Enjoy the rustic charm of Wekan village

By Zainab al Nasseri — Wekan village is located 2,000 metres above sea level at Wadi Mestal in the Wilayat of Nakhal, Batinah South governorate. It is 150 km away from the capital city of Muscat. To reach the village, you must cross a number of wadis travelling on a 4-wheel drive as the area is rough and bumpy. The village is situated high on the mountainous terrains of Wadi Mestal, because of which the weather is relatively cold in summer and moderate in winter. These conditions have turned it into a place suitable for farming and delicious summer fruits like apricot, peach, grape and pomegranate are available here. During the peak season, the place is so luring with the smell of flowers that visitors can’t resist the temptation to to stop and thank God for the creation of this piece of heaven.

Despite the bumpiness of way to Wekan village, there are families living there with joy away from the noise of civilisation movement and clamour of constructions. Up in the mountains, you would see what is missing in modern city life; simplicity and comfort. Wekan people work on their farms by their own during their free times and weekends. They, surely, have their own jobs and place in the modern life but “can’t quit their home jobs in farms because it is a part of their nature and real life” says a thirteenth man living there.
The village entrance was paved by the Ministry of Tourism allowing visitors to enjoy walking up on 700 flat-topped stairs that are asphalted  with a distance of 1,100 km. The way is protected with a fence to the top.

In addition to services stops, the Ministry has built small watching towers in forms of forts and umbrellas. There are also a number of majlis and a rest spot that is overlooking on the whole village and the stairway. The falaj (or water flow) falling from the village’s top, passes by agricultural course as natural components where used to set up the way. There is also a mountainous route that connects Wekan with Jabal al Akhdar for those who likes walking sport.

Thursday 22nd, May 2014 / 23:52 Written by Zainab Al Nasseri 

in Features