While Muscat, Oman’s capital, is a regular weekend retreat for Gulf residents, the rest of the country remains a mystery for many. What a shame, is all I can say because with 212,460 square kilometers of lush wadis, deserts and mountains, there is so much more to it.

I had previously seen the ads and standing on top of Oman’s highest mountain peak, Jebel Shams, I felt like I was in one. I was looking out over a part of Arabia’s best kept secret.

At 3,000 meters above sea level, I was enjoying one of the most beautiful views in the Arabian Peninsula with the majestic Jabel Akhdar range spreading before me. It was a colorful sight with the harsh greys of the rocks balanced by the greenery of abundant orchards. In the distance I could see the steep cliff gorges of Wadi Nakher, Oman’s mind-blowing version of Colorado’s Grand Canyon.

The sun was sinking beneath the mountain peaks and it was time for me to head back to Muscat, my base for the weekend. Although driving in Oman is a pleasant experience, I had opted for a hired driver and could happily relax in the back of the comfortable 4x4 on the way to Muscat. As we were driving off, I ran a mental check of all the fascinating spots I saw that day.

First, there was the oasis city of Nizwa, which was Oman’s capital in the 6th and 7th centuries. Nizwa is famous for its souk and naturally, this was our first stop. Among traditional souk paraphernalia consisting of coffee pots, swords, leather goods and household utensils, I found exquisitely crafted silver jewelry and antiques and even witnessed a cattle auction.

Another Nizwa landmark is the city’s Round Tower fort, which dates back to the 17th century and is one of the largest edifices of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula. According to Habib, my driver, the fort was built to last the most fierce of attacks as Nizwa’s abundant natural wealth was coveted by various marauding forces. A warren of narrow staircases makes access to the top of the building very hard, while the citadel was built above a subterranean stream, ensuring constant supply of water in the case of a prolonged siege.

After a wander around the fort, we took off again. We drove past Nizwa’s lush gardens with abundant pomegranate, apricot, peach, walnut and almond trees and started descending. We had to go at a slower pace but this gave me an even better chance to fathom the many beautiful sites.

As the road meandered, I was treated to great panoramic views of one of Oman’s greatest wonders, the Wadi Nakher canyon. There were enough deep bends and overhanging rocks to finish off several rolls of film but I just decided to relax and soak in the view. We stopped at the bottom of the canyon and Habib helped me bargain with one of the many local rug weavers selling their beautiful wares. It turned out the area is popular with trekkers who visit the ancient cliff dwellings along the canyon rim as well as nearby remains of old Persian towns.

While I could easily have spent a day or two exploring the majestic Wadi Nakher, it was time to leave. We headed for the scenic mountain village of Misfah, which Habib told me is a world of its own. Getting there meant enjoying more picture postcard views.

First, there was the sight of the oasis town of Al-Hara, nestled in the shadow of Jabal Shams. Then, there was Misfah perched on the edge of an overhanging cliff and surrounded by terraced date palm gardens, irrigated by a traditional canal system. The village itself is a visual treat with traditional stone hamlets, narrow passageways and the remains of an old fort.

Our last stop before Jabel Shams was Wadi Ghul, another picturesque mountain village, famous for its delicious fruit and vegetables as well as the skills of its carpet weavers. The beautiful designs and the panache of the Bedouin merchants meant another traditional carpet was stored in the trunk of our 4x4.

Oman’s natural and man-made wonders are vast and to explore them all in one trip is impossible. There are so many more places that are well worth a visit: wadis, hot springs, ancient forts and natural parks.

Next time I’ll explore the Wahiba Sands, famous for their sand dunes reaching up to 200 meters in height. A must-see for adventure seekers, the area boasts almost 200 plant species. Animal lovers will also get a treat with gazelles, sand cats and white-tailed mongooses toughing it out in the harsh but beautiful desert along with a host of hardy creepy crawlies.

In terms of logistics, having a hired multi-lingual driver saved me time and helped get a real feel for the country. Habib works for Hertz Oman and they can tailor packages to take you to the sites you want to see. Prices are quite affordable with a day’s hire of a Toyota Landcruiser coming at R.O.35.50 per day. If you want to opt for a hired driver, you will need to pay an additional R.O.15 for an eight-hour day, while other fees might apply depending on mileage.