
A favourite of locals and expats alike to explore nature, swim in the freshwater pools and enjoy a barbeque, Wadi Shab is located in the Al Sharqiyah Region in Oman. Located a drive of about two hours from the city of Muscat, Wadi Shab is within easy distance from your Sur hotel.
The main attraction of the location is its cave waterfall, a cascading beauty that is hidden within the rock walls of the wadi. In order to reach the hiking trail, one might have to take a boat if the tide is high. The regulating bodies have been at work here in that there are boats available with local staff to ferry you across, and the rates are regulated to avoid any inconvenience. The trail is a beauty unto its own, making up for its lack of lush greenery with naturally rugged rock cliffs and groves of palm trees that speak of an underappreciated beauty. The climax of the trail approaches after a walk of about 45 minutes. For the last leg of the journey, one has to take the plunge and swim through a slit between the caves. If you are a seeker of a rush, visit the wadi after a heavy rain, as then instead of swimming, you would be required to dive under water to pass through. Once at the waterfall, one can either gracefully step into the water pools or climb up the waterfall using ropes available and jump in.
If swimming and diving through the water to reach waterfalls is not up your alley, there are several deep pools and waterfalls on the trail where you can enjoy yourself at. There are semi-demolished houses to be found on the cliffs by the curious trekker where cattle used to be housed.
To enjoy this excursion to its maximum, it is advised that you select a comfortable accommodation in Sur like Sur Plaza Hotel that is not too far away from Wadi Shab. Reduction of travelling time coupled with a warm place to return to would only heighten your enjoyment of the natural water pools and the trail.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.Google+