Join our Tribe in 2025

GROUP OF 4 TRAVELLERS = €3800 PP

GROUP OF 5 TRAVELLERS = €3200 PP

GROUP OF 6 TRAVELLERS = €2800 PP

GROUP OF 7 TRAVELLERS = €2500 PP 

GROUP OF 8 TRAVEELERS = €2250 PP

* Rates do not include flights or hotels 

The following stops will be covered: Muscat – Shannah – Al Hawiyah – Wahiba Sands – Umm Adailan – Hamara Ad Duru – Fahud – Wadi Aswad – Umm Al Samim – Qurun Al Fiddah – As Sahma – Ramlat Muqshin – Qitbit – Marsawdad – Ramlat Masah - Ramlat Al Hishman – Wadi Atyah – Shisr – Thumrayt – Wadi Dawkah – Salalah.

Follow the footsteps of pioneer desert explorers with our twelve-day expedition across Oman’s Empty Quarter, an arid desert that takes up the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula and has long fascinated explorers and scientists. This trip is not for the weak-hearted; it’s for the intrepid explorer, seeking an off-road experience in one of the most rarely visited parts of the world. For eleven nights, you’ll camp in the desert under the quiet, open skies, follow Bedouin routes off the beaten track, navigate sands and observe rare desert wildlife. This unique pioneer itinerary will begin in Muscat and end in Salalah.

Requirements: The Empty Quarter’s heat levels remain a challenge to any traveler, which is why we plan our trips only in January and February. We urge you to follow every precaution for travelling in this hot desert, no matter your level of experience in desert travel. As this trip involves extensive time spent in the desert, including eleven nights’ camping, you’ll need to adjust to life without standard toilet facilities. 

Please note that the trip begins in Muscat and ends in Salalah; we recommend that you book your flight arrival and departure destinations accordingly. However, if your departure is from Muscat, we will accommodate your needs by driving you back to Muscat.

We recommend you bring hiking/trekking shoes, trekking poles and clothing suitable for hot weather. Please note that our meals in the desert follow Bedouin recipes and limited resources, so we may not be able to accommodate dietary requirements or substitutes for food intolerances. 

That being said, we promise you that the reward will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you’ll enjoy undisturbed nature at its finest! Once you adapt to the rhythm of desert camping, you’ll become enthralled with the desert’s charming solitude and learn much about the history and culture of Oman around the campfire.  

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Heading out from Muscat to Shanah in the southeast, we’ll begin our expedition with visiting an important prehistoric rock art site, where you will note the engravings of the ibex and the horse riders, which are repeated throughout Arabia, especially around the Empty Quarter in Oman and Saudi Arabia. These sites could provide scientists links on the history of domestication of such horse breeds in the peninsula. Our survey and ability to reach these remote sites has enabled our team to be pioneers in such sightings and observations. We will continue to the desert of Wahiba Sands, which Wilfred Thesiger first crossed in 1949 as the first European. We’ll set up camp in the northern dunes, which reach about 200m in height. B/L/D included.

DAY 2: We’ll follow a local track connecting north to south along linear dunes. At a suitable latitude, we’ll start crossing towards the west to reach a beautiful area of barchan dunes, where we will set up camp. Nearly all dune formations are found here; more than 20 variants. Also, it’s worth noting that the camels of the Wahiba are famous throughout the peninsula as the fastest racing camels in the whole gulf area. B/L/D included.

DAY 3: Back on the highway, we’ll drive towards Hamra Ad Duru, camping there. On a previous expedition in 2023, we were kindly invited by an Omani family to breakfast, so we expect that it could happen again. As hospitality is the custom of the desert people, we can’t refuse their invitation! B/L/D included.

DAY 4: We’ll continue to Fahud, where oil was first discovered in Oman and where we will fuel the cars for the next 600 km desert crossing towards Muqshin, then we’ll continue to Wadi Aswad to camp among small, beautiful dunes. B/L/D included.

DAY 5: We will pass through Um Al Samim, a quicksand area that intrigued Thesiger for its formidable reputation among the Bedouins. As drainage water from the Hajar mountains used to collect there, salt swamps- also known as quicksand - were formed there. Today, there is a dam in the mountains preventing this from recurring. However, if the area is wet due to rainfall, we’ll either wait or reroute our trip.  After crossing Umm Al Samim, we’ll enter the area of magnificent dunes, where we’ll camp overnight near a recently discovered landmark. B/L/D included. 

DAY 6: In the eastern and southeastern areas of the Empty Quarter, the principal source of sands was outwash from the major valleys (wadis) of Dhofar and Hajar Mountains. Hard quartz forms the majority of the grains, and their surface oxidization has given them a distinctive orange colour. During a previous satellite images survey, we located a majestic star dune, which we explored several times. This is where we will camp for the night. B/L/D included.

DAY 7: We’ll head south towards As Sahma Sands, navigating through some stunningly white, baby dunes. We’ll camp overnight in the white dunes close to the main road. B/L/D included.

DAY 8: We’ll head on the main road towards a fuel station to refresh our fuel and water supplies, then we’ll head towards Muqshin Wadi, which British explorer Bertram Thomas described as ‘the prince of wadis in all Southeast Arabia. For nowhere have I met its like […]’ in his book, Arabia Felix (1932). We’ll camp in the wadi overnight. B/L/D included.

DAY 9: We’ll continue towards the mega dunes country, where we camp in a spectacular location, enjoying long walks and dune-climbing. B/L/D included.

DAY 10 & 11: We’ll explore the area and try to cross the dunes to find a new route away from the graded track. B/L/D included.

DAY 12: We’ll arrive in Salalah and drive you to your hotel.

 To arrange for this trip, we require a minimum group of eight people.

The following stops will be covered: Muscat tour – Sayq plateau – the village walk – Nizwa – Falaj Daris – Jabal Shams –The Balcony Walk – Hasat Bin Salut – Bahla – Jabrin – Salut – Fahud – Wadi Aswad – Um al Samim – Qurun Al Fiddah – Ramlat Al Sahmah – Ramlat Muqshin – Muqshin – Ramlat Ajmah – Ramlat Yibla – Ramlat Fasad – Al Hashman – Shisr – Park Of Wadi Dawakah – Salalah – Al Balid Archeological Park – Wadi Derbat – Mirbat – Wadi Shuwaymiyah –Ras Madrakah – Al Wusta Wild Life Reserve – Al Khaluf – Wahiba Sands – Ghuwayfat Al Habb – Wadi Bani Khaled – Ras Al Jinz – Sur – Muscat 

Explore the many faces of wonderful Oman, from green mountains to quick sands and ancient towns, from prehistoric rock carvings to luscious oasis pools. You’ll be blown away by how much this diverse and expansive country has to offer. Join us as we visit traditional souqs and prehistoric rock art, explore the history of frankincense trade and observe once-extinct wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Requirements: Please note that this trip involves extensive time spent in the desert, including 23 nights’ camping, so you’ll need to adjust to life without standard toilet facilities. To navigate the desert, you must understand the precautions of travelling in a hot climate and staying safe and responsible in a desert environment. We recommend you bring hiking/trekking shoes, trekking poles and swimsuits for the oasis pool. Please note that our meals in the desert follow Bedouin recipes from limited resources, so we may not be able to accommodate dietary requirements or substitutes for food intolerances. 

DAY 1: Arrival in Muscat Airport and transfer to hotel. Transfer and hotel included.

DAY 2: Muscat City tour: We'll visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at 8am, followed by the National Museum. Then we'll explore Mutrah Souq and have lunch there, after which we'll walk around the area and head back to the hotel. Lunch, museum fees and hotel are included. Please note that the grand mosque reuires a modest dress code for entry. Headscarves and abayas can be purchased at the mosque.

DAY 3(165 KM): We'll start by heading to the Hajar Mountains, which sit like a crown on the top of Oman's landscape, then to  Birkat Al Mawz then up to Sayq Plateau, stopping at Diana point. There we will start the village walk; a relatively easy 4KM hike where you will enjoy the scenery of mountain villages and experience local Omani life. Camp at 2000m altitude. B/L/D included. 

DAY 4 (120 KM): We'll break camp around 7AM and descend to the animal market of Nizwa, an ancient town that was once the capital of Oman, then to its fort, which closes at 11AM on Fridays. Afterwards, we'll travel to Falaj Daris to visit the falaj water system, the main source of life in the mountains. Then we will head towards Jabal Shams, where we will camp around 2500m altitude. Breakfast/lunch/dinner (B/L/D) included. 

DAY 5 (35KM): We'll begin with the balcony walk: this easy-going trek offers an excellent vantage point from a balcony-style ledge looking down upon the incredible canyon (a pair of trekking poles is recommended for this trek). Then we’ll descend the mountain by car, after which we’ll lunch at a Yemeni restaurant, then move on to camp at Hasat Bin Salut Rock: an impressive prehistoric rock carving considered to be Southern Arabia's largest and most important rock art monument. B/L/D included.

DAY 6 (50KM): We’ll visit Bahla Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site and Jabrin Castle, then continue to the iron-age archeological site of Salut, which dates back to 1300-600 BC. We’ll camp in the area. B/L/D included. 

DAY 7 (220KM): We’ll begin our expedition into the Empty Quarter, where we’ll follow the roads and tracks made by oil companies through the area of Fahud, where oil was first discovered and was the reason for the war between the tribal leaders of the mountains and the Sultan of Muscat. The discovery of oil was also the main reason for the need to unify Oman with the help of Great Britain, upon which the oil exploration process began. Camp in dunes. B/L/D included. 

DAY 8 (150KM): We’ll enter the huge dunes country, where mountains of sands extend all the way across the Saudi border to the Yemeni borders. We will pass through Um al Samim, an area feared by Thesiger, because drainage water from the Hajar mountains used to collect there, forming salt swamps known as quicksand. Today, there is a dam in the mountains preventing this from recurring. We will camp near a star dune. B/L/D included. 

DAY 9 (160KM): We’ll continue south to Al Sahma, where some white small dunes appear. During our morning and afternoon walks, we’ll be looking for stone tools, arrow heads and any traces of stone-age life. This is an opportunity to photograph and experience a rarely visited part of the world. Camp in dunes. B/L/D included. 

DAY 10 (200KM): We’ll drive towards Muqshin, where we will refuel our cars and refresh our water and food supplies. Then we’ll head back to the dunes for the Southern part of the Empty Quarter. Camp in dunes. B/L/D included. 

Day 11 (230KM): We’ll continue towards Ramlet Al Heshman, a renowned grazing area for a breed of camel said to be one of the best in the world. Camp in dunes. B/L/D Included. 

DAY 12 (130KM): We’ll head towards Shisr, a UNESCO world heritage site of the lost city of Ubar. We’ll camp in dunes around 15km before Shisr. B/L/D included. 

DAY 13 (170KM): We’ll visit the museum in Shisr, then continue to the land of frankincense at Wadi Dawkah, where we’ll note the source of prosperity of ancient Oman. Then we’ll continue to Salalah, stopping for lunch at a restaurant, followed by checking into a hotel for two nights. Hotel is included. B/L/D included. 

DAY 14: We’ll visit al Balid Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land, which has an impressive display of Oman’s maritime history. We’ll buy fresh fish from the market and have it grilled in Wadi Derbat. Overnight in the hotel. B/L included.

DAY 15 (210KM): Our cars will travel along Oman’s East Coast with its white, sandy beaches towards the plain below Jabal Samhan and its remarkable limestone cliffs. We’ll stop at Mirbat, one of the ports known for exporting frankincense. We’ll camp on the beach. Please bring swimming suits and a snorkeling kit. B/L/D included. 

DAY 16 (220KM): We’ll continue our long journey along the East Coast, stopping at Wadi Al Shuwaymiyah, then on towards Ras Madrakah, where we will camp on the beach. B/L/D included. 

DAY 17 (170KM): We’ll arrive at Ras Madrakah, camp there and have a snorkeling excursion around the site. B/L/D included. 

DAY 18 (170KM): We’ll head to the Al Wusta Wildlife reserve, where the almost extinct Arabian Oryx was successfully reintroduced into the wild. We’ll camp outside the wildlife reserve. Entrance fees and B/L/D included. 

DAY 19 (180KM): After visiting the wildlife sanctuary in the morning, we’ll head to Al Khaluf, an area of beautiful white dunes. Camp in dunes. B/L/D included. 

DAY 20 (175KM): Our cars will head towards Wahiba Sand, entering from the West and navigating the dunes towards Ghuwayfat Al Habb. We’ll set up camp in Wahiba Dunes. B/L/D included.

DAY 21 (100KM): Our convoy will continue on a rarely used track, travelling north to avoid the campsites of Wahiba. We will camp a short distance before the road to Bani Khaled. B/L/D included. 

DAY 22 (230KM): We’ll start our expedition through the Eastern Hajar mountain to Wadi Bani Khaled. We plan to visit in the morning to avoid crowds on day trips from Muscat, then we’ll move towards Ras Al Jinz, where we’ll camp in the nearby mountains. B/L/D included. 

DAY 23 (215KM): We’ll visit a turtle reserve in the early morning before sunrise. While it’s not the nesting season (around June), at least one turtle will be spotted, as well as the beautiful sunrise. We will continue to Sur, stopping there, and then back to Muscat. Entrance fees, B/L and hotel included. 

DAY 24: Checkout and return to Muscat international Airport. Transfer included.