Al Hoota Cave
Supplied by: Al Hoota Cave Properties and Management
Discover Al Hoota Cave, nestled at Jabal Shams' foot, it's over 2 million years old. It's Oman's only show cave, with a 4.5-kilometer length, hosting unique ecosystems and rare blind fish. Formed by limestone dissolution, its stunning features evolve over millions of years.
What's included
- 1 hour tour as per above mentioned description.
- English speaking guide.
- Entry fees to Al Hoota Cave
- Tips, Gratuities, and any items personal in nature
- Any item not mentioned in Inclusions above
Know before you go
What to Bring: Sunscreen, Steady shoes and Hat.
We offer convenient pick-up and drop-off services from hotels and apartments within the Central Muscat area. When completing your booking, please make sure to mention the name of your hotel. Our dedicated team at Visit Oman will contact you at least 24 hours before your tour to confirm and advise the exact pick-up time. Please ensure you check your email for a message from [email protected] containing all the necessary details prior to your tour.
For hotels located outside the city area, please note that a supplementary charge may apply. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an exceptional tour experience.
Overview
Al Hoota cave estimated to be over 2 million years old. It is located at the foot of Jabal Shams, Oman’s epic mountain. It is the first and only show cave in the Arabian Peninsula with a total length of around 4.5 kilometres, of which just 500 metres is accessible to the general public. Al Hoota Cave contains a rich ecosystem that includes four lakes. Three are small and located in the north of the cave, the other is the accessible central lake. It is estimated that the lake holds about 30,000 m³ of water, is 800 metres long and 10 in width, with a maximum depth of 15 metres. It is here that one can see the rare blind fish – Garra Barreimiae. There are many other animal species living in the cave including bats (Rhinopoma Muscatellum), arthropods, mollusks, spiders, snails and water beetles.
While the Al Hoota Cave is made of stone, it was created by water. Like many other caves in Oman, the Al Hoota Cave system was formed by the dissolution of limestone by acidic water. It all starts when rainwater dissolves carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or soil, producing a dilute carbonic acid that dissolves the limestone as it runs over it thus forming the cave. Every 100 years, the water dissolves through 10mm of rock – so it takes a long time to create something as spectacular as the Al Hoota Cave! Fascinating features such as stalagmites, stalactites and of course the magnificent lion of Al Hoota Cave are formed by mineral deposits as water drips into or moves through the cave system. Some of the columns and curtains you will see have been shaped over millions of years.