Oman – A Trek to Wadi Shab with a Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole
A large herd of goats and locals welcome us under the big bridge and take us to the other side with a small boat for a fee. This is where the hiking trail begins. The temperature is rising and you won't find many places to hide from the sun. It is good to have a large supply of water with you. Through this fascinating scenery we walk about 40 minutes, along the way we can see the irrigation canals, ponds and various shapes of rocks or mountains.
Along the way we meet a few tourists, but there are not many. In the daylight, the water pools had a clear turquoise color. The path leads us through the rock wall quite high and we are excited, because behind every turn there are new and perhaps even more beautiful views in front of us. But the best is still ahead of us. In the last pond we can not only swim, but swim to the cave with a waterfall. The cave is entered directly from the water through a small rock gap and it is nothing for claustrophobics. On the way back, the temperature rises to 40 degrees and we start looking forward to the air-conditioned car.
Bimmah Sinkhole or Devil's Hole is a sunken cave with water surrounded by a picnic park Hawiyat Najm. Located about an hour drive back north of Wadi Shab. There are comfortable stairs leading up to 30 meters deep pit. Most locals just walk through the park and look down into the pit. In the water you will meet only Europeans and Americans working in Oman or tourists from different countries. The water in the pit has a pleasant bathing temperature and is full of Garra rufa fish that are hungry as soon as you stop moving for a moment. In addition to swimmers, the stop at the pit will also be enjoyed by climbers, and the walls of the former cave are easy to climb. If you also want to take a bath, it is advisable to wear shorts and, for ladies, t-shirts. Because, as you know, Oman is a Muslim country.
Wadi Shab has prepared perhaps one of the most beautiful and unforgettable experiences of the whole Oman. If you would like to visit more, it is possible. There are many canyons in Oman, and Wadi Tiwi, Wadi Al Arbeieen or Wadi Bani Khalid are worth mentioning.
GPS: 22°50'21.1"N 59°14'41.8"E
Text and photos: Veronika Kocmanová
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