Salalah lies in the dramatically beautiful Dhofar region of southern Oman. So you uncover a land of incense-scented souqs, white-sand beaches, whitewashed forts and mountain scenery. Remarkably, a summer monsoon turns this corner of Arabia lush and green, quite unlike the rest of the country. You travel with a private driver-guide throughout. As ever, the whole trip is private and tailored to you, and it pairs beautifully with Muscat or Musandam.
The heart of this trip is the Dhofar coast and its ancient trade. So you begin with two nights exploring north and south of Salalah. There you find fishing villages, historic forts and powder-white beaches. The scent of frankincense lingers in the souqs. As a result, it feels worlds away from the Gulf.
Begin in Salalah, where we meet you and transfer you to your hotel. So you settle in beside the Indian Ocean. The next day, set out on the Frankincense Trail to Job’s Tomb and Mughsail Beach, with its dramatic blowholes. You stay at the Anantara Al Baleed or the Juweira Boutique Hotel.
Next, explore the quaint fishing village of Taqa, known for its handsome castle. Continue to the ancient port of Khor Rori, or Sumhuram, once a hub of the incense trade. Then visit Mirbat and the springs at Ain Razat. Meanwhile, the coastline unfolds in a series of perfect bays. As a result, each stop reveals a new side of Dhofar.
Then turn inland for the remote Empty Quarter, one of the world’s great deserts. So you seek out Ubar, the fabled lost city known as the Atlantis of the Sands. That night, you sleep under canvas beneath a vast sky of stars. As a result, it is a genuinely off-the-beaten-track adventure. The silence here is profound.
From camp, explore wild wadis and the mountain scenery of Jebel Qamar. So you reach Wadi Aful, where frankincense trees grow wild on the slopes. Then return to Salalah for two final nights. There you visit the stunning Mirbat Beach before heading home. Meanwhile, the gentle pace lets it all sink in.
Back in Salalah, explore the city with your guide. So you walk the waterfront Corniche and visit the Museum of the Frankincense. Another day is free for the beach or the souqs. As a result, the trip balances adventure with rest. You stay again on the coast.
Naturally, the stays are chosen with care. On the coast, the Anantara Al Baleed or Juweira Boutique Hotel. In the desert, a comfortable camp under the stars. Of course, we can tailor each to suit you.
Above all, this suits travellers seeking somewhere different. For example, it is ideal as an add-on to Muscat. Equally, it rewards anyone drawn to deserts and history. Couples and small groups enjoy it most.
Generally, October to April is ideal for the coast and desert. The khareef monsoon, meanwhile, turns Salalah green around July and August. By contrast, the rest of Oman is very hot then. So we tailor the timing to your plans.
Few visitors reach the green south. So Dhofar feels like a secret, far from the Gulf. Meanwhile, the monsoon hills and incense souqs surprise at every turn. As a result, it rewards the curious traveller.
The journey unfolds in stages. First come the beaches and forts of the coast. Then the lost city of the Empty Quarter. Soon after, wild wadis and frankincense slopes. Finally, the calm of Salalah. So each day feels distinct.
This is travel with a sense of discovery. So you swap crowds for empty horizons. Meanwhile, the desert night stays with you long after. As a result, it feels a real privilege.
As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the pace, the hotels and the route to suit. In the end, the trip is entirely your own.
The final nights in Salalah are a treat. So you wind down after the desert. Meanwhile, the beach and Corniche invite slow days. As a result, the trip ends in calm.
Throughout, Omani hospitality shines through. So a chat in the souq becomes a memory. Meanwhile, your guide opens doors a visitor rarely finds. As a result, Dhofar feels genuinely welcoming.
In the end, Salalah and the Empty Quarter linger in the memory. So the beaches, forts and dunes all leave their mark. Meanwhile, the night under the stars is unforgettable. As a result, many guests call it a highlight of Oman.
It adds beautifully to any itinerary around Muscat or Musandam. So you can pair the green south with the rest of Oman. We will weave it together for you.
Yes. The Empty Quarter camp is simple but comfortable, under canvas. So you experience the desert without roughing it.
Generally, October to April is most comfortable. We will advise on timing for your dates.
Entirely. The pace, the hotels and the route are all shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
| £2495P.P | - | £3650P.P |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Gold |
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-3 | Salalah | Juweira Boutique Hotel Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah |
| Day 4 | Empty Quarter | Overnight Mobile Camp |
| Day 5-7 | Salalah | Juweira Boutique Hotel Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah |
| Day 8 | Fly home |
Arrive in Salalah where we will meet you and provide a private transfer to your hotel.
Today, you will set out with private driver/guide to explore Job’s Tomb and Mughsail Beach, known as the Frankincense Trail. You first stop at the tomb of the Prophet Job (or ‘Nabi Ayoub’ in Arabic) and the landscape beyond Salalah that is dotted with frankincense trees. Continue to Mughsayl Beach and the blowholes, which shoot seawater up into the air through the rock during high tide.
Set off with your private guide to the quaint fishing village of Taqa, known for its impressive castle. Continue to site of Khor Rori (or Sumhuram), a port from which frankincense was exported. Head further east to the town of Mirbat, the ancient capital of the Dhofar region dating back to the 9th century and which played an important role in Arabia’s frankincense trade. Continue to the tomb of Mohamed bin Ali, who died in 1135, and is housed in a twin-domed structure is a fine example of medieval architecture. You will return to Salalah via Ain Razat where manicured gardens are fed by natural underground springs.
Delve deep onto the Empty Quarter from Salalah, and explore what is thought to be the lost city of Ubar, also known as the Atlantis of the Sands. The site is currently under excavation by archaeologists, and its hidden stories will soon become clearer. You will also drive through the dunes in a 4×4 through the Empty Quarter, also known as Rub’ al-Khali.
You return back to Salalah, spending the afternoon at leisure.
Explore Salalah with your private guide. Walk along the waterfront Corniche, and visit the Museum of the Frankincense to learn about the Dhofar region. Start the day by visiting a garden farm where coconut, banana, papaya and vegetables are grown, made possible by the unique tropical conditions that exist in Salalah. Stop outside the stunning Shanfari Mosque before heading into the bustling Al Husn Souq, where you can find the Dhofari frankincense, rated the best in the world. Continue to the Cattle Market before walking along the waterfront corniche towards Al Husn Palace, the summer residence of Sultan Qaboos.
Spend your final day at leisure.
Private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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