The Oman Expedition South Compact

Four days in southern Oman, driving a Land Cruiser in a guided convoy from the Dhofar coast into the Rub al Khali and back to Salalah.

South Compact is the shortest route of The Oman Expedition, run by Silent Sands Oman with Abdullah and his team leading in the desert. It covers about 900 kilometres, 450 of them off road, from the dramatic coastline of Fazayah into Oman’s Empty Quarter, home to some of the highest sand dunes ever documented, according to the operator.

The team meets the group on day one and the convoy follows the Frankincense Coast past wild beaches and sheer cliffs to camp near Fazayah Beach. The second day runs about 300 kilometres through Wadi Adam and Mazyouna into the Rub al Khali, camping in the desert. Day three is a full day in the high dunes, with another night under the stars. On the last day the convoy leaves via Ubar and drives back to Salalah, where the operator suggests time on the coast or combining the expedition with a wider round trip.

Guests drive themselves, two or three to a vehicle, in a Toyota Land Cruiser or similar with unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver and personal accident insurance. A lead vehicle and a support vehicle travel with the convoy, all meals and camping equipment are provided, and desert nights are spent in ARB Skydome tents with built-in mattresses. Prices are per person, based on two sharing a vehicle, and come down as the group grows, to a maximum of twelve.