Oman's rocky

The unspoilt Jabal Shams- called the Grand Canyon of Arabia - provides that perfect break from city life along with ample opportunities to indulge in adventure sports

As the mercury keeps climbing, residents in the region make a beeline for the airports to get away to a cooler place during the scorching summer.

And Oman provides choices for those who want to take short flights or even take to the road, especially for those in the UAE.

While Muscat is as hot as any other city in the GCC, Oman's east, south and northeast areas enjoy much better weather now.

The inbound tourist traffic to Oman's Dhofar region increases manyfold during the Khareef season. The temperature in the region remains low, with a continuous, slow drizzle, which beckons visitors to Salalah and the other areas in the Dhofar region.

Cool getaway

However, the 90-minute-plus flight to the southern region could be off-limits to some pockets. However, there are other much cooler places in Oman, where one can reach by driving three hours from Muscat and almost six hours from Dubai.

Jabal Shams is one such place, which offers pleasant weather, breathtaking views and a rustic way of life.

We decided to spend a weekend at Jabal Shams and the first thought was food, as vegetarian dishes could be a problem in a place where, three years ago, there was no lodging facility and visitors had to pitch their own tents.

However, Kownain, the affable manager at the Jabal Shams base camp (JSBC), assured us there wouldn't be any problem with vegetarian food at their camp, which had been started only two years ago.

JSBC, which is 2,000 metres above sea level, is one of the two options available for boarding at Jabal Shams, also known as camel hideout.

Diverse topography

Oman offers diverse topography but as we got nearer to Jabal Shams, we realised it would have been a mistake not to visit this mountain range, which boasts canyons that are compared by travellers with the Grand Canyon of Arizona in the US.

The highest point of Jabal Shams (also known as the Mount of the Sun) is 3,050 metres above sea level and part of the Jabal Al Akhdar (the Green Mountain) range. The long, sinuous road and a dirt trek to the 600-kilometre stretch of mountains is a spectacular drive but can also be a deterrent for some. Therefore, Jabal Shams is not crowded like so many other hill stations.

A heavy shower on the first evening made our day at the Jabal Shams. It not only brought the temperature down further but the rains stopped just before the canyons were doused in sunlight.

Twilight provided breathtaking views of the canyon, as several waterfalls streaming down the mountains appeared like white lines running across the mountains of varied hues.

A bright Sun can raise apprehensions as one approaches Jabal Shams but rest assured, if afternoons are pleasantly warm, the early mornings, evenings and nights can send you scurrying for warm clothes.

Snowy slopes

During winter, the mercury dips below zero in Jabal Shams and in the past two years, even snowfall has been reported here.

Located in the Dakhiliyah region of Oman, one should be respectful of the elevation and not be persuaded by allusions to sunlight that Jabal Shams is warm.

Even in the summer, the nights are chilly and if you stay overnight, it is advisable to carry warm clothes.

The area has many splendid hiking trails and it is a wonderful place to explore. However, the population is sparse and amenities limited, so remember to pack along whatever you might require during your time here.

Those looking for adventure can also opt for Jabal Shams, as it provides ample scope for trekking and steep mountain climbing. JSBC also provides experts to guide you through your adventure trips in canyons.

Best of both attractions

Fortunately, Jabal Shams is unspoilt terrain so far and offers perfect opportunities for solitude to those seeking to get away from the humdrum of daily city life.

You can also combine a trip to Jabal Shams with a visit to the nearby town of Bahla, which is known for its pottery.

And, of course, there are three forts that could be included in the itinerary — but more about forts some other time.