Oman
WADI BANI AUF ROUTE - MISFAH
Get in the car and cruise towards the Jebel Shams mountain from the Wadi Bani Auf Route. About 4 hours of driving. If you are driving from the Omani capital Muscat to the Jebel Shams mountain area, you can of course just take the highway. A much more fun option is the route via Wadi Bani Awf and Snake Canyon, one of the coolest off-road routes to drive in Oman. You will need a 4×4 here, but then you are in for a great off-road adventure, driving through the most spectacular landscapes of Oman. Set aside a day for this route. You will cover about 240 kilometers, but you need to drive slowly and you want to have enough time to make several stops along the way.
Nakhal Fort
Nakhal, one of the most visited forts in Oman, is just an hour from Muscat and is frequently visited by groups taking a tour from their cruise ship. It makes sense, as it is truly a stunning fort with a phenomenal location. In this photogenic setting, you look from the towers over the hundreds of palm trees in the valley and the rugged, bare mountains in the distance. The beige colors in contrast with the green around it make it even more impressive. Fort Nakhl is open from Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A ticket costs 0.5 OMR per person.
Snake Canyon
The dry riverbed you drive through is quite manageable. Just stay calm while driving, but other than that, it's no problem. Be sure to stop by the Little Snake Canyon, a gorge that most people skip. You walk into the narrow gorge and then come to a pool of water with a beautiful view of the mountains behind it. A great place to eat your packed lunch.
Bilad Sayt
On the way, you have a view of several villages, built between green fields and endless rows of date palms. The contrasts between the brown-gray mountains and the lush green are beautiful. The most beautiful village of all is Bilad Sayt, which may have the most beautiful location in all of Oman. You take an exit from the main road to the village and then drive there along a narrow road, with the main attraction being a green football field among the dry rock formations. You don't necessarily have to drive into Bilad Sayt: it's mainly about the location of the village. Then you turn around and drive back to the main road.
Al Hamra
As you travel deeper into the mountainous landscape, you can look out from a beautifully situated spot over the old village of Al-Hamra and the many date palms. Al-Hamra is one of the oldest villages in Oman and today it stands abandoned. You can visit two museums, but also just wander through the small streets with mud houses. For example, to find out that Al-Hamra is certainly not completely abandoned...
Misfah Al Abriyeen
Misfat Al Abriyeen is a beautiful 500-year-old village on the slopes of mountains, about 1000 meters above sea level. Misfat Al Abriyeen, which is considered the "most beautiful village in Oman", is a great stop during the day or for an overnight stay. Traditional mud houses, many stairs, mountains, and terraced planting… By the way, an interesting fact, the town is named after the original inhabitants of the village, the Al Abri family. Make sure to dress modestly, so cover your knees and shoulders. For a nice view of the old village among the plantations, stop in Modern Misfah. How to get to Misfah & Tips: - The road is fully paved to the village - It is steep, but can be done in a normal car. - Parking at the top of the village – not large. Do not enter with your car! Park at the parking lot at the entrance – the streets are so narrow - Do not bring large luggage, the village consists only of old paths and stairs - It is at a higher elevation, bring warmer clothing.
