Oman is an original country that managed to convey its colors and unique architectural monuments to our days. It attracts tourists by its endless deserts , others by original cultural traditions , while others come to Oman to visit its caves. Approximately 15% of the country's area falls on the majestic mountains, from where a breathtaking view of the picturesque valleys and ancient tracts opens.
Oman is an original country that managed to convey its colors and unique architectural monuments to our days. It attracts tourists by its endless deserts , others by original cultural traditions , while others come to Oman to visit its caves. Approximately 15% of the country's area falls on the majestic mountains, from where a breathtaking view of the picturesque valleys and ancient tracts opens. Inside of them are deep caves, the age of which is several million years old. The most famous of them are Al Huta, Majlis al-Jinn, Wadi Tavi and Marnefa.
Features of Oman Caves
The mountain system of the country is very old. The constant impact of precipitation and winds contributed to its erosion, which led to the formation in the bowels of many depressions and crevices. Most of the local grottoes and depressions are located in the mountains or at their foot. Some caves of Oman are part of Jebel Akhdar Mountain, others - Jebel Shams. Both mountains belong to the Hajar ridge.
Near the many caves of Oman are sources of water, so in ancient times they were used by locals as a refuge from the vagaries of the weather.
Popular Caves of Oman
All the cavities and caves scattered throughout the country differ in length, type, size and geographical formations. That's why they constantly attract the attention of speleologists. To date, the most studied caves in Oman are:
- Al Huta. According to research, this grotto was formed at least 2 million years ago. It is located at the foot of Mount Jebel Shams, which many call the Oman Grand Canyon. The most famous cave of the Sultanate in combination is also the longest. Its length is 4.5 km, of which only 20% (500 m) are open to the general public.
- Majlis al-Jinn, or the Cave of the Jinn. It is a single hollow cavity measuring 310x225 m and a dome height of 120 m. There are no lower entrances and passes. You can get inside the cave chamber only through three holes located in its arch. They are called Cheryl's Drop (Cheryl Drops), Asterisk (Asterisk) and First Drop (First Drop).
- Wadi Tavi. This cave system is a huge hollow, the depth of which reaches 211 m. Along the entire fault, grottoes formed by underground waters and karstic processes are laid. They inhabit a large number of birds, because of which the hollow was called "the well of birds."
- Funnel Bimmach . It could not be called a cave, if it did not go underground to a depth of about 20 m. Its size is 50x70 m. This is a kind of well formed as a result of dissolution of limestone under the surface layer of the earth.
- Marnef. The cave has an uncharacteristic shape. It is a large rock that hangs over the surface of the earth like a huge visor.
- Abu-Habban. Mining is located in the northern province of Asharquia. It is distinguished by a large number of rock outgrowths of very different colors.
- Al-Kittan. The uniqueness of this grotto lurks in a special light, thanks to which it seems to be covered with marble. There are beautiful geological formations and rock engravings.
- Yernan. The cave is located in the province of Agania Dakhili in the valley of Halvin. Next to it is the ancient village of Al-Nizar.
- Mukal. Inside this grotto, you can see a lot of rock formations, waterfalls and streams that flow down the nearest road to Wadi Mukal.
Excursions to the caves of Oman
Not all listed mountain formations are open to tourists. For example, the cave of Al Huta in Oman is accessible to the public only since November 2006. Specially for tourists here are provided:
- hiking trails;
- stairs;
- artificial lighting.
Visit the largest cave of Oman, Majlis al-Jinn, can only be accompanied by a guide. Due to the fact that it is located in the mountains at an altitude of more than 1300 m, access to it has been closed for a long time. To descend into it, you need a 200-meter rope, special equipment for descent and ascent.
Unfortunately, the Wadi Tavi caves in Oman also remain inaccessible for observation, since they are hidden behind thick bushes. But next to them is opened the Sinkhole platform, which provides a parking lot and a tourist center. To visit the cave of Bimma in Oman, you must first get into the nature reserve of Gayat Najm. Directly to the reservoir itself in the basin, you can go down only on a special staircase.
The cave of Marnef in Oman is interesting not so much for its internal filling as for the external situation. Having risen on it, you can sit on benches or in gazebos, walk along a rocky cliff or enjoy a view of the beach of Al-Musgail. In the cave itself there is a sign with a "talking" inscription: "Nothing but memories. Do not leave anything other than traces. Enjoy the visit to the cave of Marnef. " It is thanks to this attitude of locals and tourists in Oman that caves, ancient architectural monuments and other historical monuments are preserved.