ByConradPrabhu
Scenic Bilad Sayt at the bottom of the gorge overlooking Sharfat al Alamayn
For years, Sharfat al Alamayn (also called Birkat al Sharaf) has been a popular viewpoint and picnic spot for the adventure-minded. Tucked away in a remote corner of Al Hamra’s rugged mountains, it attracts only the hardiest of tourists looking for solitude amid the harsh magnificence of the Hajar mountains. Today, a new blacktop is replacing the dirt road to this little-known, but prized destination in the Interior region. The road traverses the wilayat’s mountainous countryside, rising and plunging roller-coaster style all the way to Haat, 36km from Al Hamra town. En route are vertiginous stretches that pose a huge challenge to road contractors as they press on with the construction of the blacktop. When completed by mid-2004, the new road will add a new destination to Al Hamra’s long list of attractions that include Jabal Shams — the highest summit in Oman, the oasis charms of Al Hamra town and its quaint old neighbourhoods, delightful wadis like Ghul and Nakar, the scenic mountain hamlet of Misfat al Abriyeen, and Al Hota cave designated for development in the coming months. Sharfat al Alamayn’s charms can be best enjoyed as part of an overnight camping trip to this secluded spot, which is just off the road to Haat. For first-time travellers, a visit to these parts can be simply unforgettable. Indeed, nothing prepares you for what’s in store when you arrive at this splendid getaway after enduring a bone-jarring ride for the better part of an hour. Springing into view is the breathtaking sight of the Hajars in all their magnificent grandeur. Oman’s unspoilt beauty unfurls in a rich tapestry of craggy peaks and rockscapes threaded by wadis as far as the eye can see. In fact, few other places present such an awesome picture of the wild beauty of Oman. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy vistas of picturesque Wadi Bani Auf and Wadi Bani Sahtan in Rostaq wilayat, snaking through the mountains in the distance. Bilad Sayt, a scenic oasis settlement, can be seen at the bottom of the gorge that plunges just beyond the rocky summit of Sharfat al Alamayn. It is cool and blustery even at mid-day, with white cottony clouds hovering just overhead on this delightful promontory called Sharfat al Alamayn. Camping out under a canopy of stars will make for a memorable experience. For the action-minded, there is the opportunity of an invigorating trek through this unspoilt landscape. The Directorate General of Tourism (DGT) has charted a trekking path (W10h & W9) that runs 12.5km from Sharfat al Alamayn to Misfat al Abriyeen. Walking time is about six and a half hours one way, with the path connecting small mountain villages and offering spectacular views of Wadi Bani Auf and date farms. Scores of trekking paths, well marked out and signposted, have been charted by the DGT around the Interior region for the benefit of Oman’s burgeoning community of hikers and trekking buffs. These trekking pursuits are mainly recommended for experienced walkers in good health. Trekkers must take along a strong pair of shoes, first-aid kit and torch, and watch out for insects and reptiles at nightfall when embarking on one of these walks.
Another equally bracing trekking path (W10h & W8) connects Sharfat al Alamayn with Bilad Sayt, the charming oasis village at the bottom of the gorge. The 8.5km trek can be covered in about four and a half hours one way. But Sharfat al Alamayn will soon find itself competing for attention when another major attraction in Al Hamra wilayat — the Al Hota cave — is opened up to tourists sometime next year. Located a short drive from Al Hamra town, the cave is the subject of a multi-million dollar project that will allow tourists and caving buffs to explore its striking subterranean pathways. The cave is closed for the duration of the project, its cavernous façade guarded by a watchman appointed by the authorities to keep curious visitors away. Yaqoub Gharib al Hattaly sits in a makeshift guardhouse made up of date palm branches and fronds. A resident of Al Murqadh village, Al Hattaly has been braving the elements, including the odd scorpion and reptile, to ensure that only authorised visitors can approach the cave entrance. A small tape recorder offers some diversion from the monotony of being all alone amid the surrounding isolation. Recently, the government appointed an Omani contractor to undertake the first phase of a project to develop access facilities to the Al Hota cave, billed as one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world. Envisaged are reception facilities for tourists, a visitor centre complete with mini-auditorium for video presentations, and an access road and bridge leading up to the mouth of the cave. Backed by the Directorate General of Tourism, the project marks the introduction of cave-based tourism in the Sultanate — a key objective of the government’s Priority Action Plan for tourism development. Caving — or spelunking — is a major money-spinner in countries that have successfully promoted their cave heritage. The cave is part of the Al Hota Al Falahi cave system, which is a 2.7km tunnel that runs north to south through the flanks of a mountain in the Central Hajar range. Branches and offshoots create a maze of subterranean passageways, many of which are still off bounds even to the most intrepid of cavers. A unique feature of the cave system is a huge cavern, called the Grand Chamber filled with stalagmites and stalactites in every shape and hue. Two huge underground lakes are also said to hold a rare species of pink blind fish. In later phases, a rail track will be installed complete with a three-bogey, open-top train that will carry up to 36 visitors directly into the cave for a small fee. The adventure-minded can journey into the cave on foot using many tunnels and walkways that will reach deep into the cave.
Refrence:Prabhu,Conrad."Breathtaking Sharfat al Alamayn."Last update:25th October2003.http://www.newsbriefsoman.inf/features/sharfat_alamayn.htm.Information found:27 October 2004.