Oman’s Heritage: Forts, Castles And Towers

From ancient ruins and Portuguese forts to a gorgeous Grand Mosque, Oman will satisfy even the most ardenthistory addicts.

Ancients Forts

Oman’s heritage is evident in the 500 forts, castles and towers thatshowcase its rich cultural past. Muscat’s historical port area is the site of the Sultan’s Palace. Here two Portuguese-built 16^th-century forts, Jalali (Eastern) and Mirani (Western) dramatically guard the entrance to Muscat and serve as sentinels to the Sultan’s palace. The local military uses both forts, although the public can wander through their shady courtyards. To the east of a third fort, 16^th-century Muttrah, sits in a restored watchtower. The 100-step climb to the top may be steep, but is worth the effort for breath-taking views.

Nizwa Fort was completed in the 1650s. It is set amid date palm plantations and is one of Oman’s most visited national monuments. It is characterised by its towering walls, its 35-metre central turret and unique location at the heart of Nizwa’s town centre. Other Omani forts of interest are:

• Musandam’s award-winning 17^th-century Khasab Fort and 16th-century Bukha Fort, both built by the Portuguese
• Sohar Fort housing the Sohar Fort Museum, showcases the city’s history of navigation and overseas trade with China
• Rustaq Fort, built four centuries prior to the dawn of Islam in Oman
• Hazm Fort, also in Rustaq, with its unique columned roof
• Nakhl Fort, boasting panoramic views over an oasis below
• Bahla Fort, which reopened in December 2012 after extensive renovations, and is surrounded by an incredible 12-km wall
• And the 17^th-century Jabrin Fort, constructed as a palace for the imams and famed for the ancient irrigation system flowing through its ramparts.

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A Favourite Pastime For Omanis: Horseback Riding

Few scenes evoke wild Arabia as the image of riding horseback across desert dunes. Which makes it no surprise that there's a long tradition of riding in Oman, from show jumping and dressage to endurance racing and simple countryside exploration. 

Horses symbolise integrity and pride. Because of the horse’s high status and appreciation by Muslims, Oman has been famous since ancient times for raising, breeding, acquiring and caring for horses.

Horse racing is a favourite pastime for Omanis. Horse races are held annually, such as The Royal Horse Racing, organised by the Royal Stables, and horse racing in Omani States. You can find horse racing schedules on this link: www.rca.gov.om

Qurum Park, Muscat's largest green expanse, is criss-crossed by a variety of riding trails, while the park’s riding school, Qurum Equestrian (www.qe.hashimani.com) offers lessons, beach excursions and pony rides. Various companies offer horseback riding holidays across the country.

Note that Oman's hotter summertime weather makes riding an activity best pursued between October and April.

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Ancient Trade Routes And Cross Remote Plateaus: Hiking in Oman

Oman’s mountains provide excellent conditions for trekking. Intrepid explorers can expect to stumble across otherworldly vistas, unusual fossils and herds of impressively sure-footed mountain goats. Hikes through Jabal Akhdar often follow T. Falaj, or rivers of underground water that have been channelled through narrow canals for irrigation, connect many of the mountain villages. On hot summer days, groups of local children splash around, dipping in and out of the falaj’s cooling flow.

Perched at 2,000m, the town of Wakan is ringed by walking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. With its surrounding date palms, grapevines and pomegranate trees, it personifies Jabal Akhdar (“Green Mountain”). The village is often rated as one of the Sultanate’s prettiest. The trek to the precipitous Wadi an Nakhur, known as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East, is punctuated with panoramic vistas. Clusters of ancient stone homes, such as the picturesque Al Sab and Birkat al Mawz, perch along its lofty peaks.

Musandam, the northernmost region of the country, offers experienced hikers rocky, wide-open terrain that spills across dramatic cliffs. On a clear day, It is possible to see across the Strait of Hormuz to the Iranian coastline. Around the coastal village of Sur, the Eastern Hajar Mountains enable visitors to combine elevated trekking with beachside camping.

For trekkers keen to leave Oman’s tourist trails far behind, centuries of Arabian Sea erosion have created the stunning limestone rock formations at Ras Duqm in the southern region of AlWasta. Its surrounding terrain draws gulls and terns, making it particularly appealing to keen birdwatchers. Ras Markaz, a remote promontory located here, shelters a kilometre-long sandy beach.

In contrast to Oman’s other regions, Salalah in the southern Dhofar province enjoys the annual monsoon, or khareef. Cooler temperatures, perennial waterfalls and a year-round verdant landscape make the region ideal for exploring on foot.

Experiencedrock-climbers seeking more challenging routes in Oman may refer to this Press Pack’s ‘Adventure Travel’ section. For hikers of all levels, Oman Trekking Explorer is an excellent guidebook to the country’s many and varied trails. It can be found on www.askexplorer.com. 

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Adventure travel in Oman: Cross-Country Cycling

The Tour of Oman – which takes place on a track designed by cycling legend Eddy Merckx – celebrated its fifth edition in 2014. The race has attracted a wide range of international cyclists, including stars such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Alberto Contador and Fabian Cancellara. British Olympian Chris Froome won the Tour of Oman in 2014.

With the Tour de France celebrating its 100^th year in July 2013, it is expected that the international popularity of cycling will continue to increase. Likewise, cycling in the Sultanate has recently taken off in a big way – and fortunately, Oman offers plenty of places to explore by bike. Rarely peddled trails weave through the Hajar Mountains: these off-the-beaten-track pathways pass through remote villages, encouraging cyclists to savour the scenery and to stop and chat with locals. Muscat Cycling Club can provide information about group rides, local events and maps.

ExploringOmanon foot – whether you go it alone, hitch a ride on one of the country’s many camels or even head out on horseback – turns up plenty of exotic discoveries.

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Adventure travel in Oman: On two or four wheels

Whether it is sun-kissed desert dunes at sunrise, verdant wadi oases at high noon or cycling into the sunset, Oman is a delight to explore on two or four wheels.

Desert Dunes

Best explored in a 4WD vehicle, the dunes of Wahiba Sands cover a whopping 12,400km2. They soar up to 200m high, and are tinged a variety of rainbow hues from orange to deep amber. For bolder visitors, the 650,000km2 Empty Quarter is one of the largest deserts in the world. Most guided tours through Oman’s deserts include a stop at a Bedouin campsite where guests can share a meal with locals and sample authentic desert life. Alternatively, luxurious desert camps offer high-end spots to bed down in the dunes, including:

·   Hud Hud Travels (www.hudhudtravels.com), seasonal camps set up in Wahiba Sands and in the mountains near Tanuf. Hud Hud offer the possibility to mix their magical settings with challenging expeditions or specifically tailored events, such as a dinner for 100 guests on a deserted white sand beach

· Desert Nights (www.omanhotels.com/desertnightscamp), which offers their own permanent, luxurious take on traditional Bedouin tents, each one complete with their own private beanbag-splashed terrace. Desert Nights also arranges excursions into the dunes by quad bike and 4WD.

·   And 1000 Nights Camp (www.1000nightscamp.com), set among the Cineraria trees in Wahiba Sands. Camel safaris, treks into the desert and a traditional Omani meal under the stars may be organised by 1000 Nights’ accommodating staff.

It is also worth bearing in minds that visitors are allowed to camp almost anywhere in Oman, from the desert to mountaintops to secluded beaches. However, it is best to seek local advice before you set up camp. 

Self-Drive Holidays

With next to no traffic and petrol cheaper than mineral water, Oman is a country ideal for driving. Explore the hills around Nizwa, hop aboard a ferry to the fjords of Musandam or Masirah Island, or head south to Salalah’s lush coconut groves. Oman Off-Road Explorer is a superb and detailed guidebook to the country’s roads. It can be found on www.askexplorer.com.

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Spotting Sea Mammals In Oman

Of the world’s 88 species of cetaceans, around a quarter have been spotted in the coastal waters off Oman. Whale, dolphin and porpoise spotting are hugely popular activities. Humpback whales and Bryde’s whales are most commonly sighted, while the temperate waters of the Musandam Peninsula are considered a dolphin playground. Sperm whales have also been recently spotted off the Omani coastline. Local operators offer set programmes and chartered outings. While the Humpback Whale in the Arabian Sea is the World’s only non-migratory whale, it stays put; off the Coast of Salalah. 

Whales visit the shores of the Sultanate at irregular intervals, particularly in A'Sharqiyah South Governorate and AlWasta Governorate, in addition to Dhofar Governorate.

The most famous types of whales that visit Oman are: Bryde’s Whales or Tropical Whales, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Cuvier's Beaked Whale, Pygmy Killer Whales, Killer Whales, Melon-Headed Whales and False Killer Whale. Note that the dolphins seen in Omani waters belong to the whale species.

Dolphin shoals visit the shores of Oman in large numbers. Muscat and Musandam are famous for dolphin watching, although this pastime is also widespread in A'Sharqiyah South Governorate and AlWasta Governorate, in addition to Dhofar Governorate.

The types of dolphins that visit Oman are: Indian Ocean Dolphins, the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins, Common Bottlenose Dolphins, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, Rough-toothed Dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, Striped Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, and Long-Beaked Common Dolphins.

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Top 4 Water Adventure in Oman

Dhow Cruises

Cruising through the northern Musandam Peninsula’s dolphin-dotted “Fjords of Arabia” (ruus al jebel) on a traditional wooden dhow boat is an idyllic and eco-friendly way to explore Oman. From Khasab, a small fishing port and Musandam’s principle town, dhows set out on day, overnight or weekend cruises to the picturesque inlet of Khawr Ash Shamm, Telegraph Island or the cliffside village of Kumzar.

For history buffs, the coastal town of Sur, in Oman’s northeast, has long been an important centre for dhow construction: It is said that dhows built here were sailing to mainland China as far back as the eighth century. Today, visitors may take in the local shipyards, which are still active, as well as Sur’s new Maritime Museum.

Canoeing

As many of the Musandam Peninsula’s fjords are sheltered, they provide ideal canoeing conditions. Visitors may paddle to isolated fishing villages and deserted bays. Various local outfits offer guided kayak tours of the coastline, stopping to swim at deserted white sand beaches en route.

Cruising

Muscat, Salalah and Khasab are on the cruise Itineraries of more than a dozen cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, Voyages to Antiquity, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, MSC and Holland America. However, Oman is still off-the-beaten track for cruising, so expect far fewer crowds as well as plenty of untouched scenery.

                                              

Water Sports

Most hotels can arrange water sports such as windsurfing and water-skiing, including equipment hire. For serious surfers and kite-surfers, Oman’s top spots include Asilah and Masirah Island. Game fishing is also rapidly gaining popularity with catches such as marlin and tuna. The waters off of the Khuriya Muriya Islands and Masirah Island are specially suited to this sport. To the north, Dibba on the Musandam Peninsula is particularly well known for fly-fishing.

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Adventure travel in Oman: Sailing

Sailors are well catered for in Oman: little surprise, as the country’s ancient capital Sohar was the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor. West of Muscat, the Millennium Resort Mussanah (www.millenniumhotels.com) offers a private 54-berth marina managed by reputable local firm Oman Sail (www.omansail.com). Boat rentals, sailing instruction and yacht charter are all available. At the nearby Wave (www.thewavemuscat.com), Almouj Marina is home to a 300-berth port. From here It is a short sail to the Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve. Oman Charter (www.omancharter.com) organises bespoke sailing holidays, island-hopping day trips and – uniquely for the region – bareboat yacht charter.

There’s plenty of serious sailing for spectators to enjoy too. The Extreme Sailing Series (www.extremesailingseries.com) – a kind of Formula 1 on the open sea – kicks off its annual yearlong competition, which takes place in eight locations around the globe, from Muscat each February. And every November, around three-dozen sailing yachts compete in the Dubai to Muscat Race (www.muscatregatta.com), navigating the Straits of Hormuz en route.

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Bringing the Arabian Sea to life

Oman’s waters are brought to life by coral, crabs and colourful fish bringing the Arabian Sea to life. Whether it’s deep-sea diving or paddling pool depths, there is an underwater world waiting to be explored that can be appreciated from both above and below the water.

In sharp contrast to the arid environment that lies above, there is a multicoloured scene laid out below. The intricate structures of the coral reefs are expertly manoeuvred by Arabian angelfish, lion fish and silver fusilier fish, to name just a few of the 900 species that swim amongst the waters. 

Musandam on its own has more than 25 dive sites and in particular may attract some experienced divers who are in search of some invigorating drift diving. As commercial fishing is not allowed in this area of water, the volume of marine life is boosted substantially and it’s not unusual for divers to encounter most turtle species and a number of shark species. Favourite snorkel and dive spots include the Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve (a UNESCO world heritage site), Bandar Khayran and Fahal Island.

As the saying goes ‘there’s bigger fish to fry’ and in Oman’s case around a quarter of the world’s 88 species of cetaceans have been spotted in the coastal waters off Oman. Large groups of dolphin shoals are frequent visitors to the shores of both Muscat and Musandam and in a stunning display a group of over 2000 long-beaked common dolphins have been seen churning the surface of the water as they travel. Bryde’s whales are the most common whale species as are a group of Arabian Humpback Whales - the only group in the world that doesn’t migrate and can often be spotted off the coast of Salalah. A few lucky ones have even made sightings of Sperm whales!

The waters are also home to many different species of turtles, thousands migrate annually to lay their eggs on the shores of Oman. The arduous work of digging holes in the sand to bury their eggs lays the foundations to one of the most watched and loved moments of the year, for conservationists and tourists particularly, as the eggs hatch and baby turtles begin their dangerous journey to the waters edge. The Masirah is the largest nesting ground for the Loggerhead turtles in the world and Omani culture proudly protects this area with a week dedicated to conservation-focused activities. 

The rich waters of Oman are an oasis of calm overlaying an unimaginable underwater world. [ CLICK TO TWEET ] The outstanding preservation and cultivation of the marine life creates every diver’s dream. But there is only one way to truly find out for yourself, take to the waters and see!

Beauty Has An Address – Oman.

Adventure travel in Oman: Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

The waters surrounding Oman are rich in wildlife and natural beauty. From dhow cruises and scuba diving to sailing and snorkelling, there’s plenty to keep lovers of the sea active all year round.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

With 3,165km of coastline coupled with warm waters and shallow reefs, Oman’s shores provide both snorkelers and scuba divers the chance to savour life under the waves. It is common to see rays, turtles and dolphins. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a sperm whale or two. Favourite snorkel and dive spots include:

• The Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve, a UNESCO site with coral reefs, endangered hawksbill turtles and a spectacular array of tropical fish
• The secluded coves, mangroves and creeks of Bandar Khayran. This reserve hosts 22 top-notch dive spots, yet is just a 20-minute boat hop from downtown Muscat
• Fahal Island, or Shark Island, a popular nesting ground for sharks. Located 4km off of the Muscat coastline, Fahal Island is a protected nature reserve
• The northern Musandam Peninsula, where sites like Lima Rock host barracuda, turtles, sunfish, parrotfish, reef and whale sharks
• And the unspoiled beaches and rocky coastline of southern Salalah.

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Adventure travel in Oman: Super Spelunking and Creative Caving

Wadi Bani Jabir, located in Oman’s Al Sharqiyah region, is home to the second largest cave chamber in the world. The Majlis al Jinn (“Home of the Genie”) is estimated to measure around 60,000m2 – the size of seven aircraft hangars – and is accessed via plunging abseils. The cave also boasts two massive drops (160m and 120m) plus magnificent cave formations coloured in delicate shades of pink, yellow, gold, beige and grey. The cave even has its own subterranean lake.

Novice cavers will enjoy Al-Hoota Cave, located at the foot of Jabal Shams. The lower part of the cave is an eco-friendly tourist attraction. Guided tours escort visitors along illuminated pathways, passing crystal-garnished walls and the underground lake’s rare garra bareimiae, blind and spookily transparent fish. Intrepid spelunkers may also head to Teiq Cave, in Oman’s southern Dhofar region. This natural wonder possesses one of the largest sinkholes in the world. It is fed by two grand wadis, which replenish the pool when it rains. Seeking the Sultanate’s prettiest sinkhole? Take a dip in the Bimmah Sinkhole’s translucent turquoise waters, located near Dibab, east of Muscat.

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Adventure travel in Oman: Towering Mountains

Oman is a sublime destination for serious climbers. More than 160 ascents – from beginner’s grades to technical ascents – have been established throughout the country.

The highest mountain range in Oman, Jabal Akhdar (“Green Mountain”) takes its name from the year-round vegetation that covers its slopes. The range’s tallest peak, Jabal Shams (“Mountain of the Sun”), stands at 3,009 metres, over double the height of Britain’s Ben Nevis. Sheer rock faces provide thrilling climbs, while Jebel Misfah features ascents that vary from 120 to 500 metres. Perhaps the best-known climbing site is nearby Jebel Misht. It remains the largest and most challenging rock face on the Arabian Peninsula. Climbers must be in top physical condition; engaging a local guide is also advised.

It was British RAF pilots who pioneered rock-climbing in northern Oman in the 1960s. British climbers have continued to set up and promote routes in Oman since the 1980s, including Derbyshire-born climbing legend John Gregory. Climber and author Alan Stark describes the Omani trekking route Stairway to Heaven (built by the local Shihu tribe and connecting the Wadi Litibah in Oman with Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE) as "a five-star expedition with over 2,000 metres of ascent and descent”. Neil Gresham, currently one of Britain's best all around climbers and a top climbing coach, enthusiastically recommends Oman for deep water soloing, or rock-climbing on cliff-faces along the Arabian Sea.

For canyoners, the sublime Wadi Bimmah (“Snake Gorge”), 145km southwest of Muscat, is a 200-m deep canyon, approximately three kilometres in length. It boasts its own Via Ferrata, a vertiginous route lined with steel cables and bridges. Equally exhilarating is Bandar Khayran’s Via Ferrata, which skirts cliffs above the Arabian Sea. Be sure to pack your own climbing gloves.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om