Wadi Hawar Oman
Wadis in Oman certainly remain top of the bucket list of every tourist in the country. Oman is gifted with so many breathtaking and amazing wadis- a combination of mountains and water bodies. Wadi Hawer is a notable wadi in Oman and an attractive tourist destination. It is very popular because of the scenic natural views and adventurous hiking opportunities.
Wadi Hawer Oman is one of those wadis that is less crowded, raw, and mostly untouched. In this article, I will tell you the story of this beautiful, worth-visiting place. Stick with us till the end to know every useful detail that will help you know the place much better.
Wadi Hawer Location and How to Go There
Wadi Hawer is around 230 kilometers from Muscat crossing beyond the more familiar and crowded Wadi Bani Khalid. Go straight forward after reaching Bani Khalid Village to get to the car parking area at the end. This will be the starting point to reach Wadi Hawar. From the car parking spot, you will have to trek for about half an hour to reach the main pool. You will get another small pool about 20 minutes to walk from there.
You can take help from the locals regarding directions since no marker or sign is leading to the wadi. Though this wadi is not that familiar to many travelers, people who live in the area know every detail. Based on how you walk the whole trek will require 4-5 hours for completion on average.
Best Time to Go
Wadi Hawer is a place you can go to any time of the year. However, it’s better not to go in the winter since you will have to cross several water pools while going further inside. These pools are encompassed by mountains and the sunlight barely reaches out to the water. Thus, they will be ice cold and almost impossible to swim. Apart from this season, you can choose any other time of the year.
Main Attractions of Wadi Hawer
Wadi Hawer is full of adventures and surprises. The scenic beauty around will certainly mesmerize you. The whole area is surrounded by green date plantations, turquoise water pools, and amazing waterfalls. You will find more than enough activities here to explore that you will not get bored for a single second.
The most significant feature of the Wadi is probably its quietness. Most people get back from Wadi Bani Khalid and not many travelers can take attempt to cross this trail to reach this beautiful wadi. Throughout the way, you will feel extreme silence and tranquility, unlike most other wadis. Some of the notable activities here include:
Hiking
Though not extreme, Wadi Hawer Muscat is quite a tough trail to cover. You will find large boulders here and there and steep trails. This is not a simple walking tour that requires scrambling rocks, jumping up, swimming, and even crawling in some places.
There is a pool at the very start. Be prepared to get wet from the very beginning of the hike. It will be quite a task for children and people with low fitness. However, it is still doable with a little help. The trek ends near the Seeq village and it will require around 5 hours to finish.
Swimming and Diving
You will face lots of blue pools during the hike. Some of the pools are shallow and can be covered by walking. Yet swimming will be the faster way to move forward. Others, especially the large pool with a waterfall deep. Take a lifejacket if you don’t know swimming.
Diving and swimming in those turquoise waters will be great fun with friends. I will recommend doing cliff jumping from the plain large boulders. Besides, you will find some smooth rocks near the pools where you can slide into the water. This will add another dimension to your adventure.
Climbing
The trek doesn’t require high mountains to climb. However, you will get some abseiling points on the trek, especially near the first waterfall. Besides, some large boulder stones are there on the way and you will have to do a little bit of climbing. You can pass it easily with minimal fitness since no rope requires to cross them.
At one place at the beginning, you will see a palm tree bridge made by the locals. It will help you get higher upfront. Be careful while crossing the steep rocky surfaces and also the low waters. Rocks under the water can be slippery and cause danger.
Some Precautions and Tips for Wadi Hawar
- There are no tourist facilities in the area and the nearest village is more than half an hour’s distance. So, take all your necessary staff before going. Carry food, water, a dry bag, water shoe, and other hiking gear.
- Avoid winter since the water will be too cold to tolerate. If you still go on colder days, take a swimsuit for protecting your body from the cold.
- Since there’s no strict trekking trail, it’s better to follow the wadi for directions. It will be more fun and enjoy going with the flow.
- Take a floatation device like a lifejacket to avoid any causalities. It’s a must for those who don’t know how to swim and the kids. Even if you are a good swimmer, taking precautions is preferable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children complete the hike?
The trekking here is much more standard than most other wadis in Oman since it involves both walking and swimming. However, with safe materials and instruction, children can go there too and finish the hike at the end.
Is it possible for an overnight stay here?
This place could be a perfect place for a family picnic due to the breathtaking environment around. However, this is a remote spot and you can’t bring many things with you. That’s why picnicking or camping here is not suitable for families.
Do I have to know swimming to cover this?
The water level of some pools in some places is very deep. You have to swim to pass through those areas. You can also do well without knowing about swimming. In that case, you will have to take the help of a lifejacket. However, irrespective of whether you are a swimmer or not, it’s safe to take a flotation device from the beginning.
Final Words
Wadi Hawer Muscat is truly an exceptional place to pay a visit. Some call it the most beautiful wadi in Oman and rightly say so. It is a place that still carries the flavor of pristine wilderness and a calm environment even on the holidays. Covering the trek and taking a little bit of pain will give you such a reward you can only hope for a dream vacation. I highly recommend you explore Wadi Hawar if you haven’t visited yet.
