Salalah & The Empty Quarter (8 days)
If you’re looking for a relaxing, yet exciting break to somewhere that can be considered ‘off-the-beaten track’, then this is an excellent little itinerary. It includes time spent at a luxurious beach resort in Salalah and an overnight in a tented desert camp in the famous Empty Quarter desert – just two accommodations, so no rushing. This tour is a great alternative to the classic Muscat and Wahiba Sands loop that can be seen in our ‘Escape to Oman’ but is for those who crave a more remote trip and a visit to one of the largest sandy deserts on earth.
Guide Price
From £3,650 per person based on a double room for departures in May.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: QR5942 London Heathrow - Doha 19.30 - 05.10 (overnight)
Flight: QR1140 Doha - Salalah 08.25 - 12.00
Private transfer to your hotel: On arrival in Salalah, you will be welcomed to Oman by your driver and transferred to your nearby hotel to check-in and relax.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Views, SalalahDay at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax on the beach, take advantage of the great facilities at your hotel or explore independently.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Beach, SalalahGuided tour of Salalah: At the agreed time this morning you will be picked up by your driver-guide and taken on a sightseeing tour of Salalah and the surrounding area. The tour will take in Al Haffa beach and the atmospheric Al Haffa souq, famous for its frankincense and perfumes. Driving out of the city on the dramatic coastal highway, you’ll then get some great views of the mountains, studded with frankincense trees and some lovely, secluded beaches such as Mugshail Beach with Marneef Cave and Blow Holes at its far end. Return to the city for some time at leisure in the afternoon or do some further sightseeing with your driver – the itinerary today is flexible, so please speak to your driver on the day if there is something that you specifically want to take in.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
A woman selling frankincense at the Al Haffra souqRoad journey to the Empty Quarter: After breakfast your driver will meet you at your hotel and you will set off on an overnight adventure into the empty quarter – one of the largest sandy deserts on earth. The drive to your desert camp is 350km and should take around 5 hours with refreshment stops en route.
Afternoon desert activities: After settling into the camp, you will be served lunch before having the opportunity to do some desert activities such as light dune-bashing in a 4x4 and camel riding. As the light draws in, you will be treated to a romantic sunset over the dunes before enjoying a local dinner. After dinner, be sure to look up at the nights sky and see how many stars you can count!
Accommodation: Stay tonight at Souly Lodge Empty Quarter (Tent)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Empty QuarterRoad journey to Salalah: After breakfast and a chance for a morning hike on the dunes, set off on the road journey back to Salalah. En route you will stop to visit a local black camel farm. Continuing on from the farm, you will then come to the Wadi Dawkah National Park, which is famous for frankincense trees and part of a cluster of places in this area that were given world heritage status by UNESCO in the year 2000. A stop for lunch today is included at a local restaurant and you should arrive back in Salalah and check-in to your hotel by mid-afternoon.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Frankincense tree in the highlands of SalalahDay at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax on the beach, take advantage of the great facilities at your hotel or explore independently.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Al Baleed Resort by Anantara (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Sunset at beach, SalalahPrivate transfer to the airport: At the advised time today, you will be transferred back to the airport in Salalah in time to check-in for your flight home.
Flight: QR1141 Salalah - Doha 12.45 - 14.25
Flight: QR5 Doha - London Heathrow 16.45 - 22.00
Meals: Breakfast
Landscape, Salalah
