Oman Tour: To The Empty Quarter & Dhofar

Oman Tour: Expedition To The Empty Quarter & Dhofar

This Oman tour will take us along Oman’s wild side. From the traditional meets modernist capital of Muscat we’ll delve into the lush Dhofar region along the ancient Frankincense trail and on to trek deep into the extremely remote and seldomly visited Empty Quarter to experience the vast emptiness of the near-endless dunes.

Oman Tour Highlights

Expedition off-road and into the abyss of the empty quarter for a 3-day off-road adventure into one of the most remote corners of Arabia
Explore the lush and green mountains of Oman’s Dhofar region
Meander down Oman’s wild and untouched beaches and rugged coastline
Experience the local Bedouin culture and famed hospitality

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Empty Quarter & Dhofar Oman Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Muscat

Today the group will meet in Oman’s capital Muscat. Tonight we will have a group dinner and orientation meeting at our local guide Basim’s home.

Overnight: hotel in Muscat

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Dates

25 November – 6 December, 2019

Duration

12 Days/11 Nights

Start

Muscat, Oman

Finish

Salalah, Oman

Maximum Group Size

Cost

$3,190 USD

Deposit

30% Due at time of sign up

Included In The Costs

Professional English-speaking local guiding team
All camping and hotels (shared)
3 meals per day (except arrival and departure days)
Private and secure transportation during the trip
4WD SUVs and drivers
Professional expedition leader and guiding team
All entrance fees

Excluded Costs

International airfare to Muscat & from Salalah
Visas Fees
Travel insurance
Personal spending
Tips for local staff

Expectations

Accommodations: Majority of nights are spent wild camping on beaches and in the desert. While in Muscat and Salalah, we stay at local hotels, sharing two people to a room. Home-cooked breakfasts and dinners are prepped and cooked by our local team, and we eat at local restaurants when in towns.

Our Local Team: Basim, our local guide and our drivers accompany us during the duration of the trip. These guys will be showcasing to us the best of what Oman has to offer.

What Kind Of Trip Is This?: This is a cultural and topographical expedition– opportunities for meaningful connection with others are plentiful.

Activities: Be prepared for wild camping, swimming, light hiking, beach stays, wandering wadis, ancient towns, and meeting locals. Expect bonding and vulnerability sessions within the group. This program focuses a lot on self-growth through exploration. Everyone must be able to carry their own daypacks, but we will be able to bring luggage with us in vehicles.

Day 2: Muscat To Fins Beach

In the morning we’ll load up in our 4WDs and drive down the Omani Coast. First, we’ll head to Wadi al Arbiyeen to trek to a waterfall and pool in the mountains.

Continuing down the coast we’ll go on to the impossibly turquoise Bimmah Sinkhole before trekking into Wadi Shab. At Wadi Shab we’ll trek along the canyon to eventually arrive at a crystal clear swimming pool. From here we can swim to a secret waterfall.

In the late afternoon we’ll arrive at Fins Beach and set up camp. Keep and eye out for bioluminescent plankton glimmering on the shore.

Overnight: camping at Fins Beach

Day 3: Fins Beach To Wahiba Sand Dunes

Today we continue south, first stopping off at the fishing town of Sur before meeting Bedouin families and continuing on to the Wahiba Sands. We’ll rally through dunes to eventually arrive at camp for the night where we’ll enjoy the sunset from the top of a sand dune. Don’t forget to look up tonight for epic stargazing possibilities.

Overnight: camping at Wahiba Sands

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Day 4: Wahiba Sand Dunes & Sugar Dunes

We’ll load up and cross the Wahiba Sands to the remote village of al Khaluf on Oman’s coast. From al Khaluf this is the start of the Sugar Dunes, named so because of the sugary-white color of the sand dunes that seemingly drop off into the Carib-blue sea. We will set up camp along the beach backed by the dunes here.

Overnight: camping at Sugar Dunes Beach

Day 5: Sugar Dunes & Al-Shuwaymiyah Canyon

Continuing south towards Dhofar we first head to al Jazer, an area home to unusual bright pink lakes. From there we visit Shalim where the flat and rocky desert rises into the lush mountains of Dhofar. In the afternoon we’ll reach al Shuwaymiyah Canyon among Frankincense Trees and camels.

Overnight: camping in al Shuwaymiyah Canyon

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Days 6-7: Al-Shuwaymiyah, Salalah & Dhofar

Over the next couple days, we’ll delve into Oman’s Dhofar region. Get a taste of the ancient Frankincense trail as we explore the mud castles of Sadah, Mirbat, and Taqah, explore the beautiful white sand and cerulean blue waters of al Mughsail and al Fazayah, and experience village life in the green mountains of the Khareef.

Overnight: hotel in Salalah

Days 8-11: Expedition To The Empty Quarter

Over the next three days, we go out on a true expedition to one of the world’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes. The Rub al Khali, better known as the Empty Quarter is what feels like the true definition of uninhabitable and inhospitable. This endless ocean of dunes runs the expanses of the Arabia borderlands in Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

This desert is seldomly visited, owing to scorching summertime temperatures and an almost complete lack of vegetation. Ancient camel caravans used to traverse the Rub al Khali as part of the Frankincense trade but thanks to desertification traders had to alter their route away from here by 300 AD. We’ll explore the dunes and try to get an understanding of the vastness, emptiness, and silence in this rarely visited area.

Overnight: camping in the Empty Quarter night 1 & 2, camping on a beach night 3