Sunday 06 / October / 2024
During the recent holidays to commemorate Oman’s 48th National Day celebrations, for five thrilling days, The Guide Oman team ventured through Rub Al Khali with the ultimate goal of reaching the top of the world’s tallest sand dune.
Over 40 equipped 4x4s, laden with supplies of water and fuel, recovery and medical equipment were set for an incredible adventure. The Guide Oman team joined forces with the Dhofar Discovery Team, along with people passionate about adventures and discoveries through desert driving.
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“The route was a mere 765kms of remote off-road terrain. Not a trip for the faint hearted, with the distances, as well as the heights of the dunes. The group met in Maqshaan, south of Haima, and headed into the desert together after a warm welcome from the Maqshaan Camp,” said Rebecca Mayston, Manager and Expedition Leader at The Guide Oman.
“Days two and three saw the group heading towards Shegaag, and then past Meishash – a quaint town of whitewashed pristine houses and gardens close to the Saudi Arabia border. The next stop was Burkana, where a fuel truck awaited us, important, as the next few days required complete self sufficiency,” she added.
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Golden towering dunes soaring high into the sky above lush green wadis made for an unusual sight brought about by the recent cyclones and storms in the recent months that saw the Dhofar region drenched in rainfall.
Day four’s highlight was the midday pinnacle of reaching the tallest sand dune. The determination of participants was evident, with many trying their best to reach as close, if not all the way, to the top in their 4x4s, while others chose to follow the ridgeline and burn the calories with a cardio workout — climbing the dune on foot!
“The sight from the top was a reward for all those who made it. The view of uninterrupted sand dunes as far as the eye can see, from every direction you turn,” Mayston said.
She added that “day five for those who stayed on was meant to be a big day of driving but before departing, Abdullah, a local from Meetin, kindly welcomed a select group to see his seven-month-old camels, gorgeous, soft-nosed cuddly jet black babies who loved the extra attention”.
As if the highest sand dune was not spectacular enough, the final pinnacle of the journey were the lakes of Al Hishman.
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“The irony is incredible; driving through the desert one does not expect to be surrounded by such nature and vegetation, and it is important to remember that this greenery is a great rarity. After days of desert terrain, full of mountainous dunes to reach a lake was beyond spectacular. What was originally over 75km of water stretching out through the dunes is fast receding but still a long way from disappearing.”
“We, at The Guide Oman, would like to extend a special thanks to Oman Oil and Be’ah, whose support makes events such as this one possible,” Mayston said.
The Guide Oman runs regular guided self-drive desert safaris through the Sharqiyah Desert and Rub Al Khali, including the famous Ladies Desert Drives. These trips are accessible for all those who are keen to learn more about off-road driving and learn the skills in a safe and supported environment.
