Muscat: With a long weekend expected at the end of this month and temperatures on the higher side, domestic tourists can still have a few options to explore in the Sultanate. The Prophet Mohammed's birthday holiday is expected to be on Thursday, September 28.
One of the popular destinations is the Jabel Akhdar mountainous range, around 30 km from Nizwa, and only a four-wheel drive vehicle is allowed after a checkpoint.
Jabel Akhdar stands out as a unique tourist destination that boasts a year-round turnout of visitors, who set out, from their accommodations in modern hotel facilities, to explore the adjoining mountains and practice many types of related sports.
Jabel Akhdar is also unique in Oman in the sense that it is home to many agricultural crops like pomegranates, grapes, peaches, apricots, roses, and other farming products. The villages of the Wilayat house a number of ancient buildings that attract large numbers of tourists from various Arab, Asian, European, and American countries.
Jabel Akhdar is also famous for ecotourism and adventure tourism in Oman, in addition to outdoor activities such as walking in valleys, visiting caves, and mountain climbing. These activities in turn contribute to the tourists’ exposure to the local culture in the wilayat.
Jabel Shams is the highest peak that lies in the heart of the Western Hajar Mountains chain in the Al Dakhiliyah region.
It takes around 2 hours from Nizwa and the highest range is about 3,000 meters above sea level.
On the way is Al Hamra, an old town that is 400 years old. It contains several villages showing the traditional life of Omani, known as Wadi Ghul, Wadi Nakhr, and Misfat Al Abryeen; Al Hamra is famous for its bright color rugs and oriental design.
Al Hoota Cave is a cave located in Al-Hamra and is 5 km long. The cave was first discovered by locals several hundred years ago and was officially opened as a tourist destination in December 2006. The Omani blind cavefish lives in this cave system.
Al Hoota cave was formed as a result of the chemical and hydrographic erosion of limestone by acidic water and extends more than 5 kilometers underground.
Weather permitting, Marina Bandar al Rowdah is known for its dolphin boat tours in the sea around the capital.
