Amazing things to do in Oman

Salaam Alaykum and welcome to the enchanting Sultanate of Oman. Safe

and inviting, Oman will hypnotise you with its fragrant ancient souks,
mesmerize with dramatic landscapes and leave you spellbound with its
stories. Home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Oman is steeped
in history and has inspired some of the literature's most famous tales. Muscat,
the vibrant capital is full of memorable sights and experiences. Visitors can
take in extraordinary museum exhibits, visit ancient houses and wander the
fishing port, which is home to traditional dhow boats. The evenings offer the
chance to eat at one of the city's cafes and restaurants or even experience the
first opera house on the Arabian Peninsula - The Royal Opera House of
Muscat.
Head out of the city and Oman becomes even more captivating. Explore the
small towns nestled between the mountains. Visit the Bedouin villages. Drive
the incense route. You'll do it all under the constant gaze of ancient forts
dotted throughout the landscape like imposing sand castles.
Stop by the date farms and witness the rose harvest, which covers the hills
with delicate hues of pink and fills the air with an enchanting fragrance. Spend
the nights under the stars in a desert camp and then swim in the wadis, which
are stunning natural pools that offer respite from the heat. Marvel at Oman's
magnificent beaches, pristine diving sites and nature reserves. There arent
many places in the world where you can observe rare species of turtles up
close and swim with dolphins in the wild, but you can here.
All of this, as well as a colourful annual events calendar and a wide range of
international sports events, ensures a travel experience unlike any other. A
journey of discovery awaits you in this welcoming land at the crossroads of

Asia, Africa and Western civilization. Enjoy all of the marvels of this unique
setting, the ideal gateway to Arabia.
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1. Four wheel drive tours

There are many mountain villages and palm groves nestled in the hollows of
stone amphitheatres as well as canyons and gorges (wadis) of varying depth
and width. The mountains of Oman stretch from one end of the country to the
other and offer countless itinerary options to visitors. In addition to travelling
along the excellent trails and roads, 4x4s can power up slopes and explore
wadis. From Muscat, it is easy to get to the Hajar Mountains and take in the
breathtaking views from the plateau on high and "Grand Canyon" (wadi an
Nakhar). The sea and the mountains come together in the Musandam region,
which is known for its Arabian fjords. The luxuriant vegetation that grows in
Dhofar is like nothing else in this part of the world.

2. Marine activities and water sports

The large number of fish and unspoilt depth of the sea make Oman a popular
destination for divers. It is easy to fill a varied, enjoyable week in the capital
city Muscat, where there are around 20 diving spots. Bandar Al Khayran bay is
also perfect for snorkeling. Nearby, the Dimaniyat Archipelago Nature Reserve
boasts an incomparable array of stony coral and offers opportunities for
astonishing encounters with manta rays (in the summer), lemon sharks,
blacktip reef sharks and whales (from February to September). The sights in
the Musandam region contain significant rock formations covered with soft
corals and stunning expanses of corpora. The largely unexplored depths of
Dhofar are also spellbinding, however, it is only possible to dive in the area
from October to April due to the summer monsoons.

3. Canyoning

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The Hajar mountains are full of wadis, some of which are ideal for canyoning.
There are more easily accessible gorges such as wadi Dayqah and wadi Bani
Khalid; the activities on offer are more like canyon hiking than genuine
canyoning. In Wadi Bani Awf, the narrow gorge of snack Canyon (wadi
Bimmah), there is a very tricky route lasting three or four hours, with
supervision for beginners. The wadis are subject to flash flooding, so its
always necessary to be prudent.

4. Boat trips

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A boat trip from Muscat is a real must, whether it only lasts a few hours or
involves a night in a bivouac on a deserted beach. All sorts of excursions are
organized by local agencies, including dolphin watching, tours of Muscat from
the sea (with views of Muttrah, the old town, the Sultan's palace, the small
fishing villages in the surrounding area, snorkeling in Bandar Al Khayran bay
and dinner cruises. There is a wide range of vessels, including the traditional
wooden boats known as dhows, catamarans, yachts with cabins and speed
boats. There is no better way than a boat trip to discover the Musandam
region, where the mountains plunge into the sea. Travelling in from the waves
and wandering around the isolated villages at the bottom of towering cliffs is
an experience that cannot be missed.

5. Kite surfing

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From May to September, the statistics of the wind speed are truly remarkable
on the island of Masirah. Consequently, its a leading kitesurfing destination.
The island is a five-hour drive from Muscat and has a kite surfing center that is
part of the VDWS Water Sport Association. Training is available at the center
and equipment can be hired by experienced kite surfers. Another branch of
the school is open all year round on Sawadi beach, which is an hour north of
Muscat.

6. Sea kayaking

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With the series of coves and beaches that are only accessible from the sea,
the fjord of Musandam forms an enchanting backdrop for sea kayaking. Every
winter, numerous tour operators organize combined sea kayaking and hiking
trips, with bivouacking on wild beaches, swimming and opportunities to see
green sea turtles and dolphins. The bays to the south of Muscat are just as
suited to exploration from the sea in kayaks, especially for visitors using hotels
that are close to the beach.

7. Golf
There are three 18- hole courses in Muscat.
Almouj Golf: This challenging golf course was designed by Greg Norman. It
follows the outline of the dunes along the sea of Oman.

Ghala Valley Golf course: This was originally a Wentworth sand course and
it is found in the unique setting of a wadi.
Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club: This course is in craggy terrainthat is
criss- crossed by a number of wadis, with the Hajar Mountains in the
background.

Let us know in the comments which experience would you like to try out
in Oman the most? For more information on this amazing destination
visit Oman on WAYN, and also check out the official Oman profile.