Here's your guide to the best winter spots in Oman

T-Mag Wednesday 13/December/2017 18:08 PM
By: Times News Service
Here's your guide to the best winter spots in Oman

If you want to enjoy the chilly weather, feel the winter sun and make full use of it while it lasts, then the best way would be to get out of your homes and explore the length and breadth of the Sultanate, as suggested by Salem and Shruthi.

I remember one of my friends asking me once about the winters in Oman. I’d just casually said that we don’t really have winters, but it just gets slightly cooler than usual. But this year, I’m not sure if my tolerance for cold whether has gone down or if the gods wanted to prove me wrong, but it has been feeling like legit winter for almost two weeks now.

This season is super exciting for me. Being an outdoor person, who can’t spend more than a couple of hours at home, the pleasant whether provides the perfect excuse to stay out and actually enjoy what the country has to offer without having to melt in the otherwise fierce sun. Hence, I thought that it might be a good idea to put together some of my favourite winter destinations in Oman that you could visit while the winter still lasts.

Camping
According to tourist reviews online, Oman proves to be an ideal camping destination. There are a number of camping ways that you could try in the vast country starting from setting up a basic tent bought from Sultan Centre and setting up a campfire near it to the more sophisticated and recently trending glamping where you get to enjoy the best of both worlds i.e luxuries of life whilst being as close to your favourite natural spot as you want.

The Sultanate is probably one of the rare few countries that is blessed with all the three topographical features that all nature lovers look for - mountain, desert, and beaches. So you might as well make use of it this chilly winter.

Mountain
The majestic mountains of Oman constitute a good percentage of Oman’s environment. Like the country’s relief features, the mountains too are varied and diverse. Two of my favourite Jebels (mountain in arabic) in Oman are Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, both of wich are extremely picturesque and gorgeous in their own unique ways.

Jebel Akhdar or the Green Mountains are perhaps the most vegetative part of Oman. With a range of flora and fauna, these mountains offer solace to nature lovers who get a chance to get acquainted to different species of plants and trees found exclusively in this region. Jebel Akhdar is also famous for its wide plateau close to the summit, which is usually and ideal camping point. Try camping near the juniper trees or the trees that produce fruits such as apricots, plums, figs, grapes, apples and pears to sort your meal out during your chilly stay here.

Jebel Shams, on the other hand is the highest peaks of Oman. Needless to say, it is also the coolest places in the country because, well, the higher you go the cooler it gets. The temperature is already lesser than -1 up there and is only expected to get cooler as the days go by. The best camping spot would be the An Nakhr Balcony, which is a deep ravine in between the rocky mountains.

Desert
Being a desert, it is not surprising at all that Oman has enough and more options when it comes to desert camping. However, what stuns me the most about Oman’s desert is how different the texture of sand is in different parts of the country, making me have a completely different experience in different deserts.

Sharqiyah Sands is of course a top pick because of its easy accessibility and serene beauty. You can either be all ballsy and venture out on your own into the desert and set camp amidst the middle of absolute nowhere provided you’re confident that you won’t get lost or you could go for one of the many concrete camping options provided by travel agents and tour companies. Either ways, you won’t be able to escape the cool and will need to make sure that the campfire burns if you want to survive the night.

The Empty Quarter is eerier and isn’t as commercial as Sharqiyah Sands. You will actually feel like you have left the world behind and entered into a no man’s land. Make sure you take every camping essential with you and try to keep it simple and not too complicated. The empty quarter is extremely warm during the summers and extremely cold during the winter. So if you are a fan of the extremes then go for it.

Beaches
You have numerous options when it comes to beaches. You’ll find blue, green, and transparent beaches and beaches that are highly saline or just moderately saline. You will find private, isolated beaches and those that are crowded with people especially during weekends. You will find beaches that are home to mishkak vendors and others that are home to turtles and other aquatic animals and amphibians. I can certainly not say that I have experienced all of this, but out of the few that I have been to my favourite beaches to camp by would be the Pebbles Beach and Damaniyat Island.
The Pebbles Beach, which comes on the way to Sur is gorgeous blue beach with huge white pebbles adorning the shore. It is calm and breezy and pretty much isolated, which is ideal if you are looking for some private time with just your group. Also, you get to sleep under a blanket of stars when you are at this beach.
Daminiyat Island, which is about an hour from Muscat is perfect for those who are into any kind of water activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving etc. The tiny island surrounded by highly saline water comes to your rescue after a tiring day of exciting activitites where you can just chill with your pals and enjoy the nothingness and feel super close to nature. — [email protected]

Hotels and Resorts
If you’re feeling a little lavish and in the mood for some pampering, pick a destinantion and head to a resort for a quick weekend escape. Here in Oman, we have topographical variety that exist to blow you away, with mountainous views, beachfront cabanas, and high-end desert camps, there’s nothing you wouldn’t like, especially during this breezy season. So, what are my go-to options you ask? Well, I’ll take you to four of my absolute favourite places.

Alila Jabal Akhdar
Staying at Alila serves a vibe of its own; the traditional Omani-style architecture that sits atop the mountains, blending seamlessly with its surroundings is what sets this place apart. The ambiance here will make you feel isolated from the hustle and bustle of city, offering a serene kind of a stay.
Given its wintertime, Jabal Akhdar can get pretty chilly at times, but worry not, as you can always enjoy a hot beverage by the fire at the lounge, followed by a succulent 3-course dinner at Juniper restaurant, while savouring moments filled with views of Al Hajar Mountains that reminds you of how beautiful the Sultanate is.
Once you’re here, plan your weekend to enjoy what the hotel and its neighbourhood have to offer. meet the local concierge near the reception for an adventurous joyride to the famous Al Ayn village, where you can have a walk through the rose water distilleries, or perhaps you’d want to try climbing a rocky hill from which you will have a perfect view of the village, as well as the must-visit abandoned village.

The View
This is another hidden gem situated amid the clouds in Al Hamra. The View will give you a tranquil atmosphere while seated at your cabana-inspired rooms, which have balconies with views of Al Hamra, Bahla, and Nizwa town, and of course, killer views of the hilly roads around it.

What I loved the most about this place is the fact that you are up in the air, suspended, which gives you goosebumps whenever you stay there. And, their swimming pool is one of the best in town; serving an infinity view to die for.

At the place, you can ride a bike to visit nearby villages, or just stay in and enjoy a weekend in skies.

Atana Musandam Resort
Atana Musandam is what I call a beatuiful getaway. The hotel is tucked in North of the country, in Musandam. The place is situated on land but offers a unique combination of sun, mountains, ocean, sand, and cool breeze, all before your eyes. You are promised a great experience.

The place is nothing short of a trip to an Omani museum, from the traditional texture of the walls, to the artefacts perfectly hung and lit on the walls. Rustic, traditional feel all the way.

You can enjoy a dip in its pool that overlooks oasis of water, or a dinner and a wam beverage at Al Mawra Restaurant.

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Exploring the charms of Southern Oman has always been on my bucket list, as Salalah is known as the jewel of Oman that’s blessed with beds of greenery during the Khareef season, followed by slightly breezy winters. The experience can be taken a level up when staying at Al Baleed Resort.

The beachfront luxury resort offers white sands and oasis with golden opportunities to mingle with creatures from the ocean. At the place, you can take a dive into a variety of activities that will add sparkles to your winter-in-Salalah. Activites such as snorkeling, scuba diving, traditional dhow boat excursions, and even fishing are all set and ready for you to experience. — [email protected]

Book a room
Alila Jabal Akhdar, +968 2534 4200
The View, +968 2440 0873
Atana Musandam Resort, +968 2673 0888
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, +968 2322 8222