Our neighbourhood sits on top of the centre of the world. Jabal Akhdar is a fertile oasis tucked in the sky, sitting atop the Saiq Plateau in Oman, famous for orchards and sweet-scented roses. Oman’s fruit basket is home to more than 20,000 pomegranate trees, locally pressed olive oils and rose water that is famous across the Middle East. Further abundance overflows from groves heavy with plums, apricots and figs.
It is a vantage like no other. The Saiq Plateau in Oman rests high in the Hajar mountains, in some of the highest peaks on the Arabian Peninsula.
We, alone, are located on the upper canyon edge – offering cloud-scraping peaks, plunging expanses and rocky wadi riverbeds as far as the eye can see.
Spectacular views of this natural wonder unfold through the high-altitude air in all directions.
Welcome to life on the edge at 2,000 metres.
More than 2,500 years ago, local inhabitants began developing stone water systems through the mountains. The combination of underground tunnels, lined canals and crystal pools has been used and improved upon ever since – and remains in use today.
The combination of history, beauty and ingenious living utility earned Jabal Akhdar’s aflaj irrigation system UNESCO World Heritage status. The water network also connects historic sites such as garden terraces and abandoned villages like Wadi Bani Habib.
Today, the communal sharing of this most precious resource continues to feed the land – in fields of flowers, orchards of sweet fruit, and lush, cool streams.
Perched on the Saiq Plateau in Oman, Jabal Akhdar is a destination unlike any other in the region. The combination of elevation and weather patterns produces a micro-climate similar to the Mediterranean. Temperatures are cooler, seasons are more distinct, and rain and snow can hang and stay.
This makes our neighbourhood a great place to get outdoors and explore. Hiking trails weave through terraces and ancient villages to sprawling caves. There are endless lookout points to be found, each with a new brilliant vista.
And at night, when temperatures drop, the area is perfect for cosy fires and exquisite stargazing.
In our neighbourhood, walnuts and almonds grow near plums, and oases lined with sidr and juniper burgeon near ripe apricots. Our pomegranates are the best in the world, and pomegranate molasses and fresh olive oil are two of our most beloved local delicacies.
Fragrant flowers – cultivated and wild both – also blossom in the fertile valleys and basins of the Green Mountain. Damask roses, in particular, have shaped local traditions like a crown on our identity.
Local wildlife is also a common sight, with wild donkeys roaming like horses and shaggy longhorn goats bounding along the slopes of Jabal Akhdar.
In Jabal Akhdar, the mountain is our neighbourhood. It predicts the weather and shapes the culture, fills our tables and paints the scenes out every window.
The mountaintop is everything and for us, that is the best thing. It creates a special kind of peace and solitude, and amplifies the beauty which surrounds us.
From where we sit, not only can you see the whole world and every star in the sky, you can have it all to yourself.
The most visited monument in Oman is the 17th century Nizwa Fort. The traditional seat of local power, it was built with a massive tower that is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The nearby Nizwa souq is one of the nation’s oldest markets, and sprawls for blocks with endless bargains on food, antiques and exquisite crafts. The Friday market auction is always a must see.
Taking a walk through the palm-lined pale stone streets of Nizwa is like stepping back in time. Nizwa’s craft history is easily 1,000 years old, born of its crossroads location where villagers from the mountains would gather to sell wares made in local cottage industries.
There is seemingly no end to the abundance spilling out from Oman’s Green Mountain. It is a paradise of fruit, with fragrant orchards and gardens and verdant terraces full of pomegranates, figs, peaches, plums, apricots and more. At the heart of it all is the Damask rose – Oman’s gift to the world of fragrance – grown here on mountain farms amidst lush shade and cool air, with fresh fruit and scenic vistas in all directions.
Jabal Akhdar is one of the most famous peaks in Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range. For those inclined towards outdoor excursions and adventures, there is no shortage of destinations and inspiration. Jabal Akhdar hiking, camping and rock-climbing all follow beautiful natural routes around the mountain to sites rich with ancient culture, fascinating history and brilliant views.
Jabal Akhdar’s aflaj system is an incredible network of canals, pools and irrigation systems which runs completely on gravity. It has been developed over the eons – some parts are 5,000 years old – to equitably divide this most precious resource. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aflaj irrigation system is an excellent way to learn about architecture, agriculture and local ways of life.
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