by Hiking and camping in epic mountain chains; Bathing in a lavish turquoise waterfall and untouched beaches to swim with whale sharks and turtles. Oman on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East is a country of natural miracles and gains popularity as a playground for adventure types.
Here, to explore after landing in the capital Muscat in the beach capital of Muscat, my group and I go straight to the mountains of Jabal Akhdar. That is, after a coffee station on the side of the road, as well as the Omani tradition. Hot black coffee has come across at every opportunity here, and a word of warning: it is strong.
We are sure to be highly caffeine for a few hours in an apparently nationwide, prescribed white SUV. It becomes clear why this is the vehicle of choice. When our driver beats smooth switch, he explains that 4×4 are the only cars that are permitted on this route-a security caution due to the extreme incline. This is very good why we are here – to hike.
The highest mountain chain in the Golf, Jabal Akhdar (The Green Mountains), offers some of the best hiking in the region, which are called the strong contrast between the dry limestone tips and lush green valleys.
When we arrived in spring, we went straight to the rosen terraces of the region, which are only in full bloom every year for this month. After the “three -village hike” we hike through the traditional villages of Al Aqur, Al Ayn and Al Sharijah and cross the narrow walls of the country’s old irrigation channels, which are known as “Falaj”.
When we reach a bright pink flowering hill, we discover the harvests that feed these waterways. The air is rich in fragrance of the rare Damascus rose, which the locals harvest here to produce rose water for their fragrance, use it for cooking and medically.
Beyond the brilliant Magenta fauna, a panoramic view of Jabal Akhdar’s jagged summit – is a sight that raises the appetite of a sharp hiker, climber or cap. This area is the starting point for many challenging adventures, including the balcony walk by Jabal Sham (Oman’s highlight at 3018 m), on which hiker can hike to the abandoned village of Sab Bani Khamis in order to reach a breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon of Oman.
The hike from Jabal Akhdar to Al Soaga, a hidden village that is carved into the cliff, cannot be overlooked either. During our visit, the village rose like a fraud image, and a hole in the rocks, which may have been the best ice coffee that I tried, steeply rose in relentless heat.
For those who want to immerse themselves in this landscape, wild camping is allowed throughout Oman. Sit up on Jabal Shams for one of the best Sunrise Camp Spots in the world or rest on the Jabal -Akhdar terraces and wake up for breathtaking views of the canyon.
If luxury recovery is more your thing, go to your thing Anantara al Jabal al Akhdar Resort or Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar.
Embedded on the Hajar Mountains’ Sayq Plateau, tired travelers in Indigo can rest with breathtaking mountain outlets by the pool, with the exclusive Jala Spa and the resort in the Resort -Jala Spa and Wellness Center.
At 2000 m above sea level, Indigo is also in the highest lounge of the roof of the Middle East in the Middle East, which means that they also feel near the dramatic landscape near the hiking boot.
We wake up to the mountain horizon, which was flooded with a burning orange sunrise, and in the late afternoon we hurled dunes that beat the Wahiba desert that the sun races when it begins to set.
Zick-Zick-Zack dunes of up to 100 m when sand waves covered us, we are jumped around around our trustworthy SUV, while the movement of the sun shadows and this moving sands turns a rich yellow gold into a deep copper orange.
The desert finally comes on one of the biggest Grand Dunes, but for a warm wind that whistles past us while we sit calmly and contemplatively while the sky turns a deep pink and the sun behind our new horizon of the sand -shaped mountains disappears.
Tonight we will sleep in Desert Nights under the dazzling stars – one of the numerous Wahiba desert camps. With only wandering camels for neighbors, the night is peaceful and much more luxurious than most “camps” that you might imagine.
There is a fair buffet and flowing wine that is enjoyed outside, where we are glued to the sky with our eyes. Our accommodations are more mini villas than tents, with stone walls, a canopy roof and a real bed. There are no sleeping bags or planning in sight here.
In the morning in my comfortable bed, I am so lively awakened by birdong that the sleepy city dweller is convinced in me that it is an iPhone alarm. When I realize that it is real, I happily sleep back to sleep in these picturesque places.
Today we get back into the car to follow the Wahiba desert streets that extend up to the coast of 300 km towards the former capital. When we replace the limestone for sandstone, we wrap ourselves through the bright white and cream -colored mountains of the east and stop in the middle to swim in the cool turquoise -colored waters from Wadi bin.
Wadis (which literally means “river valleys”) scores many streets through Oman and offers lush, palm -dressed natural swimming stains, which contrasts the aspiring, dry canyons that surround them.
We come refreshed in Sur, once the engine that Oman fueled Oman because of its boat construction industry. Now it is now better known for its untouched beaches, dolphin observations and turtle slipping, the remains of his past in the Dhow building can still be discovered in the artistically carved wooden doors of many buildings.
We are now on the spectacular coastal road from Oman, which extends 1000 miles of Wilder Arabic coast. Go north and you will reach Muscat – the culturally rich capital of the country, which, in contrast to the mega -neighborly, is free of bright skyscrapers.
Muscat’s history was elegantly kept with mainly low, whitewashed buildings, with the focus on the highest minarets of the Grand Mosque Sultan Qaboos, the highest building in the region.
The understated luxury defines Muscat and is reflected in its refined beach resorts, such as: The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat. Here you can enjoy untouched beaches, water sports, pools and no less than nine internal restaurants. The rooms are spacious, each with a huge private terrace and warm turquoise decor to reflect the soothing corrugated topic of the entire hotel.
Stay on the coastal road, but go south from here.
The streets remain smooth, wide and are fantastic with regular rest stops and campervan park-ups. If you give the strange shaggy goat, you will probably hit the small traffic along this route and, in my opinion, one of the most underestimated road trip goals in the world.
You drive to the southernmost province of Dhofar (approx. 12 hours from Muscat) in the country and reach Salalah, which is covered in cloud, fog and heavy rain from June to September, which promotes waterfalls, rivers and thick green rainforest.
Here forest meets with cliff-clad beaches and creates a unique habitat for critically endangered wild animals such as the Arab leopard, the Kharai camel and a variety of snakes and insects.
Only a few miles away from the irreconcilable Arab desert is this green area another in the list of spectacularly different landscapes of Oman.
From mountains to deserts, beaches to rainforest to old villages to modern cities, Oman has everything. It is largely untouched by mass tourism, but all associated with impressive infrastructure, it is a paradise for adventurers.
The details:
Plan your trip with Experience Oman
Hotel Indigo The room prices start at £ 176 per night
Stay in the Desert Nights Camp begin at £ 155 per night, based on two people who share the share
A Deluxe Sea View room in St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort costs £ 357 per night
