After visiting Nizwa, we head towards Jebel Akhdar, just a short drive away. This “Green Mountain”, as its Arabic name suggests, is best visited from February to April. While it offers hiking trails for more experienced walkers, it is especially known for its rose cultivation, which produces the rosewater for which the Sultanate is so renowned.
My experience was certainly one of the most touching I have had in Oman… but also one of those days that takes an unexpected turn. After a morning visit to Nizwa, my family and I set off to discover the green heart of the governorate.
In Oman, travelling certainly involves driving and walking… but exploring this mountain and its old, now-abandoned villages is no leisurely stroll. Our guide was thoughtful and kind enough to make it easier for us to reach the places we wanted to discover. Then, noticing our tiredness, he invited us into his family home to rest for a while, enjoy a karak with local biscuits and meet his family.
This experience reflects what I love about the Omani people: a warmth and hospitality that touch me more deeply with every visit. In this house nestled in the mountains, we shared a particularly precious moment of connection. Out of respect for their privacy, I will share neither names nor photographs.
After this moment outside the rush of everyday life, we were taken to a rosewater workshop, where the process was explained to us, from distillation through to bottling. The owners and their partners also told us that they sell this precious rosewater to renowned perfume houses, notably in France.
I can therefore only recommend setting aside a day for this place, which contrasts so strikingly with the desert landscapes we often associate with the country.
Photo gallery
Discover the photographs from this visit.