Muscat to Grand Canyon via Al Hamra, Jebel Shams

Day 1

Nizwa Souq and Nizwa Fort

Drive down for about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Muscat to Nizwa. At Nizwa, we visit the old souk where Omani traditional silver jewellery and khanjar (knife) are being sold by local artisans. You can also find beautifully decorated earthen ports here, traditionally used by Omanis. You can visit the Goat Market (the latter is a traditional cattle market for trading in goats, sheep and cows and takes place on Friday only). A cup of Omani coffee and some halwa is also highly recommended.

Onwards we march towards the Nizwa Fort. The old structure of the fort dates back to the 9th century and was renovated in the 17thcentury. The fort’s architecture reflects Omani architectural ingenuity during those times. The fort is unique among the forts in Oman because of the enormous drum-like shape of its main tower that rises 30 metres above the ground and has a diameter of 36 metres. It was built above an underground stream. It has 7 wells, a prison and canons. There are many exhibits displayed within the fort. 

Timings:

Saturday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 pm.; Friday: 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.0 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visitor Fees: OMR 5 for adults; OMR 3 for children above the age of 6 years.

Day 2

Jabreen Castle 

Built in 1675 by Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan, Jabreen Castle was an important centre of learning for astrology, medicine and Islamic law. The most interesting feature of this castle is the elaborately painted ceilings. Several rooms, that seem to spring illogically from different courtyards in the heart of the keep, sport ceiling timbers with the original floral motifs. Finding these hidden rooms is part of the fun – and the original defensive mechanism – of Jabreen. Try to locate the burial chambers, remarkable for their carved vaults, and the room earmarked for the sultan’s favourite horse. Jabreen’s location, trapped between the mountain and a particularly arid part of the desert, roasts under a ferocious sun for much of the year, hence the falaj (irrigation channel) running through the outer courtyard, which was not used for water supply but as an early air-con system. The castle has audio tour facility.

Beyond Nizwa, the road twists and turns with amazing views on all sides. After several sharp curves and bends we ascend into the majestic Jebel Shams mountains (3009 metres high), Oman’s highest summit. Nearby is a spectacular viewpoint over the magnificent ‘Grand Canyon’ and the village of Nakhl which is more than a kilometre below us. Sunset views are spectacular.  

Al Hamra

This venerable village at the foot of the Hajar Mountains is one of the oldest in Oman, and it is interesting for its well-preserved row of two- and three-storey mud-brick houses built in the Yemeni style. There are many abandoned houses in the upper parts of the village, which make for an atmospheric stroll, especially at sunset when the honey-coloured buildings appear to melt into one. Visitors are welcome, and there’s a museum devoted to domestic pursuits that helps open up the inner life of this 400-year-old community. As with most rural villages in Oman, it’s best to explore on foot. Al Hamra has a new as well as an old quarter; these are located either side of a large plantation of dates. The route through the old quarter is best explored on foot by following the falaj (irrigation channel) at the bottom of the village.

Day 3 and 4

Jebel Al Shams, Wadi Gul, Wadi Nakhr and Grand Canyon

Jabal Shams or Jebel Shams is a mountain located in north-eastern Oman north of Al Hamra town. It is known as Jabal Shams because it is the first place to receive sunrise in Oman due to its high peak of 3,029 meters. It is the highest mountain of the Hajar range and the country. Jebel Shams also includes spectacular views of Wadi Ghul, Wadi Nakhr and the breath taking narrow and deep gorge of the Arabian Grand Canyon.

Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain)

Unlike Jebel Shams where the terrain is dry, the neighbouring Jebel Akhdar has several plateaus with plantations and farms, mainly of pomegranates, which are very large and tasty. Also, mountain honey is found here which is highly nutritious and expensive as well. 

Day 5

Rustaq Fort and Hot Spring

On our way back from Jebel Akhdar, we will reach the old village of Rustaq, which has a well-preserved Fort and a hot water spring. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, during the era of Imam Nasir bin Murshid al Ya’arubi. Rustaq Fort, built in 3rdcentury, is an imposing structure containing an armoury, a mosque and four towers. Rustaq also has healing hot water springs, the most notable being ‘Ain al-Kasafa’. Its waters runs at 45 °C (113 °F) and are regarded as a cure for rheumatism and skin diseases due to its sulphur content.

Nakhal Fort and Hot Spring

Nakhal Fort is a large fortification in Al Batinah Region of Oman. The fort houses a museum, which has exhibits of historic guns, and the fort also hosts a weekly goat market. Imams of Wadi Bani Kharous and the Ya’arubah dynasty resided here in the past. Over the centuries, it underwent many renovations and improvements. It was reconstructed by Omani architects in the 17th century. Initially built as a protective measure for an area oasis and nearby trade routes, the gateway and towers seen now were extensions built in 1834 attributed to Imam Said bin Sultan. In 1990, it was fully renovated and in November 2003, Prince Charles visited the restored fort during an official visit to Oman. The al Thowarah hot spring, also called the Nakhal spring, is located a few kilometres from the Nakhal Fort. It is a green area where a spring forms a stream in a wadi (valley). It is one of the sites featured in a series of Oman landscape paintings by British artist Alan Reed.

Depending upon your convenience, interest and budget you can spend the 1 or 2 nights either at Jebel Al Shams or Jebel Akhdar and return to Muscat on 5thday visiting Rustaq Fort, Hot Spring and Nakhal Fort and Hot Spring while returning back to Muscat