The Sultanate of Oman: a trip to the country of the 1 001 wonders

Surprising and authentic, the Sultanate of Oman keeps natural and cultural treasures that promise you a fabulous change!

Let yourself be transported to the country of the Mille and A Nuits, that of the lamps to the geniuses and flying carpets. But unlike the fantasies and ideas of the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman hides much more treasures than the vastness of its dunes.

Ranked among the most stable and safe countries in the world, Oman will surprise you with its large natural spaces and architectural jewels, not to mention the exceptional hospitality and smile of its inhabitants. Vertiginous canyons, pure water basins of wadis, green palm groves, strong to no longer finish or wild beaches... so many wonders to discover in this unique country in the world.

Cultural and architectural treasures of the Sultanate

While opening up to the world, Oman strives to preserve its customs and heritage. With its historic cities, its traditional mountain villages in pisé and more than 500 military forts, the country offers a beautiful fan to satisfy the cultural tourism bits.

Moreover, one of the government’s priorities is the preservation of the environment and cultural authenticity. Thus, the whole country remains wild and preserved. But for how long?

Mascate and its large mosque

Nestled between ocean and mountains in the north of the country, Mascate is not a capital similar to large neighboring cities as Abu Dhabi or Dubai . Here, no high skyscrapers, but a traditional style.

Authentic and showcase of the country, Mascate houses the Sultan Palace, the Omani National Museum and even a sublime opera. To plunge into the culture of the country, nothing like going to lose in the souks or stroll along the cornice that stretches from the old Mascate to the famous fish market.

But the real masterpiece of Mascate is his Great Mosque. Built from 1995 to 2001, it houses the world’s largest handmade carpet (70 out of 60 meters) and the world’s largest candlestick, set with 24 carat gold! An exceptional and luminous architecture that invites passage and opening.

The countless forts

The Sultanate of Oman is dotted with forts that dominate desert landscapes and defend the coasts. Witnesses of history and especially of Portuguese influence, there are no less than 500 of them throughout the territory. All more impressive than others, they are a real emblem of the country.

Located 120 kilometers from the capital, Nakhal Fort is a real jewel that emerges in the heart of a palm grove. An idyllic situation that offers an incredible view from the upper terraces. But this fort is only one example among so many others: that of Nizwa , Bahla or Jabrin fort are also worth a visit.

Take height with the Hajar Mountains

In addition to its cultural and architectural treasures, the Sultanate of Oman is full of exceptional natural spaces. To begin with, let's take a little height and freshness with the Hajar Mountains. This spectacular mountain belt, the largest in the Arabian Peninsula, extends from United Arab Emirates to the north of the Sultanate of Oman.

Dizzying peaks, canyons or small traditional villages... evade through the vastness of these mountains and their many opportunities for hiking, without forgetting the warm encounters with the villagers. A spectacular environment that invites to disconnect while promising a unique and authentic experience.

Located in the Al Dakhiliyah area, about 3 hours’ drive from Mascate, the Djebel Shams and the Djebel Akhdar are the two main massifs of the Omani part of the Hajar Mountains.

Djebel Shams: the “Grand Canyon of Arabia”

On top of Oman, the Djebel Shams or “mountain of the sun” peaked at 3,099 metres above sea level. Its dizzying flaw of Wadi Ghul plunges 1000 meters into the ground, a breathtaking show. It is not for nothing that he is called the “Grand Canyon of Arabia”.

From the top of this so-called “mountain of the sun”, you will have the exclusive to admire the very first rays that rise on the country. A majestic show to be observed during a hike at the dawn.

Djebel Akhdar and its picturesque villages

Located northeast of Nizwa on the Sayq plateau, the Djebel Akhdar massif literally means "green mountain". Indeed, Oman’s landscapes are not only arid and desert-like expanses.

Here, they are oasis and green terrace cultures that sublimate the horizon, all scattered with picturesque villages perched on the mountainside. Among these small villages, Misfat Al Abriyeen is considered one of the most beautiful, nestled in the heart of a palm grove.

Maybe you're wondering how much vegetation can survive in such a place? This miraculous greenery is made possible thanks to the traditional system of gravity irrigation: falaj .

Old 4,500 years old, this ancestral technique allows the distribution of water through the inhabitants of the villages and their cultures. Five of these famous irrigation systems are also classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Finally, a passage to the Djebel Akhdar and its traditional villages can be the opportunity to be invited by the villagers to taste the famous kawa , cardamom coffee accompanied by succulent dates. In fact, hospitality is a real tradition among Omanis. It is therefore very common to be warmly invited by premises that you have barely met.

The immense deserts of the Sultanate of Oman

Among the large natural spaces that make the richness and diversity of the sultanat, how can we not evoke the desert? The countless photos that we see often do not replace in any way the magic of these endless stretches of sand, a natural spectacle to see from its own eyes.

Dunes area inhabited by the Bedouins , Wahiba Sands covers 180 km from the north to the south, 80 km from east to west and occupies 12,500 km2 of the country’s area! The very definition of immensity. Although being the most accessible, the Wahiba Sands is not the only desert in the country.

Further south and remote from traditional tourist circuits is the Al Khaluf desert . It is also called " sugar dunes Due to its white and fine sand dunes as sugar. Considered one of the most beautiful deserts in the world, it could be almost confused with snowy mountains.

I mean, Rub al-Khali or Quart Vide is the largest uninterrupted sand in the world. Immense and inhospitable, you have to be crazy or desperate to want to cross it. It is located mainly in the territory of Saudi Arabia, but also extends to Oman, Yemen and the Emirates.

The wadis, a paradise of fresh water surrounded by greenery

Imagine natural sources with turquoise and emerald hues surrounded by palm groves, all nestled in the middle of arid and desert lands...

Real treasures of the country, wadis are canyons dug in the rock by the bed of a river. These wonderful oasis that punctuate the Sultanate of Oman are a unique ecological system. The premises are the main followers of these freshwater paradises that are found mainly in the north of the country, near the coast or other more in the land.

Even if all are worth the detour, we can quote it. Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab among the most beautiful. Between pure water basins, caves and palm groves, the decor seems almost unreal.

The wild beaches and the richness of the seabed

In addition to its dizzy canyons and freshwater basins, the Sultanate of Oman has other wonders: its vast and wild beaches. There are no less than 1,700 kilometres of coastline along the Arabian Sea and still very few areas of sand.

One of the most beautiful is located in the northeast of the country 20 kilometers from Sour: the beach Ras al Jinz . And because of this, it is also part of a natural reserve known to be one of the most important marine turtle sites in the world. Otherwise, island Masirah or Daymaniyat Islands offer a preserved nature and beaches with a dazzling clarity.

In addition, the country hosts exceptional seabeds to diverse wildlife. A paradise for diving enthusiasts! Otherwise, it is possible to board these traditional wooden sailboats called “ dhow » to explore the Musandam peninsula and its fjords . Colourful fish, corals, green turtles and even hump dolphins make the richness of the seabed.

Dhofar, the “forgotten” part of the Sultanate of Oman

Located all the south of the country bordering Yemen, the Dhofar region is the least visited of the country. Often due to a lack of time, travellers make the impasse. Yet it is definitely one of the most beautiful regions of the sultanat.

This region is home to all the must-see treasures of Oman. The archaeological site of Khor Rori and its magnificent beach, the Wadi Darbat, Mughsayl with its beach and its "breathing holes"... Not to mention a crude desert and much less touristic than the famous Wahiba Sands of the north of the country.

But what makes the Dhofar region even more incredible is the summer monsoon called the Dhofar khareef . For about two months, the rains are very present and allow the landscape to dye green. Blessing for agriculture, this natural phenomenon comes to overflowing waterfalls and attracts Omanis in search of a little freshness.

The Sultanate of Oman has not finished surprising you with all the wonders whose lands are full of... Despite the fact that he is not yet known to all, this country in the Middle East is increasingly talking about him. Would you be tempted to explore this unique destination in the world?