2-Day Desert Camping in Salalah: Ubar & Bedouin Tent

Sleep under the stars in the Empty Quarter, then wake to the frankincense forests.

This 2-day tour from Salalah takes you 170 kilometers north to Ubar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and legendary lost city of the frankincense trade, then into the Empty Quarter: Oman's most iconic desert with the world's tallest sand dunes. You overnight in a private Bedouin tent with dinner and breakfast, stargaze by campfire, and return the next morning through Wadi Dawkah, another UNESCO site home to ancient frankincense trees. Private transport, a live English-speaking guide, and all meals are included. Pickup is from your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Desert Safari and Overnight Camp

• Off-road adventure in Qara Mountains
• Visit traditional town of Thumrait
• Explore ancient city of Ubar
• Discover the Empty Quarter desert
• Watch sunset over sand dunes
• Relax in Bedouin tent and campfire
• Enjoy gourmet dinner under stars

Day 2: Sunrise and Wadi Dawkah Visit

• Wake up to desert sunrise
• Have breakfast at the camp
• Visit Wadi Dawkah frankincense forest

The experience

Ubar sits 170 kilometers north of Salalah, and the journey there is half the point. You travel through the Qara Mountains (past the dramatic peaks of Sahalnoot and Qairoon Hairiti), then into Thumrait, a traditional Omani town where you watch for black dromedary camels, the tall, single-humped breed that still marks the region's nomadic heritage. The road opens into the Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, where the sand dunes are the tallest in the world. As the sun sets, those dunes turn golden, and the sky erupts in color while the wind carries across the open expanse.

You spend the night in a private Arabic-Bedouin tent, not a hotel, not a camp with shared quarters. Dinner is gourmet and served under the open sky. You have a campfire to sit by and the desert sky for stargazing. Breakfast arrives the next morning after you wake to a desert sunrise casting light across the endless dunes. The second day takes you back to Salalah through Wadi Dawkah, a natural park 40 kilometers north of the city. The wadi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with vast stands of ancient frankincense trees. The same trees that made the incense trade lucrative in antiquity and shaped the region's history.

Private transportation means your own vehicle and driver for the full two days, not a shared minibus. An air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable during the long drives. Bottled water and snacks travel with you. The guide speaks English and is with you throughout. Pickup is from your hotel in Salalah.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide in English.
• overnight accommodation in a private Bedouin tent.
• dinner and breakfast.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the two days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:00 and 13:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Salalah Glory Tours

Is this one for you?The two days mean a full overnight in the desert, not a rushed day trip. You see both Ubar and the Empty Quarter properly, and you wake to the sunrise. The drive is long (170 kilometers each way), so this suits travelers who are comfortable with substantial time in the vehicle and want to go deep into the desert rather than skim the edge.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Ubar and why is it worth the drive?

Ubar is a legendary lost city and UNESCO World Heritage Site located 170 kilometers north of Salalah. Once a bustling hub for the ancient frankincense trade, it now offers a glimpse into Oman's rich historical past and sits at the edge of the Empty Quarter.

Do I sleep in a tent, and what is it like?

You sleep in a private Arabic-Bedouin tent, not a shared structure. It is described as luxurious. You have dinner and breakfast included, a campfire to sit by, and the desert sky for stargazing.

How long are the drives each day?

The drive from Salalah to Ubar and the Empty Quarter is roughly 170 kilometers on day one. Day two returns you through Wadi Dawkah, a shorter drive back to the city. Exact timing depends on stops and pace, but both days involve substantial time in the vehicle.

What is Wadi Dawkah?

Wadi Dawkah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural park 40 kilometers north of Salalah, home to vast stands of ancient frankincense trees. These trees were a vital commodity in the ancient incense trade and are a living record of the region's commercial history.

What meals and drinks are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included, plus bottled water and snacks throughout the two days. Dinner is served under the open sky at the desert camp.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Salalah is included. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a live English-speaking guide for the full two days.