DHOFAR GOVERNORATE

➢ Tour in western regions of Dhofar Governorate
➢ Tour in Dhakut (away from Salalah about 189km)
➢ Tour in the Rakhut City
➢ Stop at the Sha’at
➢ Visit Al Fazayah beach
➢ Al Marnif Cave – Al Mughsayl beach area
➢ Sunset view Aftlqout area

NOTE: follow-up to the weather and fog

DHALKUT
RAKHUT

AL MARNIF CAVE – AL MUGHSAYL BEACH AREA
Located in Shatti Al Mughsayl area, which is about 40 km from Salalah
in the Governorate of Dhofar, Al Marneef Cave is ranked among the top
10 most popular tourist attractions in the Indian Ocean. It overlooks the
Arabian Sea and Al Mughsayl Fountains (which also happens to be the
most preferred picnic spot by locals and tourists).
Al Marneef Cave doesn’t qualify as a cave due to the absence of any
opening (or hollow space), yet the symbolic cave-like look lets it qualify
as a cave. Al Marneef Cave is a large rocky structure which faces a
mountain. Several smaller caves are also present on Al Marneef making
it a popular rock-climbing spot. Another reason which makes Marneef
Cave a popular tourist attraction are Al-Mughsayl Blowholes (natural
fountains). There are three of these which are at proximity to AlMughsayl Beach. The sound of water gushing through rock cavities and
hence emerging out as a natural fountain altogether makes up for a
marvellous sight.

➢ Ain Sahinot
➢ Shear road
➢ Ain Razat
➢ Husun Taqah
➢ Wadi Darbat
➢ View heights Darbat
➢ Visit the Sumhuram Archeological site
➢ Khour Taqah
➢ Sunset viewing fro Taqah city
➢ Panorama evening on Taqah city

AYN RAZAT
Ain Razat is the most important source of spring water in Dhofar. It used to
be one of the main sources of water for Salalah. It's water, as well as
several smaller springs, flow into a long pool on the northern side of the
carpark at the foot of the Jebel. Water flows along a falaj (watercourse)
throughout the year, although flow is highest during the Kharif. This water
flows 7 km to Al-Mamurah Palace, the Sultan’s residence when in Salalah.
A further 3 km further on the watercourse reaches Razat Farm.
Fresh-water spring and picnic area near Salalah. The formal garden area is
apparently open on Friday only, however, the broader area and spring is
very nice. Signs warn against swimming due to risks of Bilharzia.

SUMHURAM ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
Looking across one of Dhofar's prettiest bays at peacefully grazing camels
and flocks of flamingos, it’s hard to imagine that 2000 years ago Khor Rori
was a trading post on the frankincense route and one of the most important
ports on earth. Today little remains of the city except the painstakingly
excavated ruins of Sumhuram Archaeological Park. This fascinating park is
part-museum and part–archaeological site, and you can wander around the
ruins and watch the archaeologists at work.

WADI DARBAT
Wadi Darbat is the most beautiful and spectacular place in Salalah
city and the perfect place for mountain and nature lovers. The place is
fully packed with tourists especially in the autumn season.
Darbat Lake situated at the heart of Wadi Darbat is a marvellous picnic
spot. It is a perfect place for visitors to take short boat rides or have
barbecue dinners near the shores.

SUNSET VIEWING /PANORAMA EVENING AT TAQAH CITY

• Wadi Dawkah (The Valley of the Frankincense)
• Visit the Shisr (Wubar) Archaeological site
• Al Khathef sand / Al Hasman sand
• Entertainment programs

WADI DAWKAH / THE VALLEY OF THE FRANKINCENSE
The frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah and the remails of the caravan
oasis of Shis/Wubar and the addilated ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed
vividly illustrate the trade in frankincense that flourished in this region for many centuries, as one of the most important trading activities
of the ancient and medieval world.
Wadi Dawkah is a major place where the frankincense tree (boswellia
sacra) can still be found and frankincense is harvested to this day. The
wadi seasonally drains the north-south mountains disappearing into the
desert of the ´Empty Quarter´, the Rub al Khali. The trees grow in the
alluvial bed of the wadi under the extreme heat of this region.

SHISR (WUBAR) ARCHEAOLOGICAL SITE

Shisr is an ancient site lies north of Salalah in the desert. This agricultural
oasis includes frankincense trees, and it was a very important station
also for water supply on the routes from the Nejd and the hinterland from
where frankincense was brought to the ports along the coast.

• The Eastern regions of Dhofar Governorate
• Mirbat castle and the old area next to
• Tour in Sadah wilayat (hat beach – Saleh bin hood shrine
• Enjoying the scenic coastal road to hasik area (Natef)
• Al Shuwaimiyah beach

Note: (follow-up to the weather and fog)

MIRBAT CASTLE 
The town’s main fort is now derelict despite being the site of the well-documented Battle of Mirbat. Nine soldiers kept 300 insurgents from
taking Mirbat during this battle in 1972, during the Dhofari insurrection.
The British armed forces were called in by the Sultan to assist and two
British Victoria Crosses were earned by the Special Air Service (SAS)
but not awarded, to help keep the war out of the public eye.

SALEH BIN HUD SHRINE
Saleh or Salih is a prophet mentioned in the Quran who prophesied to the
tribe of Thamud in ... to demand that he demonstrate a miracle to prove
his prophethood.

HASIK AREA (NATEF)

Positioned at the most eastern end of the Dhofar coast before the cliffs of
Jebel Samhan interrupt, Hasik is worth the two-hour drive from Salalah
for the journey more than the destination.

AL SHUWAIMIYAH BEACH