By Fatima Taneem

Ruknuddeen

OMAN beckons hordes of visitors to its diverse and breath-taking splendors including pristine beaches, quaint villages, picturesque wadis, towering mountains, lush green plantations, surreal deserts, spectacular forts and heritage edifices.

Among these attractions, the majestic Jabl Al-Akhdar stands out with its salubrious climate and rugged beauty of the rocky mountains interspersed with greenery and ancient cliffside charming villages.

Jabl Al-Akhdar or ‘The Green Mountain’ is a huge limestone massif situated 2000 meters above sea level in the central part of the Al-Hajar Mountain ranges. The rich geological diversity of these mountains in their various hues are showcased in Jabl Al-Akhdar’s undulating topography admixed with the vibrant shades of wild trees and shrubs, fruit orchards and roses.

These picturesque landscapes coupled with its lovely temperate climate attract many nature-lovers and adventure-enthusiasts to the Green Mountain throughout the year for an ideal getaway and has made Jabl Al-Akhdar an all-time favorite destination for many Omani residents as well as foreigners.

Quaint villages

Jabl Al-Akhdar houses several tiny ancient villages in its valleys and mountain cliffs which mesmerize the visitors and include Saiq, Al-Ain, Al-Uqr, Al-Musairah, Al-Shraija among others. Such villages present unadulterated picture postcard sceneries characterized by traditional stone and mud-brick houses, cobbled alleys, lush farms and ancient aflaj (plural of falaj).

Some of these villages are in ruins as they have been abandoned decades ago; though visitors can explore these ruins. The rest of the villages are inhabited minimally and survive on traditional farming practices with many such communities owning clusters of farms. For instance, Wadi Bani Habib is famously explored by tourists for its valley of walnut and pomegranate trees and its historical stone houses. Al Ain village is famed for its terraced gardens of pomegranate trees cascading down the slopes and also houses the traditional rose water distillation homes.

Saiq, which is Jabl Al-Akhdar’s main town is famous for its terraced rose gardens. Also the remnants of the Saiq castle and Bait Al Malab are key tourist attractions which serve as reminders of Oman’s chequered part.

The appealing view of the whole terrain are viewed from different prime locations in Jabl Al-Akhdar; of which the most famous is the Diana viewpoint — named after the Late Lady Diana who visited here in the 1980s.

Rugged peaks, steep valleys

This view offers one of the most panoramic views of the Jabl Al-Akhdar’s rugged peaks and steep valleys dotted with serene cliff-hanging villages, though a resort has opened here recently.

Other key attractions in Jabl Al-Akhdar are the alluring sights of water cascading down the rocky mountains, which are a visual treat in Ain Wadi Kotom which has 10 major springs.

However, the prime tourist season here is when it blooms with fruits, vegetables and roses in different months.

Tourists from GCC countries come here in large numbers.

— Al Arabiya English