Tucked away within the breathtaking landscapes of Ad Dakhilyah lies what has long been called the Grand Canyon of Oman. Dubbed Wadi Ghul or Wadi Nekhar, these spectacular series of cliffs dissect and cut across the limestone hillscapes of Al Hajar. Frequented by tourists from across the world this natural wonder is one of Oman’s most popular points of interest due to the breathtaking beauty of the precipice infested landscapes it owns. Cutting into the southern fringes of the Oman Mountains close to its highest locale Jabal Shams, the famed gorge is viewed from above by visitors who are able to see the shades of green at a great distance below.
Created by the earth’s movement in which the Eurasian plate moved over the Arabian tectonic plate, it is estimated that the mountain range was heaved in to the mountain range nearly 100 million years ago. The rock formations of the landscape now contain elements that originally occupied the earth’s bedrock such as oceanic limestone making the venue an elemental melting pot worthy of exploration.
Offering aspiring shutterbugs and nature lovers alike some of the most remarkable sights they will ever encounter in the Gulf, the mesmerizing sight of Wadi Ghul rivals its western counterpart the Grand Canyon in Colorado in both scale and beauty. Its highest cliff measure in at an impressive 1000m and the location of the villages of Sap Bani Khamis and Al Khateem are also favourite stopovers. The seasoned visitors and natural wonder will love this as both villages offer magnificent views of the cliffs. Various bird species also occupy the surrounding area and are another attraction that draws visitors to the venue.
A decent track leads guests to the nearby village of Nakhr where visitors can purchase hand-woven carpets and rugs dyed with Indian made dye shades of black, bright red and brown. The village is in fact renowned for these stunning creations as well as the views of the gorge’s water flow below.
Travellers on the lookout for a luxurious Oman beach resort should look no further than the Millennium Resort Mussanah. Offering guests a resplendent hideaway complete with modern amenities this Oman Muscat hotel pulls out all the stops when it comes to elegant living quarters in the desert.