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The impression of getting lost, the sensuality of the East, the sun rising over the dunes: the Rub'al Khali, or the Empty Quarter Desert it is one of the most magical, adventurous and wild places that exist in the world. Hundreds of people have walked (and got lost) among its sands and its charm is almost lethal.
There is no other desert like it unexplored: approximately 1.000 kilometers long and at least 500 kilometers wide, it covers an area of over 650.000 kilometers in total, most of which is still completely shrouded in mystery.
The name and history of the Empty Quarter
The Empty Quarter desert is fascinating in every way. His name Rub'al Khali is to be understood as follows: the room (after sky, earth and sea) space, to which the adjective has been attributed empty precisely because of the absence of human presence and its inhospitality. Its dunes and sands cover the southernmost part of the Arabian Peninsula and even the Bedouins are unable to venture beyond a certain point, trying, despite their wisdom and experience, to remain on the margins.
On the other hand, legend has it that the Empty Quarter defeated kings and valiant Arab leaders, who would have ventured to search for his heart to reveal its ancient mysteries. Yes, because this arid desert was formed thousands of years ago, but before that, according to various studies, it was a flourishing region, which despite the hot climate retained some lake areas and stretches where you could live in complete serenity.
The empty Quarter between dunes, oases and lakes
The fact that these areas existed has been proven time and time again. Scholars and researchers have arrived in remote areas where remains of lakes and waterholes now fossilized, where hippos once went to drink (remains of their teeth have even been found), cattle, buffaloes, wild donkeys, goats, sheep and gazelles. Furthermore, worn and chipped tools and instruments were found in the surrounding area, which demonstrates human settlements.
Today, the Empty Quarter desert stands out for its giant dunes which rise up to 250 meters, due to the few but beautiful oases in the desert and its aridity: here it rains even less than in Death Valley and all visits and tours must be rigorously organized and rely on large supplies of water in order to make sure everything goes smoothly. Solo crossings, unless you are an experienced explorer followed by an entire team remotely, are not to be considered an option.
The nights of the Empty Quarter and the Atlantis of Sand
However, it is possible to visit the Empty Quarter Desert with tours, guided tours and stays perfectly managed by Omani agencies. The most evocative experience is certainly camping: a overnight stay in the dunes with eyes turned to the stars. The Empty Quarter, in fact, is totally free of light pollution and from here you can see one of the most beautiful starry skies in the world, with a huge moon rising among the sandy mountains.
The nocturnal atmosphere is also the best for telling one of the most evocative legends on the Empty Quarter: that of the Atlantis of Sand, or theAtlantis of Sand. It is said, in fact, that some (very few) brave people managed to find the center of the desert and found, well hidden, a hidden civilization that would recall the mythical Atlantis. No one can really know if there is a grain of truth, but why not believe it?
