TINY NATION PACKED WITH BIG ADVENTURE
Whether dune-bashing,
abseiling, or scuba diving, Oman is the next big destination for adrenaline
junkies
Often overlooked among a
sea of flashy neighbors in the United Arab Emirates, Oman is the ultimate foil
to over-the-top glitz. The country's dizzying range of natural backdrops has
made it a growing spot for adventure seekers--you can get from the sea to the
mountains to the desert in one afternoon. And now, thanks to a handful of
ambitious new hotels, it's possible to enjoy these thrills from the comfort of
a world-class resort.
Hike in Jabal Akhdar
Oman's craggy Jabal Akhdar
mountain peaks and valleys are made for hiking, and heights of 6,500 feet above
sea level make them prime ground for altitude training.You can abseil deep into
the canyon, hike through three ancient villages nearby, or descend into a
valley called the Wadi of Waterfalls. Plan your trip between March and May to
catch the rose season. Stay at the 10-month-old Anantara Jabal Akhdar, a
115-room resort that blooms from the fertile Saiq Plateau like a sandstone
fortress with canyon views.
Dive along the Musandam Peninsula
Savvy divers already know
that the sea off the tip of the Arabian Peninsula claims some of the best, most
underrated diving spots in the world. The coral reefs of the Daymaniyat
Islands, a protected nature reserve in the Gulf of Oman, count guitar sharks,
hawksbill turtles, stingrays, moray eels, and seahorses as residents. Drive an
hour along the coast from Muscat, then take an hour-long boat ride easy work
for either a day trip or a weekend-long diving safari.Head to Six Senses Zighy
Bay, which has 82 stone villas and suites on Oman's northern tip.
Dune-bashing in the Wahiba Sands Desert
Dune-bash across Oman's
Wahiba Sands desert. It's a revved-up roller-coaster ride with a skilled 4x4
driver, who'll take you gliding over the soft golden crests and diving into
shallow valleys. Afterward, go glamping in the stark desert terrain where
deafening silence is the ultimate amenity.
A meditation session in Salalah
In Salalah, a seaside town
on Oman's southern coast, even a spiritual journey can take on an adventurous
spin. The latest draw is the spa at the Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, an
Arabian Nights-meets-Greek-isle retreat with 136 whitewashed rooms. A spa
therapist will accompany you deep into the 250,000-square-mile Rub Al Khali
(also called the Empty Quarter) and perform the ancient practice atop a dune
just before sunset; later, take a few moments with your thoughts under a
glittering, star-filled sky .
ETP24AUG17
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