Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
all lie up against the sloping shoulder of the Hajar Mountain range and can be reached by
turning right off the Nizwa-Bahla road, 30.6km from Nizwa, at the Omanoil petrol sta-
tion. Brown signs lead from there to each of the Lonely Planet-reviewed destinations.
There's no public transport.
Al-Hoota Cave
CAVE
( 244 98 258;
www.alhootacave.com
;
adult/child OR5.500/3; 9am-1pm & 2-6pm Sat, Sun & Tue-Thu, 9am-
noon & 2-6pm Fri; )
This cave, which is embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, has
developed into a popular attraction. The interactive on-site
geological museum
explores some
of the features that have made Oman internationally renowned among geologists. There is
also a gift shop, pleasant restaurant and outdoor cafe with a fine view of pale hills.
A train takes you into the cave and a 40-minute walking tour passes by an underground
lake with blind cave-fish. The last tour in the morning and afternoon is 45 minutes before
closing time. If you turn left when leaving the cave complex, the road takes you (after
2km) to a small park next to a wadi with flowing water: it makes a good place for a pic-
nic.
Prebooking is required as the cave can only accommodate 750 visitors per day and is
often closed due to flooding after rains. No cameras are allowed in the cave - they must
be deposited in safety boxes.
Al-Hamra
25 / POP 19,500
This venerable village at the foot of the Hajar Mountains is one of the oldest in Oman, and
is interesting for its wonderfully well-preserved row of two- and three-storey
mudbrick
houses
built in the Yemeni style. There are many abandoned houses in the upper parts of the
village and it's easy to gain an idea of a lifestyle that has only changed in the past three
decades.
To reach the old part of town, follow the main road, past the turning for Misfat. The
road skirts uphill above the old buildings until it reaches a tree-filled roundabout. Park
near the large, square mud building and explore the town and plantation on foot.
Sights
Bilad al-Sifah
MUSEUM
