A tour to the Empty Quarter and Lost City of Ubar with one overnight in the desert
It is an absolute must for everyone who is visiting Dhofar, that you visit Ar Rub Al Khali (The Empty Quarter), Dhofars most remarkable and popular site with its untouched and magical sand dunes. We recommend it highly and you will take an unforgettable memory to share with your family and friends back home.
Start the tour from your hotel in the afternoon. After having a small break in Thumrait town, which was famous as a Bedouin settlement, proceed west on graded road crossing the huge gravel desert of ‘Al Nejd’.
Arriving the sand desert in Al Khadaf, where the sand dunes emerge picturesque and spectacular, our experienced driver will drive up the hills in the most thrilling and exciting manner to show you an example of driving with force in the sand popularly known as Dune Bashing. In Rub Al Khali, enjoy the exciting and thrilling driving tactics in the fine sand of Arabian Desert.
Enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sand dunes before you reach our camp site. Arabian Coffee and traditional dates are also served on arrival at the camp. Later you will be served a delicious Arabic style dinner and Shisha (the Arabic water pipe).
After the breakfast, served at the camp on the next day, proceed to the ‘Lost City of Ubar’ (UNESCO World heritage site). This legendary ancient kingdom, known as Ubar, was said to have existed in one of the most inhospitable places on earth – a vast and forbidding Rub Al Khali desert, appropriately known as the Empty Quarter. According to myth, the desert swallowed up Ubar. Quite literally, it sank without trace -becoming the fabled “Atlantis of the Sands.” This once buried city, which was spotted by satellite, gives you a glimpse of the value of work carried out by a team of explorers in 1992, led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Drive into Wadi ‘Dawka’ (UNESCO World heritage site), known as the ‘Frankincense Wadi’, which is also well-known as the biggest collection of the naturally grown Frankincense trees in the region. Experience the Frankincense and its use in the past as well as in the modern World.
Return to Salalah before noon.
Tour Code: SEO11
Minimum participants: 01
Tour starts: 13:30 daily
Duration: 2 days (1 night)
Availability: January – April, September – December
Guided Tour? Yes
Languages: English. (German, French, Italian on request for private tours)
Vehicle type: 4×4 Jeep
Sun screen Steady shoes Hat
This tour involves walking over rough and inclined ground No Entry Fees required at the places of visits Maximum number of Passengers in a vehicle should be 4, due to the safety regulations Guests should wear comfortable cloths and avoid jewelry or expensive watch and cell phones as there is no signal at the camp/ desert This tour is not suitable for those with injuries or conditions, which may be affected by the bumpy ride. Pregnant women and children under 6 may not participate Dune bashing during this tour is an adventures activity. Guest may participate this event at their own risk.
Tours start day 1 at 1:30 pm and finish the next day around 10:30 am. Camp is equipped with simple tents with solid beds and bed linen, running water and electricity Toilets, bathroom facilities on sharing basis
Comfortable clothes. Please ensure you dress respectfully.
We can help select your international and domestic flights
Extensions / Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged with supplementary charges
We pick you up for daily excursions from Salalah and Taqa hotels. Pick up from other areas is at additional cost