Oman a treasure trove of wonders waiting to be explored, whether you want to relax on the stunning beaches or stroll back in time at a fort recapturing the drama, there is something for everyone all year round. The old traditions and modern tourism infrastructure means you will be able to experience an authentic Omani experience and benefit from the modern facilities of its tourism infrastructure. A visit to Oman offers archaeological sites, forts and ancient villages to satisfy any history buff. Nature Lovers will be delighted with its beautiful beaches, wadis, turtle watching, hootah caves, grand canyons, hot springs and fjords. For adrenaline junkies there is night under water tours, big games fishing, camping, dune bashing and trekking.
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Oman’s Hajar mountains reach heights of 2,000 metres offering spectacular views of rugged landscape, barren in winter with fields of green scattered along the mountain sides in the wet summers. Salalah during July to mid-September – the ‘Khareef’ monsoon season sees a spray of mist aside a craggy mountain carpeted green attracts a growing number of visitors seeking refuge from the Gulf heat of 45 degrees Celsius. The mountains make for ideal hiking and the new Via Ferrata, with its mountain routes fixed with wire cables, metal rungs, and ladders allows climbers to ascend steep rock faces without having to carry heavy mountain climbing equipment.
As you drive along the roads in Oman you will see the small villages dotted along the hills and valleys, where you’ll get a peek into the habits of a people who are exceptionally welcoming and humble in their approach to living. The social customs there mean both men and women dress in traditional tribal attire, the men in a dishdashah, a traditional woven cotton robe, and headgear of a light turban of cotton or wool, known as a muzzar. Many men continue to carry a short, broad, curved, and often highly ornate dagger known as a khanjar which is worn tucked in the front waistband. The women dress in a conservative, time-honoured fashion with slight variations from region to region, in brightly coloured fabrics and jewelled adornments which consists of a dress (thawb) over loose-fitting slacks (sirwāl). A long, flowing scarf known as a liḥāf (or generically as ḥijāb) covers the head.
Shopping for hidden treasures at the bustling suqs of Muttrah you will be shoulder to shoulder with locals and here you’ll find leather goods, silver, pottery, woodcarvings, ornaments, spices and perfumes. And bargaining is a must! As you wander the narrow streets of the suq you will be wrapped a rainbow of colours of fabrics and filled with the aromas of Frankincense, which is native to Oman.
The capital city Muscat celebrates old traditions whilst welcoming the new against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. The absence of skyscrapers in Muscat demonstrates the forward thinking of urban planning with conjoined styles of history and modernity. A visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum explores the heritage of the Omani culture. The majesty of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is worth a visit where you’ll learn the secrets of its design and build. There are a number of museums in and around Muscat, the Oman Museum, the Children’s Museum (1990), and Bait Nadir, a converted 18th-century residence that now houses Omani art and traditional items are all worth a visit. The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra was formed in the late 1980s and has performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; it is one of the few national orchestras in the Middle East.
Nizwar is the old capital a two-hour journey from Muscat where you can stroll back in time to learn of the Forts battles and conquests. Built in the 17th century, the fort took twelve years to complete. The largest fort in the Arabian Peninsula it represents the political and significance of Oman. The fort guarded by its dark narrow zigzag staircase will intrigue any visitor especially when you see the door with the large spiked wooden doors and shafts for pouring oil, molasses and honey – you’ve got to go and see for yourself!
Oman a land full of surprises and of welcoming smiles with over 101 things to do!
What to see and do
- Visit to the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Take a Dune buggy ride in the desert
- Hiking trekking in the mountains
- Watch Camel and horse racing
- Enjoy a camel ride at Sharqiya Sands
- Participate in Falconlry
- Enjoy a Bedouin camp experience in the desert
- Swim in a wadi
- Take a dhow trip
- Explore underwater worlds through a glass bottom boat
- Witness pods of 400+ dolphins Turtle hatching (June) at Ras Al Jinz
- Explore Al Saleel Nature Reserve