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.
Sur
Distance from Muscat: 335 km (interior paved road): 240 km (coastal
track).
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.
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.
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
Nakhl
Distance from Muscat - 120 km 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sohar is the home city of Sindbad the sailor
and is located near the Sawadi Island diving paradise.
The coastal city of Sohar was once an important
Islamic port and the largest town in the country. Nowadays,
Sohar has a new port under construction, being built at a
cost of RO120million. The city is renowned for its copper
deposits, and archaeological evidence points to copper extraction
being carried out 5000 years ago. There are still three copper
mines in operation in Sohar with over 18 million tons of copper
deposits.
Sohar
is an attractive region for tourists due to its clean, safe
beaches and the plethora of archaeological features. Visitors
will be attracted to its large and functional souq with handy
tailors, fruit sellers, and fishermen vying for space, and
its fort which stands apart with its four-story walls and
six towers, an imposing sight overlooking the bay.
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.
Barka
is a coastal town situated in Al Batinah in the north of Oman.
This small city is an hour away from the city of Muscat. The
town is gaining popularity as a tourist resort with fifteen
billion dollars invested in construction activities in and
around this region. The development lies eight kilometers
from the Suwadi beach and is termed as the ‘Blue City’.
A number of international companies are involved in these
development projects. There is a newly renovated fort (the
Al Na’man Fort), which lies near the city from where
one can get wonderful views of the entire coastal town. Bullfights
are held in the town mostly in winter and a large number of
people come here to see the event.
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
It
is a vast Wilayat located in the heart of the desert in the
middle of the Sultanate of Oman. Neighbouring it in the south
is the Governorate of Dhofar, in the north the Dakhaliya,
and especially the Wilayat of Adam, in the east the desert
of Rub' Al Khali and in the west the Arabian Sea.
It is almost mid-way between Muscat and Salalah, 540 km from
Muscat and about 500 km from Salalah in the Governorate of
Dhofar.
In the Wilayat of Haima there are some tourist features such
as caves. The most outstanding is the cave of Al Raki which
is located in the north east of Ja'aluni, water emerges from
this cave but it is not potable. There is also Al Masak cave
which hasearth's surface. It can be reached through an opening
with a sloping path. The fourth cave is called Qataar and
there is water in it but it is not drinkable. There are also,
besides the caves, 3 springs. One of them is called "Buyi
Al Huja" which is a vast rock standing on a rocky foundation
forming natural shade.
The second is called "Al Asla" and it is located
in south west Al Habur, the lower part of it consisting of
a column of rock, with stones rising above it, also providing
natural shade.
The third spring is Qarn Alnuz which is characterized by salt
dunes. In addition to these natural tourist features there
is a modern feature in the Wilayat which was first devised
at the beginning of the 1970's by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
His Majesty's directives established "the Arabian Oryx
Reserve” in Wadi Ja'aluni in the Jiddat Al Harasis which
the International Committee of Heritage of Unesco added to
its list of "places of World Heritage". Harasis
is considered a place for tourism and an important one for
those interested in the preservation of wild animals and the
environment.
Located
on the south coast of Al Wusta, in the north is the Wilayat
of Duqm, in the south the Wilayat of Shalim, which is part
of the Governorate of Dhofar, in the west the Wilayat of Haima
and in the east the Arabian Sea.There are about 12 villages
in the Wilayat with over 5832 inhabitants.
The Wilayat of Jazur like the other coastal
Wilayats of Al Wusta - Duqm and Mahut - has a number of beaches.
The most important are in the reaion of Rima which is about
50 kms fromKhudra and Khudra Al Jazur where there are villages
which benefit from free services.
The Wadis of 'Ail Al Khudra, Wadi Kaisar and Al Sabil, located
on the beach have villages with "Samar" trees in
the middle of them. Madhar and Fadhil beaches are the same.
On the side of Rima there are two subsidiary areas which are
part of the Wilayat of Jazur - Al Lakabi and Surara.
In
ancient times the deserts of the Wilayat of Thumrayt played
a role in the frankincense trade, which produced the civilization
of al Shisr/Wubar with its columns and domes. Today it is
an archaeological site.
The Wilayat of Thumrayt is the gateway to
the Governorate of Dhofar.It borders on the wilayats of Salalah
to the south, Shaleem and the Hallaniyat Islands to the east
and Muqshin to the north.
To the west it borders on Wilayat of al
Mazyounah. It is 80 Kilometres from Salalah.
Its main features are the old ruined site of Hanoun with its
pre-Islamic Arabic inscriptions, the oasis of al Shisr, its
wadis which extend right into the heart of the desert, Wadi
Andhour with its traces of early human settlement, and the
Wadi Dawkah Reserve, which has been added to the UNESCO's
World Heritage Cultural List because of its importance as
a site on the old frankincense trade route; najdi frankincense
trees grow here in abundance.
Thumrayt has five niyabats - Madhiy, al
Shisr, Halouf wa Masheelah, Barbazoum and Dhahboun. Madhiy,
80 Kilometres from the centre of the wilayat on the edge of
the northern Dhofar uplands, is a desert area with date palms
and late Iron Age burial grounds with triliths. The site of
Maseenan - a pile of large stones which is believed to be
ancient - is also in this niyabat.
The Niyabat of al Shisr is 85 Kilometres
from the centre of the wilayat. The old site of Wubar is one
of the most ancient sites in the Governorate of Dhofar and
was discovered in the Niyabat of al Shisr by the Trans Arabia
mission in 1992 following confirmation of the significance
of some satellite images of the area. Al Shisr, which is 160
Kilometres north of Salalah, lies to the north west of the
Salalah¬Thumrayt road and the route to the site is signposted.
The excavations at Wubar were carried out
by an international team generously supported by the Sultanate.
The team spent several seasons at the site and discovered
that much of it consisted of defensive fortifications; their
finds there included implements and ceramic and stone vessels.
In Barbazoum and Dhahboun a range of government
services are available including health centres and modem
housing. The Niyabat of Halouf wa Masheelah, 37 Kilometres
from the centre of the wilayat, also offers a range of government
services. Its main feature is the large number of najdi frankin¬cense
trees that grow within its borders. Jabal Halouf - a local
landmark - is a white mountain ten Kilometres from the centre
of the niyabat.
Trees of the palm type grow in abundance
in Thumrait's wadis and the local people use their fronds
to make ropes. The sand dunes of the Empty Quarter lie along
the northern boundary of the wilayat and are a popular destination
for visitors during the winter months.
The desert round Thumrayt has many shady
trees and is home to numerous species of wild animals. Herds
of oryx and gazelles used to live in this area, though today
they can only be seen in the deserts of the Wusta Region.
As
its climate is generally different from that of most of the
Sultanate's other regions, date palms are a rare sight in
the Governorate of Dhofar. An exception, however, is the Wilayat
of Muqshin, which has many oases with date palms.
Muqshin, in the north east of the Governorate
of Dhofar on the eastern edge of the Empty Quarter desert,
has a population of 529 and is 344 Kilometres from Salalah.
It lies in the heart of the desert and consists largely of
sand dunes. However, it also has extensive groundwater stocks
because it is a meeting point for a number of wadis which
flow down from the Dhofar mountain range and al Najd into
the sands.
It has been visited by numerous travellers
and over the centuries many trading caravans have passed through
it. Today it is a tourist destination, particularly for amateur
explorers and desert sports enthusiasts.
The Wilayat of Muqshin has four niyabats
- Ramlat Muqshin, al Mushash, Mandar al Dhibyan and Marsawdad
- as well as a number of desert villages. Ramlat Muqshin is
an area of sand dunes 420 Kilometres from Salalah. Al Mushash,
on the south-eastern fringes of the Empty Quarter, is also
an area of sand dunes and is linked to the centre of the wilayat
240 Kilometres away by a graded road. It is 400 Kilometres
from Salalah. Mandar al Dhibyan, also on the south-eastern
edge of the Empty Quarter, is linked to the centre of the
wilayat by a 160-Kilometre-long graded road and is around
350 Kilometres from Salalah.
Marsawdad, on the southern edge of the Empty
Quarter, is 105 Kilometres from the centre of the wilayat
and 216 Kilometres from Salalah. In each of the niyabats there
is a government-built administrative centre which offers the
local inhabitants a range of services.
Muqshin attracts campers and other visitors
during the winter months, when it has a mild climate. Some
ancient sites and implements discovered in the wilayat show
evidence of human settlement during the Palaeolithic period.
Although
the Wilayat of Shinas is right up at the far end of the Batinah
Region on the Sultanate's northern border, it has enjoyed
just as many of the benefits of modern development as the
rest of Oman's wilayats. It has numerous tourist attractions,
a lively commercial scene and a thriving agricultural sector
and, thanks to its seaside location, it also has an important
commercial sea-port. Its land is fertile and watered by flowing
aflaj and it produces a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
Shinas
is the "bottle-neck" of the Batinah Region and it
is through this wilayat that much of the overland traffic
and trade passes between the Sultanate and the other Arab
Gulf Co-operation Council states. It borders on the Gulf of
Oman to the east and the Wilayat of Mahdhah to the west and
the south. It is 300 Kilometres from the Governorate of Muscat
and its beautiful coast extends from Khatmat Malahah in the
north to al Dawaneej in the south.
The
wilayat's history is reflected in old buildings like Shinas
Fort near the souq. The fort's
rectangular keep is surrounded by a perimeter wall with a
tower at each of its four corners and it has a rectangular
tower on the north-eastern side. The fort has now been restored
to its former glory. Other buildings of interest include the
forts of Rassat al Milh, Khadhrawain and Ajeeb and the dilapidated
but historic fort of al Asrar. There are also over thirty
towers, the most important one being the seaside tower of
al Marir.
The
Wilayat of Shinas's seafaring history is reflected in the
fact that in 2001 its old fishing harbour was converted into
a commercial port to handle local trade in the north Batinah
- particularly the trade in fish, livestock, consumer goods,
vegetables and fruit.
Shinas
is also an agricultural area and the falaj-irrigated land
around its outlying villages produces Omani limes, tomatoes
(the tomato is the wilayat's emblem) and a large number of
other varieties of fruit and vegetables. There are two agriculture
and fisheries advice centres - one in Shinas itself and the
other in the north of the wilayat.
The
wilayat's 36 wadis include Wadi Ajeeb, which flows as far
as al Wajajah, and Wadi Tumait, in addition to several wadis
that flow from the mountains. One of these is Wadi Faidh,
which is about fifteen Kilometres from the centre of Shinas.
Shinas's
charms are greatly enhanced by the many mangrove trees that
grow along its coast and provide a refuge and nesting-place
for resident and migrant birds. Khor al Qurm ("Mangrove
Creek") - one of the wilayat's popular tourist spots
- extends for a distance of five Kilometres from north to
south, from al Wadayat to al Farfarah.
The
Wilayat of al 'Awabi is very similar to its neighbours, with
its flowing wadis, mountain villages, fresh water springs
and ancient buildings. Its best-known wadi is Wadi Bani Kharus,
which extends as far as the beautiful village of al Aliya.
The Wilayat of al 'Awabi's emblem is a pen,
an inkwell and a book. Over the years it has produced numerous
scholars, poets and imams - the imams of Bani Kharus including
al Warith bin Ka'b, al Salt bin Malik and Azzan bin Tamim,
to name but a few - as well as men of letters like the poet
Salim bin Ghassan al Lawah, and scholars like Abu Nabhan Ja'id
bin Khamis al Kharusi who lived in the village of al Aliya
where his mosque, his house and his tomb can be seen to this
day.
Al 'Awabi has many old buildings and mosques
including al Ghamamah Mosque in at Hajar village in Wadi Bani
Kharus, forts like al Awabi Fort, al Rami Fort and al Salut
Fort, and a number of towers.
Al 'Awabi's most distinctive feature is the
mountain range of the Western Hajar which overshadows it,
forming a gigantic wall beneath which the wilayat sleeps safe
and secure. The Wilayat of al Awabi is in the south of the
Batinah Region. Bordering on the Wilayat of Rustaq to the
north and west; the Wilayat of Nakhl to the east and the slopes
of the Western Hajar mountains to the south, it is 156 Kilometres
from the Governorate of Muscat and has a population of 10,469.
It has eight schools with 6,096 male and female students and
an eighteen-bed hospital in Wadi Bani Kharus, as well as a
health centre in al Awabi itself. Some of its roads are surfaced;
a 5.6 Kilometre stretch of road was paved recently.
Wadi Bani Kharus, the best-known wadi in
the Wilayat of al Awabi, begins at Stal - one of the biggest
villages in the wilayat, with houses and farms spread out
along the edge of the wadi, where there are many rock inscriptions
recording events in its history. From here the traveller heads
up into the wadi past the lime and date groves of al Hajar,
al Misfah and other villages until he reaches the village
of al Aliya on its upper slopes. Here he can admire the view
of lime orchards, terraced plots and ancient houses clinging
to the living rock. From a distance the village looks like
a forest of date palms.
The villages in this wadi which are of most
interest to tourists are al Ijjah, where passages and caves
have been formed in the massive rocks and the rock inscriptions
and drawings look like an open-air art gallery. Then there
is al Sbaikha with its high mountains, lush green trees and
glistening waters, and al Sanee' with its neat little houses
surrounded by groves of sweet oranges, dates, limes and other
fruits.
Wilayat
Al Buraimi is the regional center of the Governorate located
375 kilometers from the capital Muscat . It has a number of
historic forts and houses. Its main forts are al Khandaq,
which has been adopted as the emblem of the Wilayat, and Al
Hillah Fort. Both these forts have recently been restored
by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. There are
also several other forts, including the forts of al Fayyadh,
Hafeet and Wadi al Jizzi. The most famous historic house in
the Wilayat is Bait Bahr. Buraimi's villages are watered by
49 falajes. Much of the rest of the Wilayat is sandy desert.
Dhank lies at the centre of the Dhahirah
region. Its neighbours are the Wilayats of Buraimi to the
north and west, Ibri to the south and west, and Yanqul to
the east.
The wilayat has a distinguished history.
It has 16.622 inhabitants and 48 villages. The imams of earlier
times took an interest in Dhank, as can be seen today in Falaj
al Bazili in the west of the Wilayat and the "Imam's
Fort" in its central area. Falaj al Bazili was constructed
by Imam Saif bin Sultan AI Yarubi, who cultivated extensive
areas around it, while the "Imam's Fort" was renovated
by Imam Azzan bin Qais. Ibn al Rumtha built Al Oud Fort in
Safalat al Wahshi. Other forts in the Wilayat include al Shiraya',
al Subaikha, al Marqu', al 'Aqr, Doot, al Jafrah, Balat, al
Khilli and al Fath. There are also six towers: al Saghar,
al Taff, al Ghafah, al Khilli, Abu Kariyah and al Qala'ah.
Wadi Dhank is one of the Wilayat's main tourist sites. Other
popular spots are Wadi al Fath and Wadi Qumaira.
The Wilayat is well endowed with falajes
underground water resources and springs. Its falajes include
al Sadd, al Sima, al Muhaidith, al Taff, Salalah, Qumaira,
al Rahbah, Balat, al Fath, al Janbi, al Khilli and Khamat.
Its two springs are al Musaifiya and Bani Saa'idah.
Situated
between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its
population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and
villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan
Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa'lam (Information
City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar
Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.
Its archaeological remains and the ancient
narratives suggest a history going back to the second millennium
BC. It is also said –and it is likely to be true –
that the name Bowshar is derived from the unrest witnessed
by this district in the past, causing it to be called Abu
Sharr (the Iniquitous One); until, when matters settled it
was shortened to Bowshar.
The Beit Al Kebir (Great House) is amongst
its most significant monumental remains. This monument of
many names is also known as Beit Al Sayeda Thoraya. Whatever
its title it stands as a splendid historical testament, with
its unique engravings and feats of design. It is composed
of several lobbies and colonnaded galleries and is three storeys
high.
Also here are the stronghold and citadel of Al Fatah and the
towers: Al Hammam, Sanb, Harat Al Awraa and the tower and
Rawla and Sabla of Falaj Al Sham; the Al Sayed Barghash Wall,
the two Bouqa of Al Ansab and Al Hammam, the old stone the
old suq of Bowshar and Al Khab
Foremost among the old mosques are the Al Najar Mosque in
the Bowshar Bani Umran Municipality which was erected in the
thirteenth century AH, and the nearby Al Aweina Mosque, as
well as the Sanb Mosque and 56 other lesser mosques scattered
throughout the Wilayat.
It
is located in the south eastern corner of Al Wusta, neighbouring
the Wilayat of Mahut in the north, the Wilayat of Jazur in
the south, the Wilayat of Haima in the west and in the east
the Arabian Sea. There are more than 4,276 inhabitants living
in about 23 villages.
Despite the preference of the people of
Duqm to emigrate north, to the Wilayats of the Dakhaliya,
during the period they call "the Flood" the weather
in the Wilayat of Duqm during the 3 months from June to September
is wonderful summer weather. There is no need to use air conditioning
during this period. This unique weather is very like the autumn
season in Dhofar. There are a number of beaches on the Arabian
Sea. The wonderful beaches of Duqm are characterized by their
cleanness, the blueness of the unpolluted water, the purity
of the soft sand and the winds which have a tendency to be
cool. There is the beach of Al Shu'ir, which is about 20 kilometres
from the centre of the Wilayat. Scattered about are the empty
houses of the fishermen which await the return of their families
from the north. Another beach is called the "tourist
camps" by the people who arrive by car from the neighbouring
Gulf countries, coming from the Wilayat of Ibri in Al Dahira
to spend some time among their brother Omanis in the agreeable
weather of this region, which being triangular in shape thrusts
into the waters of the Arabian Sea with beaches on all sides.
Ras Madruka beach is about 80 kilometres from the centre of
the Wilayat.
In addition there are some areas which have
natural scenery and rare geological formations making an artistic
tableau drawn by skillful fingertips able to embody dreams.
The Ashtaan area is a vast low area covered with green trees
and surrounded by Rocky Mountains. It is about 20 km from
the centre of the Wilayat of Duqm in the direction of Sanaw.
The most outstanding wadis of Duqm are Wadi
Naqaw, Wadi Al Dabak and Wadi Saai which is about 2 kilometres
from the centre of the Wilayat on the paved road to Sanaw
in the Sharqiya.
The unique climate in the Wilayats of Al Wusta and its subsidiary
areas is obvious when going from the Wilayat of Haima towards
Wadi Jalouni, where Jiddat Al Harasis is located. Here the
temperature rises remarkably during the summer months, however,
on arrival at the Al 'Ajaaiz region which begins at the Wilayat
of Duqm, the temperature drops accompanied by a cold wind
and it remains thus until the Dhahar region. It continues
low during the descent from that raised area to the centre
of the coastal Wilayat which is a few kilometres from Dhahar.
The beaches of the Wilayat of Duqm are characterized
by caves which were previously used as a refuge from the rains
and various climatic fluctuations.
The
Rub' al Khali, which translates as Empty Quarter in English,
is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing
most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including
southern Saudi Arabia, and areas of Oman, the United Arab
Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers some 650,000 square
kilometres (250,000 sq mi) (the area between long. 44°30'
-56°30'E., and lat. 16°30' -23°00'N), more than
the combined land areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France
and almost the land area of Texas.
Largely unexplored until recently, the desert
is 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long, and 500 kilometres (310
mi) wide. Even the Bedouins only skirt the edges of the desert.
Nonetheless, tour companies do exist that offer GPS-equipped
excursions into the desert. The first documented journeys
made by Westerners to the Empty Quarter were those made by
Bertram Thomas in 1931 and St. John Philby in 1932. Between
1946 and 1950 Wilfred Thesiger crossed the area several times
and mapped large parts of the Empty Quarter and the mountains
of Oman.
With summer temperatures up to nearly 55
°C (131 °F) at noon, and dunes taller than the Eiffel
Tower—over 330 metres (1,100 ft)—the desert may
be the most forbidding environment on Earth. However, as nearly
everywhere else, life flourishes. Arachnids, rodents and plant
life can all be found throughout the Empty Quarter. As an
ecoregion, it falls within the Arabian Desert and East Saharo-Arabian
xeric shrublands.
Desertification has increased through the
millennia. Before desertification made the caravan trails
leading across the Rub' al Khali so difficult, the caravans
of the frankincense trade crossed now virtually impassable
stretches of wasteland, until about AD 300. For example, Iram
of the Pillars, a lost city, depended on such trade. More
recently, tribal populations were also present in certain
parts of the Empty Quarter, with the largest in the Najran
region. A few road links were connected with these tribal
settlements to the water resource and oil production centers.
Geologically, the Empty Quarter is the second
most oil-rich place in the world. Vast oil reserves have been
discovered underneath the sand stacks. Sheyba, in the middle
of the desert, is a major Arab light crude oil-producing site
in Saudi Arabia. Also, Ghawwar Field, the largest oil field
in the world, extends southward into the northernmost parts
of the Empty Quarter.
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.
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.
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
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
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).
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. 
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.
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 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. 
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. 
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.
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. 
Barka
is a coastal town situated in Al Batinah in the north of Oman.
This small city is an hour away from the city of Muscat. The
town is gaining popularity as a tourist resort with fifteen
billion dollars invested in construction activities in and
around this region. The development lies eight kilometers
from the Suwadi beach and is termed as the ‘Blue City’.
A number of international companies are involved in these
development projects. There is a newly renovated fort (the
Al Na’man Fort), which lies near the city from where
one can get wonderful views of the entire coastal town. Bullfights
are held in the town mostly in winter and a large number of
people come here to see the event. 
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
It
is a vast Wilayat located in the heart of the desert in the
middle of the Sultanate of Oman. Neighbouring it in the south
is the Governorate of Dhofar, in the north the Dakhaliya,
and especially the Wilayat of Adam, in the east the desert
of Rub' Al Khali and in the west the Arabian Sea.
Located
on the south coast of Al Wusta, in the north is the Wilayat
of Duqm, in the south the Wilayat of Shalim, which is part
of the Governorate of Dhofar, in the west the Wilayat of Haima
and in the east the Arabian Sea.There are about 12 villages
in the Wilayat with over 5832 inhabitants.
In
ancient times the deserts of the Wilayat of Thumrayt played
a role in the frankincense trade, which produced the civilization
of al Shisr/Wubar with its columns and domes. Today it is
an archaeological site.
As
its climate is generally different from that of most of the
Sultanate's other regions, date palms are a rare sight in
the Governorate of Dhofar. An exception, however, is the Wilayat
of Muqshin, which has many oases with date palms.
Although
the Wilayat of Shinas is right up at the far end of the Batinah
Region on the Sultanate's northern border, it has enjoyed
just as many of the benefits of modern development as the
rest of Oman's wilayats. It has numerous tourist attractions,
a lively commercial scene and a thriving agricultural sector
and, thanks to its seaside location, it also has an important
commercial sea-port. Its land is fertile and watered by flowing
aflaj and it produces a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
The
Wilayat of al 'Awabi is very similar to its neighbours, with
its flowing wadis, mountain villages, fresh water springs
and ancient buildings. Its best-known wadi is Wadi Bani Kharus,
which extends as far as the beautiful village of al Aliya.
Wilayat
Al Buraimi is the regional center of the Governorate located
375 kilometers from the capital Muscat . It has a number of
historic forts and houses. Its main forts are al Khandaq,
which has been adopted as the emblem of the Wilayat, and Al
Hillah Fort. Both these forts have recently been restored
by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. There are
also several other forts, including the forts of al Fayyadh,
Hafeet and Wadi al Jizzi. The most famous historic house in
the Wilayat is Bait Bahr. Buraimi's villages are watered by
49 falajes. Much of the rest of the Wilayat is sandy desert.
Wilayat
Dhank 
Situated
between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its
population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and
villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan
Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa'lam (Information
City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar
Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.
It
is located in the south eastern corner of Al Wusta, neighbouring
the Wilayat of Mahut in the north, the Wilayat of Jazur in
the south, the Wilayat of Haima in the west and in the east
the Arabian Sea. There are more than 4,276 inhabitants living
in about 23 villages.
The
Rub' al Khali, which translates as Empty Quarter in English,
is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing
most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including
southern Saudi Arabia, and areas of Oman, the United Arab
Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers some 650,000 square
kilometres (250,000 sq mi) (the area between long. 44°30'
-56°30'E., and lat. 16°30' -23°00'N), more than
the combined land areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France
and almost the land area of Texas.