Oman's Green Mountains

Jabal Akhdar is the central part of the Al Hajar Mountains and is approximately 150 km from Muscat. The mountain range owes its name, translated 'the green mountain', to the fact that it receives relatively much rain and is therefore extremely suitable for growing fruit and roses.

The ideal place to visit and view the Jabal Akhdar is from the Saiq Plateau, which is dotted with charming mountain villages, fertile orchards and rose gardens. Here you have a great view of the terraced farms, villages and fruit orchards. In addition, there are several hiking trails along the beautiful mountain villages, ideal for exploring the area on foot.

Visa

Oman offers visa-free entry for up to 14 days to most nationalities, including Schengen passport holders. If your nationality is not included in Oman’s visa-exempt list, you will need to apply for a visa (or e-visa) before you travel. This can also be arranged at the Omani border. This process can take some time (60 minutes).

NOC & insurance

Tourists need to arrange with their rental car a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) to cross into Oman via the Al Mazyed border post (Al Ain).

✅ NOC fee: AED 550 + VAT (validity: 7 days)
⚠️ Insurance for Oman is not included in the rental — you will need to purchase it at the Omani border upon entry.

4x4 vehicle

To reach the immense Saiq plateau at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, you must pass a police post that you can only pass by with a 4WD.

Autostrad Rent A Car, based in the UAE, offers 4x4 rentals for tourists, including the option to cross the Oman border. They also help arrange all required documentation, such as the NOC.

Our itinerary

Day 1: Dubai - Nizwa - Saiq (Jabal Akhdar)

Border crossing: Al Ain

Km: 465

Overnight: AloeVera Villas and Cafa (2 nights)

BBQ dinner at Aloe Vera Villas

Day 2: Sightseeing

⭐Hiking trip to village in the valley

⭐The historical village of Al Suwgra

⭐A point for irrigation of agricultural terraces

⭐The Hail Al Masbat area

Dinner in Saiq village

Km: +/- 25-30

Day 3: Sightseeing and back to Dubai

⭐Al-Sharijah village

⭐Jabal Al Akhdar Rose Water Plant

Back down the mountain, crossing police check point and had coffee and cake at Sadaf.

Km: 465 | Total km: 960

Day 1

Unfortunately, the road trip didn't go exactly as planned. Just as we passed the police post to enter the Saiq plateau (located at an altitude of 2,000 metres), our car broke down. We smelled a burning smell and smoke coming from under the hood.

Soon help was offered from all sides, even the police were involved. Ultimately the car was towed down and taken to a car workshop in Nizwa. Our host at the hotel in Saiq was kind enough to send a driver to pick us up and the police took us to the agreed point halfway up the mountain. Thank you dear Omani people ❤️❤️❤️

Car trouble delayed our arrival, but we eventually reached the hotel late in the evening. Luckily, the host had prepared a barbecue for us, and we ended the night swimming in our beautifully heated private pool.

Day 2

The next day, we got up early and went for a walk to the village in the valley. On the way we had to cross the drainage system and we picked delicious pomegranates. After breakfast, we enjoyed our villa stay and swam in our private pool.

In the afternoon, our lovely host had arranged a driver (because our car was still in Nizwa) and we did some sightseeing in the area. We went to the beautiful historic village of Suwgra, then to a point for irrigation of agricultural terraces and the Hail Al Masbat area that contains perennial tress such as wild olives and Juniperus trees.

In the evening, the driver picked us up again and drove us to the village where we ate at JA Cafe.

Irrigation of agricultural terraces

Day 3

The next day, a colleague from Valentijn came to collect us. We left the hotel around 11am and went for some sightseeing. We went to Al-Sharijah village and took a short walk on the agricultural terraces. Then we went to Al Jabal Al Akhdar Rose Water Plant, where we saw the roses in bloom and there was a small shop with all kinds of rose products.

Enjoying the dramatic canyon views at Jabal Akhdar

We drove back down the mountain (beautiful route), past the police post and had coffee in the village (cafe Sadaf). The colleague dropped us at the car workshop and fortunately the car was repaired so that we could drive it back to Dubai. All's well that ends well.