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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Sunset in the Empty Quarter > Snorkelling with dolphins and turtles > Stargazing at the beach camp

Oman may now appear on most people’s travel radar, but the majority of visitors restrict themselves to the (admittedly lovely) coastline around Muscat in the north. Further south, the surprisingly lush city of Salalah, the southern capital, and the endless ‘sand sea’ of the Empty Quarter – the largest sand desert in the world – are opening up for exploration.

Original Travel has helped to develop, and now has exclusive access to, a new luxury 4x4 safari taking in the many highlights of this amazingly diverse region, with overnight stays at completely private camps that are set up in advance each night.

The safaris start with arrival into Salalah via Muscat, and the first stop is Mirbat Beach, which is found in a deserted cove just along the coast. After a lunch of fresh seafood, there’s the chance to snorkel over vibrant corals, go boogie-boarding or join a fishing party. The evening is spent around a campfire on the beach before supper under the stars and overnight in a comfortable tent.

The next day can either be spent relaxing at the beach camp, or visiting several sites of historical interest around Salalah, including Job's tomb, the Mughsayl blow holes, Al Balid (the ruined city once visited by Marco Polo during his travels), Khor Rawri (thought to have been one of the Queen of Sheba’s palaces), Mirbat town with its traditional merchant houses famed for their intricately carved doors and windows, the fort and mosque at Taqah, and the ruins of the fabled Lost City of Ubar. The harif monsoon hits the Salalah region from June to August, so any visit in these months or just afterwards means the bizarre spectacle of lush greenery and waterfalls just a few hundred yards from arid desert landscapes.

Day three takes you by 4WD into the breathtaking Empty Quarter, of Wilfred Thesiger fame, where a mobile camp awaits. This is desert as it should be, with soaring dunes as far as the eye can see. Spend the late afternoon walking in the dunes, enjoying evening drinks and watching the spectacular sunset. After a delicious three course supper, sleep under canvas surrounded by the silence of the desert.

The next day is for exploring the unique and exceptionally photogenic desert environment. Ride camels (subject to availability), sandboard down the steep-sided dunes, or just relax and admire the scenery of a place few travellers have ever been.

The last day requires an early rise for the journey back to Salalah along the Yemeni border, past the mountains of the Western Jebel and through dramatic wadis. Fly back to Muscat, and on to the UK, arriving that evening.

Additional nights at one of the immaculate beach hotels in and around Muscat can easily be incorporated at the beginning or end of the trip, or you can travel on to the more remote Musandam Peninsula. Please see our Arabian Escape trip in Original Escapes for more information.

IMPORTANT: This trip is currently priced on a non-exclusive basis, although there will never be more than 6 guests on any safari. Please ring or email Isabel to discuss if you would like to take the safari on an exclusive basis. Original Travel can also arrange tailor-made versions of the trip, or a 3-night version, with one night on the beach, and two in the Empty Quarter.

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PRICES
The price shown above is based on the sample itinerary, with flights in economy class, accommodation on a B&B basis (or more where stated), transfers and activities specific to this trip. Where prices fluctuate throughout the year, the price is based on low season rates and where more than one accommodation option is listed, on the cheapest available. We would be delighted to put together a current and 100% accurate quotation based on your specific travel requirements, so please contact the relevant member of our expert team.

TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS
Almost every one of our Big Short Breaks and Beyond the Big Short Breaks can be entirely tailormade from scratch, so you can enjoy the holiday exactly how you want it, exactly when you want it, and for exactly as long as you want it. Our expert team, who have been to every one of our destinations, are here to talk you through all the options available in order to create the trip best suited to you.