Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman

Explore the charm and beauty of Jabal Akhdar with the warm assistance of our Alila Leisure Concierge team. The Alila Experience comprises five themes covering Cultural Learning (love of history and culture), Conscious Living (wellness, environs and community), Active Spirits (outdoor sporting pursuits), Culinary Delight (cooking school and food trails), Private Pursuits (arts and crafts) and Couple Celebration. The resort will tailor Alila Experiences to suit guests' preferences for a memorable holiday.

From trekking, canyon walks, cave exploration and other outdoor pursuits, to discovering the region's cultural and culinary traditions, embark on bespoke experiences for a truly memorable holiday.

Experience the best of the region with a visit to the agricultural village of Al Ayn, and the picturesque abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib. Gaze across spectacular scenery of terraced farms and valleys, and follow trails through the wadi and farmlands growing walnut trees and pomegranate bushes.

Not for the fainthearted, this adventure dares you to step out onto 20-metre-high ropes and traverse a cave mouth - a thrilling experience you will never forget!

Don't miss the opportunity to try a slightly more challenging walk that incorporates a section of Via Ferrata (Italian for 'iron path'). Following a short safety briefing, get into your harness and head to the start point, a short walk just beyond the resort and over the stile. The Via Ferrata starts just below the ridge and takes you along the mountain face and down a fairly steep section of rock.

Once through the Via Ferrata, follow the path steadily down into the wadi, passing some of the most spectacular mountain scenery to the village of AlKhutaymi, hidden in a cave in the wadi floor. Continue another 15 minutes to discover the best swimming pool in the Green Mountain, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip before hiking back.

The chance to discover a little history, find a few fossils, and spot butterflies and birds… Alila Jabal Akhdar's Butterfly Trail offers an adventure for children that they, and their parents, just can't resist!
With scavenger map in hand, young explorers will be taken on a journey of discovery, learning new facts about the mountain and its inhabitants, and engaging in an array of fun activities along the way. Just pick up the butterfly trail markers outside the lobby. You can enjoy an almost 3 km walk without leaving the resort. On your expedition, look out for geological markers of the rising and falling of seas, and see the results of how the slow but persistent push of the continents has shaped the beautiful vistas of the Green Mountain.
Free guided tours at 04:00 pm on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday (confirm your spot with reception)

Alila Jabal Akhdar offers some of the clearest nighttime views of the stars,moon and planets, making it a paradise for celestial enthusiasts and avid stargazers. Learn about the galaxies, nebula, clusters and supernova remnants, and see the treasures of the night sky. You will also be shown how to set up a telescope correctly before peeking through the lens and then photographing some of these magnificent sights.
Self-described rock collector and stargazer Dr. Nathaniel Butterworth - who leads the stargazing and geological experiences at Alila - received his Honours degree in Astrophysics from the University of Wollongong (Australia), where he measured the distances to stars in the heavens. He then turned his attention to the rocks beneath his feet and received a PhD from the University of Sydney by studying the way the Earth's continents move over millions of years.

See the sun like never before with solar viewing on the sundeck, where you can safely observe the sun through a special solar telescope as our resident astronomer answers all your cosmic questions!

From Islamic scholars to astronauts, learn about ancient stories of the night sky, the different constellations, and how people have found their way in the universe. Spend time with your astral guide observing the moon, planets, stars and galaxies through a telescope. Ask questions about the big bang, cosmic dark matter and time travel. Come on a journey through the evolution of our universe as we tell a story with the sky above us. Bring along your SLR camera to learn how to capture amazing images of the beautiful Jabal Akhdar night sky.