Hiking Wadi Tiwi via Miban village.

Wadi Tiwi is picturesque wadi located in the eastern region of Oman, close to the town of Sur. Hiking Wadi Tiwi secret waterfall can be challenging but this unspoiled canyoneering trail is worth every effort. Getting to the secret waterfall will lead you through magnificent Miban mountain village, breathtaking natural canyon beauty, lush plantation, and the stunning turquoise pools that are scattered along its course.

How to get to Wadi Tiwi?

Going to Wadi Tiwi will be a good challenge for your driving skills. You definitely need a 4×4 car to drive a distance from the main asphalt road to Miban village. However I started my hiking much earlier (near a road sign for Wadi Tiwi hike). The trail leads through Miban village and then down to the canyon. It’s a challenging hiking but the scenery is worth every effort.

The hike starts  near a road sign for Wadi Tiwi hiking route. From there 5 km road takes you through two small local villages. The way is so narrow that the car barely fits the road and all you can hear are car horns, beeping to warn pedestrians or other cars approaching from the opposite side. In Oman, most of the cars are 4×4, usually Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Pathfinder. Almost all cars are white colour, due to extreme temperature and sun exposure. One thing that captured my attention – all cars are extremely clean, including shining metal rims.

Planning tips for hiking Wadi Tiwi secret waterfall.

Starting point: Tiwi Village (45 minutes drive from Sur city).

Gear: Hiking shoes is a must (you will walk down through a steep rocky section) if you want to reach the canyon and the waterfall.

Water: Plenty of water and snacks (temperatures may exceed 40 Celsius degrees), there is no shop in the village.

Sun lotion, hat and glasses. Water shoes would be useful and GoPro!

Cumin Laban Drink – visible on the photo, it’s a very popular local drink, great for high temperatures.

Hiking trail starts near a hiking sign for Wadi Tiwi in Tiwi Village. The trail leads via Miban village toward the amazing canyon waterfall.

Safety in Oman.

Oman is probably the safest country in the world – I mean it! There is like zero rosk for visitors. Trekking alone in canyons is perfectly safe. People are extremely friendly, and even they might be a bit anxious on the beginning, they will always react if you are seeking help.

Hiking trail to Wadi Tiwi and famous Miban village.

At the beginning of the hiking trail to Wadi Tiwi, there is a huge sign with trekking information on different hiking routes in the canyon. The longest takes you to Wani Bani Khalid – which is 28 km from the sign and it says it takes around 14 hours. From what I heard this trail is quite challenging – not only due to its length but a very narrow path on the top of the mountain.

Hiking trail to Wadi Tiwi leads along an amazing crystal green waters. The first village is Miban (that used to be on a coverage of many travel magazines and guidebooks), situated in the middle of a steep rocky mountain, sinking in palm trees and dominated by mountain goats. I remember the same picture of the village on the cover of a famous travel magazine – how incredible was to see it myself!!

Wadi Tiwi canyon and waterfall.

This was a beautiful and unexpected adventure. There was literally nobody on the trail. After 2.5 hours of hiking in this sultry weather I met a French couple led by a local guide. They offered to join them, as they were heading toward a mysterious waterfall. The narow, steep and full of lush plantations path led us to the bottom of the canyon. We had to walk through a really steep rocks down to the waterfall. The curiosity was much stronger that a fear, besides I just couldn’t turn back at that stage. The canyon was magic, filled with amazing crystal green water pool.

The trail to the waterfall is not maintained and I’m not sure if it’s possible to find the way without a guide. Beside the way down was a bit scary and I would not recommend doing it alone. We spend almost 2 hours enjoying canyoning, swimming paradise and walking down the river searching for hidden caves. On the way back the guide took us again to Miban village, the one squeezed between two rocky mountains, so we could interact this time with local people. The temperature at that stage must have reached 45 Celsius degrees. A lovely local man offered us some exotic fruits, sour but tasty. I guess perfect for such weather. The French couple was amazing, they offered me a ride back but I decided to walk on foot, wanting to enjoy the canyon scenery as long as possible.

Omani people.

At the last stage of the trail I felt tired and I was a little in hurry as my friend Lya was waiting for me to get back home together. Suddenly, a black land cruiser came out of nowhere, the car stopped and two Omani men asked if I need help or a lift? It was so nice, I got a lift, they asked about my traveling in Oman. They were extremely friendly, they left me their phone numbers in case I needed any help in the future. I was very grateful for the ride, we said nice goodbye and headed with Lya to a white sandy beach for a sunset… 🙂

Dabab Sinkhole – the world’s most beautiful sinkhole.

Dabab Sinkhole is located near Wadi Tiwi and it’s a good location to visit after hiking Wadi Tiwi. It’s a very unique place – a large whole in the earth filled with crystal blue natural water. There are convenient stairs leading to the pool, where you can take a swim along with local people.

The legent says the hole was created by a meteorite. Omani people strongly believe in that story. Dabab village