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Sands & Scents of the Empty Quarter: A Frankincense Odyssey
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 8h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
- Selective hotel pickup
- Multiple languages
Overview
- Thrill on a 4x4 adventure across the Rub’ al Khali, the world’s largest desert
- Explore a Bedouin camel farm and taste fresh camel milk with rare black camels
- Walk among wild frankincense trees at a UNESCO site and learn ancient harvesting
- Watch a magical desert sunset from a quiet dune far from all crowds and noise
- End at Haffa Souq, smelling incense, browsing perfumes and shopping like a local
Activity location
- Salalah
- Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Salalah
- Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman
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What's included, what's not
Inclusions Hotel pickup and drop-off in SalalahInclusions Experienced, licensed local multilingual guideInclusions Genuine Omani hospitality throughout the tourInclusions Transport in a 4x4 vehicleInclusions Visit a family run camel farm with fresh camel milk tastingInclusions Visit to Wadi Dawkah UNESCO Frankincense SiteInclusions Visit to the Lost City of Ubar UNESCO Archaeological Site, exterior view onlyInclusions Dune bashing adventureInclusions Sunset viewing in the dunesInclusions Camel meat tasting in ThumraitInclusions Shopping experience at Haffa SouqExclusions Personal expensesExclusions Tips/Service charge for the guide are welcomed, but not included in mention priceExclusions The entrance fee to the UNESCO-listed Lost City of Ubar is 3 OMR per person; however, if you prefer not to pay, you can still view the archaeological site from outside the fence free of charge
Know before you book
- Not allowed: Alcohol and drugs, Nudity
- Not suitable for: People over 95 years, Pregnant women
What you can expect
Travel in a comfortable Land Cruiser and enjoy the journey with private treats. Your journey begins at 13:30 with a hotel pickup by your certified local guide, ensuring a safe and enriching experience throughout the day.
Begin with a visit to a family-run camel milk farm, where you’ll taste fresh camel milk and learn about traditional desert life from the people who live it every day. This is not a typical tourist farm, but a working local operation focused on camel milk production, home to many young camel calves and the chance to spot extremely rare black camels—an intimate and genuine encounter with Oman’s Bedouin heritage.
Your journey then follows the legendary Frankincense Trail to Wadi Dawkah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural reserve of wild frankincense trees. Walk among the ancient Boswellia sacra and learn how this precious resin has been harvested by hand for millennia. Your guide will explain the history, cultural significance, and traditional uses of frankincense—laying the foundation for what you’ll encounter later in the souq.
Take a break in the historic desert town of Thumrait, once a vital stop on the incense trail. Relax with a cup of strong Omani coffee and dates. From here, travel towards the fabled Lost City of Ubar, also known as the “Atlantis of the Sands.” Stop at a viewpoint outside the archaeological site, where your guide explains Ubar’s role as a major caravan hub on the ancient incense route and the legends surrounding its rise and fall.
Now the real adventure begins. Buckle up in a fully equipped 4x4 as your licensed off-road driver, trained in advanced desert navigation, takes you off the beaten track and into the heart of the Rub’ al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter—the largest sand desert on Earth. Feel your adrenaline spike as you dune bash across colossal golden dunes.
As the sky begins to glow in shades of amber and rose, your guide will lead you to a quiet, panoramic viewpoint in the dunes. Kick off your shoes and walk barefoot across the cool, soft sand. No crowds, no noise—just pure desert peace.
On the return journey, stop in the historic desert town of Thumrait, once a vital hub along the ancient incense route. Here, enjoy a tasting of traditional grilled camel meat known locally as MISKAK—a beloved speciality of the region. The meat is skewered and grilled over open flames, prized for its rich, slightly sweet flavour and tender texture.
On the return journey to Salalah, conclude your experience at Haffa Souq, the city’s oldest and most atmospheric market. Now enriched with deeper knowledge of frankincense, wander through winding alleys scented with burning resin, oud, and myrrh. Browse high-quality frankincense, traditional perfumes, and handmade souvenirs. This visit to Haffa Souq is optional.
Location
Activity location
LOB_ACTIVITIES LOB_ACTIVITIES - Salalah
- Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman
Meeting/Redemption Point
PEOPLE PEOPLE - Salalah
- Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman