Spring & Beauty of Wakan valley

Description

Nakhal Fort

Nakhal is a small town in the Al-Batinah Region of Oman. The name meaning is “palm,” many of which line the streets of this desert oasis. It is one of the more scenic towns in the country, set against the jagged peaks of the Jebel Mountains of the Western Al-Hajar range, and hot spring and a small stream are flowing calmly into town.

A main draw to the area for visitors is the historic Nakhal Fort, which sits atop a rock mound in the center of town. The castle dates back to pre-Islamic times, but like its neighboring forts, it has undergone several renovations since. Even more, palm and banana trees lie below in the orchards surrounding the structure. Climbing up the fort offers wide views of both the ancient town below and the magnificent surrounding landscape.

The origins of the fort probably date back to pre-Islamic times, although the structure was continuously remodeled over the following centuries, including a substantial rebuilding in the mid-seventeenth century, while the present gateway and towers were apparently added in 1834 during the reign of Imam Said bin Sultan, and the entire structure was comprehensively restored in 1990.

Hot Spring Water

After getting dusty, sweaty, and hot walking the walls and climbing the towers, we will go through the town to the Nakhal Hot Springs, which lie just a short journey from the Fort.  The Hot Springs aren’t exactly hot, just warm, but in the Omani heat, it’s perfect. A large bathing area- more like a Hot Tub- is fed from the waters, and it’s here that you’ll find locals and tourists alike relaxing in the water.

The stream is full of small fish which are likely to nibble away at your feet and hands. It’s essentially a free fish spa, although the huge number of fish swarming your limbs can be disconcerting.

Locals will wander along the riverbank selling fresh mangoes, Omani coffee, and dates while you while away the afternoon in the water, local style.

Wakan Village

Wakan Village is one of the many hidden secrets of Oman. It’s so much of a secret of Oman. Located at 2,000 meters above sea level in the western Al-Hajar Mountains, Wakan Village is a hidden paradise covered by the Hajjar Mountains, a small mountain village with beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the surrounding mountains above and Wadi Mistal below. Wakan village is officially part of Wilayat Nakhal in the South Batinah Governorate, although it’s located right in the border with Al Dakhiliyah Governorate through the Al Hajar mountain range

Wekan is also the starting point for the hiking routes W24b and W25. Even if you don’t fancy tackling either walk in its entirety, it’s well worth exploring the opening section of walk W25, which winds up through the picture-perfect terraced gardens to the rear of the village, running alongside a bucolic little falaj that tumbles down from the mountainside above – arguably the prettiest short walk in Oman. The walk is waymarked from the village center and it takes around twenty minutes to reach the top of the village.