Wahiba Desert Xing, Bar Al Hikman, & Sugar Dunes Overland Fun

Day and date: Feb 16th – 18th/19th/20th (Thurs to Sat/Sun/Mon)
Drive Type: Overland Expedition Crossing Deserts, Sabkhas, Beaches, & Graded Tracks
Meeting Point: Shell Petrol Station, Bidiyah, Oman
Google maps users (just copy and paste in Google maps): https://goo.gl/maps/3YuGRz1NrT42
GPS users: N22.45230° E58.81100°
Meeting Time: Thursday Feb 16th 2000 Hrs (8pm) PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CAMPSITE IS ABOUT 50KM BY DESERT TRACKS FROM THIS MEETING SPOT. SO IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ARRIVE PROMPTLY AS THE CONVOY WILL DEPART FOR THE CAMPSITE
Drive Start: Friday Feb 17th morning at 0900
Drive End: Saturday for those who must return home & Sun/Mon for those who can extend
Duration: 3-5 days depending on participants’ selection
Drive Route: Wahiba Desert, Bar Al Hikman Salt Flats, and Al Khalouf Sugar Dunes
Drive Terrain: Everything

UPDATE: We will aim to cover the 150KM of Wahiba Sands in one day on Friday the 17th. It is a lot to cover but it will mostly be farm/bedouin tracks so should be smooth driving. We will arrive at the coast in the evening and continue south until close to sunset. We will camp on the beach. Saturday morning we will drive to the salt flats of Bar Al Hikman and then onto the Sugar Dunes. By Saturday evening we will have finished our time with the Sugar Dunes and folks can either drive back to Dubai by tarmac (approx 8 hours) or camp on the beach near the Sugar Dunes. On Sunday morning we can either drive leisurely back to Dubai or take wadi/mountain/offroad tracks back, which could extend our trip by 1-2 days (i.e. either arriving back to Dubai by Sunday night or Monday night). This will all depend on the participants’ desires at that point. I am personally planning to take Sunday and Monday off from work in case we decide to do the extra offraod bits on the way back to Dubai.

We will pack a few days (long weekend) full of some exciting offroad driving. We will cover the Wahiba Sands Desert driving north to south towards the coast. Then we will drive further south towards Bar Al Hikman where we will see many exotic birds in their natural preserve. Finally we will drive to the beaches of the pristine white sugar dunes.

This trip will see us cover a lot of terrrain and there are options for participants to shorten the trip and return home on the tarmac as their schedule requires.

We will be quite remote at times and on some varied and challenging terrain so a properly maintained and reliable 4×4 rig is paramount.

You must be equipped and prepared to self-sustain with food, water, fuel, etc for 3-5 days. We will hit the odd petrol station and small grocery but it is always better to be prepared regardless.

More details will be posted as the date nears but in the meantime please let me know if you have any questions.

Let’s venture out into the wild :ymparty:

Checklist:
a) Keep your emergency contact info at vehicle dashboard.
b) Carry air compressor with you and ensure it’s in working condition.
c) Ensure your 4×4 vehicle is in perfect condition and with enough fuel.
d) Compatible Radio is a must.
e) Carry all necessary off-road gear / recovery equipment in good working condition.
f) Carry enough water / refreshments / re-hydration drinks for self & co-passenger(s).