Top travel locations to visit in Musandam: Hajar Mountains have several valleys, each known as a ‘Wadi’ in the local language. These Wadis offer adventurous activities to thrill-seekers. Among the first things to do in Musandam, enjoy a highly recommended four-wheel drive in the Wadis of this place. The adventurous drive has many stops where you can get off the vehicle and roam in the area. Among the Wadis, the Wilayat Khasab is a popular site for the Jabal Hareem Fossils – fossils of fishes and other marine animals. Their geological age is around 250 million years old!
Jebel Harim is the highest point in Musandam, which reaches 2,087-meters high. Jebel Harim means the Mountain of Women. It was called this because Omani women used to go up the mountain and hide when they feared they might get kidnapped by pirates, while their men were away on fishing trips. Visitors can go hiking or drive up the hill to enjoy the spectacular views from its top, as they watch the surrounding valleys and villages. They can also camp on the magnificent mountain.
Khasab Castle is located in the Musandam Peninsula’s capital, the Khasab Province. The Portuguese built this castle in the 17th-century, as part of their undertaking to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and colonize the Khasab Province. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Arabian Gulf to the Arab Peninsula and is a prominent trading route, entry into the Arabian Gulf. The castle was used by the Omanis during their battles with the Portuguese during 1624, after which it became Governor Walli’s residence. The castle also served as a prison. Today it is a museum, which hosts several exhibitions on the history of Musandam. There’s also an exhibition of old documents, clothes, weaponry, jewelry, and other household items from those distant times. Use our blog post as a guide and check out this wonderful museum’s secrets for yourself.
Khasab is the starting point for dhow cruises down the wonderful Khawr Sham, the biggest fjord in Musandam, ringed with the craggy red-rock mountains. Half a dozen tiny villages lie dotted around the khawr, accessible only by boat. You’re also likely to see pods of dolphins frolicking around the khawr, chasing boats for fun. Halfway down the khawr lies the rocky little Jazirat Telegraph (Telegraph Island), named after the telegraph station established here by the British in 1864 along the route of the London-to-Bombay submarine telegraph cable. The foundations of the old British buildings can still be seen, and the island is a popular destination on dhow cruises. Discover even more information at Dubai Musandam Trip.