Wakan in Wadi Mistal in the Wilayat of Nakhl in the Governorate of South Al Batinah witnesses a great turnout of inbound and outbound visitors to enjoy apricot and peach season, which begins with flowering in January. The best time to visit Wakan is from mid-May to the end of August, the harvesting season for both fruits.
Tourism and trade flourish during this season, as this is one of the few areas in the Sultanate of Oman where apricots and peaches grow. High altitude and cool weather are suitable for the plantation of both fruits.
As the apricot trees bloom, the village turns into a place with fairytale scenes and stunning scenery.
The cold winter and mild summer are good for apricot trees. Such a climate allows farmers to get better yields and market fruits commercially, which constitutes a suitable income for them due to the high demand for it.
The small village is known for its exquisite apricot crops grown without chemical additives. The dormancy and leaf fall season begins in early December, followed by the flowering stage in early February until the beginning of March. Apricot fruits start to ripen in mid-April, and the apricot harvest continues for a month to a month and a half. Local farmers sell their crops to visiting tourists or in Souq Nakhl and nearby markets.
The area is characterised by moderate summer and low winter temperatures, making it suitable for growing various fruit trees. Many agricultural terraces can be found in the village, and apricots are not the only fruit cultivated in this region. Grapes, pomegranates, lemons, palm trees, flowers, and mountain herbs used in folk medicine are also grown.
Wakan has recently become a popular tourist destination, especially during the apricot blossom season, when fields are covered in a sea of delicate pink and white flowers.
A pedestrian road with 700 ascending steps has been established in the village. It contains service areas, watchtowers in the form of castles and umbrellas, some councils, and a rest centre with a stunning view of the village and terraces. The descending falaj passes from the top of the village towards the agricultural terraces, and a mountain path links the village to the green mountain for hiking enthusiasts.
June is the time to harvest apricots, which sell for RO 3 a kilo, according to farmer Suleiman bin Hamdan al Mayahi.
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