Idyllic and serenely captivating Oman

Golden Tulip Hotel,Khasab in Oman It would seem that wherever you may roam in the Sultanate, mountainous areas abound, adding a pleasing aesthetic appeal to the country’s diverse and stunning landscapes.Nowhere is this more so than in Khasab, which is located in Oman’s northern most region of Musandam. Khasab is roughly a six-hour drive from the capital city of Muscat.
The area's varied and inexhaustibly beautiful mountainous terrain comes in all forms, shapes, hues and sizes. Certain mountainous areas have a whitish grey colouring, others reddish brown and some others still glare out in stark contrast with their dark brown and slate black jagged contours.
The most stunning terrain of all, and what the region is famed for, is the amazing sheer cliffs that, from a great height, come down perpendicularly into clear, cool placid waters, reminiscent of the fjords found in Norway. These types of tranquil scenes abound here and that is what makes Khasab extra special.
This is why the famed Sixth Senses Zighy Bay Resort has chosen to locate nearby. Six Senses hotels and resorts are set up at premium locations around the world and, because of their reputation, attract the most discerning clientele including celebrities, the rich and the famous. The Golden Tulip Khasab Hotel and Resort is also located here and offers spectacular, panoramic seaside views.
Adding to the charms of this region is the resplendent array of wildlife that reputedly includes the elusive and almost extinct Arabian leopard and the endangered Arabian tahr. It is the seas, however, that abound with resplendent marine life and in themselves provide postcard perfect scenery and tranquillity.
It is possible to go for boat rides in traditional Omani dhows or on more modern vessels, enjoy water sports, dolphin and whale watching or just take a relaxing sailing trip and enjoy  the views along the coast.
For travel to Khasab, one has the option of flying in, taking a high-speed ferry or driving.
A drive up to Khasab allows you to enjoy the coastal splendours of the Sea of Oman, and views of various townships along the northern Batinah coast road.
From Muscat, it goes on through to Seeb, Barka, Al Musannah, Al Khabourah, Saham, Sohar, Shinas, and then to the Oman-UAE boarder post of Khatmat Al Milahah in Fujarah.
From here head for Ras Al Khaimah and take the Al Rams western coastal road that leads south and back into Oman via Tibat village. Continuing up this coastal road leads to Bukha and then finally to Khasab. The road trip in itself is a great enjoyment, as the winding coastal roads present great views and remarkable twists and turns.
Taking a luxurious high speed ferry — operated by the National Ferries Company (NFC), on the other-hand, is a much more relaxing and comfortable way to reach Khasab.
Although it takes roughly the same time as driving there from Muscat, it offers the addition of deluxe on board comfort, where one can move around, enjoy a meal, refreshments and on board entertainment, take in the sea air and even bring along your own vehicle — the vessel can accommodate up to 56 cars and 208 passengers.
Whichever way one arrives in Khasab, the splendour of this wonderful township is sure to delight nature lovers and those looking for something off the beaten track.