Excursions

Visit the fishing village of Taqa, an old town with an interesting CASTLE surrounded by watch towers and Taqa stone houses. Proceed onward to Khor Rori creek, the site of the ruined city of SAMHURAM, (EXCLUDING THU-FRI) capital of ancient Arabia's exotic frankincense trade. Excavations have produced evidence of an ancient city with trade links by sea to Far Eastern destinations and with even distant Greece. MIRBAT, the ancient capital of Dhofar, was an important town as early as the 9th century for it's trade in frankincense, horses. See some of the old houses famous for its wood carvings. If lucky see boat loads of fish arriving into the harbour. Return via AYN RAZAT, (THU - FRI ONLY) manicured gardens fed by natural underground springs.

Visit the Biblical "NABI AYOUB" Prophet JOB'S TOMB, perched high up in the "Jebel" (mountains). Enroute are spectacular views of the plains, mountain landscape and emerald green pasture land. Proceed to MUGHSAIL BEACH where "Blow-holes" - (perforations in the limestone rock) through which sea water gushes during high tide. Experience the HAIRPIN BEND ROADS for approximately 15/20 kms which will take you to a wadi. The views are breathtaking due to heights involved. This is the road that takes you to the Yemen border. At the nearby bird sanctuary, one may see seasonal birds. Enroute, the stark shape of leafless FRANKINCENSE TREES dot the landscape. Once traded as a commodity more precious than gold, frankincense harvested in Dhofar is rated the best in the world.

SALALAH, the "garden city" of the south, is a tropical paradise. Visit a GARDEN FARMS which has groves of coconut, banana, papaya and vegetables. Visit the OLD RUINED HOUSES still in existence today. Photo stop of the beautiful SHANFARI MOSQUE with its exquisite artwork and stained tiles. Visit the site of Prophet Saleh's SACRED CAMEL FOOTPRINT. See the clear camel footprint on the rock. Visit AL HUSN SOUQ where frankincense crystals of Dhofar and typical Dhofari frankincense burners are sold. Witness the sale of cattle in the market. Walk along the city's promenade (waterfront corniche) where single storied houses are dwarfed by tall, swaying palms. We return via the MUSEUM which is famous for the Dhofari costumes in the south. (SAT - WED ONLY).