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Travelers from around the world flock to Salalah, a city in southern Oman, for a specific time of the year. For about two months each year, the Khareef season, or monsoon season, transforms this region of Oman into a lush paradise of waterfalls, rivers, and green vegetation. In this guide, we will discuss how to get to Salalah, the best places to visit during the Khareef season, and where to stay in Salalah.
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Where is Salalah?
Salalah is located in the southwestern part of Oman, about 20 km east of the border of Yemen. This is a coastal city and the biggest city in southern Oman.
How to Get to Salalah
There are a few different ways to get to Salalah.
Flight
Salalah has an international airport, and flights to and from Muscat, Oman’s capital city, are reasonably priced. If you don’t feel like driving or taking a bus across the country, then flying to Salalah would be a good option.
Due to time constraints, I opted to fly from Muscat to Salalah and paid about $70 USD.
Rental Car
If you are traveling to Oman, I highly recommend renting a car! Besides the lack of reliable public transportation, many of Oman’s attractions and cities worth visiting are spread out.
If you decide to drive from Muscat, the journey will take about 10 hours. Just be sure to drive below the speed limit of 120 km/hr! There are speed cameras everywhere.
On the way to Salalah, there are two routes you can take: You can travel through Nizwa, or you can go further east along the coast. This is good for stopping by the Bimmah Sinkhole and the town of Sur.
Bus
There is a bus you can take from Muscat to Salalah that costs 8 OMR ($20.75 USD in 2023. See current rates here). This journey takes about 12.5 hours. If you have plenty of time and want to save money, this is the best option for you.
What is the Khareef Season?
The Khareef season refers to the monsoon season in southern Oman. During this time, there is increased rainfall and cooler weather. As a result, the countryside around Salalah becomes lush and green, with rivers and waterfalls forming. This is a stark contrast to the rest of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula’s characteristic desert environment.
When is the Khareef Season?
The Khareef season starts in late June, and lasts until September each year.
Best Places to Visit Around Salalah
There are several impressive sites around Salalah where you can truly appreciate the beauty of the Khareef season. It is easiest to get to these places with a rental car. However, you can always find a taxi driver to take you to these places. I paid $40 USD for an all-day tour of these locations.
If you would rather have everything planned out for you, you can check out different tours offered in Salalah.
Ayn Athum
Ayn Athum was one of my favorite destinations around Salalah. This is a large waterfall that comes to life during the Khareef season. The entire area is surrounded by lush greenery, and there are clear streams flowing from the waterfall.
The waterfall itself is extremely impressive due to the color and clarity of the water. The turquoise water is protected by fences that prevent tourists from swimming in it.
I recommend visiting this site early in the morning before it gets crowded.
Ayn Tabrok Waterfalls
While the Ayn Tabrok waterfalls are less impressive than Ayn Athum, the real attraction here is in the parking lot near the waterfalls.
These parking lots have a unique irrigation system, called aflaj, that overflows during the Khareef season. The sheer amount of water that flows through keeps the entire parking lot underwater.
In a region of the world where rain is so rare and water is so precious, it is crazy to something like this.
You can find place this by searching “Tobruk” in Google Maps.
Wadi Darbat
You will likely spend the most time at Wadi Darbat. For most of the year, this is a dry riverbed. During the Khareef season, however, it turns into a thriving river and a popular tourist destination.
This area has grown dramatically over the last few years. Now, you can find several companies offering boat tours, cultural exhibitions, and restaurants along the river. There are even luxurious accommodation options for “glamping”.
Wadi Darbat offers incredible views of the effects of the Khareef season in southern Oman. However, that’s not the only reason it is worth visiting. By visiting Wadi Darbat, you’ll have the chance to experience not only the culture of Salalah, but various cultures around the Middle East. There were cultural performances displaying different customs of Omani tribes, as well as Turkish, Yemeni, and Saudi Arabian restaurants.
I got some Turkish tea for the first time. They place the tea on burning sand to heat it up. It was a very interesting experience!
Darbat Waterfalls
Located near Wadi Darbat, the Darbat Waterfalls is the last stop on this list. These waterfalls are incredible and highlight just how drastically the Khareef season alters the landscape of southern Oman.
Like in Wadi Darbat, you are able to rent a boat to get close to the falls. However, unless you really want to get soaked, I think you are close enough to view them from the shore.
This area has a small parking lot that is always filled with cars! Finding parking here is very difficult. Try to arrange for someone to drop you off here and then pick you up.
Where to Stay in Salalah
The price and availability of hotels can vary dramatically during the Khareef season. Therefore, it’s best to book your hotel in advance.
The Arjaan Hotel Apartments are a popular option for travelers. It is one of the highest-rated accommodations in Salalah and is relatively inexpensive.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Other Things to Do Around Salalah
1. Visit Taqah Castle
Located near Wadi Darbat, this castle has been converted into a museum that showcases Omani life.
2. Mughsail Beach
This is a popular beach near Salalah that features blow holes. When the waves crash into the shore, water shoots up the blow holes as mist. These were designed to allow people in mountainous beaches to feel the ocean water.
3. Haffa Souq
The Haffa Souq is a popular market in Salalah that offers jewelry, frankincense, and pottery. There are also events that occasionally take place here during the Khareef season.
4. Al Fazayah Beach
Al Fazayah Beach is another great place to visit in Salalah. Unlike Mughsail Beach, this beach is great for swimming in.
