Not all wadis are the same. I learned this in Oman when we visited the rather remote Wadi Al Arbeieen.
It takes about 1.5 hours by car from Muscat to reach the wadi. At the beginning, you drive on the NA17 in the direction of Sur. The wadi is signposted. After a while, you leave the paved road and continue off-road on unsurfaced paths. A four-wheel-drive vehicle certainly makes the journey easier, but is not absolutely necessary.
I found it very interesting that many Omanis don’t drive their “good” cars into town. They leave their cars relatively far at the beginning of the valley and are picked up. Not necessarily by jeeps, but rather by old cars that can withstand the odd rockfall.
What is a wadi?
The wadis in Oman are diverse. Some are dry, barren valleys with strange rock formations. Others are lush oases with palm trees and bright green swimming pools. Many wadis are dry for most of the year, but during the rainy season, they fill up with water and small and large rivers emerge. The vegetation recovers, turning the wadis into fertile oases. You will find palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs there.
A wadi is the Arabic term for a riverbed or valley that is usually dry and only carries water during heavy rainfall. Wadis are typical of desert regions and are an important source of water there. Some wadis carry water all year round and have deep, cool pools for swimming. As long as the current is calm, these bathing opportunities are popular.
Drive into the Wadi Al Arbeieen
From the paved road, we continue for about 15 kilometers on a dirt road. I don’t know if the road is always in this condition. Our driver apologized several times for the bumpy ride. It had rained a few days before we arrived in Oman. Although there wasn’t much rain from the sky by our standards, it was surprisingly heavy for the conditions in Oman. Some of the roads were washed out and no longer passable. Damage caused by the water could also be seen in Wadi Al Arbeieen. You can actually drive a small circular route there. This was not possible at the time.
On the other hand, our trip had the advantage that the vegetation was incredibly green. Small green plants sprouted even on the most rugged rocks, making Oman appear wonderfully green.
The road was quite narrow and steep in some places. On one side of the road, the further we drove into the valley, the wider the valley gradually became. There wasn’t really much going on during our visit, so it was easy to stop in the middle of the road and take photos. The landscape is breathtaking. High mountains rise on both sides of the river valley. Small palm groves with date palms dot the landscape, along with the river’s path.
Finally, our journey came to an end. The river, which was somewhat larger and wider than usual here due to the amount of rain, had destroyed the road. We would have had to cross a small bridge or ford to reach the small village at the end of the valley. But neither our tour guide nor the villagers drove through the water. While we were standing there, a father came out of the village with his children. He carried the children through the water and then got into his car, which was parked on the opposite side.
We also had to get out of the car and were able to climb a little over the rocks to reach small rock pools suitable for swimming. If it had been possible, we could have hiked further into the wadi. There is supposed to be a small waterfall there, and in many places you are usually completely alone and can go swimming. But this place is also fantastically beautiful. The water glistened in the sun and looked almost turquoise in some of the rock pools. We also discovered a small waterfall here, from which the water fell a few meters down.
I particularly liked the fact that the wadi is not developed for tourism. There are no restaurants, stores or huge parking lots. A visit to Wadi Al Arbeieen offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Oman. With the right equipment and preparation, you can enjoy the emerald green pools, the tranquil atmosphere and the impressive mountain landscape to the full.
Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort – Accommodation in the heart of the Wadi
The small resort offers accommodations and a garden area. The rooms are air-conditioned and feature a terrace with garden views, a refrigerator, a stove, and an electric kettle. Each room has a private bathroom.
Guest reviews show that the location scores high. Couples especially like it. People often praise the atmosphere, service, and friendly staff. They also enjoy activities like swimming and kayaking in the nearby wadi. The surroundings and tranquility are also praised.
It is also possible to visit the wadi on a guided tour. Tours leave from Muscat and also visit other locations. For example, they offer the Bimmah Sinkhole and Fis Beach, along with a beach hike. Checkout the tour decrioptions.
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