WADI TIWI A TOP WINTER TOURISM DESTINATION

MUSCAT: Wadi Tiwi, located in the Tiwi district of Wilayat of Sur in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, is one of the top winter destinations in the Sultanate.

Most travel operators include the wadi, which is 140 km from the Muscat governorate, in their tourism packages.

The 36-km-long wadi, which sees a huge influx of tourists during winter, is located near a mountain village called Mibam. It passes through several villages, where palms and bananas are grown, overlooking scenic mountains.

Recounting his experience, Said bin Yousef al Magini, a tourist guide, said there was a huge turnout of tourists to the wadi during winter because of the natural beauty surrounding it.

Al Magini, who works for Nour Majan Tourist Company, says the best way to enjoy the place is on foot. “Walk along the wadi and soak in the beauty of the nature.”

Al Magini sees plenty of investment opportunities at the wadi. “Investors can benefit from their farms and the recreational facilities in the surroundings.”

Visitors can simply walk along the wadi, while guests houses could be constructed along the entire length of the wadi, he suggested.

According to him, there are several deserted farms that can be turned into resorts, providing tourists with a unique experience. He urged the farm owners to benefit from such investments, which will also open up job opportunities for the locals.

Henrik, a Dutch tourist, who visited the wadi along with his wife, was thrilled to see the green expanses as well as a variety of birds and animals in natural surroundings.

What attracted him most was the high mountains on both sides of the wadi and how the locals managed to exploit every inch of land for agriculture, forming a green belt along the mountain strip.

Describing the hospitality of the local residents as “fascinating”, he said the “experience will be etched in my memory”.

While he wants to experience it again, he wants to share his beautiful experience with his friends back home.

Mark, a French tourist who accompanied his sons and grandchildren on a visit to Wadi Tiwi, said he heard about its beauty from many people during his five days of stay in the country.

“My grandchildren felt safe in the lap of pristine nature,” he said. He had earlier felt the wadi and the surrounding areas may not be safe for them.

Besides tourist hotels, hotel apartments, ‘green inns’ and other facilities in Sur city, there are many green lodges near the wadi.

There are other tourist facilities near Wadi Shaab, less than 2 km from Wadi Tiwi, including public washrooms and popular Omani restaurants.