Oman Empty Quarter Expedition, in the steps of Wilfred Thesiger, 1st February to 9th February ‘2025

Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger KBE, DSO, FRAS, FRSL, FRGS, HonFBA (3 June 1910 – 24 August 2003), also known as Mubarak bin Landan (Arabic: مُبَارَك بِن لَنْدَن, the blessed one of London) was a British military officer, explorer, and writer. Thesiger’s travel books include Arabian Sands (1959), on his foot and camel crossing of the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula, and The Marsh Arabs (1964), on his time living with the Marsh Arabs of Iraq.

https://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/thesiger/index.php/thesigers-journeys/11-thesigers-journeys-in-arabia-first-empty-quarter-crossing-1946-7.html

DUBAI OFFROADERS MEMBERS ONLY TRIP,
MINIMUM 2 STARS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS TRIP

Accommodation type:
– Camping on all nights.
– There are no Hotels available on the trip route.

Nature of the event:
– Overland expedition.
– Slow moving, over tracks and dunes.
– Pure natural beauty.
– Isolated remote parts of the desert.

Terrain:
– Sandy desert.
– Mostly following easy tracks.
– Easy sand dunes and soft sand from time to time.
– Salty Sabkhas and open gravel plains.

Trip total distance:
– Around 1400 km off road to the final destination in 6-7 days, divided into 3 stages.
– Stopping between stages to re-fuel and supply.
– Stage 1 = 150 km
Stage 2 = 600 km
Stage 3 = 650 km.
– Around 1400 km way back home on the highway in 2 days.

Driving skill requirements:
2 star Driver and above are the only ones who will be allowed on this drive, due to the remoteness and difficulty of the terrain.

Trip main destinations:
– The Omani side of starfish dunes (As Sunainah) + (Al Wagan) (Stage 1).
– Um Al Samim (The largest Salt Lake in the Arabian Peninsula) (Stage 2).
– Ramlat Al Ghafah (Part of the empty quarter) (Stage 2).
– Al Sahmah (Part of the empty quarter) (Stage 2).
– Ramlat Ghanim (Part of the empty quarter) (Stage 3).
– Ramlat Jadilah (Part of the empty quarter) (highest dune on earth) (Stage 3).
– Al Mazyunah (a small town by the end of the desert).

The major targets of the trip:
– Crossing the whole desert of Empty Quarter from East to West within the borders of Oman.
– Partially following steps of the classic trip by Sir. Wilfred Thesiger crossing the empty quarter in 1946.
– Visiting the highest dune on earth (Ramlat Jadilah).
– Exploring and witnessing the wonders of Empty Quarter and enjoying being in pure isolated nature.

Trip fuel requirements:
– 160 L of fuel for 6-cylinder vehicles in the longest stretch of 650 km off-road.
– 180 L of fuel for 8-cylinder vehicles in the longest stretch of 650 km off-road.
– Each vehicle must carry 20 L of fuel for emergencies in addition to what is mentioned above.

Challenges in the trip:
The trip is going through very isolated parts of the desert where services and supplies are not available.
– Participants must be self-sufficient with equipment and supplies for the longest stretch of 3 days in remoteness.
– Participants must show flexibility in dealing with any unexpected situation like weather changes or vehicle breakdowns.
– Trip is expected to be tough on persons and on vehicles, and to include long driving hours.

Trip management and preparations:
– The leader has all the rights to change the trip plan, route, or even suspend the trip according to safety, weather conditions or according to the best for trip management without the approval of the participants.
– Participants must support each other and support the trip leader in all cases.
– WhatsApp chat group is to be created for communicating and for discussing trip preparations.
– General meeting with the trip team to be set 2 months before the trip.

Essential safety equipment:
– First aid kit.
– Fire extinguisher.
– Safety goggles.
– Safety triangle.

Trip safety rules:
– Participants are not allowed to drive on high dunes without approval from the trip leader.
– Participants must follow and commit to trip leader instructions in every case.
– Participants must follow the route taken by the leader and never take their own detours.
– Participants must never leave the group without approval from the leader.
– Participants must never behave in acts that might harm other people, nature, or vehicles during the trip.
– Participants must maintain general manners of safety during the trip.
– Emergency evacuation points (police, villages, oil fields… etc.) will be provided to all trip participants.

Vehicle requirements:
– Vehicle must be in perfect driving condition, serviced, and checked properly weeks before the starting day.
– Car Battery needs to be replaced before the trip if it is 1 year aged or more.
– Tires must offer a minimum of 50 % of tread depth or more to survive the trip.
– Each car must carry a matching-sized spear wheel in good condition.
– Trailers and caravans cannot join this trip.

Recovery tools:
– Basic recovery tools (Shovel, rope, shackles, boards…etc).
-Suggested camping gear list to be provided to participants.

Car repair tools:
– Basic tool set (tools, bolts, nuts, zip ties… etc.)
– Engine oil, coolant…etc
-Suggested tools list to be provided to participants.

Camping equipment:
– Basic camping tools (tent, chair, table, lights… etc.).
– Portable shower and water containers.
-Suggested camping gear list to be provided to participants.

Food and drinks:
– Participants must carry food and drinks for the longest stretch of 3 days.
– 1 kg/person of food per day + 3 liters of drinking water per day.
– 10 liters of washing water per day including water for shower.
-Suggested food and drinks list to be provided to participants.

TRIP CHARGES:

• AED3,000/- PER VEHICLE, FOR DO MEMBERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.
• AED1,500/- PER VEHICLE, FOR ANY ONE OR PART STAGE, FOR DO MEMBERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.

Oman Visa and Border Crossing Details.

• Single entry Oman visit visa is 5 OMR each and 35 AED UAE exit fee needs to be paid on the border.
• THE VISA ON ARRIVAL IS FREE FOR UAE RESIDENTS, (SUBJECT TO NATIONALITY).
• AS A TOURIST IN THE UAE, HOWEVER, ONE WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR OMAN VISIT VISA.
• The passports of all participants must be valid for more than 180 days from the proposed date of exit, back from Oman.
• A UAE resident’s visa must be valid for more than 90 days.
• You must carry your original passports with you to cross the border.
• You must carry a vehicle registration card (Mulika to cross the border).
• If you don’t have car insurance, you can buy it from the border. (AED180 approx., for ten days.)
• If you are renting a car then must get a NOC from a car Rental Company to cross the borders.
• If you have a sponsored (dependent) visa then the sponsor must be traveling along.
• All professions are not eligible for an arrival visa, check your profession first.
• Single-entry visa holders are not allowed, their visa will be canceled upon exiting UAE.

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM 0800HRS. on Saturday, the 1st of February ‘2025
The drive ends at 4:00 PM 1600Hrs. on Sunday, the 9th of February ‘2025

1. MAXIMUM 10 REGISTRATIONS.
2. MINIMUM OF 6 REGISTRATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE TRIP TO PROCEED.
3. Meeting Point: To be announced, through an exclusive WhatsApp group.

IMPORTANT:
a. The Driver of the vehicle must have a Valid UAE/ OMAN Driving License and the vehicle, Driver, and passengers must be covered by an appropriate insurance cover.
b. The Driver and all passengers of the vehicle should have read and be aware of the disclaimer of Dubai Offroaders, that they indemnify all the officials and Marshals of Dubai Offroaders and that they themselves bear full responsibility for any risk of property damage, bodily injury or death while participating in this Adventure sport.
c. This drive is not recommended for children under the age of 3 years.
d. Any child on the drive must be secured in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat.
e. Seat belts must always be worn by the Driver and all/ any passengers.

Please read, understand, and make sure that you are prepared with the following, prior to the drive,

1. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/welcome-to-dubai-offroaders/
2. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/disclaimer/
3. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/4×4-offroad-checklist/
4. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/sand-driving-safety-basics/
5. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/25-tips-for-an-enhanced-offroad-driving-experience/
6. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/do-radio-communication-guide/
7. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/driving-in-a-convoy-roles-and-rules/
8. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/trip-rules-for-dubai-offroaders-drives/

Checklist:

1. Fully functional four-by-four vehicle with a full tank of fuel.
2. Oman Visa, ideally taken prior to the date.
3. The cost of the Visa will vary depending on the applicant’s Nationality.
4. Cooking & BBQ equipment
5. Change of clothes, and swimwear.
6. The First Aid kit is detailed later.
7. Closed-toe footwear, waterproof material is preferable for hikes.
8. Refreshments for yourself and your passengers.

INCLUSIONS            Route plan, guidance & on-site support, throughout the drive.

CANCELLATIONS     NO CANCELLATIONS OR REFUNDS WILL BE ENTERTAINED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DRIVE, AFTER THE 15TH OF JANUARY ‘2025

EXCLUSIONS

• UAE border exit fees and Omani visa fees.
• Boarding for one night, on the way back, to UAE.
• THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE THEIR OWN HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS
• Any food and beverages for the trip
• All entrance and/or guide fees, if visiting any tourist spot/ attraction.