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Oman

Pearl of the Orient

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Photos: © Ministry of Heritage & Tourism Sultanate of Oman

Imagine a country with endless golden desert dunes, underground caves, imposing mountains, miles of sandy beaches, coasts with steep cliffs, turquoise blue sea with a colorful underwater world and green oases. No other country can combine so many scenic contrasts? Welcome to Oman – a country straight out of 1001 nights with just as many facets.

 

R and a seven-hour flight from Switzerland, the Sultanate of Oman is located in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula. The country on the Indian Ocean once played a key role in the development of sea routes and trade between Asia, East Africa and Europe; today, its rich heritage is enhanced by modern, sustainable aspects with five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many other cultural sites. Such great diversity also promises variety in vacation planning. Whether it’s an active vacation in nature, immersing yourself in the Sultanate’s 5,000-year-old history as part of a classic round trip or a pure beach vacation with excursions in the surrounding area: in Oman, everyone can enjoy the best days of the year to their heart’s content. The Sultanate also offers a wide range of culinary delights. A wide variety of spices and flavors make up the country’s diverse cuisine. Encounters with the Omani people, known for their special warmth, and the many traditions and colorful culture they live by make the vacation experience perfect.

"Not an everyday experience: swimming with whale sharks in the Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve, not far from the coast of Mascat."

Photo: © Mola Mola Diving Center

Oman’s capital: Muscat

A reflection of past and present, Muscat, the capital of Oman, stands out for its traditional architecture, beaches and special location between the sea and the mountains. Once confined to the small historic core of the old city (three square kilometers), Muscat today stretches over 65 kilometers along the coast. The capital is divided into two historic districts: Old Muscat and the modern part of Muscat. In the historic part of the city, thick walls surround museums and the two fortresses Mirani and Jalani. The showpiece is the Sultan’s Al Alam Palace. The economic heart of Muscat beats in the Mutrah district in the neighboring bay. Worth seeing are the beach promenade with its old 18th century villas, the small fishing port and the most extensive souk on the Arabian Peninsula. Here you can find traditional clothing, handicrafts and antique jewelry, Bedouin carpets and workshops where you can see how the “khanjar” (the traditional Omani curved dagger) is made. The modern part of Muscat with the Ruwi business district and various shopping malls, on the other hand, is characterized by low-rise white buildings. The Royal Opera House in Muscat is one of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, combining traditional and modern elements. As a lover of classical music and art, the late Sultan Qaboos ordered the construction of the magnificent opera house in the Qurm district in the middle of the city in 2001, which was inaugurated in 2011. A selection of the most beautiful works from the classical, international and oriental repertoire is on the program here every season.

"View from Oman's highest mountain, Jabal Shams."

Unique animal encounters: Snorkeling with whale sharks off the coast of Mascat

Oman’s varied coastline stretches an impressive 3ʼ165 kilometers. In the north, near Muscat, beaches with colorful pebbles entice visitors to swim and snorkelers can swim with whale sharks not far from the coast, which are huge but completely harmless and gentle creatures. From July to November, the world’s largest fish, averaging six to ten meters in length, feel particularly at home in the plankton-rich waters around the Gulf of Oman. A few kilometers from the capital in the Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve, visitors can get up close to these peaceful giants while snorkelling, diving or swimming. The starting point for a boat trip is Marina Al Mouj, where various local providers offer tours. The Sultanate of Oman also reveals an impressive animal world in other parts of the country. Sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the wild, unspoiled sandy beaches of Ras Al Jinz on the eastern tip of the country. In the south, in the Dhofar region, rugged cliffs covered with lush greenery in the rainy season alternate with long sandy beaches populated by dromedaries.

Vast deserts, majestic mountains: Sharqiyah Sands and the Hajar High Mountains

In the Sharqiyah Sands desert, around three hours’ drive from the capital Muscat, visitors can enjoy a camel ride at sunrise, high-speed off-road vehicle rides during dune bashing or a cozy sundowner on the dune. Travelers can end the day relaxing by the campfire under the stars with the best view of the Milky Way. Overnight stays are in luxurious tented camps, for example. The Rub al-Khali in the southwest of Oman is almost twice the size of Germany. Its gigantic 300-metre-high dunes stretch for hundreds of kilometers as far as Saudi Arabia and resemble gigantic works of art created by nature. On a hike lasting several days with overnight stays in tents, travelers not only get to know the beauty and impassability of the desert, but also the everyday life of the Bedouins who live there. When the sun sinks into the sea of sand as a huge red ball in the evening, it creates a dramatic play of colors. Winding roads lead over steep tracks, for which a four-wheel drive vehicle is required, up into the majestic landscapes of the Hajar High Mountains. Here, visitors encounter the two most famous mountains in the sultanate: Jabal Akhdar with its picturesque terraced gardens carved into the rocks and Jabal Shams, which at 3,075 meters is considered the highest point in the country. Both mountains are criss-crossed by hiking trails, some of which lead along impressive cliffs and rocky outcrops and offer views over deep gorges. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, try mountain climbing. Small villages are also scattered between the mountains and promise rewarding encounters with the locals. Insider tip: The small mountain village of Wakan, located at around 1ʼ500 meters above sea level in the north of Oman, is surrounded by magnificent terraced gardens. From here, travelers have a magnificent view over the mountainous landscape. The surrounding mountains, with their valleys and unique rock formations, offer a variety of hiking trails for those who want to explore the region on foot.

In the far north of Oman: Musandam’s spectacular fjord landscapes

Musandam is located in the far north of the Arabian Peninsula, where the jagged cliffs of the Hajar Mountains plunge into the blue waters of the Persian Gulf. The Omani exclave plays an important economic role due to its strategically favorable location on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. The geology of the region has created charming fjord landscapes. You won’t find any hustle and bustle or crowds of tourists here – instead, travelers relax on excursions into the mountains and on the water.
The most popular means of transport in the middle of Musandam’s deeply indented bays is a dhow, a traditional wooden boat. Under the awning, nestled on lush cushions, travelers cross the mirror-smooth waters, past secluded fishing villages and lonely beaches, while the skipper serves fruit, dates and sweet tea for refreshment. A refreshing swim stop reveals the fascinating underwater world: snorkelers discover a colourful variety of fish and, with a bit of luck, turtles, dolphins and rays appear in the crystal-clear water.

Oman’s green oases: Wadis

Wadis are oases in the middle of barren landscapes and actually refer to river courses. In the dry season, they form lonely desert valleys with bizarre rock formations. As soon as they carry fresh water, they transform into green oases with natural rock pools and waterfalls, framed by mighty rock faces. The valleys form a paradisiacal backdrop for walks and hikes, which usually end with a picnic amidst the tropical vegetation or a dip in the cool, often emerald-colored water. The bumpy route through the Wadi Bani Awf, which leads into a palm-fringed valley, is a well-known wadi among adventurers. Soon high mountain walls enclose the track, which becomes an unpaved road, and small mountain villages alternate with spectacular views. Wadi Bimah is a recommended stop: the canyoning tour through the challenging Snake Canyon with climbing and abseiling sections as well as jumps into the water is only for the truly adventurous, however. Many other wadis with impressive rock formations, natural pools and waterfalls are waiting to be explored in Oman – from the better-known Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Shab or Wadi Tiwi, which are particularly popular with the locals for a weekend trip, to insider tips such as Wadi Hawer.

"The magnificent terraced gardens of the small mountain village of Wakan."

Pomegranates, roses, coffee and incense: insights into the culture of Oman

In the middle of Oman’s barren landscape, mountain water flows through stone channels, the so-called Aflaj irrigation system, into the gardens. Pomegranates, which are offered for sale by the local tribes, are a welcome refreshment on hot days. In spring, travelers can witness the elaborate harvest of fragrant Damascus roses and meet the warm-hearted locals. On the way out of the high mountains, in the oasis town of Birkat Al Mouz, sugar-sweet dates are waiting to be harvested. Oman’s culture can also be experienced up close in the oasis city of Nizwa, which lies in a depression behind the mountains. It is a turbulent trading center, a place with a long history and tradition, where the regional sheikhs still determine the rural destiny. If you love the hustle and bustle, visit the historic souk or the oasis town’s local cattle market on Fridays in the early morning. Those who appreciate good coffee will not only get their money’s worth in Italy, but also in Oman. Here, too, coffee is firmly anchored in the culture and is considered a national drink. Coffee is called “kahwa” in Arabic and in Oman the term refers to an entire ceremony of hospitality that includes Omani coffee, dates, fresh fruit, sweets and baked goods. The drink is a blend of Arabic coffee spiced with cardamom and sometimes cloves. It is strong and is served in small handleless cups. The Omanis drink “kahwa” several times a day, send freshly prepared coffee pots to their neighbors and of course offer it to their guests. The coffee ceremony follows its own etiquette. As a sign that the guest has had enough, he waves the cup lightly back and forth between his thumb and fingers; if he does not do this, his cup is refilled again and again as a sign of hospitality. In the very south of Oman, however, in Dhofar, lies the cradle of frankincense. UNESCO has declared the dry valley of Wadi Dawkah, where more than 5,000 specimens of Boswellia sacra, the Arabian frankincense tree, grow, a World Heritage Site along with other sites such as ancient ports on the legendary Frankincense Route in Dhofar. Here, travelers can learn how the precious resin is extracted, which the Three Wise Men once presented to the newborn baby Jesus alongside myrrh and gold. The Omani Royal al-Hojari frankincense, which has a greenish shimmer and appears almost transparent, is considered the most expensive in the world. Its production accounts for just five percent of the country’s total harvest.

General information:

Travelers looking for high-quality accommodation are spoilt for choice in Oman.
From Shangri-La and Kempinski to Anantara, St. Regis and Six Senses to The Chedi and Alila – various international premium hotel brands are represented in the Sultanate and offer all the amenities that the discerning heart desires in addition to the particularly warm hospitality for which the Omanis are known.
Guests stay in particularly authentic accommodation from local hotel brands such as SAMA Resorts or individually managed guesthouses.

The national airline Oman Air offers direct flights to Muscat four times a week from Zurich. Edelweiss Air also operates seasonal direct flights from Zurich to the capital. Many other airlines complement the flight offer: www.omanair.com Further information on Oman as a destination can be found at www.experienceoman.om

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