Wadi Bani Khalid (What you need to know before Hiking)

Wadi Bani Khalid - Summer season could be daunting times to enjoy the outdoors of Oman. But with the expertise of local friends and the wit of Adventureclub.om in planning, we had a great fun in Wadi Hawir which is the end stream of famous Wadi Bani Khalid. The night before we spend our aquatic hike, we had a wonderful camping on the nearby desert.

The sprawling red sands of Bidiyah stretch as far as the  foothills of Wadi Bani Khalid. Just the opposite of the corner where visitors make detour from the main highway to Bani Khalid lies an almost perfect place for camping. Surrounded by hills of sand, we camp on a totally flat sands suitable to erect our tents and free from sand dust should the winds blew stronger.

Omanis are expert at glamping, short for glamorous camping. The next time you are invited for a camp, feel free to bring whatever that can make you comfortable, including your favorite portable mattress.

Camels are everywhere in the desert, for that reason they are called the vessels of the sands. Though they looked wild, they are herded as the sunsets and are set free early next morning. The barn are equipped with water and some grass to supplement their diet.

It can also be Humid and Cold in the desert, always be prepared and some extra. Last time I forgot my bonnet and it the coldness are penetrating deep into my skulls. 

When these middle manager dressed down from their work clothes, they turn into an orchestra playing gastronomic symphony. My experience on Omani cuisine is authentic as it is, nothing beats it.

This is how our foods are served, both for dinner and for breakfast. Omani have high respect on the bounties provided by Allah, it has to be shared to all and eaten by hand. On these seating, we are all equal human beings.

Wadi as you might thought is synonymous to river water but literally it means valley. On hot summer seasons, the wadi can be dry and when the rain starts pouring in, they turn in one of Oman's adventure haven for camping, hiking, swimming and cliff jumping if you have the adrenaline for it.

Tip: When you know how to swim, there is no reason for you to be afraid to jump on the cliff. Once on the edge, spend less time gaining momentum for the jump, after knowing that it is safe to jump just take a leap and enjoy the free-fall. The longer you spend on the edge the more the panic attacks and the knees locks itself. It will be difficult to jump by then unless you ask someone to push you unknowingly.

So here are my top tips when going for Aquatic Hike

1. Wear Light Apparels
What to wear on aquatic hike? In almost all of my aquatic hike, I always wear light dri-fit shirts and shorts. Cottons are the worst as it becomes heavy when soaked in water. Pants are not recommended especially if some parts of the wadi are deep, it can wear you down easily. For footwear, I prefer the aquatic shoes of columbia, which has a mesh wrapping but solid outsole with 360 degrees grip.

Nature made slides. We all have great time playing with these fresh water slides formed by the natural flow of the wadi. At first it was ignored but when one of the group discovered the fun, we all jumped in and do the crazy stunts.

2. Stay Hydrated
Hydration starts the day before. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes from the day before the hike. The main aim is to stay healthy and fit so all can enjoy. My rule of thumb is a liter of water for hour of hike duration. The most I have taken with me on a single day hike was 3 liters, 2 liters on my Camelbak and 2 spare 500 ml of Pocari sweat. I try my best to consume 500 ml per 30 minutes of hike duration. If the hike is to last more than 3 hours, I have to carefully manage with that 3 liters and so far it was all OK.

Sure that pool of water was inviting and I took the privilege of jumping in first.

3. Never go hungry
While thirstiness are easily replenished by hydration, a crunching stomach is an enemy of an adventure day. I don't mean to stuff your stomach full but eating the right breakfast, taking regular small amount of snacks goes a long way. Our group favorites are the navel oranges from Egypt, bananas from Philippines and of course the fructose-packed dates of Oman. Leave those, cheap chocolates that has sugar that is not needed by the body. Chips and junk foods ruins your hydration plan as you get thirsty more often. The point is the body has to be light but packed with energy required to navigate around the boulders. At the end of the day, you can reward yourself heavenly foods you desired.

This spot is heaven on earth. Fresh water, clean and shallow just the right spot to spend basking.

This reminds of who did not make it down the water. Full of fun and laughter as each one of us prepared for what we called 'Leap of Faith'. Amazingly, age wasn't a hindrance for taking the challenge.

4. Safety
It doesn't mean that because we are in outdoor adventure, we have to take risks to enjoy. It is actually opposite, the more safety one would apply so that there will be more years to have fun. Don't be the lame lamb for the group to carry especially if it is less than half-way.

We abseil as part of our experienced. Arranged by our partner Abo Mansoor, we all have the chance to experience this rappelling alongside the waterfall. It was an exhilarating experience to trust your life on the strands of the rope, really worthwhile.

On rainy season, the level of water can go higher than where I stand.

With this group, the 5 hour trek was a cracker.

Improvised ladder made of date trees, quite a challenge for those who hesitate to experience adventure.

5. Bring waterproof camera
Yes, camera not phone. I had learned my lessons on the numerous adventures in Oman alone, 2 iphones and one camera. It goes with sling, so will stay with you no matter how rough the activity will take. My favorite is the Nikon AW130 waterproof and shockproof camera. The performance of the camera is comparable to GoPro3 but has the editing features unique to itself, I guarantee you'll be the first one to be able upload the photos if you're like me who can't wait to share fresh experiences.

Hassan is a pioneer in Telecom landscape of Oman, adventurous and always try to stay young at heart. He has endless list of wisdom to share. Trekking offers the opportunity to learn from him, free of charge.

The scene while waiting for our turns to experience abseiling.

6. Connect to your friends
Outdoors give plenty of opportunity to catch-up with your office colleagues or friends we haven't sent for quite a long time. If possible, change places on the pack along the way to have an opportunity to chat with your friends. Some preferred to be in the lead pack especially those younger than you. For the wise and the learned stay behind the pack, they are the enlightened ones. 

Our host on the abseiling course as he guided the Kuwaiti TV presenter.

A scene on my interview the Kuwait TV.

You can watch the full adventure on here:

Mabuhay!

Canyoning from Ghamb to Wadi Shab

Wadi Shab – I have my first invitation and opportunity to join an expedition by a closed group of Ooredoo Oman colleagues, all of whom are Omanis. It has been a long time that I longed to crack this sort of private organization where character of a person is their main basis of acceptance.

Front L-R: Khalid, Saed, Hamed, Munir,  andHassan
 Back L-R: Monthir, AbdulHameed, Hassan, Me, Moutassim, Bader and Khalid

When working on any corporate company, there is always this certain exclusive group of elite people who shares similar interest. These are the group of employees who have firsthand information before rumors starts to spread, they are the mafia in the corporate world. To be part of the group allows me to get to know more of them, their culture, thinking and even the habits. It was even a surprise to see the images on social media, boys will always be boys regardless of ethnicity.

Dinner prepared by a handful of chef, taste is definitely authentic Omani

The plan was to camp on Fins, a fishing village that has a great view and a turqiose blue water for swimming. This is familiar place for Oman residents who love camping because of the existence of a cliff that blocks strong winds and water currents.

Authentic Omani breakfast with Foul Madames, Omelet and steaming hot Khawa (Omani coffee with a hint of cardamon)

The hiking trip which turned out to be canyoning as it commonly called because we are technically traversing a river. Oman have few water streams that will fit the definition of a river but the numbers will grow when heavy rain pours. In the arab world, these are called wadis.

Deafening silence in the midst of this magnificent place

We start our trip in the foot of Qur'ran village where the locals took us on their 4x4 vehicle. I had the impression that this is the only model of vehicle that can withstand time and the harsh terrain to reach the village of Ghamb.

Riding on the back of this truck has the experience of what I saw in the movies that depicts the travels in the Afghanistan villages. I was prepared for the high altitude temperature while Hassan (red) and Saeed (blue) where freezing cold as we reached the top of the plateau. Moutassim (black) is our tech-savvy friend. He's got the gadget that are necessary to document a week of expedition.

The view from the top of the plateau is breathtaking, it will take time to identify the boundary between the ocean and the sky.

We are all on our feet at the back on the pick-up track as we braced ourselves to what appeared to be long winding road that are made on the sides of the mountain.

Midway on our trip, we have asked ourselves if we have made the right choice of joining this unmarked route. Sometimes, we need this kind of experience that are pushing us away from our comfort zones in order to value our family and the life that we had. What would it be if this endeavor will go wrong.

The rocks along the path was carved by waters that seemed to flow for hundreds of years.

The wadi gave life to shrubs and trees that serves as refuge to wild animals in this wilderness. What captivates me is the contrast of the sky and the mountain.

Because we are traversing a big wadi, some parts are dead drop. One of the safer ways is to lean the body so that the center of gravity is shifted away from the edges.

The interesting thing about a group trail is that we are able to joke on each other, but the serious part is the close support and communication between among ourselves. Back in Muscat, we are working on the same floor but barely we are able to talk to each other as often as it should.

This our local guide which supports me as I reach the final steps of rappelling. 

It is already 4 hours since we've started our walk and we are separated into 2 groups. I managed to catch up with the lead pack and gained the needed rest for recuperate from the exhaustion.

This was the most technical in all of our experience, a shiny boulder with barely no carvings that we can step-on. We have to negotiate step-by-step especially for those that are acrophobic.

In the middle of this gigantic boulders, we are like mountain goats finding our way home.

The highlight of our experience was the test of the claustrophobia, belly crawl is the only way. A fall will land on a stagnant water with decaying animals, seemed like the neophyte stage of reserved military training.

Finally, we were relieved to see this pool of fresh water which offers a relief from a 6 hour of negotiating the boulders. In rural areas in Philippines, when you asked directions from the locals and they use their lips to point. Be careful. The lips signifies an long walk. Our guide uses his thumb measures against the lines of our index finger, the closer the thumb on the tip the nearer the destination. But the funny, thing about our guide is that the position of the thumb is the same when we asked 2 hours before so we are doubting if he is really telling the truth because by this time we are all exhausted.

After awarding ourselves with few minutes of dips in the water, we proceeded on our route and the scenery has changed from dry to slippery as the boulders have mosses. But it is a delight to walk in this kind of scenery because it offers us hope that there are villagers nearby. It already past 4 in the afternoon and we are concerned about darkness as we don't have flashlights with us. 

This view reminds of the books I've read in the wars in Afghanistan, it must have been difficult for both the military and the bandits to exchange fires because casualty is inevitable but for now this is a scene to behold.

This will the the last stop together with our local guide (blue disdasha). He told us stories on how we familiarize this route because as a young boy, his mother would ask him to go to other village and the shortest way is walking along this river banks. We have thoroughly prepared for this trip from hiking shoes to hydration packs but our guide is in his Omani traditional dress, sandals, no water and only dates on his pockets.

The last stretch of danger was stepping on donkey path, where the side is at least 100 foot drop.

I have learned that our perception of danger and the tolerance of risks changes as evolved in our life. As a family man, taking each step carefully is the surest way to reach home safely.

Below is the famous and most visited Wadi-Shab.

Please click below for the full video of this experience.

You can also watch my other experience on Wadi Shab.

Mabuhay!

5 Great Surprises in Wadi Shab

SUR: The coastal region of Sur in Sharqiyah Governorate of Oman in host to a distinctive wadi experience. The most frequented site is Wadi Shab due to its forgiving terrain and the all family experience. Just under 2 hours drive from Muscat, the trip to this place is rather enjoyable as the contrasting elements of Oman presented. My Omani friends even have their action term for it, "wadi shabbing".

Worry not for the "call-of-nature" during the long walk, these boulders will shield you from possible on-lookers.

As the temperature sets little below 30 degrees Celsius, this place starts to witness a flock of tourist from varying nationalities. Here you can also find a number of respectful Omani that will greet you with a pleasant smile as they tend to their bbq session. As a virtue of courtesy, don't hesitate to take their offering of "mishkak" or bbq of meat because that might be the tastiest you have ever tasted. And then you just experience the true Omani hospitality. So, here are my top 5 great surprises that await you in Wadi Shab:

The grand entrance to Wadi Shab

1. The Cave

Have you been to the cave inside? This is definitely the most frequently asked question when you tell someone that you've been to Wadi Shab. There must be something there, right? The entrance to the cave is narrow and the only way-in is to swim, be prepared. If you are an average swimmer, I recommend bringing personal floating device as some current may just be too strong. Otherwise, you can just glide along just as we did while holding on the sides of this wall. 

Inviting isn't it? Take extra care because this are for those capable swimmers only.

The last time I visited in 2007 we have to swim underneath the cavern, but this time it much easier. My preference of entering the cave was to have my back facing the cave and swims in supine position for the prime reason of surprise and second is for smoother swim. Just as we enter this passage, I can hear the rush of waterfall increasing and condition my mind to be ready for the dividends of a long walk. When I am inside, I felt I have had a romantic time with nature. The only way to the top is through the rope that runs along the falling water. Of course, a more interesting story about the cave is the experience of jumping in the Turquoise Blue lagoon.

Nothing beats this dividend of a long walk.

2. Three colors of water 

Yes, you heard me right. Wadi Shab has these 3 colors of waters. You will mistake it of using it in your art session of ready to use water-color. Shortly after the 15 minute walk, these emerald green waters emerge in site. What makes it green are the different debris of trees, clay, sand and gravel at the bottom. I came to know this when I jumped and had my butt touched the bottom and they are stuck inside so I have to wash them-off. As we move forward on the next 15 minutes, this crystal clear water are so inviting for a stopover. The looks are so clean that we were encouraged to splash our feet. It looks for drinking but I would not recommend it. This crystal clear water comes in pools as we approach the base of the cave. We saw tourists basked themselves in the sun just as it is in the beaches of Oman. And of course, the blue turquoise water in the cave is the third and most unique about Wadi Shab.

Mirror on the water

Oman is an open and welcoming country. Feel free to wear what comforts you most on a long walk.

3. YOLO Jump

Wadi Shab hosted the 2012 Red Bull Cliff Diving competition. You can still experience the thrill by doing Only Live Once (YOLO) jump. The platform is not there but you would need a lot of courage jumping just on the hiking path. My tip is not to stare longer on the water below because it will just discourage you from jumping.

This was my third jump. Yes, pinching the nose will prevent the rush of water unless you love sneezing all the way back home.

I hope Ministry of Tourism will not use this photo against me. I did not swim, I jumped!

Photo image by Anen Poras

4. Hiking Experience

The short 45 minute (one-way) up the stream is one of a kind. As the saying goes, it is not the destination that matters but the journey along the way. We meet people of all ages and of different ethnicity and all most of them are very courteous (do the same for them). The walk starts with normal gravel and on to these gigantic boulders as high as 2 story building. The best part for us is when we look up; it is amazing to see the contrast between these rugged mountains and the blue sky. If you are lucky to have clouds, one will have the nature’s way of playing a time-lapse video.

Behind us are ruins of the mud house, currently serve as shelter for the herds of goat.
Photo image by Anen Poras

5. The People

Wadi Shab is an experience for the whole family, equipped yourself with proper hiking gear when you are with kids. We are surprise how many children are there in the pools of water enjoying their family time. My daughter even refuse to go with me inside the cave as she was intimately playing with here new found friend.

My newly acquainted Omani on our way to the cave. Unknowingly, most of them are friends of my colleague in ooredoo

The superladies who drinks like a camel but brought more chips than water.

With my loving wife and adorable daughter Une Marchesa
Photo image by Anen Poras

The best way to end the Wadi Shab trip is to stop at this Fins beach, another camp site to visit in the near future.

Photo by Anen Poras

Mabuhay!