The most beautiful wadis in Oman

A 3-hour drive from Muscat, Wadi Bani Khalid is a natural basin set in a narrow valley 600 metres above sea level. This 10,000 km² sandy desert is a renowned excursion. Here you can swim in the warm turquoise water, against a magnificent backdrop of mountainous desert: the perfect place for a picnic!

Unlike most of the wadis in the Sultanate, Wadi Bani Khalid has been developed with tourism in mind. As well as its beauty, it offers a number of facilities that should appeal to most people, especially families: relatively easy access, a large area with an emerald pool, a restaurant, etc.

From Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid car park - 3h15 drive. From Sour to Wadi Bani Khalid car park - 2h drive. The road is paved all the way to the car park - no need for a 4x4.

For nature lovers, Wadi Al Arbeieen is a real gem! Well-hidden in the mountains of the Al Sharqiyah region, it is still little-known to tourists and is therefore one of the least visited in the sultanate. Yet this wadi is a treasure not to be missed! It's an ideal excursion for travellers in search of tranquillity and unspoilt nature.

Once inside this green oasis, you'll discover a raw, untamed nature made up of emerald-clear pools surrounded by cliffs. The other advantage of this wadi is that it's easy to walk to, perfect for families with children, for example.

Located not far from the Bimmah Sinkhole, it is not easy to find due to the lack of signposts.

The Wadi Shab is nicknamed "the gorge between the cliffs" and is one of Oman's most beautiful natural sites. It is one of the most popular gorges in the sultanate. The walk begins amid ochre mountains and palm trees before reaching the turquoise pools. It's a great place for a swim. The main attraction of Wasi Shab is its waterfall in a cave, accessible only by swimming. Muscat to Wadi Shab - 1h30 drive on the motorway towards Sour / Sour to Wadi Shab - 40min drive. Very well signposted from the road. N.B.: As this is one of the best-known beaches, and also very popular with the locals, we advise you to visit in the morning and outside weekends (Thursday - Friday) to avoid the crowds.

Wadi Damm is located in the heart of the Jebel Akhdar mountains, offering exceptional panoramic views. This wadi is also little frequented by tourists, so you can enjoy its crystal-clear pools in complete peace and quiet! This wadi starts with a large pool, easy to access and ideal for families with children.

If you want to discover the other pools of Wadi Damm, be aware that the path is steep and steep. It is therefore not easily accessible to families with children. Allow around 1 hour's walk to reach the most beautiful pool, with its small waterfall gushing out of a fault surrounded by moss and small flowers.

To get to Wadi Damm, we advise you to hire a 4X4, as the paths are difficult to negotiate.

Wadi Tiwi, also known as the "Gorge of Nine Villages", is, as its name suggests, an inhabited wadi. It is surely one of the most authentic in Oman. Before reaching the emerald pools, you can wander among the plantations: fig trees, banana trees and date palms.

Along the way, you'll pass through picturesque little villages. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of these discreet and warm-hearted people. At the very end of the canyon, you will reach the last village of the Wadi, Mybam, a traditional Omani village with small mud houses. And from the 800-metre-high rocky peak, the view is breathtaking!

Muscat to Wadi Tiwi - 2h drive / Sur to Wadi Tiwi - 45min drive A normal car is possible at the start of the route, but if you want to go as far as Mybam, a 4x4 is recommended as the roads are steep. The road is well signposted.

In the heart of the Western Hajar, in Jebel Akhdar, Wadi Bani Awf is crossed by one of the most beautiful roads on the planet! Impassable in wet weather, this road is reserved for experienced drivers who are not afraid of the cold, and for 4x4s that have been to the garage to check that everything is OK! An adventure film set unfolds before your eyes, and you cross ravines and other precipices, like the mythical Camel Trophy, to reach villages lost in the mountains.