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A stone village above terraced fields and palms in the mountains of Oman

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Oman

Jebel Akhdar Luxury Resorts on Oman's Green Mountain

Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain, is Oman's high-altitude retreat, where terraced villages and rose gardens cling to the edge of a vast canyon. It is home to two of the most spectacular luxury resorts in Oman and makes a cool escape from the summer heat.

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At a glance

Jebel Akhdar at a glance

Altitude
About 6,500 feet (2,000 meters)
From Muscat
About 2.5 hours by car
Best months
March to May for roses; year-round for cool air
Access
4x4 vehicle required past the checkpoint
Time difference
8 hours ahead of New York (9 during US winter time)

From the United States

Jebel Akhdar for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports
Check the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal; 14-day visa-free entry for US passport holders. Visa details
Getting there
No nonstop from the US: connect via Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, about an hour onward to Muscat. All nonstops
Time difference
8 hours ahead of New York (9 in the US winter)
Money
Omani rial, pegged to the dollar: 1 rial = about US$2.60. Cards widely accepted.
Power plugs
Type G (the British three-pin), 230 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend
Friday and Saturday

Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.

Why go

Why go to Jebel Akhdar

Jebel Akhdar sits on the Saiq Plateau in the Al Hajar Mountains, often 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the coast. Ancient falaj channels water terraced fields of pomegranates, walnuts and the damask roses that are distilled into rosewater each spring. Villages such as Al Ayn, Wadi Bani Habib and Al Aqur hang above the canyon, linked by footpaths with extraordinary views.

Most visitors combine the mountain with Muscat and the fort town of Nizwa. Our Oman luxury vacation guide covers visas and travel basics.

The sun rising over layered mountain ridges on Jebel Akhdar, Oman's Green Mountain.
Photo: Robert Haandrikman · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Best time to visit

Best time to visit and getting there

Spring is magical, with the rose harvest usually in April and May. Summer is the mountain's high season with Omani and Gulf families escaping the heat, while winter brings crisp, clear days and chilly nights, sometimes near freezing.

Jebel Akhdar is about two and a half hours from Muscat International Airport. A police checkpoint at the foot of the mountain only allows four-wheel-drive vehicles up the steep road, so rent a 4x4 or book a resort transfer. From the US, connect through Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Europe to Muscat; there are no nonstop flights. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged for VIP arrivals; see our page on helicopter transfers.

Best resorts

Best resorts in Jebel Akhdar

Two world-class resorts face each other across the plateau, both perched on the canyon rim.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

★★★★★ Saiq Plateau

Built on the edge of a great canyon, with pool villas, a cliffside infinity pool and the famous Diana's Point viewing platform. Its spa and stargazing program are highlights.

Official site ↗

Alila Jabal Akhdar

★★★★★ Saiq Plateau

A quietly beautiful stone resort built in harmony with the gorge, with a heated infinity pool, a gentle spa and guided hikes from the door.

Official site ↗

Sahab Hotel

★★★★ Saiq Plateau

A smaller, well-kept hotel with terraces and views over the villages, a good value base for hikers.

Things to do

Things to do in Jebel Akhdar

Three Villages Walk

Al Ayn, Al Aqur and Ash Shirayjah

An easy, unforgettable trail along terraces and falaj channels between hanging villages.

Rose season and rosewater distilling

Al Ayn and Al Aqur

In spring, watch families harvest roses at dawn and distill rosewater in traditional clay stills.

Diana's Point

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

The viewpoint named after a 1986 royal visit, with sweeping views over the canyon.

Wadi Bani Habib

Saiq Plateau

A walk down to an abandoned mud-brick village shaded by walnut trees.

Nizwa Fort and Souq

Nizwa, 45 minutes

The great round tower, the souq and the Friday cattle market, an easy add-on on the way up or down.

Birkat Al Mouz and Jabrin Castle

Foothills

A falaj-watered oasis village with a UNESCO-listed irrigation system, and one of Oman's most beautiful castles nearby. See UNESCO sites of the Middle East.

Where to dine

Dining here is a resort affair, and both properties do it beautifully: terraces over the canyon, Omani dishes cooked with local pomegranates and rosewater, and private dinners on the cliff edge. In Nizwa, simple local restaurants serve excellent shuwa and Omani coffee with dates.

Owning a home in Oman

The mountain is a place to visit rather than to buy, but Oman offers freehold ownership to foreigners in its coastal Integrated Tourism Complexes, with residency for qualifying owners. Our guide to Oman Luxury Real Estate investment explains the options.

Questions travelers ask

Questions travelers ask about Jebel Akhdar

Do I need a 4x4 to reach Jebel Akhdar?

Yes. Police at the checkpoint below the mountain only allow four-wheel-drive vehicles up the road. Resorts can arrange transfers.

How cold does Jebel Akhdar get?

Winter nights can fall close to freezing, and even summer evenings are cool. Pack layers.

When is the rose season?

The damask roses usually bloom in April and early May, with harvest and distilling in the villages at that time.

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Weather

Jebel Akhdar weather by month

Average day highs, night lows and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.

Jebel Akhdar weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthDay highNight lowRainy days
°F°C°F°C
Jan59°15°45°7°4
Feb66°19°51°10°1
Mar70°21°54°12°5
Apr75°24°60°16°8
May83°28°66°19°5
Jun89°32°73°23°2
Jul85°29°72°22°10
Aug85°30°71°22°5
Sep83°28°68°20°1
Oct75°24°60°16°5
Nov69°20°53°12°2
Dec62°17°47°8°3

Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.