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Jebel Akhdar Travel Guide

Travel to Jebel Akhdar - Forts, Walks & Canyons

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Heading southwest from Muscat for 2 hours the Jebel Akhdar loom ahead rising to 3048m above sea level. A formidable barrier between the interior and the Batinah Coast they are home to isolated villages whose people live amongst the rocky peaks. These same peaks provide the traveller with opportunities for walking and trekking, wildlife spotting, canyoning, exploration by 4WD, stunning views and an opportunity to meet local people unchanged by the tourism found elsewhere in the Middle East.

The highest peak of the region is Jebel Shams at 3048m but the entire range of the Jebel Akhdar is impressive. Part of the Hajjar Range that stretches for some 600km in a sweeping south-easterly arc the steep folds of its valleys and wadis harbour villages that cling vertiginously to the rock walls, their lands terraced so it can be farmed.

Irrigating by means of the falaj water-channel system amongst others, they manage to produce a startling variety of crops, from pomegranates to walnuts, figs and roses. These villages and their terraced fields along with the numerous forts and lowland villages are one of the wonders of the region and a visit is a must for any visitor to Oman.

Attractions in Jebel Akhdar

The stunning views within the mountains themselves at viewpoints such as Wadi Nakhr (billed as Oman’s Grand Canyon) are reason alone to explore on foot whether on a day hike or organised trek. Others may wish to explore by 4WD visiting abandoned villages such as Manah and Tanuf or attractive towns and villages such as Hamra and Misfah, each of which has its own appeal.

Forts are a common occurrence here and each is truly dramatic; names such as Bahla, Nizwa and Jabrin may well be familiar even to those who have not previously visited Oman and can be included on most itineraries.

Keeping with active outdoor pursuits canyoning – exploring water-filled wadis on foot - is increasingly popularity in place such as Snake Gorge, then there are the Al Hota caves to discover with its new visitor facilities that allow complete access to the vast interior.

All in all the Jebel Akhdar region has much to offer the visitor whether wanting energetic or more relaxed activities.

Activities in Jebel Akhdar

Depending upon your interests you can visit as a (long) day trip from Muscat or spend several weeks in the area, there is so much to see and do. Most popular activities are walks and treks in the mountains visiting remote settlements and visiting the fort-towns that encircle the massif. The former really requires several days, though rewarding shorter hikes are entirely possible, the latter can be accomplished in a day or so; staying in an accommodation centre such as Nizwa overnight only serves to enhance a visit.

Relaxing

A night in Nizwa in a comfortable hotel after a hard day’s trekking is a luxury to be savoured, however a night around the campfire is hard to beat.

Getting Around

Bus connections are few and far between and it is not practical to plan a visit to the region around them. Instead either hire a self-drive vehicle or, a better option, arrange a tailor–made or pre-arranged organised tour of the area. Local travel experts can provide you with a variety of itineraries which can be taken as they are or adapted as required; those agencies that specialise in trekking can make recommendations based on the time you have available and level of difficulty you want, supplying all equipment, transportation and guides and thus negating the need to be self-sufficient.