The most loved tour company in Oman The most loved tour company in Oman
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    • Desert Adventure
      • Overnight in a Bedouin camp in the Empty Quarter Desert
      • Sunset Desert Safari Salalah Empty Quarter with Ubar – Private
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      • East Salalah Mountain Safari (Wadi Darbat) - Half Day Private Tour
      • Wadi Darbat Mountain Safari Full Day Group Tour – East Salalah
      • East Salalah Mountain Safari: Wadi Darbat Waterfall Private Tour
      • East & West Salalah Combination Tour – Wadi Darbat, Mughsail Beach
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      • Fazayah Beach West Salalah Half Day Group Tour
      • West Salalah Fazayah Beach Excursion Half Day Tour (Private Tour)
      • West Salalah Tour with Fazayah Beach (Full Day Group Tour)
      • Fazayah Beach West Salalah Caribbean of the Orient Full Day Private Tour
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      • UNESCO World Heritage sites – Land of Frankincense – Salalah Oman
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      • Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
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      • Sunset Private Cruise
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      • Camel Riding on Salalah Beach
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      • Overnight in a Bedouin camp in the Empty Quarter Desert | Rub Al Khali | 2 Days
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      • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque & Nizwa Group Tour
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      • Wahiba Sands Sunset Desert Safari Group Tour
    • Muscat City Tour
    • Oman Coastal Highway Tour from Muscat – Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole
    • Wahiba Sand And Wadi Bani Khalid Full Day Tour
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    • 10 Days round package around Muscat,Oman
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Category: Mountain Safari

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Empty Quarter Salalah Oman – Sunset Desert Safari & Night Stay in Bedouin Tents
  • Camping
  • 22 May 2025

Empty Quarter Salalah Oman – Sunset Desert Safari & Night Stay in Bedouin Tents

The Empty Quarter in Oman, also known as the Rub’ al Khali Desert, is one of the largest and most famous deserts in the world. Located around 200 kilometers north of Salalah in the Dhofar Governorate, this vast land of golden sand dunes attracts travelers who seek raw desert beauty and true adventure in the […]

Wadi Darbat - Jebel Safari / Mountain Safari Salalah in East Side
  • Beach Excursion
  • 12 Jun 2020

East Salalah Tour – Full Day Mountain Safari

This East Salalah Full Day Tour will take you to a magical journey to the Eastern side of Salalah, where one of best landscape of the Middle East awaits you. This tour is called Jebel Safari or Mountain Safari as most of the journey is on the popular mountain series – The Dhofar Mountains, which […]

Empty Quarter Salalah Oman Desert Safari & Night Stay in Bedouin Tents
  • Camping
  • 29 May 2020

Empty Quarter Salalah Oman Desert Safari & Night Stay in Bedouin Tents

Empty Quarter Oman (Rub al Khali Desert) is one of the largest and most famous deserts in the world. Located about 200 kilometers north of Salalah, Oman, in the Dhofar Governorate, this vast sea of sand dunes is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Southern Oman tourism. Without a doubt, no trip to the region […]

The Canal in Wadi Darbat
  • Beach Excursion
  • 07 Oct 2019

East Salalah Tour – Half Day – Private Guided Tour

This Half Day Tour will take you to a magical journey to the Eastern side of Salalah, where one of best landscape of the Middle East awaits you. The tour includes trip to Archaeological site, seasonal waterfalls, Dhofar Mountains, valley, castle and Beach. So much diversity in landscape and nature within 4 hours. This is […]

The Empty Quarter in Oman, also known as the Rub’ al Khali Desert, is one of the largest and most famous deserts in the world. Located around 200 kilometers north of Salalah in the Dhofar Governorate, this vast land of golden sand dunes attracts travelers who seek raw desert beauty and true adventure in the Arabian Peninsula.

Among the many deserts of the region, the Rub’ al Khali stands out for its immense size, silence, and untouched nature. Although no towns or cities exist here, the desert’s isolation makes it one of the top attractions in Oman for adventure travelers. Visitors experience endless horizons, rolling dunes, and star-filled night skies that feel almost unreal.

With its surreal landscape, shifting dunes, and dramatic sunsets, the Empty Quarter is a true bucket-list destination. In this guide, you’ll learn how to reach the desert, the best time to visit, top attractions, tour options, and travel tips to plan an unforgettable desert adventure in Oman.

Empty Quarter Is Huge

Known in Arabic as Rub Al Khali, the Empty Quarter is a massive sea of sand and gravel. It covers more than 500,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest sand deserts on Earth. The desert stretches nearly 1,000 kilometers in length and about 500 kilometers in width.

Interestingly, the Empty Quarter spans across four countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Although most of the desert lies in Saudi Arabia, Oman also holds a significant and scenic portion of this vast landscape.

Empty Quarter Oman Distribution Among Governorates

In Oman, the Empty Quarter extends across three governorates (Mahafizah in Arabic). First, it lies on the northern side of the Dhofar Governorate, beyond the Dhofar Mountains.

Similarly, the desert stretches north of Al Wusta Governorate, which lies in central Oman. Finally, a smaller portion of the Empty Quarter also reaches into the Ad-Dhahirah Governorate.

Why Empty Quarter Oman Is the Best

Since the Empty Quarter spans multiple countries, visitors can experience dune bashing in several locations. However, the section near Salalah, Oman offers the best overall experience due to easy access, stunning scenery, and nearby attractions.

Because Salalah is already a popular tourist destination, planning a trip to the Empty Quarter from here is simple. Additionally, travelers can visit attractions along the way such as Wadi Dawkah and the legendary Lost City of Ubar.

Guided Tour to Rub Al Khali Oman

The best way to explore the Empty Quarter is with an experienced local operator like Beautiful Salalah Tours. According to TripAdvisor reviews, it is one of the most trusted tour operators in Salalah.

The company arranges tours with licensed Omani guides who know the desert terrain extremely well. Since desert travel requires skill and experience, having a professional driver ensures both safety and enjoyment.

Beautiful Salalah Tours holds a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and has been operating in Salalah since 2018. You can read verified reviews on TripAdvisor before booking.

There are two tour options available:

  • Sunset Desert Safari – 8-hour tour
  • Overnight stay in the Empty Quarter – 2 days and 1 night

1. Sunset Desert Safari Tour to Empty Quarter Oman

The Sunset Desert Safari is one of the most popular tours in the Empty Quarter. Located about 2 hours north of Salalah, this desert offers a unique blend of adventure, landscapes, and unforgettable sunsets.

Afternoon Pick-Up

The tour begins at 1:00 PM in an air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle. The journey starts through the Qara Mountain range, part of the Dhofar Mountains, which turn lush green during the Khareef season. The drive reaches elevations of around 800 meters above sea level, offering scenic views of Salalah.

Visit to Wadi Dawkah – Frankincense Park

Your first stop is Wadi Dawkah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its dense concentration of Boswellia sacra frankincense trees. This semi-desert valley covers around 5 square kilometers and played a major role in the ancient frankincense trade.

Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Park Salalah
Wadi Dawkah – Frankincense Park in Salalah

Drive Through Thumrait

The journey continues through Thumrait, a historic town that once served as a key stop on ancient caravan routes. Today, it offers a glimpse into the region’s past as you pass through.

Visit to the Lost City of Ubar

You will then visit the legendary Lost City of Ubar (Wubar), another UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Al Shisr. The site is deeply rooted in history, religion, and ancient trade routes.

Lost City of Ubar Oman
Wubar Archaeological Site in Oman

Sand Bashing & Sunset

Next comes the highlight of the tour — sand bashing in the Empty Quarter. Driving across towering dunes followed by a breathtaking desert sunset creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sunset in Empty Quarter Oman
Sunset in Oman’s Empty Quarter

The tour concludes with dinner on the return journey, arriving back in Salalah by around 9:00 PM.

Book This Tour

2. Overnight Stay in Empty Quarter in Bedouin Tent

The overnight desert tour is the ultimate Empty Quarter experience. It lasts 2 days and 1 night and includes sunset views, stargazing, and sleeping in a traditional Bedouin tent.

Day 1: Desert drive, Wadi Dawkah, Lost City of Ubar, sand bashing, sunset, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2: Sunrise, breakfast, final desert views, and return to Salalah by late morning.

Bedouin Tent Empty Quarter Oman
Bedouin Tent Night Stay in Empty Quarter Oman

This tour is available only from January to April and September to December.

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Greetings from Beautiful Salalah Tours.

I am Tahir and I am here to make your vacations in Oman memorable. How can I help you?

This chat will connect via whatsapp (+96891353647). Alternately, you can drop us email at info@beautifulsalalah.com
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