Ad Dhakiliya

The Dhakiliya region is historically important as it contains the ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa. The region links the interior of Oman to the coastal region of Muscat. The 143km long road linking Nizwa to Muscat is the ancient trade route and is still used as such today.

The Hajar mountain range runs through Dhakiliya and the highest mountain is located here; Jebel Shams, which rises to 3,004m. Agriculturally, Dhakiliya is important for dates, mangos, limes and cotton.

Nizwa is famed for its fort, one of the oldest in Oman, which dates back to 1668.

The walled souq is interesting in terms of old and new architecture meeting beautifully and in fact the souq has been built form the same gypsum material that was used for building the fort. There are buildings for fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, dates and crafts.

The Sumail gap divides the Al Hajar Mountains east and west in to two separate chains. The town of Sumail is a lush wadi area of many interconnecting villages and there is a busy new souq in the Al Madrah area.

The population of Dhakiliya is around 315,266 and is spread over eight wiliyats.

Notable villages and williyats include Bidbid, Manal, Birkat Al Mawz, Izki, Jebal Akhdar, Manah, Adam, Tanuf and Bahla.

Jebal Akhdar is famous for its rose plantations which produce the rose water used in traditional Omani cooking, as well as fruits and nuts such as pomegranates, almonds and walnuts from the mountain.

Tanuf is an incredible place to visit, with the ruins of its ancient village to explore, great views form the mountains behind it and of course it is the home of the bottled mineral water - Tanuf