We’re celebrating Oman’s National Day on the 18th of this month, and we can’t help but let the occasion have us reflect on how Oman’s natural bounty is a gift that keeps on giving. A landscape complete with glorious seas, proud mountains, greenery and rich flora and fauna, Oman is one of those countries that has it all; ethereal views to take in at every corner! So here we are, taking you on a journey to Jebel Harim and Khor Najd in the Musandam Peninsula…
Jebel Harim
Standing tall at 2,087m, Jebel Harim is the highest peak in the Musandam Peninsula. Its name translates to ‘Mountain of Women’; named after the days when local women hid in the mountain to avoid the cruelties of rival tribes while the men of their families were away to earn a living. The mountain is majestic and boasts of strongly striated sedimentary rock that casts the most exquisite shadows as the sun rises and dips. While the mountainside remains covered in earthy tones through most of the year, during the winter and spring months, greenery and shrubbery grow in patches, revealing a mountainside dotted with verdant spots that take the beauty of the peak to a whole new level.
Due to the incredibly steep and graded roads that lead travellers up the mountain, Jebel Harim can only be accessed in a 4WD. The narrow roads swerve around edges – dangerous, but breath taking – leading the way up. The summit of the mountain houses a telecommunications tower that is off limits to the public. However, visitors are allowed till just below, where they can enjoy picturesque panoramic views of the mountains and the valleys below.
The route to Jebel Harim is studded with limestone formations that are a sight to behold. On the way up, at about 1,100m one ascends on the Sayh Plateau, a small village settlement with a patchwork of fields that stand out among the arid landscape. Surrounded by jagged limestone mountains, the tiny green plain, with stone settlements, has been farmed for several decades and is used to grow fodder for animals to graze.
Khor Najd
Khor Najd, also known as Khawr Najd, is one of the largest lagoons in the Governorate of Musandam. Tucked between the mountains and hidden away from the Strait of Hormuz, the azure waters of Khor Najd are not just a soothing sight, but have been providing solace to Bedouins and sailors for the longest time. It can be reached by sea vessels from Khasab through the Strait of Hormuz, or by road, through an incredible drive up the mountain range to a spot at the height of 420m where tourists can feast on scenic vistas of the mountains and the blissful blue waters. From this spot, there is a steep downhill dirt track which takes travellers to the beach used by local fishermen.
A trip to Musandam is incomplete without a visit to Khor Najd and Jebel Harim. Known as the Norway of the Middle East, the Musandam Peninsula is both scenic and photogenic. A stunning escape from the humdrum of regular life, there may not be much to do at the destinations, but the journey to Khor Najd and onwards to Jebel Harim, and the scenery that awaits will make a lasting impression on the traveller. While the fjord-like rocky cliffs rising out of the blue-green ocean make for a glorious image at Khor Najd, the winds and views across the mountains from the top of Jebel Harim make for a dreamy experience. One that should not be missed!