Private or Group Full Day Tour to Nakhal and Wadi Bani Auff From Muscat

Sightseeing  :  Oman  :  Muscat Governorate  :  Muscat  :  Hiking & Camping

North-west of Muscat is an area which has a myriad charms. Great mountains, steep valleys and classic forts. Tour in 4WD, distance approx  400 kms. Lunch in local restaurant is included alongside Nakhal entrance fees.At 09.00am leave Muscat to arrive at Nakhl Fort, which sits on its own small hill dominating the plain towards the sea and the Wadis (valleys) behind. The Fort at Nakhl has its origins over 1,400 years ago. Enlarged during the subsequent centuries it now occupies the entire hill on which it stands. It guarded routes between the sea and the ways going up into the mountains.This is a picture perfect Omani fort and as a result has been visited by visiting Royalty including Britain’s Prince Charles. The fort almost seems to grow out of the rock surface on which it is built and it looks over the tops of the Date Palms in the oasis. Beyond the fort the mountains soar to almost 2,000 meters and in places deep wadis have cut into their sides. These wadis have occasional villages to the sides of the wadi’s bottom, creating a splash of green against the hues of brown. Where springs of water trickle down there are a few villages high above the wadi with a mix of date and other fruit trees.

Amongst the great wadis are Wadi bani Auf and Wadi Sahtan both of which can be driven through in a 4WD vehicle. Small villages and date oasis add to the interest in the valleys. There are a few beekeepers here whose honey commands high prices for its taste and purity.
Drive back to reach Muscat late afternoon.