Big day as it was time to hike into the famous Wadi Shab. A very popular 2 hour hike in and along the wadi to a deep pool, cave and waterfall. Hike starts with a $3, 3-minute boat ride across the small lake at the mouth of the wadi. Next, pretty easy going on a dirt path, green plantations on either side. Then things start to get more challenging as the path starts up the side of the canyon. Loose rocks and narrow ledges abound. The next section was even crazier. Humongous boulders blocked the path and you had to scramble up, over and around them. Eventually reached the first pool for swimming. Had a quick dip to cool off from the 33 degree heat then back on the rocks for a picnic snack. Left our gear on the rocks and waded back into the cool, clear, emerald green water. A combination of swimming, rock scrambling and wading for the next 150m then swimming only for the last 50m. Had to swim through a narrow rock entrance into a cave with a raging waterfall – so beautiful. Swam back to our gear then time to hike/scramble back to our car. Late lunch at a Cafe at the wadi entrance then back on the road.
Next wadi 50km up the road was Al Arbeieen. 4×4’d up the wadi stream bed to our resort hotel in the middle of nowhere. Resort was only about 12 units, very modern but with traditional decor. Surprisingly, no tea and dates offered on arrival so we made our own and sat outside til 7pm buffet dinner on the terrace. Chatted a bit with the owner and listened to Omani music around the fire pit before bed.
Flickr pix of our Wadi Shab adventure here:
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Wadi Shab to Wadi Al Arbeieen, Oman