Muscat
Muscat,
the capital city of Oman lies sparkling white, topped with golden minarets
in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains reaching down to
the Arabian Sea. Described as "Arabia's jewel”, this city is a blend
of the old and the new. Muscat is green as green can be, and defies
being classified as part of a desert country. The roads are lined with
well-manicured green lawns and trees. During winter this is interspersed
with a profusion of multicoloured flowers. The city has steadfastly
retained its old-world character. Old Muscat has a quaint charm about
it with many forts, castles, mosques and towers doting the landscape.
Of particular note are Jalali and Mirani forts flanking Al Alam Palace.
The Corniche, with its promenade and souqs (markets) is one of the highlights
of the city. The old souq of Muttrah is an ideal spot for tourists to
buy keepsakes and treasures. Greater Muscat boasts high-rise business
properties (but not too high), world-class highways, upscale suburbs
rooted in traditional Islamic architecture, elegant mosques, large green
parks, archaeological sites, museums and world-class hotels.
It is no
wonder that Muscat is increasingly becoming an attractive tourist destination
among the world's travel going public.
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Sur
Distance
from Muscat: 335 km (interior paved road): 240 km (coastal track).
Average drive time: 4 hrs by paved road: 3.5 hrs by coastal track.
How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National
tourist Corporation (ONTC). Saloon cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired
from Car rental agencies.
Sur,
a placid sea coast town with its striking traditional dwellings is a
pleasant getaway and one of the most important towns in the Eastern
region. The drive from Muscat via the interior cuts through wadis and
passes through the Hajar Mountains. An alternate route down the coast
through the village of Quriyat is adventurous and offers fabulous views
of sparkling white beaches covered with multi coloured shells, deep
ravines, cliffs that fall dangerously into azure seas, rocks sculpted
by wind and waves and lush green wadis (river beds). The journey ends
in the city famous for its dhow shipyards (and presumed home of the
legendary Sinbad the Sailor). A trip through Sur's labyrinth of streets
reveals many fine old houses with carved doors and arabesque windows.
From the corniche, the dhows in the harbour can be seen against the
scenic backdrop of the Gulf of Oman.
On
the way to Sur one can stop over the fishing village of Quriyat, which
was a major port centuries ago. Wadi Shab is another of the must-see
wadis of this region - one of several wadis with running water throughout
the year. Beyond Sur about 40 kms away lie the beaches of R'as Al Hadd
and R'as Al Junayz where every year about 30,000 turtles come to lay
their eggs.
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Nizwa
Distance
from Muscat - 174 km
Average
drive time - 1 1/2 hours by paved road
How
to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National
tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.
Nizwa,
the verdant oasis city with its blend of the modern and the ancient
was the capital of Oman during the 6th and 7th century. One of the oldest
cities of the Sultanate, this was once a center of education and art.
Nizwa has been an important cross roads at the base of the Western Hajar
Mountains connecting Muscat, Buraimi, and the lower reaches of Dhofar.
The Falaj Daris of Nizwa is the largest single falaj in Oman and provides
the surrounding country side with much needed water for the plantations.
The
city, famous for its historical monuments, handicrafts and agricultural
products, has an expansive Souq showcasing a wonderful array of handicrafts
- coffee pots, swords, leather goods, silverware, antiques, and household
utensils. Nizwa fort, completed in the 1650's, was the seat of power
during the rule of the Al Ya'ruba dynasty and is Oman's most visited
National monument. The reconstructed Sultan Qaboos Mosque is one of
the oldest mosques in Oman. In the evenings, the call of the muezzin
fills the air calling the faithful to prayer.
A
few kilometers from Nizwa lies the mysterious town of Bahla. Bahla is
the home of myths and legends that have carried through the centuries.
Some people today still believe that magic is afoot in Bahla and many
Omanis are superstitious when it comes to talking about Bahla. This
little town is famous for its pottery. The old Bahla fort with its 12
km wall is the oldest fort in Oman. The fort is believed to have been
built in pre-Islamic times and is now undergoing reconstruction sponsored
by UNESCO and the site is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage
monuments. A short distance beyond Bahla lies the Castle of Jabreen.
This massive three-storied was also built during Al Ya'ruba dynasty
of the mid 1600's. It is a fine example of Islamic architecture with
beautiful wooden inscriptions and paintings on the ceilings. Other interesting
locales between Nizwa and Bahla are the 400-year-old village of Al Hamra
and the mountainside village of Misfah Al Abreen.
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Western
Hajar Mountains
Distance
from Muscat - 200 km (to Al Hamra)
Average drive time - 2.5 hours
How to get there - Saloon cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired
from Car rental agencies. Four wheel drives are required for off road
into the mountains and wadis.
Beyond
Nizwa, the southern flanks of the Western Hajar Mountains can be readily
seen rising over 2000 metres above the surrounding countryside. Within
these mountains, rugged networks of wadi channels have carved networks
of dramatic canyons and caves. The most fertile of these have been cultivated
by the hardy shuwawis, mountain people, who have adapted to this harsh
lifestyle under the tropic sun. At Wadi Tanuf, the ever-flowing springs
are tapped to produce a commercially popular brand of drinking water.
In Al Hamra, 400 year-old mud houses are still standing and occupied
to this day. Out along the nearby wadi at Hasat bin Sult Rock, ancientpetroglyphs
estimated to be over 3000 years old lie in wait.The dark reaches
of the Falahi/Hoti cave system await intrepid spelunkers. Hidden neatly
in a crevasse on the mountainside lies Misfah al Abreen, a garden paradise
of humble farmers and herders.
To the west of Al Hamra is the road to Jebel Shams(mountain of the Sun),
the tallest peak in Oman at 3010 metres. Here it is where you can find
oone of Oman's greatest natural wonders, the Wadi Nakhr Gorge. Inside
the canyon, you can haggle with the local rug weavers, trek to the cliff
dwellings along the canyon rim and visit remains of towns once occupied
ages ago by Persian settlers. Rock climbers will want to test their
mettle on the stony crags of Jebel Misht while antiquarians willl want
to visit the mysterious Beehive Tombs of Bat.
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Sumail
Gap
Distance
from Muscat - 75 km
Average drive time - 45 minutes
How to get there - Saloon cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.
The
only natural pass through the northern jebels traces the trail of the
old Silk Route caravans as they carried their goods from the Far East
to communities of the interior. Follow the paths taken by Marco Polo
and Ibn Battuta to Fanja, the traders' crossroads, and the towns of
Bid Bid, Sumail and Al Khobar, replete with castles and fortifications.
Stop by the roadside fruit markets of Ad Dasir to sample pomegranates,
pumpkin and sweet lemons.
On
the far end of the Gap just past Izki is the verdant plantation town
of Birkit Al Mawz (which translates "pool of bananas"). Indeed,
from the ridge above the town the spreading forest of dates and banana
trees give the impression of a deep pool. From this ridge you will see
why Birkit Al Mawz is known as the "rainbow city," due to
the anticlinal structure of rocks at the base of the ridge behind the
town. The rocks frame the old quarter like a rainbow.
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Sohar
Distance
from Muscat - 230 km (by highway)
Average
drive time - 2 hours
How
to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National
tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.
Sohar,
a seaside city, was the capital of Oman many centuries ago and legend
has it that it was named after the great grandson of Noah (of the Bibical
flood). Originally known as Majan (Persian-Mazoun), the city's name
alludes from early ship building activity. The word "ma-gan"
means ship's skeleton or chassis stemmed from its copper deposits in
the mountains of Majan.
Sohar
belongs to the fertile Batinah coast region, and is arguably the most
verdant city in Oman and the drive to Sohar from Muscat along the coastal
highway passes through thick plantations of dates, mangoes, limes, bananas,
vegetables and fodder crops.
The
Sohar Fort built around the 1st century AD is one of the major landmarks
of this city. Built on a hilltop this fort has five impressive towers
and is the only Omani fort that is whitewashed.
Wadi
Heebi, lying 63 km away from the city is a good destination for picnickers.
The village of Heebi is a collection of ancient dwellings with an untouched
rustic look. On a 15-minute detour before Heebi village lies the village
of Al Ghudafary, which is fed by an old falaj supplying gardens yielding
dates and papayas.
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Ibra
Distance
from Muscat - 150 km
Average
drive time- 1 1/2 hours
How
to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National
tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.
The
Gateway to the Eastern region of Oman, Ibra, in the past, was famous
for its fine horses and horsemen. A unique feature of Ibra is the "Wednesday
Souq" run entirely by women. On the far side of Ibra lies Al Mansfah
village, a community of mansions once owned by prosperous merchants
of the 19th century during the reign of Said the Great. With the decline
of Said's commercial empire these once stately mansions fell into ruin.
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Nakhl-
Rustaq Loop
Distance
from Muscat - 120 km
Time
taken to reach - 1 1/4 hours
How
to get there - By car, which can be hired from Car rental agencies.
From
the Batinah Coast to the west of Muscat along the base of the jebels
are several key towns of special interest. Along the coast is the town
of Barka with an impressive fort and Bait Al Naman Castle, an early
home for the Al Bu Said dynasty(the current ruling family).
Further
along the coast is the Jazir Sawaidi, a small chain of islands near
the shore where beach combing, fishing and exploring are the prime activities.
Closer to the mountains lie the majestic fortresses of Nakhl, Rustaq
and Al Hazm. restored by the government and preserved as national treasures.
For
those bent on trekking, there are many wadis running through the foothills
and mountains, many of them with running water. Wadi Abyadh is ideal
for picnicking, while Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Hajir, Wadi Haylayn and Wadi
Bani Kharus offer challenging trails for those keen on canyoning. Wadi
Sahtan and the Ghubrah Bowl extend into the upper reaches of the Western
Hajars, while Wadi Hoquein and Wadi Ghafir offer challenging drives
through lush low lying valleys.
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Salalah
Distance
from Muscat - 1030 km
Average
drive time - 12 hours by road, (1 hour by flight)
How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National
tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.
Oman Air operates regular flights from Muscat to Salalah
Nestled
in the southern region of Oman, Salalah has the benifit of the annual
Indian monsoon: locally known as the Khareef. This monsoon, which extends
from early June to mid September, transforms the countryside into a
veritable garden with tumbling waterfalls and meandering streams. The
Khareef season is a good time to visit Salalah. In July and August the
government plays host for the annual Khareef Festival, a cultural highlight
of the season.
Salalah
is steeped in myths and legends that date back to biblical times. In
the Jebel Qara can be found the tomb of the Prophet Ayoub, better known
as Job of the Old Testament. In Khawr Rhori lie the ruins of the palace
reputed to be that of the Queen of Sheba. In the surrounding countryside
on the flanks of the jebels grows the Boswellia sacra better known for
the sap it produces: Frankincense. Frankincense, of course, is best
known to Christians as one of the gifts of the Magi in Nativity story.
In all probability the Frankincense that was a gift to the baby Jesus
came from Oman as the Boswellia sacra tree grows no where else.
For
most of the year, the unspoiled beaches of Salalah are ideal for scuba
diving, canoeing, sailing, jet skiing and diving. The marshy khawrs
along the coast line are sanctuaries to a broad variety of migrating
birds turning the region into a bird watchers paradise. But during the
summer Salalah is easily Oman's coolest destination to visit during
the Khareef with its crisp unpolluted air, cool misty clime, high rolling
seas and leafy ambiance.
Less
than half an hour's drive from Salalah is Ain Razat, a picnic spot with
springs, hills, gardens and streams. Nearby is the equally resplendent
Ain Sahanawt. Seventy kilo- meters east of Salalah lies Mirbat, famous
for Bin Ali's tomb (Bin Ali was revered in the early days of Islam as
a sage and holy man.). Taqah, 36kms from Salalah is a picturesque, quaint
village. The fort at Taqah goes back several hundred years and is well
stocked with authentic decorations and appointments.
Rising
high above the coast is the Jebel Samhan plateau, the highest point
in Dhofar at 1800 meters. Here you can find the hanging valley of Wadi
Dirbat which is impressive in full flood. Further into the jebels is
Tawi Attir (the hole of the birds), a natural sink hole over 100 metres
wide and 250 metres deep. Nestled in a hidden valley is the Baobab Forest
with huge bulbous trees, one tree over 2000 years old and 30 feet in
diameter at its base.
To the west of Salalah are many stretches of beautiful beaches. One
of the most popular of these is Mughsayl where you can find unusual
blow holes in the rocky shelf close to the shore. These holes display
dramatic bursts of water and foam sometimes reaching 50 feet in the
air. Further to the west close to the Yemen border lies the town of
Rakhyut and is a pleasant spot for picnic and swim in the ocean.
To
the north of Salalah is the region known as the Nejd. This is a barren
desolate area that is actually the southern fringe of the R'ub Al Khali.
Here you find sweeping sand dunes and parched wadis. Lying 175 km north
of Salalah is the remote village of Shisr. Here in the early nineties,
with the help of satellite imagery from the space shuttle, explorers
found what they believe to be the lost city of Ubar. Called by T. E.
Lawrance (of Arabia) as the "Atlantis of the sands", Ubar
was once considered to be the trading centre for frankincense before
it was buried in the rising dunes.
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Wahiba
Sands
Distance
from Muscat :190kms
Average drive time :2hrs
How to get there : Saloon cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired
from Car rental agencies. You can reach the Wahiba Sands by saloon car
but to drive into the sands requires a 4-wheel drive.
The
great Wahiba sands are longitudinal dunes 200 km long and 100 km wide
running south from the Eastern Hajars to the Arabian Sea. The dunes
are 100-150 metres high in shades of colour from orange to hues of amber.
Bedouin camps can be found along the tracks and trails in this isolated
desert. In sporadic areas can be found stands of single-species woodlands.
Where the sands meet the ocean, outcrops of aolianite (sand compressed
into rock) can be found displaying unusual and attractive abstract shapes.
Here the beaches mellow into soft shades of yellows and whites.
To
the west of the Wahiba of the small towns of Rawdah, Samad Ash Shan,
Al Akdar and Lizq. Rawdah and Samad Ash Shan contain ruins and reconstructions
of old forts while Al Akdar is the home of Omanis pit weavers who design
elegant textiles from their looms dug into the ground. At Lizq can be
found remains of structures that date back to Bronze Age. South of Lizq
are the prosperous towns of Al Mudaybi and Sinaw where you can find
almost every day the bustling Bedouin souq at the centre of town.
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Musandam
Peninsula
Distance
from Muscat : 500 km
Average drive time : 6 hrs by road, 45minutes by flight
How to get there : To reach Khasab, the primary town in the region,
travel by car up the Batinah coast for a six-hour ride. To complete
the drive to Khasab requires passing through the United Arab Emirates
for which a road permit from the Oman ROP (Police) and visas (for some
nationalities). Daily flights from Muscat are operated by Oman Air.
No visas required.
The
journey by air to the Musandam, dubbed as the "Norway of the Middle
East" because of the inlets likened to Norway's fjords, provides a spectacular
bird's eye view. The stark mountains of this region rise 2000 meters
out of the Arabian Gulf. The patterns and textures of the mountains
are altogether striking. From November to March is particularly an ideal
time to visit the Musandam.
Upon
your arrival you will want to book a dhow to visit Khawr Ash Shamm.
Here you will find placid waters, marine life, secluded beaches and
isolated outposts. A stop over at Telegraph Island is a highlight of
this trip. Dhow trips can also be arranged to visit the cliff side village
of Kumzar. By land you can rent a 4 wheel drive to see Khawr Najd, Jebel
Harim (the highest point in Musandam) and the Acacia forest near Sal
Al Ala.
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Masirah
Island
Masirah
is idyllic for those who really want to get away from it all. It is
an island in the Indian Ocean, 20 kms off central Oman coast just South
of the Wahiba Sands. The stark rocky landscape is rimmed with isolated
beaches whose only visitors are the logger head turtles that come to
nest there. Beachcombers may come across a variety of shell fish and
other speciments of marine life. There is also evidence of early settlements.
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Jebel
Akhdar
Jebel
Akhdar in Arabic means "Green Mountains" and this region of
the most verdant outside of Salalah and the Batinah Coast. To go there
requires a 4-wheel drive ( and a road permit because of military installations
in the area). One of the most scenic areas in Oman, coupled with the
friendly local inhabitants, this region is a natural spot for tourism.
Points of interest include the towns of Wadi Bani Habib, Saiq and Al
Ayn, where local farmers raise grapes, pomegranates, apricots and walnuts.
The climate is moderate year round as the mean altitude is about 1800
metres. Also of interest is the lookout over the canyon recently named
Diana's Point, for the late Princess of Wales who spent time here in
the late 80s.
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