Empty Quarter
Oman's Empty Quarter is exactly what its name suggests: miles upon miles of empty desert terrain, the second-largest of its type on Earth. Known locally as "Rub' al Khali", the 250,000-square-mile area covers four countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. It was only mapped by Europeans 80 years ago, and was once described by T E Lawrence as 'the great unsolved question of geography'.
Although most of the desert is located in Saudi Arabia, a significant portion overlaps into Oman, stretching from the Dhofar region to Wusta and along to Al Dhahirah, which is where the famous Umm al Samim quicksands can be found. Comprising seemingly never-ending ripples of sand dunes, the area is yet to see any major development, and settlements are few and far between with just a handful of remote Bedouin villages located mostly towards the edge of the desert. Similarly, tourism in the area is yet to really take off, despite the undeniably beautiful landscape. That said, overnight trips do depart from the nearby city of Salalah, with local Bedu guides available for a more authentic experience.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
4x4 Off-Roading
Take the route east towards the Empty Quarter from Salalah and you’ll notice the paved tarmac roads slowly gets increasingly sandier, until you're eventually completely immersed by the desert dunes in every direction. The only way to tackle the fine golden grains is in a 4x4 vehicle, and the hilly terrain makes for some pretty fun driving… although motion sickness tablets might be a good idea as they can reach up to 1,000 foot in height.
Camping
The only real way to stay in this isolated desert is in camps; many opt to stay at some of the semi-permanent camp bases across the dunes, and others choose to pitch their own tents. Enjoying an alfresco evening dinner and drinks as the deep red sun sinks below the dunes is an experience to savored, and don’t forget to set your alarm the following morning to catch the spectacular sunrise over the horizon in the east.
Trekking
Using campsites as a base, some visitors choose to explore on foot, but be warned: temperatures in the daytime can reach onwards of 110 F°. The best way to do some trekking is to keep trips short and sweet, leaving early in the morning or late evening to avoid the scorching temperatures, making the most of the stunning dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Umm al Samim Quicksands
A thing of nightmares for some, this well-known area of quicksand is found towards the eastern edge of the Empty Quarter desert in Oman, close to the Yemeni border. The sinking sands are formed by a low-lying basin which fills the ground with moisture and then drains it back after it becomes saturated.
Oman Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
Northern Oman
Musandam Peninsula
Central Coastal
Dhofar
Multi-Country Specialists
Oman Goes Well With
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Landscapes of Oman
- Author
- Remote Lands
Outside the walls of the more frequently-visited city of Muscat are some enticing destinations, waiting to be discovered
Tower Power
- Author
- Duncan Forgan
Following in the footsteps of legendary explorer Sir Percy Cox, our writer gets a feel for Oman’s wild history by visiting Nizwa: one of the country’s oldest cities.
Face to Face With Chinese History in Xian
- Author
- Jay Tindall
Xian, in central-northwest China, is one of the birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization. It’s bursting at the seams with colorful history, boasting over 3,000 years worth of it.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
Brothers from Russia
The overall experience turned out to be exceptional and unforgettable - so many thanks to the entire team at Remote Lands.
