The Sultanate of Oman is a haven for adventure seekers, from rock climbing and hiking in the fjords of the Musandam Peninsula to abseiling into one of the world’s largest cave chambers, Majlis al Jinn in Selma Plateau, 100km south-east of Muscat. Just reaching the Cave opening requires strenuous physical effort, trekking through rugged mountain terrain over a distance of 1,300 metres, followed by an abseil into the cave with a depth of 120 metres, under supervision and guidance.
Visitors to Oman should also not miss the opportunity to experience a slice of traditional Arabia and head to the Wahiba Sands to discover the 150m high sand ridges and drive 4×4 cars across the undulating landscape with luxury accommodation in permanent camps with Hud Hud mobile camps or a basic Bedouin tent. The Bawshar Sands, not far from the beaches of Muscat also provide the perfect location for sand-duning in SUVs, or gliding on sand bikes that are easy to rent in the area.
For adventure seekers more inspired by climbing and trekking than off road driving then the hour trek along path W6 at the village of Al Khitaym to the abandoned village of Sab Bani Khamis is a must, providing stunning views of Oman’s Grand Canyon. The huge Canyon belongs to Jebel Shams (The Mountain of Sun) that at 3,000 metres is the highest point in Oman. Oman also has fantastic via ferrate routes (rock climbing with fixed cables and bridges) to ensure safety whilst climbing with the Snake Canyon, located near Balad Sayt in Wadi Bani Awf offering an exciting series of traverses and zip line crossings’ 100m above the canyon floor with the climb taking 4 hours.
For those that enjoy adventure away from dry land then kitesurfing that combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport is an adventure surface water sport that is sure to thrill. Although relatively new to the Sultanate of Oman, it is a sport that is growing fast and readily available at a number of sites throughout Oman including Duqm Beach and Masirah Island.
