Wadi Bani Khalid

Wadi Bani Khalid is a wonderful place in Oman to enjoy its amazing nature.

Wilāyat Wādī Banī Khālid (Arabic: وِلَايَة وَادِي بَنِي خَالِد) is a Wilāyah (Province) in the Northern Governorate of the Eastern Region of Oman. Located about 126 mi (203 km) from Muscat, and 120 km (75 mi) from Sur, the province has a wadi which serves as a destination for tourists, that is Wādī Banī Khālid (Arabic: وَادِي بَنِي خَالِد).

The wadi

Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the best-known wadis in the Sultanate of Oman. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. As a geographical area, the wadi covers a large swathe of lowland and the Hajar Mountains.

Kuhūf form some of the features of this wadi. These include Kahf Maqal (كَهْف مَقَل), which was described as an "underground chamber" of the Sultanate of Oman, or the akthar (أَكْثَر, 'best') out of 4,000 caves. Aflāj (underground canals) or ʿUyūn are also common in this wadi, including ʿAin Ḥamūdah (عَيْن حَمُوْدَة), ʿAin aṣ-Ṣārūj (عَيْن ٱلصَّارُوْج) and ʿAin Dawwah (عَيْن دَوَّه).

Villages or towns

The village of Badaʿ (بضعه) is a well-known stop for tourists in the valley. Bidiyyah is approximately 40 km (25 mi) by road.

History

The earliest inhabitants of the Wadi Bani Khalid area were the Bedouin tribes, whose traditional lifestyle was different from that of nomadic life.

From that on, the wadi has since been a tourist attraction, for its beautiful desert scenery and deep turquoise natural springs.