only a couple of small cafes serving sandwiches on the mountain, so bring your own dry food/breakfast with you)
2- If you wish to join the BBQ, we will have a large grill to share (bring your own too if you have).
3- Camping gear, sleeping bag/ blanket, inflatable mattress and pillow (the camping surface is rocky), chair, torch, clothing in layers, wood for bonfire (two bundles per car are a MUST) - nights are cold on the top.

Important Links:

Off-road Equipment:
{http://www.meetup.com/LetsDrive/pages/Off-roading_Equipment/}

2-Way Radio Info:
{http://www.meetup.com/LetsDrive/pages/Walkie_Talkie/}

GPS Devices / Apps:
{http://www.meetup.com/LetsDrive/pages/Global_Positioning_System_(GPS)/}

Off-road / Camping / Vehicle Accessories Suppliers:
{http://www.meetup.com/LetsDrive/pages/Accessories_Suppliers/}

DISCLAIMER – please read carefully:

By accepting to participate in this event, You agree that:
(a) Acceptance of your RSVP is only notional, and the Organizers reserve the right to select the final list of attendees.
(b) You are above 18 years of age, and in case you are bringing family or guests below 18, they shall be accompanied by you at all times and remain your sole responsibility.
(c) You have joined us voluntarily and you have the required skills, licenses and permits to be on this trip.
(d) Let’s Drive or the organizers do not hold any responsibility for loss or damage of property (vehicle, gear etc.).
(e) You are responsible for your own safety and any act of negligence by You that endangers the safety of fellow passenger(s) or others.
(f) You give explicit consent to Let’s Drive and the organizers that any photos or videos of you and/or your family/ guests/ pet/ car/ gear taken on this trip (or an earlier trip), whether by the organizers or an attendee may be freely shared, used or published by Let’s Drive or the organizers in any form – print or digital – and/or posted on the group’s social media pages (Meetup/ Facebook/ Whatsapp/ Twitter/ Instagram/ Youtube and the like) for the purposes of illustration, promotion, branding, advertising or marketing or record and You explicitly waive any rights whatsoever to challenge or bring an action against Let’s Drive or the organizers/ hosts for use of such media for the stated purposes.