In March 2017 I had the pleasure of visiting Oman and was blown away by the amazing and varied landscapes… Read about the top 10 experiences in this unknown and peaceful country in the Middle East, but be warned, you may find yourself booking a trip to Oman when you finish reading this article.
Oman is made for off-road adventures! Rent a 4×4 an explore one of the countless tracks through the mountains. You’ll come across small mountain villages and breathtaking scenery. My favorite off-road track was the road through Wadi Bani Awf, a steep and narrow track along towering mountains.
You might not know it, but the underwater world in Oman is spectacular! You can see turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins as well as beautiful corals and plenty of colorful fish. Good dive sites can be found near the Daymaniyat Islands and the Musandam peninsula.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is a beautiful building and the most important mosque in Oman. Non-Muslims visitors are welcome (except on Fridays between 8:30 and 11:00 am), dress appropriately.
Wild camping is legal in Oman and there are countless beautiful spots to pitch your tent. You can camp on the beach, in the mountains or in the desert! Just don’t camp in/near residential areas and leave your campsite as you found it (aka clean up your trash).
Oman has many wadis such as Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi where you find beautiful pools with fresh blue water, perfect for a swim. My favorite would have to be Wadi Damm with its green moss curtains and sparkling water (see picture above), doesn’t it look like paradise?!
Ras al Jinz it’s the easternmost point of Oman and famous for its turtle reserve. Four types of marine turtles lay their eggs here and the beach plays a vital role in the conservation of turtles.
The Jebel Shams area is breathtaking and known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. Be sure to hike the Balcony Walk, a spectacular trail leading along the edges of steep cliffs. Pay attention to where you are going, even if the stunning views are trying to distract you…
There are over 500 forts and castles in Oman so it will take you a while to visit them all. Two famous and well-preserved forts are Nakhal Fort (built in the 17th century) and Bahla fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 13th century).
The coastline of Oman is about 1700 kilometers long so it’s easy to find a beautiful beach to spend the afternoon. The best part? You’ll probably be the only one there…
Dhofar is an area in the south of Oman and has a subtropical climate, which is very different from the rest of Oman. During monsoon reason (also called ‘the Khareef’ the mountains are covered in vivid greens and mysterious mist.WWW.PHENOMENALGLOBE.COM
