Can you envision a plush open water-filled reservoir lake in the middle of the Arabian desert?
I couldn’t too. Until I visited one last weekend.
In the wilayat of Quriyat, nestled into the eastern Hajar mountains, is a crescent shaped lake filled with crystal blue waters and shapely rocks rising from the bottom. Having being constructed in 2009, the project was under wraps, while it was being tested. Finally opened in March this year, it has become quite the tourist destination.
The limestone plateaus of the Eastern Hajar Mountains are truly majestic. They rise steeply, sharply and impressively some 1500 meters above the coastal plain with peaks of up to 1890 meters. Their edges are sharply cut by deep and narrow wadis.
Wadi Dayqah is one of these and as the name suggests – the ‘narrow torrent’– it is a magnificent gorge. For those with an additional adventurous streak, there is a facility to park near the Mazara village and picnic by the huge caves which are almost screaming ‘Open Sesame’. One can also wade through the shallow pools and dip feet into the blue-green dam waters. A little more towards the winters, and it’ll be a real treat to visit for a day trip.
We set out around an hour after noon and got there comfortably by half past two. In true Indian style, we took along packed lunch and Baba even contemplated a little afternoon nap. Much to his displeasure, it was not allowed!
The lower level of the reservoir gives closer access to the village and if one takes the road up to the administration block, there is a whole tourist facility complete with a park, rest rooms, photography points and canopied picnic spots.
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| On the way, keep an eye out for Quriyat. |
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| The front facade leading upto the shallow streams |
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| Wadi Dayqah’s emerald pools |
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| Reservoir lake |
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| Trying to get a look at the pictures. Terrible glare. |
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| Almost like a crater lake! |
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| Picnic reflections! 😀 |
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| Al-Amerat. Almost leading up to the ocean. |
During the tropical cyclone Phet which struck Oman in 2010, this lake is said to have filled in twelve hours and over-flowed in a majestic cascade, making it quite the visual delight. Take a look!
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| Quriyat Dam during Phet. Photo: Unknown. |
How to get there?
I had done a lot of reading to ensure we didn’t get lost. In actuality, it is a very simple, well-marked road.
The wadi Dayqah area is within easy driving range from Muscat (about 100 km from the Hatat Roundabout).
Once on the Al-Amerat road, drive straight on until you come to the exit leading out to Quriyat. Just before you take the turn, you will see a brown board which will have ‘Quriyat Dam’ written on it. That’s the right you have to take.
From then on, follow signboards to Village Mazara and Quriyat Dam and an approximate 19 kilometer drive will land you at the footstep of the Wadi Dayqah dam.
For the more technologically advanced, the GPS coordinates are: N23’05’21” – E58’50’47”