Sands & Scents of the Empty Quarter: A Frankincense Odyssey

Uncover Oman’s secrets on a guided Empty Quarter escape—meet camels, trace the Frankincense Trail, shop rare scents at Haffa Souq, explore Wadi Dawkah, and toast the dunes at sunset.
Explore sacred scents, shop ancient souqs, and conquer the world’s largest desert. Your journey begins at 13:30 with a hotel pickup by your certified local guide, ensuring a safe and enriching experience throughout the day.

Start with a visit to a family-run camel farm, where you’ll taste fresh camel milk and gain insight into the traditional desert lifestyle from the people who live it daily. It’s a rare, personal encounter with Oman’s Bedouin roots.

Next, follow the storied Frankincense Trail to the atmospheric Haffa Souq, Salalah’s oldest market. Wander through winding alleyways filled with the scent of burning frankincense, oud, and myrrh. Here you’ll shop for rare frankincense resins, traditional perfumes, and handmade souvenirs while learning how traders once carried these precious goods across the Arabian sands.

The trail continues to Wadi Dawkah, a UNESCO-listed reserve of wild frankincense trees. Walk among the gnarled Boswellia sacra and see firsthand how the ancient resin is still tapped by hand, unchanged for millennia.

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 enjoy a rare camel meat tasting, known for its rich, slightly sweet flavor. This region is famed for its camel dishes prepared with local desert fat, giving the meat a tender texture and distinctive taste.
It’s a true culinary connection to Oman’s nomadic past—and one few travelers get to experience.

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, climbing steep ridges before sliding down the other side in a thrilling, safe ride. Your vehicle is outfitted with air conditioning, safety features and all desert driving is conducted by professionals with deep local knowledge.

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. Your expert local driver, who knows the desert like the back of his hand, will guide you to a secluded dune far from tourist routes—a quiet spot where the only footprints in the sand will be your own. Kick off your shoes and walk barefoot across the cool, soft sand. No crowds, no noise—just pure desert peace. Your guide will happily help capture unforgettable photos, or leave you alone with the horizon, the wind, and the beauty of the Empty Quarter all to yourself.

The stillness of the desert night surrounds you as you journey back toward Salalah, the glow of distant village lights welcoming you home. This tranquil drive is the perfect end to your day — a final moment to absorb the desert’s beauty before returning to modern life.

Para garantizar la disponibilidad de la reserva lo antes posible. Vale la pena reservar con antelación, especialmente si planeas el viaje durante la temporada alta, como los días festivos o los fines de semana.

Esta excursión se puede cancelar sin costo alguno hasta :tiempo de cancelación horas antes del inicio del viaje. Si lo cancela después de 24 horas o no se presenta en la excursión, se le cobrará el precio total de la actividad. El retraso en la recogida o en la salida se considerará como no presentarse.