Oman

     The country of Oman is officially known as the Sultanate of Oman. The country is located in the southeast coast of Arabian Peninsula. The capital of the country is Muscat. The Oman gives information about the various important aspects of the country. The History of Oman can be divided into different phases like the advent of Islam, the country's attainment of independence and the formation of the Omani Empire. It also includes the rise of the empire and the different rulers under whom Oman flourished.

  

Sur

• Distance from Muscat: 335 km (interior paved road): 240 km (coastal track).
• Average drive time: 4 hrs by paved road: 3.5 hrs by coastal track.
• How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National tourist Corporation (ONTC). Saloon cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired from Car rental agencies.

      Sur, a placid sea coast town with its striking traditional dwellings is a pleasant getaway and one of the most important towns in the Eastern region. The drive from Muscat via the interior cuts through wadis and passes through the Hajar Mountains. An alternate route down the coast through the village of Quriyat is adventurous and offers fabulous views of sparkling white beaches covered with multi coloured shells, deep ravines, cliffs that fall dangerously into azure seas, rocks sculpted by wind and waves and lush green wadis (river beds). The journey ends in the city famous for its dhow shipyards (and presumed home of the legendary Sinbad the Sailor). A trip through Sur's labyrinth of streets reveals many fine old houses with carved doors and arabesque windows. From the corniche, the dhows in the harbour can be seen against the scenic backdrop of the Gulf of Oman.

  

Musandam:

      Separated from the rest of Oman by part of the United Arab Emirates, this is the northernmost part of the Sultanate. It's rugged mountains rise up to 2100 meters above sea level and the coast which juts into the strait of Hormuz has a spectacular fjord like look. It is no wonder that Musandam is also called "The Norway of the Middle East". Khasab Fort, Qadah Archaeological site, Jebel Harim Mountain, Shim Gulf and Strait of Hormuz are the most important attractions in Musandam.

Sohar

• Distance from Muscat - 230 km (by highway)
• Average drive time - 2 hours
• How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.

Sohar, a seaside city, was the capital of Oman many centuries ago and legend has it that it was named after the great grandson of Noah (of the Bibical flood). Originally known as Majan (Persian-Mazoun), the city's name alludes from early ship building activity. The word "ma-gan" means ship's skeleton or chassis stemmed from its copper deposits in the mountains of Majan.

     Sohar belongs to the fertile Batinah coast region, and is arguably the most verdant city in Oman and the drive to Sohar from Muscat along the coastal highway passes through thick plantations of dates, mangoes, limes, bananas, vegetables and fodder crops.

Wahiba Sands

• Distance from Muscat :190kms
• Average drive time :2hrs
• How to get there : Saloon cars and 4-wheel drives can be hired from Car rental agencies. You can reach the Wahiba Sands by saloon car but to drive into the sands requires a 4-wheel drive.

The great Wahiba sands are longitudinal dunes 200 km long and 100 km wide running south from the Eastern Hajars to the Arabian Sea. The dunes are 100-150 metres high in shades of colour from orange to hues of amber. Bedouin camps can be found along the tracks and trails in this isolated desert. In sporadic areas can be found stands of single-species woodlands. Where the sands meet the ocean, outcrops of aolianite (sand compressed into rock) can be found displaying unusual and attractive abstract shapes. Here the beaches mellow into soft shades of yellows and whites.

       To the west of the Wahiba of the small towns of Rawdah, Samad Ash Shan, Al Akdar and Lizq. Rawdah and Samad Ash Shan contain ruins and reconstructions of old forts while Al Akdar is the home of Omanis pit weavers who design elegant textiles from their looms dug into the ground. At Lizq can be found remains of structures that date back to Bronze Age. South of Lizq are the prosperous towns of Al Mudaybi and Sinaw where you can find almost every day the bustling Bedouin souq at the centre of town.

Wadi Ghul

       It is located approx 15 Kms from Al Hamra. Over here one can see an abandoned persian village perched on the sides of a steep cliff. Wadi ghul has a recharged dam built to stop floodwaters from washing into Al Hamra and to allow water to be stored and drained down into the Wadi bed.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

       It is Oman's main mosque. Construction on the mosque began in 1995 and ended in 2001. The massive structure, constructed of Indian sandstone, holds 20,000 worshipers total, but only 6,500 in the main prayer hall. The mosque features a 90 meter tall main minaret flanked by four 45.5 meter minarets. The prayer carpet in the main hall is the second largest hand made carpet in the world. It took four years to produce, is made of 1.7 million knots, and weighs some four tons.

Ibra

• Distance from Muscat - 150 km
• Average drive time- 1 1/2 hours
• How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies.

The Gateway to the Eastern region of Oman, Ibra, in the past, was famous for its fine horses and horsemen. A unique feature of Ibra is the "Wednesday Souq" run entirely by women. On the far side of Ibra lies Al Mansfah village, a community of mansions once owned by prosperous merchants of the 19th century during the reign of Said the Great. With the decline of Said's commercial empire these once stately mansions fell into ruin.

Jabel Akhdar

       Standing 3000 meters above sea level, Jabel Akhdar's beauty comes as a collage of tall date palm groves, verdant valleys and picturesque villages such as Bani Habib and Sharijah. Meaning 'the Green Mountain' in Arabic, Jabel Akhdar also has a fortress of Al Hazm which was built in 1708. Visitors can also find the burial places of some of the early rulers of Oman in the town known as Rostaq. Jabel Akhdar is one of the most Popular Destinations in Oman and must on the itinerary list of every traveler to Oman.

Qalhat

    Located in A'Sharqiyah, Qlahat is one of the oldest towns and seaports in Oman. The original town stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, but today only remnants of the city walls remain. In the 13th century, it was the main port of trade with the interior and was famous for its export of horses to, and import of spices from India. In the 14th century, the town was destroyed by a major earthquake.

     When the Portuguese occupied the area in the early 16th century, they made the town their outermost stronghold until they were evicted towards the end of the century. The town soon declined to become an outpost of Sur.

Nakhl- Rustaq Loop

• Distance from Muscat - 120 km
• Time taken to reach - 1 1/4 hours
• How to get there - By car, which can be hired from Car rental agencies.

From the Batinah Coast to the west of Muscat along the base of the jebels are several key towns of special interest. Along the coast is the town of Barka with an impressive fort and Bait Al Naman Castle, an early home for the Al Bu Said dynasty(the current ruling family).

     Further along the coast is the Jazir Sawaidi, a small chain of islands near the shore where beach combing, fishing and exploring are the prime activities. Closer to the mountains lie the majestic fortresses of Nakhl, Rustaq and Al Hazm. restored by the government and preserved as national treasures. For those bent on trekking, there are many wadis running through the foothills and mountains, many of them with running water. Wadi Abyadh is ideal for picnicking, while Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Hajir, Wadi Haylayn and Wadi Bani Kharus offer challenging trails for those keen on canyoning. Wadi Sahtan and the Ghubrah Bowl extend into the upper reaches of the Western Hajars, while Wadi Hoquein and Wadi Ghafir offer challenging drives through lush low lying valleys.

Salalah

• Distance from Muscat - 1030 km
• Average drive time - 12 hours by road, (1 hour by flight)
• How to get there - By buses / coaches belonging to the Oman National tourist Corporation (ONTC). Cars can be hired from Car rental agencies. Oman Air operates regular flights from Muscat to Salalah

Nestled in the southern region of Oman, Salalah has the benifit of the annual Indian monsoon: locally known as the Khareef. This monsoon, which extends from early June to mid September, transforms the countryside into a veritable garden with tumbling waterfalls and meandering streams. The Khareef season is a good time to visit Salalah. In July and August the government plays host for the annual Khareef Festival, a cultural highlight of the season.

     Salalah is steeped in myths and legends that date back to biblical times. In the Jebel Qara can be found the tomb of the Prophet Ayoub, better known as Job of the Old Testament. In Khawr Rhori lie the ruins of the palace reputed to be that of the Queen of Sheba. In the surrounding countryside on the flanks of the jebels grows the Boswellia sacra better known for the sap it produces: Frankincense. Frankincense, of course, is best known to Christians as one of the gifts of the Magi in Nativity story. In all probability the Frankincense that was a gift to the baby Jesus came from Oman as the Boswellia sacra tree grows no where else.

Masirah Island

      Masirah is idyllic for those who really want to get away from it all. It is an island in the Indian Ocean, 20 kms off central Oman coast just South of the Wahiba Sands. The stark rocky landscape is rimmed with isolated beaches whose only visitors are the logger head turtles that come to nest there. Beachcombers may come across a variety of shell fish and other speciments of marine life. There is also evidence of early settlements.

Bahla in Oman

     Recognized as a World Heritage Site, Bahla in Oman receives a regular stream of visitors every day. A third BCE town, Bahla boasts of seven miles of fortified walls which is a grand testimony to the town antiquity. Babla is known throughout the ancient kingdoms for its pottery. Also located near Babla is the scenic Al Hamra village.

Jabrin Castle

       Located in Jibrin town in Wilayat Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, Jibrin Fort resembles a remarkable blend of defensive architecture and sophisticated artistry. It consists of three floors and 55 rooms, and is penetrated by Falaj Jibrin.

     The Fort is considered one of the most impressive forts in the Sultanate and the details and carvings in the rooms and balconies are most elaborate. Finely painted flowers and symbols are found on the ceilings in the 'living' rooms. This exquisite palace was built by Bala'rab bin Sultan Al-Ya'arubi (1680-1692 AD). The tomb of Imam remains within the Fort. Was restored and furnished in 1982

Nizwa in Oman

     Nizwa had served as Oman's capital during the sixth and seventh centuries. Here the tourists can see the Oman's oldest as well as the largest fort. Nizwa is known particularly for its gold and silver works. It is owing to its sheer grandeur that Nizwa is counted upon as one of the Popular Destinations in Oman.