Oman Tourism

A drive along the recently completed dual carriageway between the Governorate of Muscat and the Dakhiliyah Region offers delightful views of palm groves and desert trees against a backdrop of majestic, high mountains with their peaks wrapped in cloud. Bordering on the Governorate of Muscat to the north, the Wusta Region to the south, the Sharqiyah Region to the east and the Dhahirah and Batinah regions to the west, the Dakhiliyah is the Sultanate's strategic hinterland and links Muscat with the other regions.

The Dakhiliyah Region has eight wilayats - Nizwa, Sumail, Bahla, al Hamra, Manah, Adam, lzki and Bidbid. It is rich in economic and natural resources and has numerous tourist attractions including forts, castles, towers, old residential quarters and historic mosques. The Wilayat of Nizwa has a famous and imposing fort, several old mosques and a traditional souq, while Bahla Fort is one of the treasures of the human heritage. Misfah al Abriyeen in the Wilayat of al Hamra is a splendid example of a "hanging village", while the wilayats of Adam, Manah, Izki, Sumail and Bidbid offer the visitor a range of interesting features, both ancient and modem.

To encourage tourism in the Dakhiliyah Region the government is developing the al Hootah Cave in the Wilayat of al Hamra, which is truly one of the wonders of nature. The old mountain passes on the slopes of al Jabal al Akhdhar and Jabal Shams have been restored to provide opportunities for trekking and adventure tourism and camps have been set up for tourists and week-end hikers.

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Oman Tourism