Karl WP Beyer We explore the metropolises of the Arabian Peninsula with Mein Schiff 6. Our destination for today, Khasab, is not a metropolis, but an insignificant provincial capital in the Omani exclave of Musandam. Its trademarks are rugged, bare mountains and fjord-like sea bays. The landscape is by no means similar to the vast desert regions of the Emirates Abu Dhabi or DubaiWhich is reason enough to get to know part of the mountainous region on a guided tour using off-road vehicles.
Khasab port
There are only a few excursion options available in the mountainous region, which is difficult to access. The passengers - including us - opt for trips to the nearby town of Khasab, bus tours to the coastal town of Bukha, trips on dhows or forays into the highlands to Jebel al Harim.
The tour we have chosen takes us to Jebel al Harim, the "Mountain of Women", which is more than 60 kilometres from Khasab. The destination is at an altitude of 2.087 metres. A convoy of off-road vehicles is available for the excursions; cars are not designed for this route.
Khasab - Cityscape
After leaving the town of Khasab, the terrain climbs steadily. At first our cars drive on asphalt roads. Later these turn into dusty gravel tracks. The route leads past barren, steep cliffs, dried-up streams and agricultural plateaus where free-roaming goats search for food.
Khasab - Dust in abundance
Khasab - Impressions of the Plateau
During the journey we see military trucks whose job it is to supply the inhabitants of the hinterland with drinking water. Nothing unusual in the dry mountainous region.
Khasab - Military truck brings water to remote places
We stop at the Khor Najd viewpoint. At the top we are greeted – rather unexpectedly – by the words “I ♥ OMAN”. We enjoy the panoramic view of the uniquely beautiful mountain landscape and the fjord arms that are clearly visible from above.
At another stop, the tour guide shows us fossils of sea creatures that are millions of years old. He also answers the question of how such fossils can be found at a height of 1.600 meters. The explanation is simple and plausible: the Arabian plate has been pushing beneath the Eurasian plate for ages. We're talking about two centimeters per year. Over the course of the previous millions of years, the fossils were gradually pushed upwards. The brown goat wandering around nearby, looking for food, is probably not at all interested in this geological phenomenon.
The journey finally ends next to the radar station and a transmission tower on Jebel al Harim. Once again, we enjoy the view of the barren yet magnificent rock formations from an even greater height than before.
Afterwards, the journey takes us back to Khasab on the same route we came. What is striking is that there are tiny settlements along the way in the wilderness.
February 2025
