Jebel Akhdar Oman is a green area on the Sayq plateau which is considered by many, especially the locals, as one of the top things to do in the Sultanate. It is also known as Al Jabal Al Akhdar or Jabal Akdhar or the Green Mountain Oman. Now accessed via a steep modern road, the plateau offers wadis, terraces and stunning mountains views. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit:
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About the Green mountains of Jebel Akdhar in Oman
Situated at the top of the Hajar Mountain range, Jebel Akhdar (which translates to the Green Mountain or Green Mountains in Oman) is the area around the Sayq Plateau. The journey used to take 6 hours but now a road has been built all the way to the main village making. It easy to climb to Jebel Akhdar. This is why it has become a top touristic destination for foreigners and locals. It offers cooler weather (to escape the Summer heat), old villages, canyons and terrace plantations.
Below is a photo to show you why you should visit the mountains of Jebel Akdhar (many more photos for you after the practical information to plan your visit):
Jebel Akhdar, Oman
A great stop on your road trip in Oman 🙂
But do not mix up with Jebel Shams Oman which is the Arabian Grand canyon and bare mountains!
PLANNING TIPS - Jebel Akhdar Oman
How to get to Jebel Akhdar Oman
- Muscat to Jebel Akhdar plateau - 2h drive
The road to Jebel Akhdar is fully paved. However it is only accessible to well maintained 4WD with a maximum of 6 people inside - at the checkpoint you must have your driver license, car insurance and ID ready. - Entry checkpoint to the plateau is 6km from Birka Al Mouz, 15 km from Izki, 30km from Nizwa and 155km from Muscat (GPS coordinates in the eBook)
- Then the climb to Jebel Akhdar Oman is a 45 minute steep drive to the main village
- The Jebel Akhdar Road is in very good condition but very steep
- If you don't want to drive a 4WD, you can join a day trip from Muscat that will take your to the beautiful villages and mountains - Check out the program
- Below is a map to help you understand better, where Jabal Akhdar is located:
Location of Jebel Akhdar - Map
Jebel Akhdar, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
- 8 exclusive easy-to-plan maps
- 90+ amazing locations
- Tips to plan & make the most of your time
- 100+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
Visiting Jebel Akdhar
- Make sure your breaks are in good condition - the road is steep
- I recommend staying one night to enjoy sunset and sunrise views
- There are many places to admire the view. Don't forget to stop at the visitor center near the checkpoint to get the map (photo below)
Where to stay in Jebel Akhdar
- Jebel Akhdar Camping - wild camping is allowed but because of the altitude camping can get cold - Practical information on my article about Wild Camping in Oman
- Jebel Akhdar hotel - there are several places to stay at Jebel Akhdar. I stayed at the Sahab Hotel - it was really great for the views at sunset and sunrise. A beautiful building with a hot tub in a great location. Check out latest prices
- Or you could opt form the recent and luxurious Anantara Al Jabal resort - Check out photos and availability
- You can also consider the Alila Jebel Akhdar, further away in the mountains - Check out photos and availability
- Or you can compare the accommodations in Jebel Akhdar
Sahab Hotel
More accommodation ideas around Oman in my Oman Hotels and Accommodation article.
Things to do in Jebel Akhdar - Map
I recommend for you you stop at the checkpoint's visit center to get the map of the mountains with all the places to visit in Jebel Akhdar Oman. They also include GPS coordinates of the main places. However there are not many roads, so don't worry you won't get lost.
Things to do in Jebel Akhdar include hikes, old villages, wadis, water sources...
With a day I covered the lower half of this map, including one short hike.
Jebel Akhdar road map
Road to Jebel Akhdar and the Sayq Plateau
Considering some roads I took in the French Alps with normal cars, I did not think that the climb to the plateau was that steep. But access is limited to 4WD.
The road is in very good condition and well maintained as you can see below.
After heavy rain, rocks might fall on the road, and you might have to slow down because of roadworks.
And on your way down, you have big emergency lanes in case of problems. As you can see in the picture below...
Viewpoint from on the road to the Green Mountain Oman
On the way way you might notice this parking space. Stop here !
Elevation is 2090 meters.
From there you can see the Sayq plateau, where we are heading next and its main white village.
As we were driving up, I had noticed the view behind, so from that carpark I climbed the hill (starting with stairs). Be careful it is slippery!
And I ended up with this beautiful view!
Wadi Bani Habib
Wadi Bani Habib is one of the top places to see in Jebel Akhdar Oman. When you reach the end of the road and the parking (GPS coordinates in the eBook), you can take stairs to admire the view of the canyon and the old village. The path can actually take you to the old village of As Sab but I had seen many abandoned ruins in the days before and decided not to go for the hike.
Hike at Al Ayn and Al Aqur in the Jebel Akhdar Oman
I completed a short hike that took me from the local Al Ayn village (not the other Al Ayn with the Unesco site) to the Al Aqur rose village.
On the Al Aqur side, the path was clearly marked with the yellow white orange flag. But crossing from Al Ayn was really a challenge. I recommend stopping in Al Aqur and walking down the village enjoying the many beautiful views.​
Here is the view from just above the Al Ayn village. You can see Al Aqur just across, the hotel where I stayed on the left (Sahab Hotel) and the big hotel complex they are building on the other side.
The village of Al Ayn has a beautiful view of the mountains. You can walk in the old streets and tunnels until you reach the plantations.
As across you get great views of the terraces:
And this is the view of Al Ayn from Al Aqur:
Diana's Point at Jebel Akhdar
One viewing point was made famous by the late Lady Diana. I quickly stop at the viewing platform but I thought the views were better from the terrace of my hotel. And I was tired and just wanted to relax, as you can see with the very poor photo I took!!!
Sunset from my Jebel Akhdar hotel
My Jebel Akhdar hotel was the Sahab Hotel. It has a great location for views, especially at sunset and sunrise. After enjoying the views from the jacuzzi, I put on layers (remember it is cold in the mountains) and set up for sunset.
Sunrise at Jabal Akhdar
In the morning, not magical colors but the light was great to really see all the terraces for the plantations.
Planning a road trip in Oman ? Check out my guide to simplify the preparation:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
- 8 exclusive easy-to-plan maps
- 90+ amazing locations
- Tips to plan & make the most of your time
- 100+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
Want to see more of Oman's beauty?
Do you like going up in the mountains?
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Your Oman pages are fantastic. We’re planning a trip to Oman for 11 days for later this month and your pages have been incredibly helpful. Thanks!
Thanks Barry!
I am glad you are finding them useful.
Have a wonderful trip
Cheers
Hi Claire,
The information you provided is excellent, great work done by you. I am planning for a week trip to Oman. Certainly this will be very helpful
Regards
Sanju
Thanks Sanju.
I am glad it helped.
I wish you a wonderful trip!
Claire
hi there. do you have a guide you recommend in either place? and does one rent a 4wd to go from muscat to Jebel Akbar? we have 2 nights at the anatara hotel booked. is that too much for the area? what do you suggest we do? thank you!
Hi Lisa
It is mandatory to have 4WD to go to Jebel Akhdar. So renting it in Muscat is the most practical.
2 nights are nice, you can really explore the various sites and do some hiking. However if you don’t hike, you would have a lot less to do.
I wish you a wonderful trip!
I am sorry I don’t have a guide to recommend.
Claire
Thx for the lovely tips. I am planing to go up sunday early morning and head back to muscat after sunset. Couple of quick questions:
1- Are there any villages or locals to meet to explore more the cultural aspect? (Food, living style…)
2- Is heading back after sunset a bad idea?
1 – Around Jebel Akhdar you can drive to small settlements and maybe you can meet locals but most won’t speak English. I don’t know of any living museum.
2 – Not a bad idea. The road is in good condition and, except for the steepness to get out of the mountain (but with wide road), it is really easy. It should not be a problem.
Have a great trip!
Claire