Day 8: Ayn Khor Waterfall & Job’s Tomb

After a day filled with history and amazing facts that I learned at the Museum of Frankincense Land (read more: Day 7: Frankincense — The Desert Tears, Sumhuram & Al Baleed Archeological Sites) I decided to go on a trip to see another waterfall – Ayn Khor. There are a lot of waterfalls in Salalah, but most of them are seasonal and only appear in the monsoon season when there is a lot of rainfall.

AYN KHOR

Ayn Khor (17.049438, 53.964204), I thought, was going to be less popular among tourists, as the waterfall itself can only be reached by an off-road car. To my surprise, the place was not empty at all.

The ride to the Ayn Khor waterfall is certainly a lot of fun as you will cross through the river bed with fresh water flowing. Some places might be treacherous, as you might find yourself driving over a big stone hiding under the water.

Come as early as possible — the whole experience turns out to be almost unbearable when there are a lot of people trying to cross the river bed on foot leading to Ayn Khor. Also, you will notice the cars left on the way in the most unexpected places by people who decided they will not drive further and continue walking. With an off-road car with good ground clearance, you can reach until the very end, right next to the waterfall.

There is no proper parking, so be mindful while leaving your car, not to block the way for others.

There is a sign forbidding swimming there (in most of the freshwater places in Salalah it is not allowed — I wrote about the reasons in this article: Day 6: Wadi Darbat Waterfalls & Taqah Cliff). Also, I would advise taking the mosquito repellant. I usually do not attract insects but this place was full of mosquitoes.

IS IT STILL POSSIBLE TO VISIT AYN KHOR IF I HAVE A SEDAN CAR?

If you’re driving a sedan, you will have to endure a long walk (around 2km) to get to the waterfalls. It’s a great option for those who want a challenging trip that includes hiking in the wilderness and jungle. The stunning view at the bottom — Ayn Khor waterfall cascading down a cliff side into an azure rock pool, is ideal for photographers.

THE LIST OF OTHER WATERFALLS TO VISIT IN SALALAH

Oman’s diverse landscapes are unlike anything else on the planet. Salalah is distinguished by its lush landscapes when compared to its neighboring locations, which have a typical desert environment, with many waterfalls bursting during the monsoon season (read more about khareef season in Salalah here: Day 3: Pristine Paradise — Fazayah Beach).

Other waterfalls to visit in Salalah:

Wadi Darbat Cascade Waterfalls (Day 6: Wadi Darbat Waterfalls & Taqah Cliff)
Wadi Darbat Cascade Travertine Curtain (Day 6: Wadi Darbat Waterfalls & Taqah Cliff)
Ayn Athum (17.113025, 54.364987)
Ayn Garziz (17.107010, 54.075539)
Ayn Razat (17.129894, 54.237342)
Ayn Sahalnoot (17.148078, 54.178307)
Ayn Gogob (17.215411, 54.110613)
Ayn Tabraq (17.100299, 54.326624)
Ayn Hamran (17.097900, 54.281725)

JOB’S TOMB

On an isolated mountaintop overlooking Salalah, the tomb of Prophet Job (17.111518, 53.994005), described in the Old Testament and respected by Muslims, Jews, and Christians, is located. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the location is worth visiting for the scenic journey, especially during the khareef season, and the spectacular view of the lush mountains of Dhofar.

When I visited Job’s Tomb during my overlanding trip around Salalah it was unfortunately closed due to COVID-19. I, however, made the most of my visit there and enjoyed a small picnic on the hill nearby (17.109041, 53.994259) covered by lush greenery.

Area behind Job's Tomb salalah — *Area surrounding Job’s Tomb*

If you would like to continue reading about my trip to Salalah, check the next article: Day 9: Shaat Village Suspended in the Clouds & Mughsail Beach.

REMEMBER!

Do not leave any garbage behind, including food. Even organic waste can take months to biodegrade and meanwhile it will attract animals. It may make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind and make them sick.
Have always a bag ready to collect trash left behind by other inconsiderate people – in the end, you are saving nature.
Hike or camp over gravel and rocks. In some areas, the vegetation can take years to grow back.
Leave natural and historical items where you find them.
Minimize cooking over a campfire, use the stove instead – it is less impact on the wilderness.

UAE OFF-ROADER GUIDE

If you are looking for more off-road trails to discover around the United Arab Emirates, I can recommend this ultimate guide that is packed with many routes, giving very detailed information and answering all questions you could have about off-roading in the UAE.

You can get it from Amazon.