Hi everyone!
Last week I told you about Muscat, the elegant capital of the Sultanate of Oman, where I spent a few days. The country of the Middle East has incredible landscapes and that is exactly what aroused my curiosity in exploring it. Oman is famous for its “wadis”, ie, valleys. This term is often used to refer to the dry bed of a river located between cliffs where water runs only during rainy periods. But, Wadi Shab never runs out of water, its natural pools of green water are always available for a well-deserved dive after a moderate difficulty hike of 50 minutes. For this reason, it topped the list of places I wanted to visit in Oman.
I got a car service with a driver to make the journey easier, since Waze and Google Maps do not work very well in the country and the internet connections are not the best. The scenery is desert by road, with rocky mountains, some villages, and sometimes camels, goats and mules appear. The trip takes around two and a half hours from Muscat to Wadi Shab, and on the way you can not miss the Bimmah Sinkhole cenote, a spectacular oasis in the middle of the desert with a delightful pool at the bottom of a slab that collapsed on a spring. Be prepared for a swim. The place inspires and is wonderful. Such a magical surprise!
A few miles ahead there is a parking lot on the edge of a pond signaling Wadi Shab. Leave the car there and cross on a small boat to the opposite shore to start the three-kilometer walk. The hike is spectacular. As you walk your jaw drops with the beauty of the place. Be careful during the trail as the terrain is very slippery and sometimes on top of cliffs. There at the bottom of the valley, there is a crystalline lake of green water. A perfect invitation to refresh in the heat of Oman. The lake winds through the crevice between the mountains and as you move forward the walls narrow to the point where a cave forms. Swim there. A real oasis. Different from everything, a true natural beauty.
When visiting Oman, be sure to include the double-glazed valley of Wadi Shab and the Sinkhole Cenote in your itinerary. These are places worth visiting. Schedule an entire day to take full advantage of all that nature has to offer. I guarantee you will love it!
I wish you all a blessed rest of your week.
XoXo,
