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6 Places That Show You Should Visit Oman in 2022
Oman is full of the world's most beautiful landscape, from the Middle Eastern fjords in the Musandam Peninsula, to the rocky, jagged mountains just out the capital, Muscat, the country is brimming with incredible scenery. For those that want a summer holiday, the east coast covered in picture-perfect beaches and quaint seaside towns. However the region has yet to see much in terms of tourism, often falling well under the radar of tourism guides. Here are some of the best reasons you should make Oman your next destination in 2022.
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6 Places That Show You Should Visit Oman in 2022
Salalah
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While the Middle East isn't usually associated with forests and greenery, Oman's region of Salalah in the south of the country is one exception. For just a few months per year with the monsoon rains, this desert region miraculously transforms with a wash of green, making the area look more like tropical Hawaii than the barren desert nation it's known as.
Wadi Shab
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Oman is full of wadi, the valleys and canyons that fill up with water during the rainy months, but none quite as impressive as Wadi Shab. Cliffs rise up high either side of the gorge as the canyon fills up with beautifully clear turquoise water, surrounded by vegetation and palm trees. Enjoy the canyon from the water by booking a boat trip down the river, one of the best ways to explore its beauty.
Musandam
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The only place in the Middle East where you'll find fjords, Oman's scenery really is just as incredible as Norway. Along this jagged coastline full of dramatic peaks and towering cliffs, Musandam is perfect for hiking around or taking a boat ride through the fjords. Not only is the scenery incredible, much unlike Norway it's also studded with gorgeous beaches and hot summer weather. As much of the peninsula is high up in the mountains, there's sometimes snow around higher areas during colder months.
Muscat
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Oman's capital is enough reason to visit the country, the city straddles the coast of the Indian Ocean with a number of beautiful mosques, white-washed buildings and souks, Middle Eastern style markets. Explore its streets and see authentic Omani culture or head to one of the nearby beaches to relax and soak in the sun. Behind the city are the Al Hajar Mountains which provide adventurous day trips from the capital.
Wahiba Sands
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While Oman might be home to some incredibly rare and unique landscape for the Middle East, as you head inland most of the country is still covered in desert. One of the best tours to try out while in the country is to get a guide to drive you off-road over the sands, or for those willing to sacrifice a little comfort, take a camel ride.
Balad Sayt
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Another of Oman's wonders as you drive through rocky mountains and barren landscape to arrive at this oasis of greenery and palm trees hidden in the valley at Balad Sayt. This mountain town is surrounded by green terraced fields and dotted with traditional stone houses that complete its picturesque look. As the town is high up in the mountains, surrounded by peaks that shade it from the sun, it's a great place to escape the unforgiving heat that plagues the lowlands. While the town itself doesn't see much rain, the greenery is caused by streams that flow down from the mountains. It's also a great spot to base yourself for climbing the country's highest peak, Jebel Shams which is located nearby.
Conclusion
Overshadowed by tourism from nearby Dubai, Oman offers a much more vast and unique array of landscape compared to its Middle Eastern neighbors. Oman is also one of the safest countries to visit in the region, far from the war stricken region around Syria and Iraq, Islamic extremism is rare and not tolerated in the country.
Just be prepared that if you're visiting during the summer, temperatures in the lower areas can reach well over 40 degrees. Also be aware of when Ramadan is, usually starting in April or May, almost everyone in the country will be fasting in the day so restaurants will be closed and eating or drinking on the streets is illegal during this period.
