from 15 reviews
8 Hours
Specific Tour
4 people
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Empty Quarter Oman is one of the most famous desert in the world. Also, it is one of the largest desert in the world. It is located after 2 hours drive on the North side from Salalah, Oman. The desert has a lot of uniqueness.
Interestingly, Empty Quarter stretches in four countries. Oman is one of them. The others are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Although most of Empty Quarter lies in Saudi Arabia, Oman has a significant portion too.
Since it is in multiple countries, dune bashing can be experienced in any one of these. However, the one in Salalah, Oman is the best.
Details of the tours is as follows:
The overnight tour will start at 1 pm and is by air conditioned 4×4 vehicle (4WD / Jeep / Land Cruiser). Firstly, the drive will be through the Qara Mountain range with its spectacular view of the Salalah city. These are Dhofar mountains that turn green during khareef season. The drive will be through these canyons and at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.
The first stop will be Wadi Dawkah, a natural park of famous Frankincense trees. It’s a is a stony, semi desert valley, where the density of frankincense trees spreads across 5 square kilometers. Wadi Dawkah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 4 components in Frankincense Land.
Wadi Dawkah is a habitat for Boswellia sacra type of Frankincense trees. Boswellia sacra is a tree in the Burseraceae family. It is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense is harvested. The Frankincense from this tree is considered the best type of frankincense.
Then, the drive will continue past the town of Thumrait, which is a small town and wilayat of the Dhofar Governorate in southern Oman. In ancient times, Thumrait was an important point on the Arabian peninsula’s caravan routes. Frankincense trees, an important crop, used to grow in greater abundance in Thumrait than now. Here, you can see town while passing by.
Further you will head towards the graded road crossing the huge gravel desert. Here, you will see Lost City of Ubar (Wubar), another UNESCO World heritage site. It is located in Al Shisr, some 170 kilometers North of Salalah. The ruins of Wubar Archaeological Site are of great importance, both from the point of view of religion and history. Entrance ticket is OMR 3 per person and not included.
As per Quran, the city’s rich but polytheists inhabitants ignored the messages of Prophet Hud who was sent to the tribe of A’ad. After repeated warning to mend their ways, God destroyed the city and all the inhabitants were killed except those who were saved by Allah – the righteous ones.
These ruins are also known as Iram, Atlantis of the Sand, and Paradise of Shaddad. The search of these ruins was done through satellite. The hunt is very interesting.
After walking around the site, you will proceed to the Empty Quarter, also know as Rub al Khali, to experience one of the biggest sand desert in the World by driving and rambling on fascinating sand dunes. The sand bashing on golden sand experience is a lifetime experience.
Finally, watch the sunset in the desert. The sunsetting behind the sand dunes is a remarkable thing and must not be missed. At the time of sunset, also you will be walking bare foot on the desert sand, which is definitely an experience worthy and unforgettable.
Have a dinner in the camp (additional amount), before starting the return journey returning to Salalah by 9pm.
The price is for 1 vehicle for you (and the price is not charged per person). Max 4 people can be in the car, if you are a family or have friends, this is an ideal price for your group. If you are 6 people, we can arrange 6 people car, at additional price.
This tour is available only from January to April and September to December each year. From May to September, the trip is not available.
At 1:00 pm, you will be picked up from your hotel in Salalah.
Firstly, the drive will be through the Qara Mountain range with its spectacular view of the Salalah city. These are Dhofar mountains that turn green during khareef season.
The first stop will be Wadi Dawkah, a natural park of famous Frankincense trees. It’s a is a stony, semi desert valley, where the density of frankincense trees spreads across 5 square kilometers. Wadi Dawkah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 4 components in Frankincense Land.
Wadi Dawkah is a habitat for Boswellia sacra type of Frankincense trees. Boswellia sacra is a tree in the Burseraceae family. It is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense is harvested. The Frankincense from this tree is considered the best type of frankincense.
Then, the drive will continue past the town of Thumrait, which is a small town and wilayat of the Dhofar Governorate in southern Oman. In ancient times, Thumrait was an important point on the Arabian peninsula's caravan routes. Frankincense trees, an important crop, used to grow in greater abundance in Thumrait than now. Here, you can see town while passing by.
Next, You will see Lost City of Ubar (Wubar), another UNESCO World heritage site. It is located in Al Shisr, some 170 kilometers North of Salalah. The ruins of Wubar Archaeological Site are of great importance, both from the point of view of religion and history.
As per Quran, the city’s rich but polytheists inhabitants ignored the messages of Prophet Hud who was sent to the tribe of A’ad. After repeated warning to mend their ways, God destroyed the city and all the inhabitants were killed except those who were saved by Allah – the righteous ones.
These ruins are also known as Iram, Atlantis of the Sand, and Paradise of Shaddad. The search of these ruins was done through satellite. The hunt is very interesting.
Next proceed to the Empty Quarter, also know as Rub al Khali, to experience one of the biggest sand desert in the World by driving and rambling on fascinating sand dunes. The sand bashing experience is a lifetime experience.
Finally, watch the sunset in the desert. The sunsetting behind the sand dunes is a remarkable thing and must not be missed. At the time of sunset, also you will be walking bare foot on the desert sand, which is definitely an experience worthy and unforgettable.
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20 reviews
Sergiy M
Beautiful Salalah - highly recommended