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Wadi Shab

Located in the Al Sharqiyah Region in Oman, Wadi Shab is less than a 2- hour drive away from Muscat, and is one of the most popular outdoor attractions for both locals and expats alike. One can come to this haven for a couple of hours to BBQ and relax, or spend the day out in nature swimming in fresh water pools, jumping of white limestone rocks and making their way through tiny crevices.

You may begin your journey into the wadi by taking a boat from the side of the car park. For 1 OMR locals will be happy to shuttle you from one side of the wadi to the other, which becomes difficult to cross on foot when water levels are high.

 Once inside the Wadi you will get to tread along palm groves, scramble around rugged rocks and swim through various pools of water before ending up at the waterfall, which is the main attraction in the cave.

Some pools are fairly deep and the crack between the rocks quite narrow which means you will have to dive under to pass through- especially if the water levels are high on the given day. Locals have tied various ropes in the cave which you can use to climb up the rocks and jump into pools.

The wadi has two sections and you can choose which one you would like to explore. While the northern part is more of a leisurely area with palm trees, clear pools and unique rock faces making it the perfect place to picnic and swim the southern part is a haven for adventurers. With a rocky terrain and multiple pools, this area is perfect for those interested In trekking, bouldering and more intensive swimming.

 Like with most wadis, the rocks here are slippery, so tread carefully, and make sure you are wearing appropriate anti slip footwear. After about a 10-minute walk you will reach muqil cave, and from here onwards you will need to bend, kneel and maneuver through narrow passages before you can hear a waterfall and see some bats even.

 While visiting the wadi allow yourself enough time to look around and grasp the beauty of this natural wonder in Oman, as it is truly a sight to behold.

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WADI TIWI

Start from Muscat and journey on the Sharqiyah highway towards Sur , passing the famous Wadi Shab in order to arrive at wadi tiwi. Approximately 160 km from Muscat, enter the narrow alleys and drive a few kms in order to arrive at Mibam village. You will definitely need a 4WD and although mostly paved, driving on these roads can be tricky.

 You can park at Mibam village near the trash cans and begin your hike into this gorgeous wadi with lush plantations and emerald waters.  

At the car park you will see local villagers making some handicrafts, while others will sell you water shoes and dry bags. Stairs will lead you down to the  first pool of the wadi where you can jump in to the fresh water. After relaxing here for a short while you will need to venture into the deeper pools. Although locals have tied a rope down a large rock leading you into the first pool, using this method is fairly unsafe as the rocks are extremely slippery and falling could be fatal. It is advisable to visit this wadi with experienced guides, wearing a life jacket and helmet.

For people who want to visit the snake canyon while skipping most of the adventure, The Left is the perfect option. This is a relatively short trek starting from Bimah Village and ending at Al Zamah. The entire trip through this path takes about 2-3 hours again depending on the size and speed of the group, and although there are no abseils required here, some cliff jumps will be necessary in order to enter into the deeper parts of the canyon.

Either way it is not advised to visit this canyon without a guide due to the risk of severe flash floods. It’s important to visit here with a professional group who will provide you with all necessary equipment, teach you how to use them, be aware of the area and dangers around, and have an emergency backup plan.

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Wadi Taab

 Wadi Ta'ab is located in the Eastern Hajar Mountains at an altitude of about 500 meters along the dirt track that reaches Salmah Plateau. This trip is a combination of 7th hole and wadi tiwi, and ike starts close to the village of Taab . For most people this adventure is quite physically and mentally demanding, and even those who consider themselves to be comfortable with heights are seen trembling out of fear. The first abseil is about fifty meters high and just the sight of this can send shivers down one’s spine. However, this would be considered the scariest part of the adventure and from here onwards the journey is a mix of trekking and swimming.

Although this is one of the easier Wadis in Oman and can be visited without a guide, wearing proper footwear (the rocks are very slippery), keeping hydrated, having strong swimming skills and going at the right time during the cooler months is important as it can get extremely hot.

 All in all, Wadi Shab is a must visit when you’re in Oman, however, make sure you are prepared for what you have signed up for.

Wadi Bani Khalid

Located near the highway that connects Muscat to Sur, in the Sharqiyah Governorate, Wadi Bani Khalid is roughly 255km from Muscat , and is one of Oman’s most popular wadis after Wadi Shab.

 In order to reach the wadi, one must follow the road signs leading up to muqil caves. You will pass through various farms and end up at a car park, from where you will walk a further few minutes and  reach vast green pools.  Here, you can choose to sit and relax at the picnic areas around or venture into the wadi. Keep in mind, this wadi gets extremely busy due to accessibility and the picnic facilities, so you probably want to avoid going on  a weekend.

From this point we abseil down into the large pool and from here you will be scrambling for about 2-3 hours through large limestone boulder before reaching the most beautiful part of  Wadi Tiwi . you can climb up and jump off the various cliffs here and feast your eyes on the sight of a large gorgeous pool surrounded by palm trees and a plethora diverse greenery.  To make your way out of the wadi, begin making your way up the rocks. The hike back Is steep and fairly challenging, as with wet shoes the rocks can be very slippery. At many points you will be treading on the edge, and hence, you want to be well equipped with a helmet and someone to follow.  

SNAKE CANYON

Driving from Muscat, you will need to travel roughly 160 km passing by Nakhal and Rustaq in order to arrive at Snake Canyon. From the turn to Wadi Bani Awf you will travel another 20 km to Al Zamah village , followed by a challenging additional 6 km in order to arrive at the entrance of Snake Canyon’s right fork- where the real fun and adventure lies.

 Snake Canyon also known as Seer Al Zamah is a popular attraction for adrenaline junkies. Making your way through this path involves trekking, abseiling, swimming and jumping off tall cliffs, along with making your way through nail bitingly narrow paths.

The adventure here starts off right from the beginning with a 5-6 m cliff jump into a water pool which can also be crossed by abseiling. By this point you have committed to the entirety of the adventure and there is getting out of here without journeying all the way through. You will trek and swim through multiple pools, some longer than the others, and abseil down multiple rocks as you make your way through the canyon.

 The length of this adventure greatly depends on the size and speed of the group, but should roughly take 4-6 hours, and will surely be an experience you will cherish until eternity.

The Wadi is about 2 km long yet takes upto 7 to 9 hours to cross. There are multiple abseils (from 10m to 50m),  waterfalls and deep wadi pools along the way. The canyoning journney ends with a steep climb (assisted with a rope) back to the road. This trip is all about teamwork, trust and helping one another, and you will need strong arms to pull yourself up in some spots. This trip is best conquered in the summer and fall months as it can be very cold in the winter and spring.

Umq Bir

 Located between wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Mibam in the Eastern Hajar mountain range, Umq Bir this is one of the toughest and longest canyons in Oman. You will initially swim through a sequence of pools and hike through various parts of the canyon, before you can reach a cave which marks completion of half of the journey. This 9 KM adventure will have you venturing through sharp cliff canyon walls, swimming through numerous pools, hiking climbing, and scrambling along the way and will take roughly 15 to 18 hours depending on the size and speed of the group. We often refer to it as hell in paradise as even though the experience is one for the books and the views are unreal, the journey is extremely challenging and will require you to give it your all. It is safe to refer to Umq Bir as extreme canyoning and this trip is only advisable for those with excellent physical fitness.

For any adventure in Oman it is important to keep in mind the surrounding area, terrain and weather amongst other things. When visiting a Wadi dress modestly, wear comfortable clothing, and appropriate shoes such as hiking or tennis shoes as the rocks can be very slippery. You will also benefit from keeping a Waterproof bag, Sunscreen, plenty of water and some sweet and savory snacks.