Two years ago, I hung up my surgeon’s gloves and followed my passion to become a tour guide in Oman. Since then, I have primarily welcomed French clients and had the pleasure of working with renowned international television channels, including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC, France3, France5, and Arte.
Recently, I guided a group of seven French nationals, aged between 55 and 65, who were eager for unique adventures in Oman. Over a span of 15 days, we had a packed itinerary that included a seven-day exploration of the stunning landscapes of mountains, wadis, and beaches.
The group arrived from France on the morning of 23rd November 2024, and we set off directly to Jabal Shams. The weather at this time of year was delightful, and my clients were thrilled to escape the snowy conditions of Paris.
Our adventure began at Wadi Nakhr, often referred to as "Oman's Grand Canyon." Unfortunately, we could not reach Nakhr village due to the road being washed away by heavy rains a month earlier, so we parked our cars and continued on foot to Masirat al Nakhr.
The canyon was breathtaking, with cliffs soaring around one thousand metres on either side of the wadi bed. After about 45 minutes, we took the tributary path on the left bank and soon discovered a sublime natural pool with crystal-clear water. We paused here for a snack before heading back to our cars as dusk approached.
That evening, we spent the night in a house overlooking Wadi Nakhr. The following morning, after a delicious breakfast prepared by Amna, our host’s wife, we embarked on the famous "Balcony Walk" of Jabal Shams, enjoying the cool weather and the breathtaking views of the canyon and surrounding mountains.
It took us around an hour and a half to reach our destination, the abandoned village of Sab Bani Khamis, where ancient stone houses clung to the cliffs. This site holds special significance for me; it was here that I accomplished what I believe to be one of the highest free-drop abseils in the world, measuring 385 metres, in December 2010 alongside Mihai Catrinar, my adopted son at the time. I later repeated the abseil with BBC’s Steve Backshall and Aldo Kane, alongside my good friend Justin Halls. I named this majestic drop "Sheikh al Majaneen," after a title given to me by my old Omani brother, Abou Hmeid, upon our first meeting 25 years ago.
After visiting the village, we took a brief rest under an acacia tree before hiking back to Al Khtaym, where we spent the night. Our next stop was a traditional house in Jabal Akhdar, where I had arranged one night’s stay.
Upon arrival at Al Khtaym, we packed our bags and set off for the Sayq Plateau. It took us around two and a half hours to reach our next destination in Al Aa’qr, a location that boasted a terrace overlooking Wadi Sallut to the west and Wadi Al Mueidin to the east.
The following day, I planned a hike on a plateau situated between Wadi Qasheh and Wadi Al Hijri, which converge to form Wadi Tanuf. We awoke early and enjoyed breakfast on the terrace to admire the panoramic views and pleasant weather.
By 8 am, we set out for our hike, first driving to the village of Al Greyr before taking a left turn to park our cars. We began our trek at 9:15 a.m., and along the way, we spotted thousands of fossilised seashells embedded in the rocks.
After approximately 45 minutes of walking, we reached the abandoned village of Sab Qasheh, perched dramatically on the cliff edge, hundreds of metres above the wadi below. We took a snack break here before returning to our cars, then headed back to Muscat for the night.
On the following day, I planned to take the group to the Sharqiya Governorate for four days of exploring more stunning canyons. When I asked them about their first impressions of Oman, they responded: "A country that seems desert, arid, between sea and mountains, an enigma seen from afar. But as you draw near, a festival unfolds: wadis, oases, palm groves, waterfalls, and natural pools appear before you! The miracle of Oman captures our hearts. Here lies a country of a thousand wonders: unusual ophiolites, winding falajs, and vibrant rocks that intrigue us, enchant us, and delight us.
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