Al Hoota Cave

Overview

Located near Wilayat Al Hamra in the Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Hoota Cave lies in the southern part of Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain). It is about two hours from Muscat and 30 minutes from Nizwa.

Discovered centuries ago by local residents, the cave is named after the village where it is located. While the cave extends for 5 kilometers underground, visitors can explore 860 meters of it, leading to the Cave Lake. As you journey through the cave, you'll witness stunning underground landscapes, resembling valleys, streams, and springs above ground.

The cave has two openings—Al Hoota, where water flows in from the mountain, and Al Falaah, where the water exits after passing through underground passages.

Al Hoota Cave Lake

At the end of the cave’s footpath lies Al Hoota Cave Lake, which is 20 meters deep, with some areas even deeper. It is said to extend all the way to Tanuf Valley in Wilayat Nizwa.

The lake is home to rare blind fish. Some have no eyes but use long bristles to sense food, while others have tiny eyes. A unique species of blind fish, colored translucent pink, allows visitors to see its skeleton!

Trip Highlights

Included in the Trip:

✔ Expert guide and full safety equipment (helmet, climbing belt, ropes)
✔ Transportation to and from the site
✔ Water and soft drinks
✔ Picnic lunch
✔ First aid support

What to Bring/Wear:

✔ A small, waterproof backpack
✔ Sportswear & athletic shoes
✔ Headlamp, flashlight, spare battery
✔ Comfortable clothes (suitable for swimming) + a change of clothes
✔ Light, water-friendly shoes (they will get wet!)
✔ A waterproof camera or protective case
✔ A spirit of adventure!

Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Al Hoota Cave

The cave tour lasts approximately one hour, covering a 4 km trek. The cave is spacious and does not require crawling or bending. However, due to large rocks along the path, some sections may require climbing, jumping, or descending.

A safety rope will be available if needed. At the end of the cave, we will reach the majestic lake, where we’ll take a long break to relax and take photos. After an hour, we will retrace our steps and return to the cave entrance.