Overnight Desert Tour from Salalah: Empty Quarter & Ubar

Summary

2-Day Salalah Desert Adventure: Frankincense, Ubar & Dune Camping

You’ll drive deep into Oman’s Empty Quarter, visit ancient frankincense groves, explore legendary Ubar, ride rolling dunes at sunset, share stories by the campfire, and sleep under a sky so clear you’ll lose count of the stars. It’s a real taste of Omani desert life—simple moments you won’t forget.

What’s the experience like?

Salalah’s early morning air always feels a bit cooler than you’d expect, even in summer. Our guide, Khalid, rolled up right on time in a white 4x4—windows already dusted from the previous day’s drive. We left the city behind and watched the green fade to gold as we passed herds of camels just ambling along the roadside, barely glancing at us. First stop was Wadi Dawkah. The frankincense trees there don’t look like much at first—kind of scraggly and twisted—but when Khalid broke off a bit of resin and let us smell it, the scent was sharp and earthy, almost lemony. He explained how this spot’s been a UNESCO site for years, and how frankincense from here still gets shipped all over the world.

We took a break in Thumrait, which honestly felt like a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of town, but the qahwah (Omani coffee) was strong and the dates were sticky-sweet. There’s a little café near the main road where locals gather—felt like everyone knew each other. Khalid told us about the old Frankincense Route, and you could almost picture the caravans passing through. Then we headed for Shisr, which he called “the Atlantis of the Sands.” The ruins aren’t huge, but standing there with the wind whipping up little sand devils, it’s easy to see why legends grew around this place. He told us stories about Ubar—how explorers searched for it for decades, and how even the Queen of Sheba supposedly came here for frankincense. I snapped a photo of a faded sign with Arabic script and English translation—one of those details you only notice when you’re actually there.

By late afternoon, we hit the edge of the Empty Quarter. The sand goes on forever—no roads, just tire tracks and the occasional beetle scuttling by. Khalid let some air out of the tires, then we bounced over dunes that looked like waves frozen in time. I tried climbing one barefoot; the sand was warm but not burning, and you sink in with every step. Sunset crept up fast—the sky turned a weird shade between orange and purple. Khalid took photos for us (he’s got a knack for catching those candid moments). Dinner was simple: grilled chicken and lamb on skewers, smoky from the fire. Someone passed around shisha, and honestly, I’m not usually into it, but out there under a sky packed with stars, it just felt right. I dragged my camp bed outside instead of sleeping in the tent. The silence is unreal—just a faint breeze and maybe a distant fox yipping.

Morning comes early in the desert. The sun kind of sneaks up on you—one minute it’s dark, next thing you know everything’s glowing gold. Khalid handed out strong coffee (he called it “Omani rocket fuel”) and flatbread with honey. We packed up slowly, still brushing sand off our shoes. Back in Salalah by late morning, I felt like I’d been gone a week instead of just a night. If you’re thinking about booking the Salalah Night Tour after this—honestly, you’ll want a nap first.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert Adventure and Sunset

• Visit Wadi Dawkah frankincense garden
• Enjoy Arabic coffee in Thumrait
• Explore legendary city of Ubar at Shisr
• Drive and ride sand dunes, watch sunset, Omani barbecue and stargazing

Day 2 — Sunrise and Return to Salalah

• Sunrise breakfast with coffee, return to Salalah hotel

Top questions

Is this overnight desert tour suitable for families?

Yes, families are welcome! Just keep in mind infants need to sit on an adult’s lap during drives. The experience is relaxed and safe for most ages.

What should I pack for the overnight stay?

Bring comfy clothes for hot days and cooler nights—a light jacket helps after sunset. Sandals or trainers work best for walking on dunes. Don’t forget your camera!

Can I request vegetarian food or skip shisha?

Absolutely. Let us know your preferences when booking—we’re happy to adjust meals or skip shisha if you’d rather not try it.

What’s included

Your tour covers private transport in an air-conditioned 4x4, bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, dune rides, dinner (Omani barbecue), breakfast with coffee, shisha (if you want), plus tents and camp beds for sleeping under the stars. All you need is your sense of adventure!