Fabled Castles Tour
Salalah, Oman
A half-day tour taking in the fishing village of Taqa and its castle, the fascinating archaeological site of Khor Rori (or Sumhuram), the town of Mirbat home to traditional fishing boats and location of the 1972 battle, and the Tomb of Mohamed bin Ali.
This tour heads east out of Salalah towards the fascinating Khor Rori, an ancient archaeological site which was the location of the city of Sumhuram, a port from which frankincense was exported and which dates back to the 1st or 2nd century BC. There is a visitor's centre here as well as plenty of excavations to explore.
From Khor Rori, the tour heads further east to the town of Mirbat, the ancient capital of the Dhofar region dating back to the 9th century and which played an important role in Arabia's frankincense trade. It was also the scene of a battle on 19 July 1972 during the Dhofar rebellion, during which the SAS assisted the Omani government. If you are there at the right time, you may see boatloads of fish arriving into the harbour.
The tour also takes in the Tomb of Mohamed bin Ali, who died in 1135. The twin-domed structure is a fine example of medieval architecture. You will return to Salalah via Ain Razat (only on Thursdays and Fridays) where manicured gardens are fed by natural underground springs.
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