One Night in Jabal Shams

In the morning we head from Muscat to Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. Our first stop once we arrive will be the Nizwa Souq. You can find a plethora of vendors here offering vegetables, pottery, jewellery, handicrafts, Halwa, dates, spices and souvenirs in traditional market halls. An especially memorable part is the Friday cattle market where locals from nearby villages come to sell their goats, cattle, sheep and chickens in an outdoor setting reminiscent of a circus.

Nizwa Fortress stands alongside the Souq, now serving as a museum. Here, guests can walk around, admiring the architectural achievement of the Yaruba dynasty and majestic views of the town and surrounding mountains. The fortress was constructed with an impressive array of defence systems to guard against potential attack in mid-17th century. Traps were scattered along corridors to hinder any intruders that could make it past its defences.

From Nizwa we take you to Misfat Al Abreyeen village, which is situated at the foot of Jebel Shams, just a few kilometers from Al Hamra Town. The village has old houses and narrow streets and a Falaj system that supplies water to orchards, date palms, and vegetable gardens. Walking around the village is worthwhile.

Our next stop is Jebel Shams (Sun Mountain) (the Grand Canyon of Oman), 3009 meters high, one of the most adventurous mountains in Oman. It offers existing off-road experience and fantastic views. Once you reach the canyon view that is 2000 meters high, take a photo and continue to the resort.