A Weekend of Sand Sports in the

RUB’ AL KHALI DESERT Rub’ al Khali shimmers with the legends of its past which, like a mirage, have been luring travellers to its lonesome sands for over a century. Beneath these silky dunes are buried tales of lost cities and ancient trade routes once frequented by frankincense merchants, but few others. As late as the 19th Century, Rub’ al Khali was considered one of the planet’s last frontiers; an unexplored land of extremes where camels roamed, sands blew and mysterious tribes dwelled.

Today Rub’ al Khali is compellingly nicknamed “the Empty Quarter”. It is officially the world’s largest contiguous sand desert, encompassing areas of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, and largely unpopulated

other than for a smattering of tribes. The blistering orange sands, rippling dunes and barren salt flats have gained fame as sets in Star Wars and The Matrix, whilst more recently this remote region of the Middle East has been attracting adventurous expats, locals, and travellers from nearby Arab cities, each in search of a unique experience.

A sweltering array of desert escapades, including dune bashing, sand boarding and camel riding await those looking to discover their inner Lawrence of Arabia. These opportunities are readily accessible from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, so escaping the hubbub of the city and journeying into these fabled lands for an unforgettable weekend could not be easier.

Rub’ al Khali is a thrillseekers idyll and nowhere does adventure lurk more readily than among the boundless dunes. Dune bashing is a wild ride across the sands where adrenaline is fuelled by both the exhilarating quad-biking and the captivating scenery. Enjoy an hour or more behind the wheel of a 4x4 Land Cruiser, tearing your way across the scorched sands and towards the iridescent horizon, before enjoying coffee and dates in delicious Arabic fashion.

Those looking to get up close and personal with this rogue and uninhabited landscape have the unique opportunity to try their hand at sand boarding. The Rub’ al Khali boasts some of the world’s highest dunes ensuring there are few more impressive places to attempt this sport than these desert sands. Slipping and sliding down the golden waves is certain to provide hours of entertainment, although if you’re a novice, prepare to spend more time in the sand than on it.

If the closest you’ve got to off-road driving is accidentally mounting a grassy, roadside verge then strap yourself in and prepare to step things up a notch. Dune buggy rides have fast become a favourite for desert adventurers and they are one of the simplest and most exciting ways to explore these barren landscapes. All buggies are fully automatic and are fitted with off-road suspension making for easy cross-desert driving. Guests will follow a guide along natural dune trails, skidding and bouncing across the sands and stopping for some unsurpassable photo opportunities.

Hit the Dunes

If you prefer your vehicles to be four-legged and of the mammalian variety, then mount yourself atop a camel and prepare to trek majestically into the sunset. Graceful and endearing, camels are the eternal rulers of desert lands, engrained in the history of this unyielding wilderness. They are also one of the most iconic modes of desert transport, so don’t hesitate in loading up your camel and parading into the heart of the Rub’ al Khali, discovering remote Bedouin villages, towering sand dunes and hidden oases along the way. With the warm Arabian wind grazing your face and the sun dropping behind the dunes and setting the sky awash with the red of rubies, you will be truly in the grasp of one of the world’s most awesome landscapes.

Falcons may not surpass the camel in size but perhaps they do in elegance. Falconry is the national sport of the Emirates so if you are visiting the UAE expanse of the Rub’ al Khali desert then prepare for a soaring display. The unparalleled skill, speed and intelligence of these birds have made them a cultural symbol in this desert region, and a valued hunting companion for centuries. Visitors on a weekend excursion have the opportunity to witness live falcon shows and be treated to engaging stories about how these powerful birds support the survival of desert communities.

Discover the legendary romance of Arabia and spend a night sleeping beneath the stars. Begin the evening with a sunset camel ride and feel the thick desert heat filter away as the sun dips behind a silhouette of dunes, casting the sky with flashes of burnt orange and crimson. As the light begins to fade, enjoy a delicious dinner at a wooden dining table before retiring around the campfire, where the only sound for miles will be the quiet chatter of your company, the crackle of flames, and the huff of the camels. As the colours of the desert diminish and darkness grips the sands, watch the stars flicker into view one by one, washing the vast night sky with a twinkling veil of constellations and galaxies. If you can tear yourself away from this unforgettable panorama, retire to the comfort of your

majils (Arabic tent) where you will find all of the expected amenities including beds, sofas, coffee and tea tables and soft lighting, all in exquisite Arabic designs.

Alternatively, visitors searching for the essence of old Arabia may wish to embark on an Arabian Nights Village Tour which whisks you into the mythical and timeless beauty of the desert. The village sits unassumingly among the undulating dunes and offers guests a tranquil desert escape where you can stay in luxurious Arabic accommodation, complete with glistening pools and manicured palms, and spend the evening dining on mouthwatering local cuisine. From this village there is also the opportunity to embark on one or all of the thrilling desert experiences listed above.

Kings of the Desert

Arabian Nights

A flock of Camel, Rub’ al Khali

Arabian Nights Village