Wadi Bani Kharus

Geographical Situation

Wadi Bani Kharus is one of the 4 main valleys of the northern slope of the Western Hajar, the second one starting from the east : Wadi Mistal, wadi Bani Kharus, Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Sahtan.

It’s a long valley which first flows east / west along Jebel Akhdar before meeting its main tributary, Wadi Al Hijir, and turning to the north to Al Awabi and then to the foothill valley of Wadi Al Abyadh.

Access by car is from Al Awabi on an asphalt road or from Wadi Bani Awf, on a steep but beautiful track (4WD mandatory) which acents to a pass and goes down to Wadi Al Hijir.

Access by car

From Al Awabi fort, a very good tarmac road goeas up the valley to the last village of Al Alya.

All along the valley, we cross small mountain oases, sometimes in the bottom of the valley, sometimes slightly higher on the mountain slopes.

About 8 km from Al Awabi fort, there is a turn (right) to the main tributary of Wadi Bani Kharus : Wadi Al Hijir. In the middle of Wadi al Hijir, a track on the right leads to a pass (great views all along the drive) and down to Wadi Bani Awf.

Villages in Wadi Bani Kharus

At the far end of the valley (or at least of the part that is accessible by car…), the valley starts to be narrower. There, huge palm gardens on terraces stretch on both sides along the wadi. Scattered in the palm gardens, different villages come one after another : Sunnar, Musaynah, Al Alyah.

It’s a pleasant place for walking, sometimes in the gardens, and sometimes in the wadi bed. But you have to be respectful and quiet to respect the inhabitants who prefer that tourists do not walk in some areas (there are signs ; just respect them…)

Hiking in Wadi Bani Kharus

All along Wadi Bani Kharus, as well as at the far end of Wadi Al Hijir, some paths climb up to Jebel Akhdar.

From Al Alyah, we can also reach Jebel Akhdar (several itineraries possible of which a difficult one in the wadi and an easier but longer one on the right with ups and downs), or just walk 1 or 2 hours to reach a secluded palm garden (entering the gardens in forbidden, unless someone from the village invites you to it) or higher in the wadi some beautiful pools.

The valley also counts a few romte oasis higher on the slopes which are accessible only hiking.

If you want to go trekking or hiking by yourself in the Western Hajar, you’ll find a lot of inormation on the website Wilderness Trekking Oman

Our tours in Wadi Bani Kharus

We visit this valley regularly, mostly for a short hike in our Discovery Tours.

For Trekking enthusiast, we have a 4-days route starting in Samail Valley, passing on Jebel Akhdar and through Wadi Mistal, and ending in Wadi Bani Kharus.

Finaly, we have an interesting Hiking Trip through the northern valleys of the Western Hajar, which visit little visited and remot places in Wadi Bani Kharus.

Trekking – From Samail to Wadi Bani Kharus

4 days

Level 4

Trekking – From Samail to Wadi Bani Kharus

Available in JanFebMarsNovDec

1 x Camping

2 x Accomodation

A beautiful 4-days trek to discover the highlands of Jebels Akhdar, but also the northern valleys of Wadi Mistal and Wadi Bani Kharus. Great views, charming guesthouses, and the visit of very diverse villages and oasis.

Jebel Akhdar Wadi Mistal Wadi Bani Kharus

Itinerary

Itinerary

Hiking in the northern valleys of the Western Hajar Hajar Occidental

6 days

Level 3

Hiking to the Roots of the Western Hajar

Available in JanFebMarsNovDec

1 x Camping

2 x Bivouac

2 x Accomodation

A nice trip to discover the valleys of the northern slope of the Western Hajar and its remote mountain oases. 2 bivouac overnights in exceptional places, 2 nights in pleasant guesthouses, and 1 night camping in the middle of Wadi Sahtan’s cirque.

Wadi Bani Kharus Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Sahtan

Itinerary

Itinerary

You would prefer to join a small group?

We offer Treks, Hiking Tours, and Discovery Tours in Oman.

From October to April, we schedule departures on varied itineraries which are always adapted to the season they are offered.

At the bottom of the page, you’ll see our next scheduled tours which go in Wadi Bani Kharus.