At the first bend in the road that leads through Wadi Bani Kharus from the village of Al Awabi, there's a great slab of smooth pale-grey rock on the opposite side of the wadi. On close inspection of the overhang, you'll see some of the ancient petroglyphs dating from around 3000 BCE for which the wadi is noted. Although some have sadly been defaced by vandals, it's possible to make out a clear sequence of figures on horseback and camels.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Nakhal Fort
20.42 MILES
Built on the foundations of a pre-Islamic structure, the towers and entrance of this fort were constructed during the reign of Imam Said Bin Sultan in…
Al Hoota Cave
18.29 MILES
Embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, this is the only cave in Oman developed for tourism and it's something of a gem. Sensitively lit, this…
Bahla Fort
26.69 MILES
After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, makes a grand sight looming over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built…
Nizwa Souq
24.68 MILES
The site of one of the oldest souqs in the country, this extensive marketplace is dedicated mostly to fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, all of which…
Nearby Oman attractions
1. Wadi Bani Kharus
0.51 MILES
Famed for its geological interest, this dramatic wadi has only recently become readily accessible to visitors with the construction of a paved road along…
2. Al Awabi Castle
0.64 MILES
Functioning less as a sight in its own right, picturesque though it may be, this fort as an excellent landmark for the slightly obscure entrance into Wadi…
3. Wadi Bani Awf
3.35 MILES
This spectacular wadi is a major artery through the mountains and often flows year-round with spring water. It looks particularly gorgeous when mountain…
4. Thorn Tree Copse
5.53 MILES
Where the paved road through Wadi Bani Awf ends, a magnificent stand of trees comes into view. These are Ziziphus spina christi, or 'Christ thorn trees' –…
5. Rock Arch
8.69 MILES
Referred to locally as a rock arch, this striking natural feature is in fact a fissure in the cliff. There is just enough space at the bottom of the crack…
6. Qasra Museum
9.31 MILES
Tucked into the unlit and crumbling old quarter of Rustaq, behind the fort, this unique museum is the personal project of the owner, Zakia Al Lamki. Left…
7. Rustaq Fort
9.47 MILES
Two cannons mark the interior courtyard of this enormous fort – the entrance alone signals its former importance. Built on top of pre-Islamic foundations,…
8. Wadi Mistal
10.16 MILES
Less wadi and more an extension of the Batinah Plain, Wadi Mistal leads through a narrow gap in the mountains to an enormous desert basin. Dotted with…