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5 Reasons Why Your Next Vacation Should Be A Hiking Tour From silent moments of self reflection, invigorating challenges to witnessing the stunning beauty of nature, hiking provides a number of benefits; both physical and mental. Here are our top five benefits of hiking and active holidays. To Get Fitter Fitness doesn’t always come easily for everyone. Sometimes, you have to go the distance just to get fit. For a lot of fitness enthusiasts, hiking is a great way to incorporate fitness into their schedule in an exciting and fun way. Why hit the treadmill when you can take a walk in the mountains? The road to fitness requires a positive mindset and a great amount of motivation, both of which hiking offers. To Destress and Clear Your Mind Don’t we all feel our brain needs a break? Oftentimes, our minds get overloaded with worries about work, commute, family, health, children’s school, repairs, and the hundreds of things that plagues our daily life. Just taking a walk in the craggy hills relaxes the mind. Nature is an amazing stress-buster which helps detox your mind from its daily stresses and provides times where you can free your mind of thoughts. Besides, even the time it takes to hike to somewhere beautiful can give you time to sort out your thoughts and put everything into perspective. To Make Memories and Capture Moments When you head out on a hike you will experience amazing moments that will stay with you forever. It's a unique and thrilling experience to push against your limits sometimes alone sometimes surrounded by friends and family. When you’re been continuously hiking for hours on end and stop to take that first sip of water, it will be the most amazing water you’ve ever tasted. Be sure to enjoy every moment on your hike and take lots of pictures to remember it by. There are even some that hike to take snaps that they won’t be able to get anywhere else. Every step, every moment in the mountains is an opportunity for fantastic views. To Be One With Nature Many people go hiking to immerse themself in nature and enjoy a few moments of serenity surrounded by it. Hiking teaches you a thing or two about why the environment matters. When you witness the enchantinting sights of the serene untouched mountains, you will wish to protect them for their own sake. You will begin to realise exactly why it is your duty as a hiker, adventurer or explorer to leave no trace behind and clean up the mountains and protect nature. It is only when you protect that, you can enjoy and make the most of these places. When you go hiking, you learn to respect that which you have, you start reusing items, recycling whatever is necessary and making the best out of what is already there. To overcome challenges If you enjoy challenging yourself, hikes can be one of the best ways to do so. Nature is non-judgmental, it will not disqualify you if you struggle, and the trails do not belittle your effort if you take a long time to reach your destination. In nature you can be your own person. What hiking trails offer, are challenge and aim and once both of those have been achieved, you will experience the thrill of a lifetime that no one can take away from you! And finally hiking will help you learn that occasionally you may fail and that is okay. Everyone who spends enough time hiking can tell you one thing for sure, that no two hikes are the same ever again, and to expect the unexpected. The weather could change in an instant, or a whole host of things could happen, meaning your plan, your itinerary, everything else could change, it is all dependant on nature. You can be just a few metres away from your destination and you may have to turn back due to circumstances. Hiking will teach you that things are always changing and you need to be prepared to overcome that change and take some hard decisions. With all the lessons you learn, you learn something new every time you go hiking and these things shape you as a person, build your perception and help you become a better human being.
While one hardly needs a reason to head out on a bike, after reading about these scientifically-proven benefits of cycling you can pat yourself on the back for remaining healthy while indulging in this favourite activity of yours. And well if you haven't yet started cycling more frequently here are more reasons why you should.
While traditional architecture, well put together cities and vast deserts are what usually come to mind when you think of Oman, these wonderful things are not the only things that are signatures of life in Oman. The amazing natural beauty and fantastic hiking spots in the region are often overlooked by many. The stunning desert landscapes of Oman are peppered with sand dunes and majestic mountain ranges. All across the Middle East, it is fairly common to see ‘Wadis’, which are similar to canyons or valleys, with a riverbed of flowing water. Oftentimes these Wadis are present in the form of a dry riverbed that makes for the perfect hiking trail. For most serious hikers, climbing these trails will definitely be a milestone to celebrate. To ensure that nobody hiking in Oman misses out on any of these exciting opportunities, here is our list for the best hikes in Oman! The Al Hajar Mountains range is our first overall pick for hiking in Oman, as this range combines everything you can expect from a fantastic trek; It is a tourist hotspot with an abundance of archaeological sites and off-road explorations, and some interesting options in adventure sports for adrenaline junkies, including rock climbing and trekking. This beautiful stretch of rocky mountains starts from Northern Oman, spanning through Muscat, before finally coming into the UAE. This mountain range offers adventure seekers all kinds of hiking trails from easy to difficult hikes and that too with a variety of lengths and durations with some suitable for overnight camping. Jabal Shams whose name translates as the ‘Sun Mountain’ is the highest point in the Al Hajar Mountains, rising to an altitude of 3,009 metres above sea level and a climb atop here lead people to the famous balcony walk, which gives thrill-seekers an unbelievable view of the cavernously deep Wadi Ghul that lies alongside it. The straight-sided Wadi is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Oman or the Grand Canyon of Arabia, as it fissures abruptly between the flat canyon rims, exposing vertical cliffs of over 1000m. The Jebel Akhdar is another popular hiking area that lies in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate of Oman. Jebel Akhdar itself refers not actually to a mountain, but to an area that encompasses the great Saiq Plateau, at 2000m above sea level. The labyrinth of wadis and terraces here make for a great hiking trail and the cooler mountain air and greater rainfall encourage scented Damask roses hikers will be lucky enough to witness during springtime in March as well as the other fruits like pomegranates, apricots and such that grow here in abundance. There are many other beautiful hikes to tiny mountain-side villages like Misfat Al Abriyyin among others that make for a pleasant and culturally enriching hike while still taking those routes that are a challenge for those looking for one. All in all with the Hajar Mountains being the highest mountain range in the Arabian Peninsula, the views on all these hikes are absolutely breathtaking. One thing to be noted is that if you choose trails on the Hajar Mountains most hikes here are only a few hours from the countrys’ capital, Muscat, however, it should be noted that parts of the mountain range fall within the UAE and some enthusiasts may wish to head out on longer hikes across international borders. We recommend that you carry all necessary documentation with you including visas and passports and anything else that is required if you intend to cross over on longer treks. Some final tips before you go hiking in Oman While hiking trips are exciting, but you need tips and preparation for a memorable experience. Hikers should also bring along all the necessary equipment for the trip, especially enough supply of food and water to sustain you through the challenging climb. If you are camping overnight make sure to also pack other essentials, including blankets and jackets as the temperature can drop quite a bit during the evenings and nights. There are many hiking trails in Oman that is why you need to have a guide and a plan to avoid getting lost. Before leaving your hotel in Oman, or choosing a hiking trail, you ought to check your fitness capability. Do you have experience hiking and camping outdoors? Do you have any medical conditions that could hinder this activity? Answering these questions helps you to determine if you are ready for the trip. The best months to visit are between November and April when the temperatures are conducive and not too hot. High temperatures, exhaustion, sun exposure, poor preparation can lead to negative consequences. When enjoying the hiking trails in Oman, it is advisable to have a map and plan your route carefully. Tell someone about your trip and don’t rely on your phone signal. This helps in case you get lost so people can organize search parties to find you. Eat a healthy meal before leaving and drink enough fluids, preferably water, to stay hydrated, and as we’ve mentioned before do remember to pack salted snacks, fruits, and water for sustenance. All hiking trails in Oman require you to dress appropriately for the activity. Sunglasses, comfortable clothes, and thick-soled sneakers are suitable for this terrain. Also, do keep in mind the variation in the weather before setting out on your trip. Finally do remember to take the opportunity to explore the region’s many hiking trails during the cooler months. From mountains to wadis, deserts to dams, there are plenty of places to go to escape the city and learn more about the culture and heritage of Oman on foot. Not only is hiking a wonderful way to see more of the landscape, but it’s also a fun way to be active in a place where we are all more inclined to use four wheels rather than two feet. You can speak to some of our experts at (968) 97233189 or reservations@bikeandhikeoman.com to find out about the best hikes to try in Oman from beginner level to advanced.
If you’re searching for the top cycling tours in Oman, you’ve landed at the right place. We’ve collected a list to the best biking tours in Oman for you so you don’t have to spend unnecessary time doing research about which circuits to take and how to arrange for the details of the tour. Oman is blessed with the ideals landscape for those interested in cycling tours with a variety of different types of paths, trails and weather while the people are considerate of cyclists as a novelty factor since the country is not yet a cycling hotbed. While it may be too hot during peak summer time to head out for a cycling tour without risking a heat stroke with careful consideration of the weather and trails chosen, it is no wonder that many believe that this is the next destination for cycling tours in the Middle East. So, take a look at these four routes that made to the top of our list of cycling tours in Oman.
Heading out on a hike unprepared can have serious consequences. We are offering some tips and guidance for a safe and enjoyable hike in Oman. The many trails across the region cannot be taken lightly, and should not be attempted without hikers having done some basic research about trails, proper equipment and supplies. Although there is much ground to cover in the region, there are many risks involved when hiking unprepared or without a guide – people have had to be air rescued from the rugged terrain of the Hajar Mountains and have even lost their lives. Although the government has started marking numerous hiking trails across the country including a feature marking the difficulty of the hike, it is still considered ideal that for the first few times people go out with experts.
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