Majlis Al Jinn, one of the largest and most mysterious ancient caves in Oman, is now open for adventure tourists to visit. Anirban Ray takes a trip into this eerie underworld

The sound of creaking pulleys, brightness getting speedily transfigured into darkness, and a stale odour of damp earth got the better of me as I descended via a sturdy beige rope into the depths of Oman’s largest and most mysterious cave, Majlis al Jinn – a meeting point of jinns (spirits).

Three minutes felt like eternity as I traversed downwards, the stench of wet mud/cold stone and whiffs of the decomposing remains of hapless goats found their way into my nostrils. And all I could hear was the rhythmic hiss of the rope as it bore my weight and finally dumped me into a dark, unknown realm beneath the mountains. For an instant it felt like I was experiencing the induced effects of a 5D movie, trapped within a dark booth.

Something brushed against my neck and I instinctively gasped. It was not a fluttering creature from the legends, but the magnified feel of three drops of sweat trickling down my skin as all my senses were suddenly heightened. My eyes scoured around for the unknown, my ears were firmer than that of an alsatian’s and I relived the legendary Aladdin’s desperation when he had fallen into a similar deep pit.

My heart skipped a beat as two turtle doves glided silently into the cave and perched on an ocher rock. Then, the temperature changed almost instantly. A cool gust of air wrapped itself around my arms and face, calming both, my mind and spirit, and traces of mist shimmered in the rays of sunlight falling from above, revealing gigantic rock formations in the darkness.

With renewed enthusiasm, I looked around for mysterious codes, symbols, or perhaps, a few eerie creatures from ancient folklore lurking against the damp walls of the caves. I found neither, but did regain my confidence as fellow climbers soon joined me, flying their drones and appearing like tiny silhouettes scattered across a vast underworld.

Where legends met

Majlis Al Jinn is not merely a cave. It is a place where legends, adventure and millions of years of natural history converge beneath the rough and grand mountains of Oman.

The floor was strewn with rocks, pebbles and feathers. Curiously, the centre of the chamber was remarkably flat and clean, resembling a giant football field. Along the towering walls, glittering mineral crystals sparkled and centuries-old stalagmites stood like silent guardians.

As rays of sunlight entered through the main entrance and a narrow side opening, the entire cave transformed before my eyes. Colours changed from warm amber to silver-grey, creating a breathtaking natural light show that constantly altered the cave’s appearance, textures and mood.

Caves have fascinated writers, explorers and geologists for centuries. While some venture underground in search of minerals and scientific discoveries, others seek inspiration, mystery, stories and divine revelations.

Situated on the remote Selma Plateau, nearly a three-hour drive from Muscat, Majlis Al Jinn is one of the largest underground cave chambers in the world by floor area. Its name, meaning ‘meeting point of jinns’, adds another layer of fascination, with local folklore claiming that supernatural beings once gathered here.

A fellow tourist smiled and remarked that perhaps this was the very cave where Aladdin had been trapped by his uncle before discovering the magical lamp.

Until a few years ago, the entrance to Majlis Al Jinn was simply an open natural space, accessible only to experienced explorers with ministry permissions. However, in the last six months, the Majlis Al Jinn project powered by Husaak Adventures has transformed the site into an organised adventure destination. The project has introduced safety barriers, a specialised platform, high-end safety measures and trained guides to allow tourists to safely experience the wonder of this underground world.

Safety first 

Safety remains a top priority. The advanced rope system used for the descent can support visitors weighing between 45kg and 120kg. A team of four trained staff members manages every expedition — three positioned on the platform above and one stationed at the bottom of the cave — ensuring visitors are carefully monitored during both descent and ascent. They hold international certifications and have received approval from the Ministry of Tourism, ensuring that visitors can explore this natural masterpiece with proper safety measures.

An official from Husaak Adventures said, “Beyond adventure, Majlis Al Jinn is a living geological wonder. Rainwater from the surrounding mountains slowly finds its way into the cave through cracks and passages. The journey can take weeks, as water gradually seeps and drips down into the underground chamber. The cave floor is often wet and covered with natural layers of mud, showing that the geological process is still active.”

As this water travels through the rocks, it interacts with minerals and chemicals inside the cave, creating continuous changes in the landscape. Over hundreds of years, this process forms stalagmites that slowly rise from the ground. Many formations are centuries old and continue to grow even today. This constant transformation is why Majlis Al Jinn is described as a ‘living cave’.

The cave also supports a unique ecosystem. Various insects, ants and specially adapted creatures such as blind spiders survive in this dark environment. Explorers have also found animal remains, including bones and dried skins of goats that fell into the cave many years ago.

The massive chamber covers an area approximately 320m long and 225m wide, creating a breathtaking underground space. It has two entrances — one near the main platform with a depth of around 150m, and another narrower opening extending approximately 160m, reserved for specialised climbers.

Divine light

At around 10.05 am, the golden morning sun slipped through one of the cave’s openings and struck the floor below. In an instant, the darkness within received a brilliant pillar of light which fell exactly on a patch that circled the area. It was so bright that even the sight of fellow adventurers was washed out. I have seen it in science fiction movies. Floating within it were countless tiny particles – dust, molecules of moisture and microscopic life – dancing silently in the air. The light itself seemed almost tangible, descending from the heavens into the heart of the earth.

We often hear people speak of divine light. Standing inside Majlis Al Jinn with a cool gush of wind on my hair and an ancient silence that has prevailed for millions of years, I finally understood what it really meant to feel that light.