Hiking in Jebel Shams is incredible. The Balcony walk was amazing, the views were awesome! Our tour guide, Ahmed, was also very good. From pickup, to taking us to the hike and back, it was all very smooth. He gave us all the important details and very patiently waited till we completed the hike and came back.
Great way to see the interior of Oman, especially Jebel Shams and smaller villages with old mud brick homes and irrigation systems. Khalid was a great driver and chatted with us on all sorts of things. Would have been nice to have spent more time in Nizwa, but even 1.5 days in this region isnt enough to see everything it seems. Mountain resort was fine, with room for some small improvements, e.g. WiFi, breakfast delays, finding outlets in the room.
We had an amazing day visiting the Nizwa Souk, Nizwa Fort and Jebel Shams with Oman Landscape Tours. Our guide Said was very nice and took great care to give us the best experience. The Nizwa Souk is very interesting place, so also the Nizwa Fort and the Castle. Jebel Shams is something unique and a must visit place in Oman. We enjoyed the tour thoroughly with guide Said. Highly recommend this tour and the tour guide.
Wonderful day at Nizwa and Jebel Shams ( Grand Canyon ) with our tour guide Said who couldn’t do enough for us and was very knowledgeable both throughout the journey and at each place of interest along the way. A long day but well worth it.
This was such a lovely experience! While we had backpacks with the supplies we needed, our guide kindly carried extra water and snacks for us. (So technically we didn’t need to bring anything other than ourselves) While the majority of the trail was straightforward, it was extremely helpful to have guidance to get to the small lake after the abandoned village. If you’re interested in that, expect to climb up some larger boulders. Totally doable, but make sure your knees and hips are feeling good before hand. The views were spectacular and it was really interesting to see the abandoned village. For animal lovers, there are multiple goats that hang out hoping for snacks from hikers along the way. Prepare for a three hour car ride each way and approximately five hours to do the hike while leisurely taking photos. The mountain roads are windy and bumpy at times, so take appropriate measures if you tend to get carsick. A clean restroom stop is provided at the village before and after the hike and there are a couple of portable toilet options closer to the start. Really loved this adventure outside of Muscat!
I had a great day, travelling alone. Mohammed was an excellent guide, very informative. We left Muscat at 7am and arrived in Nizwa in time to catch the end of the Friday goat market - well worth seeing. The souq was interesting and helpful to have a guide then sufficient time to look round the fort. The drive to the canyon view point is spectacular as is the canyon, amazing views. The village of Al Hamra is well worth visiting, more beautiful views and interesting fauna and irrigation system. Lunch was excellent at a local restaurant, reasonably priced. Altogether an excellent day, we were out for 11 hours.
We had an amazing time full day tour in cultural and mindblowing places of Oman. Special compliments to our very professional, knowledgable and very friendly tour guide Adil! Can't even recommend more! Already planning my return trip to Oman!
amazing experience highly recommend. The tour guide was very friendly, informative and accomodating.
We had a lovely time experiencing and learning about the rich history of Oman and the natural wonder of Jabel Shams.
We especially enjoyed exploring the mountain village of Misfat al Abriyin, walking through the local houses and mountain passageways.
Definitely a must-do in Oman, it's the best way to experience the country through adventure.
We had an incredible experience visiting Jabal Shams! Every moment was so special and breathtaking. We are very thankful for having Fahad as our tour guide. Fahad was kind and patient all throughout the trip. We look forward to visiting Oman in the future again!
Great experience! Guide was good, views were amazing. Would highly recommend doing the Balcony Walk.
Good shoes or boots are recommended, but at no point is the path so narrow that you'd be scared. It is a gentle downhill slope on the way out, but that means a steady uphill climb on the way back - but if you're moderately fit you'll be ok.
Yesterday we had the day of a lifetime, and made memories that will last forever. The day started wonderfully when our guide, Hilel, arrived perfectly on time, and came into our hotel lobby to greet us. He drove a well appointed and perfectly comfortable white SUV with excellent air conditioning and plenty of bottles of cold water. He introduced himself and said in English his name means moon so we could call him Hilel or Moon, which we thought was very professional and considerate as sometimes inter language names can be hard to remember. His English was good. He reviewed our itinerary with us again and walked us through the drive times, when we will stop for breaks and refreshments. He stressed then and throughout the trip that it was our trip, we could stop whenever and as needed with no problems. We tested him on it as we drank alot of water and had to make frequent stops and he was cheerful, gracious and supportive the whole time. We stopped at the Fort, a number of souks (plenty of chances to shop with no pressure at one place or another, but he did bargain prices down for us!)(and insisted on carrying our bags for us every tho we protested), a small town for a traditional lunch, the canyon, another very old village (amazing architecture) still very much intact and then stopped for special tea and sweets on the way home. Bring lettuce or other produce with you so you can feed the adorable goats you see everywhere. They are super sweet. At the fort you can meet with traditional Omani women selling their items very timidly and sweetly (no hawking which was nice) and can have one make a traditional sweet pastry for you right on a stone! Delicious! The fort was really cool to visit and we learned alot we didn't know. But of course, the star of the show, besides the lovely Omani people we met throughout, was the Canyon. It was like a religious experience. We really were awed by it. We could hear the wind blowing through it and felt like we were on the top of the world. It is a bit of a long drive, all told, but broken up by many delightful stops, yet it was well worth the drive, we are SO happy we went!!! We also felt the other star was our guide, Hilel. He was a very safe driver, which on winding roads is so important. He was kind, intelligent, really really funny, and really considered us our guests that he was showing around. By the end of the day we felt like family. We recommend him whole- heartedly. We will never forget our day.
Jebel Shams
5.0
(1,060)
Oman
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit
Guided tours to Jebel Shams are in an off-road vehicle.
Pick up one of the colorful goat-hair rugs the region is known for on your visit.
If you plan on hiking, bring plenty of water, food, and a good camera.
It can be very hot in the Al-Hajar mountains, so be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
People Also Ask
What’s the best way to experience Jebel Shams?
There are numerous ways to experience Jebel Shams. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
How much does it cost to visit Jebel Shams in 2024?
You can explore Jebel Shams for free, but first-time visitors are advised to join a guided excursion. Private day trips that combine the mountain alongside with other sites typically cost US$210 per person, overnight tours are roughly US$650 per person, while multi-day, tours are upwards of US$1,600.
What is the best time of year to visit Jebel Shams?
The best time of year to visit Jebel Shams is from October to March, when Oman boasts sunny and relatively mild weather that’s perfect for outdoor sightseeing. December brings average highs of 72°F (22°C), which is ideal for hiking. In the summer months—June to August—average maximum summer temperatures tip 99°F (37°C) and regularly go higher.
What are the main attractions at Jebel Shams?
The main attractions at Jebel Shams are its spectacular views and hiking trails. The mountain soars over Wadi Ghul—a rugged gorge nicknamed Oman’s Grand Canyon—and visitors come for the epic views over the ravine. Keen walkers can also follow canyon-rim and summit trails to immerse themselves in the stunning scenery.
Is it safe to hike Jebel Shams?
Yes, it’s generally safe to hike Jebel Shams, although anyone unfamiliar with the area should visit with a guided tour. Most walkers can manage the canyon-rim Balcony Walk, while more advanced hikers and climbers can tackle the Summit Trail. Important precautions include sticking to the waymarked trails and avoiding hiking in extreme weather.
What should I pack for a trip to Jebel Shams?
You need to bring several essentials to visit Jebel Shams. While the weather is usually warm, it’s recommended to pack extra layers as temperatures can vary. Other necessities include comfy shoes with a good grip, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, shades, water, and a lightweight scarf for added sun protection.