Types of Tourism in Oman
EXCURSIONS
The list of must-see places in Oman includes the ancient fortifications of Muscat, Nizwa, Sohaar, Rustak, Nahal, Barka, Bahla, Ibri, Khasaba, Gardens, Taki and other ancient cities of the country. Most of them were built between 1624 and 1744. In times of war, the fort protected the city, and in peacetime served as the residence of the heads of the city. Also from the historical sights it is worth looking at the mosques, the oldest of which is located in the city of Samail, and visiting the burials of Bat 3 millennium BC, the city of the Incense Path trade route in the Dhofar governorate and the traditional Omani falaji (irrigation canals), which began to appear here 2 thousand years ago.
SHOPPING
In almost every city in Oman there are traditional Arab markets (souks) which are an integral part of the Arab culture. A wide variety of souvenirs are sold here: handmade silver daggers, other silver products, including jewelry, national clothes, carpets, rose water, incense, myrrh and much more. The most popular metropolitan market is Souk El Dalam, which is located in the Mattrah district. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Oman.
SAFARI
Jeep and camel safaris are offered in Oman on the sands of the Rub al-Khali desert, they mainly start from the city of Salalah, and the sand dunes of the Ash Sharqiya region, located in the vicinity of Sur. While traveling you will see the Bedouin settlements and you can spend the night in a tent camp or go sandboarding (boarding on the sand).
Jeep safaris are very interesting along the numerous beds of dry rivers, which are called “wadis” in Oman.
ECOTOURISM
Among the protected areas of Oman, it is worth highlighting the Wadi Sarin Reserve near Muscat, where a rare Arabian tahr is protected, the Arabian Oryx Reserve, located east of Khaima, El Salil Park in the Ash Sharqiya region, where Arabian gazelles, Omani cat, wild cat, Arabian wolf, red fox, and Egyptian vulture, and Jabal Sman Reserve, created to restore the population of the Arabian leopard. About 460 species of birds live in Oman, 80 of which are native. Migratory birds from Europe, Africa and Asia stop in coastal areas during the migration period. The best time for bird watching is between April and October. Of the local birds, the most numerous are herons, ospreys, great crested terns, small turtledoves, Egyptian vultures and Indian rollers, of migratory birds – the Egyptian heron, gray heron, oystercatcher, flamingo, Caspian gull, gray flycatcher, dunlin, red and green mountaineers and wagtail. The most popular places for bird watching: the protected lagoons of Dhofar Governorate, located in Muscat , Qurum Park, the island Masirah and the coast of the Musandam Peninsula.
In addition to bird watching, Oman offers boat trips to observe large marine mammals: dolphins and whales. A variety of species of dolphins and whales can be seen in the early morning and at sunset in the coastal waters of the Musandam Peninsula, Fahal Island (near Muscat) and the islands of Dhofar Governorate.
Excursions to the protected beaches of Ras El Had and Ras El Juneis (Esh Sharqiya region), where the Sea Turtle Sanctuary is located, the beaches of the Daimaniyat and Masirah islands, are very interesting . Every year, thousands of turtles of all kinds come to these coasts to lay their eggs: olive, leatherback, green and hawksbill turtles, which can be observed in close proximity.
HIKING
The most popular area for hiking is the Hajar Mountains , which stretch from west to east in northern Oman. There are many hiking trails here. It is best to go on a trip to the Hajar mountains from the city of Nizwa. For hiking, the period from October to April is suitable, when the probability of precipitation is the least. Hiking routes are also laid along numerous wadis (dried riverbeds), which in dry times are deep canyons.
CAVES
The most accessible cave for tourists in Oman is Al- Houta , 2.7 km long, which is located near Nizwa. The cave is interesting giant stalactites, stalagmites and columns that have been formed over millions of years, and a vast lake 800 m long. One of the largest caves in the world is also located in Oman – Majlis El Jinn. It is located in the Ash-Sharkiya region at an altitude of 1380 m. The cave has a size of 340×228 m, its height reaches 120 m. A lot of caves are located in the vicinity of the city of Salalah: Teik with an area of more than 300 million square meters. m., El-Merneif, Razzat and Ettain.
BEACHES
Excellent conditions for relaxation are offered on the beaches of Muscat and the El Saudi Beach Resort located to the west, on the beaches extending to the west of Salalah , and on the west coast of the island of Masirah . Here, in addition to a relaxing holiday “under the sun”, you can do a wide variety of water sports.
DIVING
Diving in Oman is possible all year round. The largest number of dive sites are located in the Gulf of Oman in the vicinity of Muscat (Daimaniyat Archipelago, Fahal Island and Bandar Jissa Beach) and off the east coast of the Musandam Peninsula. In addition, the coastal waters of Masirah Island , located in the Arabian Sea, are popular. Diving depth varies from 5 to 40 m, and underwater visibility can reach 50 m. In addition to a wide variety of corals and fish living in them, in the waters washing Oman there are stingrays, turtles, dolphins, sharks (leopard, whale, blackfin, lemon, zebra, hammerhead sharks) and whales.
SURFING
Masirah East Coast offers excellent conditions for surfing. On average, the height of the waves on the local coast is 1.5-2 m. In the summer, during the monsoon “harif” on the east coast of the island of Masirah, wind and kite surfers gather.
