Gulf's tropical destination - Salalah, Oman

Whether it is the gentle breeze along beautiful beaches, or the music of birds, Salalah has plenty of nature's wonders that will amaze you.

Salalah City receives its visitors with large vistas of grass and water mist, opening its arms to them and spreading the shade of its palm trees (locally called Coconut). The smell of frankincense wafts through the city. This is the same frankincense that has been portrayed on the walls of ancient Pharaonic temples ever since Hatshepsut journeyed to Oman’s fertile lands. Salalah is famous for its lights that sparkle through the night’s lyrical breezes and the day’s sun rays beating down on the waves that dance in celebration of Salalah’s eternal spring.

History and culture play pivotal roles in delineating the features of Salalah people, and the city’s nature and culture. Studies and research carried out by a number of scholars point to the ancient history of this city. This is evidenced by the various writings and inscriptions found on artefacts belonging to a succession of civilisations that have risen and fallen in this land and which still have their impact to the present day. Excavations are still under way to determine the exact historic timeline of these civilisations, including the Al Bilayd civilization which dates back to between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, and the archaeological finds indicate the existence of much business activity.

The unique climatic factors make Salalah a magical spot and the jewel of the Arabian Sea. Here you will enjoy monsoon (khareef) amidst the green carpet woven by nature in Salalah, and marvel at the steep mountain views, bathed in the colours of sunset and sunrise that visitors enjoy every day, and marvel at the abundance of rare types of birds.

Nizwa Fort - Nizwa, Oman

The Nizwa Fort is a massive castle in Nizwa, Oman. It was built in the 1650s by the second Ya’rubi Imam; Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'rubi, although its underlying structure goes back to the 12th Century. It is Oman's most visited national monument. The fort was the administrative seat of authority for the presiding Imams and Walis in times of peace and conflict. The main bulk of the fort took about 12 years to complete and was built above an underground stream. The fort is a powerful reminder of the town's significance through turbulent periods in Oman's long history. It was a formidable stronghold against raiding forces that desired Nizwa's abundant natural wealth and its strategic location at the crossroads of vital routes.

The fort's design reflects the Omani architectural ingenuity in the Ya’rubi era that witnessed considerable advancement in military fortifications and the introduction of mortar-based warfare. The main part of the fort is its enormous drum-like tower that rises 30 metres above the ground and has a diameter of 36 metres. The strong foundations of the fort go 30 metres into the ground, and a portion of the tower is filled with rocks, dirt and rubble. The doors are inches deep and the walls are rounded and robust, designed to withstand fierce barrages of mortar fire. There are 24 openings all around the top of the tower for mortar fire.
Two cannons guard the entrance to the fort which opens into a maze of rooms, high-ceilinged halls, doorways, terraces, narrow staircases and corridors. Four cannons remain on the tower's top, down from a total of 24, which once served as the fort’s main firepower. They provided complete 360-degree coverage of the countryside around making it virtually impossible for a surprise attack on the fort without provoking a reply from the cannons. One of them has the name of Imam Sultan bin Saif engraved on it. Another, from Boston City, was presented to the first Omani ambassador to the United States in 1840. Clumps of cannonballs, misshapen with rust and age lie around.
The design of the tower, complete with battlements, turret, secret shafts, false doors and wells incorporates a great deal of architectural deception. Access to the top is only by means of a narrow twisty staircase barred by a heavy wooden door studded with metal spikes to exhaust the enemy and impede their progress to the top of the tower. Those who did manage to run the gauntlet of hurdles risked being burnt by boiling oil or water that was poured through shafts which opened directly above each set of doors. Date syrup, a liquid that oozed from bags of dates stored in special date cellars, also came in handy as an alternative to oil and water. The fort was built above a subterranean stream that ensured a permanent supply of water when subjected to a prolonged siege. Several cisterns located within the fortified compound also ensured plentiful supplies. Underground cellars stockpiled food and munitions. Running all round the summit of the tower is a wall for use by 120 guards who kept watch over the surrounding countryside and were armed with muskets and flintlocks. Furthermore, 480 gun-ports allowed for a concentrated barrage of fire if the fort came under attack.

Jabel Shams (Sun Mountains)

Jebel Shams is the highest point in Oman and is known in Arabic as the ‘Mountain of the Sun’. More popularly, Jebel Shams is coined as the ‘Grand Canyon in Oman’, as the dramatic cliff edges provides thrill seeking trekkers and road trippers a great summit view into a thriving narrow stretch of narrow gorge.
Jebel Shams is also popular with local Omani families as a great picnic location to escape the relentless Middle Eastern heat. Needless to say, this popularity has prompted local authorities to pave very good roads to the summit and casual road trippers can rejoice.

Visiting Jebel Shams is highly recommended as a day trip or a 2-day trip. The cool temperature and sharp cliffs offer a very sharp contrast to the hot and flat landscape typical in other parts of Oman.

 

Oman Jabel Akdhar

The Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Arabic: الجبل الأخضر ‎ meaning The Green Mountain), is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Oman, which extends about 300 km (186 mi) northwest to southeast, between 50–100 km (31-62 mi) inland from the Gulf of Oman coast. It is one of Oman’s most spectacular areas. The highest point, Jabal Shams (the mountain of the sun), is around 3,000 metres (around 9,800 feet) high. It is the highest point in Oman and the whole of eastern Arabia. It comprises the central section of the Al Hajar Mountains range, and is located around 150 km (93 mi) from Muscat.

Terraces of Jebal Akhdar

The range is mostly desert, but at higher altitudes it receives around 300 mm (12 in) of precipitation annually, moist enough to allow the growth of shrubs and trees and support agriculture. It is this that gives the mountains their 'green' name. Cool summers provide the visitor with fresh air surrounded by breathtaking stones. The area is about 2 hours drive from Nizwa and is famous for its traditional rose water extraction and agricultural products including pomegranate, apricot, peach and walnut. The Jebel is mostly inhabited by the ancient Arab tribe Bani Riyam (al Riyamy) Pop.( approx. 14,000 ). However most descendants of the tribe are now in nearby towns Such as Nizwa, Izki and some inhabit Ibra.
The Jebel Akhdar was the scene for a conflict between Omani forces loyal to the Sultan of Oman (aided by British soldiers including the Special Air Service) and Saudi Arabian backed rebel forces of the inland Imamate of Oman between 1957 and 1959. This conflict is known as the Jebel Akhdar War.
In August 2011, Sultan Qaboos designated Jebel Akhdar a nature reserve in a bid to conserve its unique yet fragile biodiversity. A decree issued by the Royal Court established the ‘Jebel Akhdar Sanctuary for Natural Sceneries’.
The mountain figures into the route for the 2011 and 2012 Tour of Oman cycling race.