What to See in Oman
Ibri (Oman)
Ibri is the administrative center of the Ad-Dahira region. Ibri is located 300 km southwest of Muscat on a desert plateau. This is one of the most ancient settlements in Oman, an important trading center on the ancient caravan routes. Like any other city in Oman, Ibri has a fort that is about 400 years old.
From Ibri, you can go on safari on the desert plateau surrounding the city, which is scattered with many forts and castles and where there are numerous wadis.
To the east of Ibri, the Bat burials are interestingwhich are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, near the village of El-Ain, dozens of burials were found in 1972, which date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The remains of stone towers up to 6 m high rise above the tombs.
Sur (Oman)
According to Mcat-Test-Centers.com, Sur is located in a picturesque bay on the east coast of the Gulf of Oman in the Esh Sharqiya region, 335 km from Muscat. The city has been known since ancient times as a major horse and spice trade center and as a shipbuilding center, the history of which can be studied in the Maritime Museum. Tourists come to Sur to relax on the local beaches, watch turtles, go fishing, look at ancient forts and castles, or go on a sand dune safari.
Of the historical sights of the region, it is worth highlighting the city of Ibra with its colorful market, ancient houses, ancient mosques and the nearby healing salt spring of Ain El Malil, one of the oldest forts in the country – Jalyan beni-bu-Ali11th century, 19th century El Mintarib Fort, 18th century Sunaysila Fort and 16th century Kuran Fort.
40 km east of Sur stretches the protected beaches of Ras El Junayz and Ras El Had. On the local coast with a length of 42 km on an area of 120 square meters. km stretches sea turtle sanctuary, where about 10,000 sea turtles come to lay eggs every year. July is the best time for turtle watching. It is worth remembering that on the coast of the reserve it is forbidden to talk loudly and take pictures with a flash, as well as collect shells and any other natural objects. In addition to turtles, deer, red foxes and about 130 species of migratory birds are protected in the reserve, stopping here in winter for rest.
The ninth largest cave in the world, Majlis El Jinn, is located in the Esh Sharqiya region. The cave has a size of 340×228 m, its height reaches 120 m. it is difficult, suitable only for trained tourists and is possible only with an experienced guide. The temperature inside the cave is about 17-18 degrees Celsius. When it rains, a lake forms at its bottom.
Of the other natural attractions of Ash Sharqiya, it is worth highlighting Wahiba Sands and El Salil Park. El Salil Park is a flat area occupied by acacia thickets, home to Arabian gazelles, Omani cat, wild cat, Arabian wolf, red fox, and Egyptian vulture. The area of sand dunes Wahiba Sands stretches in the meridional direction for 200 km in the southern part of the Ash-Sharqiya region. The height of the local sand dunes reaches 150 m. Here, tourists are invited to take a safari in jeeps or camels. While traveling you will see the Bedouin settlements, the cities of Ravda and Samad Ash-Shan with the ruins of forts, Et-Lizk, where the ruins of Bronze Age buildings are located, and El-Madayubi, where the colorful Bedouin market is open daily, and you can also spend the night in a tent camp or do sandboarding (boarding on the sand).
Khaima (Oman)
The city of Khaimah is located in the center of Oman. It is the administrative center of the El Wusta region. Khaima is surrounded by desert landscapes.
East of Khaima is the Arabian Oryx Conservation Area, which was established in 1994 to conserve oryx and rare desert animals. The area of the reserve is 27.5 thousand square meters. km. In addition to oryx, desert hares, mountain goats, foxes and about 130 species of birds live here.
Khasab (Oman)
Khasab is located in the very north of Oman on the Musandam Peninsula, which is separated from the main territory of the state by the territory of the United Arab Emirates.
There are not so many attractions in the city itself: a fort with battlements, erected in the 17th century by the Portuguese in the city bay, and a market selling local handicrafts, including the famous Musandam axes.
The most popular excursion offered in Khasab is a sea cruise along the coast, which is often compared with the Norwegian, indented fjords (many rocky bays and small islands) – The tour passes through the fjords, on the rocks of which numerous colonies of birds settle. The best time for bird watching is from November to March. In addition, during the cruise you can see dolphins and whales.
Hiking trips are also organized from Khasab in the mountains located to the south. Here is the highest point of the peninsula – Mount Harim (2087 m). These places are especially beautiful in spring, when gladioli and irises bloom.
In addition, the east coast of the Musandam Peninsula is famous for its dive sites. The diversity of the underwater world of the local waters is explained by the fact that two vast bays meet in these places: Oman and Persian. The abundance of fish attracts such large marine life as dolphins, rays, minke whales, hammerhead sharks, zebra sharks and whale sharks. Musandam dive sites are characterized by the presence of underwater walls descending to depths of up to 100 m and caves. Underwater visibility reaches 20 m. Strong undercurrents are often noted, which makes it possible to engage in drift diving.
