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Oman is a country which combines majestic mountains, wonderful canyons and valleys to create absolutely breathtaking scenery. While the country is home to some of the best beaches in the region, Oman has so much more to offer.
Oman enjoys a well-deserved reputation for exploring and mountain climbing. Every year sees the arrival of visitors from all over the world looking to reach the top of these magnificent mountains.
The Hajar Mountains otherwise known as the Rocky Mountains or the Stone Mountains stretch from Oman down to the United Arab Emirates. They are highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Nestled in the center of the Hajar is Jebel Shams the highest of the range followed by its smaller counterpart, Jebel Akhdar. Both mountains offer a stunning range of slopes and peaks and are easily accessible to any tourist though it is still advisable to bring along a guide who will give you the most out of your visit. There are 11 marked trails to explore, all offering a glimpse into rich and diverse wildlife and fauna. Jebel Akhdar or the green mountain boasts a Mediterranean climate and during the winter months has been known to be partially covered with snow. An abundance of fauna and cliff terraces make Jebal Akhdar an attractive spot for visitors. Pomegranates also grow naturally and are amongst the best in the world.
For those looking to try their luck at extreme exploring, Oman offers options guaranteed to satisfy the most adventurous of explorers. In the heart of the dry Salmah Plateau, a stream of fresh water known Wadi Taab runs through. This Wadi remained inaccessible and untouched for many years due to tough terrain and the major boulders creating drops of 50 m or more to get into the wadi and out.
Oman’s Musandam Peninsula has been a firm favourite for decades and it is not hard to see why. Musandam is in a league of its own in more ways than one. Enclaved by the deserts of Oman’s neighbour, the United Arab Emirates, the peninsula is wild, mountainous with some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. Tourists flock there every year to enjoy the untouched costal views on traditional dhow cruises or from their windows in luxury remote hotels. Climbers are also spoilt for choice with soaring sea cliffs and limestone crags. Musandam is also a snorkeler’s paradise with crystal clear waters and rich maritime wildlife.
While visiting Oman between September and May while the temperatures are at their most pleasant, that cannot be said for the Dhofar area located in the deep south of the country. Dhofar surrounds the coastal city of Salalah and experiences a yearly monsoon season from July to September. The mountains are covered in lush greenery, waterfalls flow into rivers and natural swimming holes emerge. Dhofar is also home to the Jebel Samhan Reserve where visitors may catch glimpse of the exceptionally rare Arabian Leopard.
So if its mountains you are after, Oman has something for everyone!
