Salalah desert tour: Frankincense trees, Ubar, sunset dunes

Archaeologists found Ubar buried under sand dunes in 1992, and you walk through its remains.

A six-hour guided tour from Salalah visits three UNESCO sites: Wadi Dawka, the largest natural frankincense forest in the region; the Lost City of Ubar, an ancient trading hub inhabited from roughly 2800 B.C. to 300 A.D. with a museum of archaeological finds; and the Empty Quarter desert, where you drive across sand dunes and watch the sunset. Pickup from your hotel is included, along with snacks. The guide speaks English and the minimum age is 14.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Frankincense and Desert Sunset

• Visit Wadi Dawka Frankincense trees
• Learn history and uses of Frankincense
• Explore The Lost City of Ubar site
• Visit Ubar archaeological museum
• Drive in Rub al Khali desert sand
• Watch sunset over desert dunes

The experience

The tour starts with Wadi Dawka, a UNESCO World Heritage site holding the region's largest collection of naturally grown frankincense trees. You learn the history of frankincense trade and how it's used today, then move on to the Lost City of Ubar, another UNESCO site in the Dhofar region. Archaeologists using remote sensing discovered Ubar's remains in 1992 after centuries buried under rising dunes. The site has a small museum displaying the archaeological discoveries from the excavation.

The second half crosses into Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter, an enormous sandy plain stretching from the mountain foothills across the Arabian Desert. This is where the driving changes: you experience the terrain's thrilling and demanding nature as the vehicle navigates the fine sand. The tour ends with a sunset over the dunes before heading back to Salalah.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Wadi Dawka and the Lost City of Ubar with its museum.
• dune driving in the Empty Quarter.
• snacks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Romanian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Dream Salalah Tour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want a guided experience that combines archaeology, natural history, and desert adventure in one afternoon. The fixed itinerary and professional guide mean you don't arrange transport between sites or navigate the dunes yourself.

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Top questions

What is Wadi Dawka and why does it matter?

Wadi Dawka is a UNESCO World Heritage site and holds the largest natural collection of frankincense trees in the region. The tour covers the history of frankincense as a trade commodity and its modern applications.

What will I see at the Lost City of Ubar?

Ubar is an ancient trading center that was inhabited from roughly 2800 B.C. to 300 A.D., then buried under sand dunes until archaeologists rediscovered it in 1992. A small museum at the site displays the archaeological finds from the excavation.

What is the Empty Quarter and what happens there?

Rub al Khali, also called the Empty Quarter, is an enormous sandy plain covering most of the Arabian Desert in this region. You drive across the dunes using thrilling driving techniques suited to the fine sand, then watch the sunset over the landscape.

Is hotel pickup included, and what language is the guide?

Yes, pickup from your hotel is included in the tour price. The guide speaks English and the tour runs for six hours total.

What should I know before booking?

The tour includes snacks. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health due to the dune driving. Minimum age is 14. Public transportation options are available nearby if needed.