UAE TO SALALAH – Drive offroad only, Saturday 7th February 2026, till Wednesday 18th February 2026

The main objective of the trip:

This trip aims to drive from UAE to Salalah, through the nature all the way, and (as much as possible) avoiding the paved roads.
It is a route to explore the best Omani nature can offer as it goes through various types of nature and terrain.
THIS TRIP IS OPEN TO ALL DUBAI OFFROADERS MEMBERS.

Basic info:

Trip starting time and day:   9.00 am, Saturday 7^th February 2026.
Trip ending time and day:   5.00 pm, Wednesday 18^th February 2026.
Meeting point:    To be decided later.
Trip duration:   12 days.
Trip total distance including way back home 3750-4000 km.
Driving skill level:    Easy to Intermediate.
Terrain type:   All types (sand-rocks-gravels-tracks).
Max distance before re-fueling:   600 km.
Max duration with no access to supplies and services:   3 Days.

Trip rules:

1- No playing on the dunes nor on any other obstacles.
2- All cars must follow track taken by the leader and no car takes its own.
3- Off road recoveries, repairs, evacuations, etc. are to be supervised by the leader.
4- No one can decide to stop or move the convoy before the leader confirms.
5- The trip leader has all the rights to decide what is the best for the trip management in terms of safety, navigation, time management, picking camp spot, etc. and the trip members must cooperate.
6- The whole trip crew respect, help, support each other and keep the general rules of the country.

Trip must requirements:

1- Long wheelbase 4WD vehicle with (high and low range) gear checked and serviced.
Short wheelbase (2 doors) can’t make it – AWD can’t make it
2- All Terrain tires (AT). Highway (HT) tires won’t survive.
3- Skid plate (car underneath) protection bash plate.
4- Air compressor.
5- Tire pressure gauge.
6- Spare wheel in good condition.
7- Puncture repair kit.
8- Off-road flag.
9- Radio walkie talkie X2 with charger.
10- Fire extinguisher
11- First aid kit.
12- Camping gear.

Fuel requirements:
– 160L of fuel in total including the car tank and the extra in jerry cans for V6 3.5 – 4.0 engines.
– 180L of fuel in total for V8 4.5 – 4.8 engines.
– 200L of fuel in total for V8 4.8+ engines.

Water, food and supplies management:
– Enough food, water and supplies for 3 days must be carried by each trip member.
– When the convoy is out of desert, 1 major stop per day is taken for buying food and provisions.

Oman entry requirements:
1- The car must be free of bank mortgage, or NOC must be arranged if it isn’t.
2- Minimum of 6 months of passport validity.
3- Minimum of 3 months of UAE residence visa validity is required for getting Omani free on arrival 14 days visa (GCC) residence visa. If the UAE residence visa is not valid for 3-month, tourist visa is the option to go.
4- Third party car insurance (available at borders).

Trip plan:

Stage 1 – The Omani Star Dunes
– Saturday 7th.
– Driving off-road tracks and sand dunes of (As Sunainah) for 165 km.
Stage 2 – The Empty Quarter
– Sunday 8th & Monday 9th.
– Driving off-road tracks through (Umm Al Samim) (Largest salt pan in Arabia).
– Driving the sands of (Empty Quarter)
– Total distance 550 km
Stage 3 – Central Oman and South Coast
– Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th.
– Exploring mixed terrain desert (sand and rocks) in central Oman.
– Camping and driving on coastal off-road routes.
– Total distance 700 km.
Stage 4 – The Empty Quarter
– Friday 13th to Sunday 15^th.
– Driving off-road and camping sands of the empty quarter.
– Visiting (Ramlat Jadilah) the highest sand dune in the world.
– Total distance 700 km.
Stage 5 – Dhofar & Salalah
– Monday 16^th.
– Driving off-road rocky canyon trails on Dhofar mountains up to Salalah.
– Camping on the Salalah mountains.
– Total distance 300 km.
Stage 6 – Back Home
– Tuesday 17^th & Wednesday 18^th.
– Driving back home to UAE on the road.
– Total distance 1200 km.

RECOMMENDED READING BEFORE THE DRIVE:

Please review the following articles to ensure you’re fully prepared for the adventure:

• Welcome to Dubai Offroaders
• Disclaimer
• 4×4 Offroad Checklist
• Sand Driving Safety Basics
• 25 Tips for an Enhanced Offroad Experience
• Radio Communication Guide
• Driving in a Convoy – Roles and Rules
• Trip Rules for Dubai Offroaders Drives

ETIQUETTE:

1. If you register and cannot attend, please withdraw your booking to allow others to join.
2. Be punctual.
3. Only registered participants on the forum may join the drive.
4. Passengers in registered vehicles are welcome but are not counted as participants.

REMINDER:

Please arrive on time to avoid delays for others and to make the most of our time on the sand.