5 Days · Desert Crossing

Crossing the Empty Quarter
(Umm Quroon) — 5 Days

📅 Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights 📍 Departs: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🌡️ Season: November – January 🏁 Return: 5:00 PM Day 5 👥 Group: 6–12 persons 🏁 End Point: Shubaytha / Shaybah Area

About This Expedition

This 5-day crossing travels from the northwestern Empty Quarter (Haradh region) to Shubaytha, near the legendary Shaybah oil field — passing through the meteorite area in Umm Al-Hadid and the remarkable Umm Quroon crossroads well, with a detour through the sulfurous Dakaka region.

Umm Quroon Well is one of the most famous landmarks in the Empty Quarter, serving as a historic desert crossroads leading east to Al-Qaad and west to the White Camel area. This 5-day journey is both thrilling and deeply restorative — with enchanting days of dune driving and nights of campfire stargazing.

✅ Included

4×4 transportation throughout
All meals
Sleeping bag and tent
Desert equipment
Local expert guide

❌ Not Included

Personal travel insurance
Personal expenses

📌 Trip Info: Departs Riyadh · Season: November – January · Group: 6–12 people · Return: 5:00 PM · Contact: +966563639405

5-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Riyadh to Umm Al-Hadid

Dawn Departure · Al-Kharj Breakfast · Shalafa Dunes · Meteorite Site

4:30 AM — Depart Riyadh at dawn; witness the sunrise over the desert highway.

6:00 AM — Breakfast in Al-Kharj city.

10:30 AM — Fuel stop at Umm Athla station.

11:00 AM — Drive into Ash-Shalfa — first encounter with massive sand dunes.

3:30 PM — Arrive at Umm Al-Hadid (Meteorite Fall Site) — guided history briefing.

6:00 PM — Dinner under the desert sky.

7:00 PM — Campfire, stargazing, and stories with fellow travellers.

Day 2 — Umm Quroon & Dakaka

Desert Crossroads · Sulfurous Well · Dune Walk · Campfire

5:00 AM — Wake-up; morning coffee at dawn in Umm Al-Hadid.

7:00 AM — Breakfast with sunrise views.

8:00 AM — Journey towards Umm Quroon.

12:00 PM — Arrive at Umm Quroon — one of the most famous wells in the Empty Quarter; refreshment stop.

1:00 PM — Proceed towards the Dakaka area.

3:30 PM — Arrive Dakaka; sunset dune walks.

5:00 PM — Dune adventure hike.

6:00 PM — Dinner. 7:00 PM — Campfire under the stars.

Day 3 — Tawil Al-Khatam

Bir Jalaba · Natural Sulfurous Jacuzzi · Dune Walking

5:00 AM — Wake-up and Arabic coffee at sunrise.

7:00 AM — Breakfast with dramatic desert scenery.

8:00 AM — Head towards Tawil Al-Khatam.

12:00 PM — Refreshment stop at Bir Jalabah.

3:30 PM — Arrive Tawil Al-Khatam; sunset walks on the dunes.

4:00 PM — Soak in the natural sulfurous hot Jacuzzi — a unique geological feature of the Empty Quarter.

5:00 PM — Dune hiking and exploration.

6:00 PM — Dinner. 7:00 PM — Campfire and stars.

Day 4 — Shubaytha & Ghada Al-Hisan

Fuel Stop · Desert Camp · Serenity

5:00 AM — Wake-up.

7:00 AM — Breakfast.

8:00 AM — Head towards Shubayta area.

11:00 AM — Arrive Shubayta — fuel stop and supplies.

12:00 PM — Move towards Ghada Al-Hisan.

3:30 PM — Camp at Ghada Al-Hisan — enjoy the beauty and serenity of the deep desert.

6:00 PM — Dinner and sharing of adventure stories.

7:00 PM — Campfire under a star-filled desert sky.

Day 5 — Return to Riyadh

Final Morning · Haradh Lunch · Riyadh Arrival

5:00 AM — Final desert morning. Last sunrise in the Empty Quarter.

7:00 AM — Breakfast; share memories with fellow travellers.

8:00 AM — Begin return journey to Riyadh.

3:00 PM — Lunch stop in Haradh.

5:00 PM — Arrive Riyadh. Expedition complete.

Route: Riyadh → Haradh → Umm Athla → Ash-Shalfa → Umm Al-Hadid → Umm Quroon → Dakaka → Tawil Al-Khatam → Bir Jalabah → Shubayta → Ghada Al-Hisan → Haradh → Riyadh

Key Geographical Sites

This route passes through the heart of the eastern Empty Quarter — one of the most geologically diverse and historically significant regions of the Rub al Khali desert.

Umm Al-Hadid

Ancient meteorite fall site — unique desert landmark with rich geological history

Umm Quroon

Famous Empty Quarter well — historic crossroads leading east to Al-Qaad and west to the White Camel area

Dakaka Region

Sulfurous desert area with exceptional dune formations and a natural hot well

Tawil Al-Khatam

Natural sulfurous well with hot spring Jacuzzi — remarkable geological feature deep in the desert

Bir Jalabah

Traditional waypoint well used by caravans crossing the Empty Quarter for centuries

Shubayta / Shaybah

Deep desert waypoint near the Shaybah oil field — the southeastern anchor of this crossing

Ghada Al-Hisan

Sand dune area — final desert camp before the return leg to Riyadh

Safety Measures & Emergency Protocols

All Vehicles Are Equipped With

CB Radios for real-time convoy communication
GPS Devices with desert terrain mapping
Satellite Phones for remote emergency contact
Full First Aid Kit
Extra fuel for remote stretches (no fuel stations in the Empty Quarter interior)
Extra water reserves

All expeditions are led by experienced local guides. Minimum group of 6 ensures convoy safety. Participants should be in good physical health. Emergency evacuation briefing conducted on Day 1.