My Favorite Views of Oman
The beauty of Oman came as a surprise to us. Oman offers some of the most stunning sceneries in the Middle East for a country that most Americans can't locate on a map. It is incredibly accessible for non-Muslim and foreign travelers. I have selected five of our favorite photos from our trip to the Sultanate. We are genuinely excited to share our experiences with Oman, one of the most beautiful countries we have ever visited. However, the beauty of Oman not only rests in its physical landscape and architecture but also the kindness of Omani people and ex-pats alike. I hope you would agree!
Little Snake Canyon
The small brother of the much revered and treacherous Upper Snake Canyon, the Little Snake Canyon offers a dramatic wadi setting without hiring a professional guide and gear. Being a bit too ambitious, we decided to swing by this wadi after finishing our full day on the Al Rustaq Loop. About twenty minutes offroad, this was my first ever off-road experience, and we were both properly on edge the entire way. Despite that, we were taken by how spectacular the landscape was. At around sunset, the mountain opposite the wadi entry was cast in this beautiful golden hue. Together with the rippling water of the wadi, it was a transcendent sight that we would never forget. It was as if somebody had downloaded and projected a real-life screensaver in front of us.
GPS Coordinate: 23.240701, 57.435904
How to get there: Little Snake Canyon could be reached from the town of Al Awabi from the north or alternatively from Al Hamra via the village of Bald Sayt from the South. In either case, off-road driving with 4WD vehicles would be necessary. But please be advised that the road from Bald Sayt could be quite treacherous and take as long as three hours from Al Hamra. While it is not a heavily traveled route, we did encounter three oncoming vehicles during our half-hour off-road journey. Oman Tripper offers a great overview for anyone interested in paying a visit.
Diana Point at Jebel Akhdar
I have always been suspicious of any "celebrity spot" in my travels. Whether it be the Rocky Step in Philadelphia or the Strawberry Fields in New York's Central Park, it always seems silly and gimmicky. So when Brian mentioned to me that there is a "Diana Spot" at Jebel Akhdar, I was less than enthusiastic, to say the least. And boy, was I wrong. Perched atop the hillside village of Al Aqr, the rocky plateau offers a fabulous panorama of Jebel Akhdar and surrounding villages, terraced fields, and magnificent Anantara resort (silly... I know). Was the Princess here at this spot? We have been looking for photographic records online but could not find any so far. If you do, please leave a comment since we are curious.
GPS Coordinate: 23.073736, 57.666529
How to get there: the Diana Point is well-signposted as Al Fayyadiyyah and is just a three-minute drive from the start of the popular trek connecting Al Aqr and Al Ayn. The actual viewpoint is a two-minute walk past the parking area near the weather station. You may have read that you must have a 4WD to get to Jebel Adkher; it is true. Although the newly built mountain road was in excellent condition, the police checkpoint was there to ensure your vehicle had enough horsepower to climb the switchback roads.
Birkat Al Mouz
If visiting a picture-perfect oasis town is on your bucket list, the oasis of Wadi al-Muaydin would come close. Although not situated in the middle of a sand desert, the beautiful mountain backdrop makes up for it. But what makes the Birak Al Mouz unique is its complex falaj system that sustains the lush greenery before you. The Falaj Al-Katmeen is just one of the five Omani falaj systems inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
What makes this spot particularly pleasant to visit is how easy it is for a visitor to visualize the flow of the falaj. The medieval hillside towns that once guarded the channeled waterway now stood largely abandoned and ready for exploration. The beauty and serenity of this area make this my personal favorite spot in Oman. If you ever had a chance to visit the new National Museum of Oman in Muscat, check out the epic wood model of this falaj and the accompanying interactive exhibit on its inner workings.
GPS Coordinate: 22.922525, 57.677185
How to get there: only half an hour west of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mouz is often overlooked as visitors shuttle between Muscat and Nizwa. For those of you making a trip to Jebel Akhdar, the oasis is just a five-minute detour from the Bayt Ar Rudaydah Castle. Both ruined hill towns are easily accessible from the main thoroughfare of Birkat Al Mouz, and they are only about a seven-minute walk apart. To get the best view of the oasis, head up to the little hill with the radio mask atop it (see the GPS coordinate above). This is pretty much where all the tour guides take their guests. Although the top of the hill is accessible via a 4WD, it is still better to hike it for your safety.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
As mentioned in my previous post. It is not a surprise that the grandest mosque in Oman is named after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. Only completed in 2001, the Grand Mosque is hardly a historic monument that could rival other great mosques in the region. However, this grand structure symbolizes this tolerant, respectable, and religious nation. The mosque complex was impressive without being overly ostentatious (compared to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi).
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
A prime example of modern Islamist architecture, the Grand Mosque achieves the seamless harmony between strong architectural lines and traditional ornamentation. Symbolizing Oman as a crossroad of various Arab and Muslim cultures, the Grand Mosque incorporated ornamental elements from all over the Middle East and North Africa. Like much of Oman, the Grand Mosque manages its modesty and elegance despite its overwhelming scale and artistry. No visit to Oman is complete without a visit to this magnificent architectural masterpiece.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
How to get there: Access to the inside of the mosque complex is strictly limited to practicing Muslims outside of the dedicated visiting time, which is Saturday through Thursday from 8 am to 11 am. Outside the visiting hours, the complex is still accessible to all visitors. Of course, the standard dress code for modesty is requested. The view from the northwestern corner of the mosque was particularly lovely during the sunset hour. The beautiful mountain backdrop and the glowing gilded/marble dome made it one of the best wonders in the Sultanate.
Jebel Sham
"The Mountain of the Sun" in Arabic, Jebel Sham is the highest peak in Oman and the western Arabic Peninsula. Often dubbed the "Grand Canyon of Arabia,” Jebel Sham is well regarded for its dramatic cliff and approach trails. It may not be as wide or as "colorful" as its famous counterpart in Arizona, but the canyon's view and depth are just as breathtaking. The famous Balcony Walk (Route W6) is not to be missed.
GPS Coordinate: 23.212814, 57.203997
At the end of a 1½-hour trek is a beautiful abandoned cliff-side stone village inhabited as late as the middle of the 20th century. It makes you wonder just how tough a life it must have been. Along the western rim of the canyon at Jebel Sham are some of the most enviable spots for wild camping. We only wished that we had the gear and the adventurous mind. Just imagine the peace and tranquility of the early morning sunrise!
How to get there: the road from Nizwa or Al Hamra was in excellent condition, except for a 30-minute stretch before reaching the plateau. Although it is technically feasible as a day trip destination from Muscat, it is not advisable given that there are two perfectly beautiful "resorts" on the plateau. We stayed a night at the Sama Height Resort, which was absolutely lovely.
