Rub al-Khali Desert Expedition
The Rub Al-Khali Desert Expedition is an extraordinary experience which will not be forgotten by participants. Magnificent dune formations are towering hundreds of meters high, a sea of glowing sand is stretching further than the eye can see. This part of the world is hardly touched by human civilization and unchanged for thousands of years.
Every nature enthusiast will treasure these impressions. However, this expedition is not only designed for those who want to enjoy this unusual part of the Arabian Peninsular but especially for those who want to explore it by 4x4.
Travelers who cannot get enough of driving in unusual terrain, travelers who like to get to know their limits, travelers who want to find out what a 4x4 is capable of, travelers who want to have fun and like the extreme, travelers who want to go where only a few people have been before will love this eight day expedition on an epic route deep into the biggest and most challenging sand desert of the world.
Rub al-Khali
Arabs call the desert Rub Al-Khali, which means as much as “the empty quarter”, because hardly any human being lives in it. Locals regard it as the edge of civilization. Only some camel farms can be found at the outskirts. Some other typical inhabitants are lizards, falcons, scorpions, snakes and different types of insects.
The relatively green Liwa Oasis can be found in the north of the desert. The Rub Al-Khali is with about 100,000 square miles the largest sand desert in the world. It is mostly uncharted and even in these modern times one of the most impenetrable areas of our planet.
It covers about one third of the Arabian Peninsular and parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The desert consists exclusively of sand. Majestic red and gold dunes tower up to 400 meter high. The immense scale of this vast desert scenery needs to be experienced to be believed.
The Terrain
Rub Al-Khali offers with its 400 meter high dunes a exceptional terrain which can be quite challenging, even for experienced drivers. Wind consistently changes the dune formations and lays open salt plains in between. Since the desert is uninhabited, with the exception of some Bedouins and their camels one can explore the terrain for days without coming across a man made structure. This rare absence of any influence of man offers the experience to feel total isolation and peace.
Itinerary
* Day 1 : Arrival in Dubai, transfer to the hotel
* Day 2: Briefing, allocation of cars, car museum, desert driving tuitions, start of the expedition from Nisab, arrival at the camp before sunset
* Day 3: Expedition through the desert, camp at Al Hamra
* Day 4: Expedition through the desert, camp at Ramlat Zarrarah
* Day 5: Expedition through the desert, driving on extra high dunes, camp at Al Batin
* Day 6: The mega dune challenge, lunch at Liwa Oasis, return journey to Dubai
* Day 7: Dubai sightseeing tour, shopping day
* Day 8: Transfer to the airport, departure
Day 1 in Detail
Travelers will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel. Participants can use the afternoon and evening as they like. A contact person from Explorer Tours is available for advice regarding restaurants, sights, restaurants and bars.
Day 2 in Detail
After an early breakfast, travelers will be informed about the course of events and security measures.
4x4s will be allocated to the teams. At least two, maximum four participants share one car.
On the way to Rub Al-Khali the group will have the chance to visit an interesting car museum which exhibits the largest car in the world among many other extraordinary samples.
After the group arrives at the edge of the desert, drivers will participate in desert driving tuitions which are necessary in order to get used to the unusual terrain and its peculiarities. The lead driver will lead the convoy into the desert, starting at Nisab. After a lunch in the dunes the convoy will use the afternoon to find the way to the camp which is set up by the Explorer Tours team. This will be the group’s first night under a star-lit sky, far away from civilization.
Day 3 in Detail
After a breakfast, the convoy will move in the direction of the second camp at Al Hamra. On the way drivers will have the opportunity to test their skills when the group comes across different dune formations such as giant sand pockets.
Day 4 in Detail
On the fourth day we will get deeper and deeper into the desert.Since days we will not have come across and man made structures. The terrain is getting more and more inaccessible but thanks to the experienced lead driver and the growing skills and confidence of the participants no dunes are to high and no pocket too tough. The marshals and mechanics are always close by and ready in case somebody gets stuck or a car needs attention. The night will be spent at camp Ramlat Zararrah. Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and pillows will be provided.
Day 5 in Detail
The convoy will be lead into an area which features especially high dunes. Here, participants will have a lot of driving fun, test their skills and bend their limits. The group will arrive at the camp in the late afternoon. Every afternoon, participants have the chance to walk around the camp area and explore the local fauna and flora, watch the sunset or just relax on big cushions. In the evening the travelers will be spoiled with an BBQ, campfire and shisha.
Day 6 in Detail
Drivers will face the mega-dune challenge on day six. The lead driver will find a way to the very top of a mega dune. Later on each car needs to come down the very steep side. Afterwards, the convoy will head towards the Liwa Oasis. On arrival in Liwa, the group will have one last lunch together, in a typical local restaurant, before it is going back to Dubai.
Day 7 in Detail
Back in Dubai, participants can use the day to explore the city. Sights include the famous gold and spice souks, the busy Dubai creak,the Dubai museum, as well as luxurious hotels such as the Burj Al Arab and gigantic shopping centers. Explorer Tours is organizing a private half-day city tour after which the participants have the chance to continue sightseeing on their own, go shopping or just relax at the beach.
Day 8 in Detail
Travelers will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport. Departure from Dubai.
The Organizer
Explorer Tours was established in 2008 and already occupies a significant share of the local travel market. Managing director Saif Poovanchery has been a resident of the United Arab Emirates for 20 years and has been exploring the Arabian Peninsular with his 4x4 ever since. With the years he acquired broad knowledge of the desert and how to navigate in hardly accessible terrain, as well as the local flora and fauna.
The company‘s success is based on the extensive experience Mr. Poovanchery gained during 16 years of working in the travel industry. This experience is used in the planning and performance of all activities, especially of those which are unique to the region. High quality, in addition to that, is another important aspect. Team members such as drivers, marshals and mechanics are especially trained to work under the unique conditions of the desert and have plenty of experience.
Safety comes first at Explorer Tours. When driving in the desert one has to rely on vehicles and equipment, otherwise the risk of accidents and injuries is high. That is why Explorer Tours' mechanics and team members check each vehicle and piece of equipment before each tour start.
Also team members have an eye on travelers and make sure that they have sufficient protection from the sun and prevent dehydration. Food is always prepared freshly and emergency kits are always available on tour.
Included in the Price
* Transfer from the airport to the hotel and back
* Accommodation in a four star hotel in Dubai for three nights (on a twin sharing basis)
* Toyota Land Cruiser for five days (two to four travelers share one car)
* Fuel and all other expenses for the cars
* Entrance to the car museum
* Desert driving tuitions
* Qualified and experienced lead driver for route planning and leading the convoy
* Experienced marshals and mechanics for backup
* Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows during the desert expedition
* Breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks during the desert expedition
* Desert camp with cushions, carpets, campfire and shisha during the desert expedition
* Guide and coach for private city tour
* Not included in the price are air tickets, food and beverages which are consumed in Dubai and alcoholic beverages.
Terms and Conditions
* Payment: Full payment is due no later than 14 days in advance by cheque (payable to Explorer Tourism), cash or bank transfer.
* Insurance: Explorer Tours have a public liability insurance for all activities. Participants will be responsible for any additional insurance cover.
* Breakdown and Recovery: Explorer Tours will provide full recovery in case of a breakdown.
* Terms and Conditions: Explorer Tours and its employees shall not be held responsible for any loss or injury during the tour/package.
* Booking Procedures: Bookings and confirmation are only valid in written form.
* Cancellation Policy: No cancellation charges for a minimum of 14 days notice before the tour/package starts. 50% of the cost for less than 14 days, up to 7 days notice before departure. Full charges for less than 7 days notice or no show.
Dates
2009:
November: 21 – 28
December: 21 – 28
2010:
January: 21 – 28
February: 21 – 28
March: 21 – 28
