Don’t Leave AlUla Without Trying These Awesome Experiences!

Grab your ticket to flow along with the sands of time as you journey through the timeless mystery of the ancient civilizations that spell sheer magic! Sitting along the incense trading route that spans from Southern Arabia, into Egypt, AlUla became a prime haunt for worn-out travellers where they sought respite from their long sojourn. AlUla was the capital of Dadan kingdom (also known as Lihyan) that once controlled the caravan trade. Hegra, another city in AlUla holds fame for its monumental tombs and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, this rustic land beckons you to come to its tangled streets of the old town, monuments, archaeological ruins, sand-swept dunes, preserved tombs and historic dwellings that hold 20,000 years’ worth of human history!  

Here are a few experiences that you must indulge your senses in when you’re in AlUla.

1. Exploring the Hidden City of Dadan

Built accurately from stone, the historical city of Dadan dates back to the early 8th century BCE and sits close to the oasis. Don your explorer hat and check out the exciting displays of a dozen tomb cuts that are cut into the red-rock cliffs that face the east part of the city. You must also observe the seated lion sculptures which are a part of the famous Lion Tombs. In traditional belief, lions represented a symbol of power and may have been used to mark the burial of an elite member of the royalty. Also see other inscriptions related to the type of produce, seasons, agriculture and capture everyday life from religious, social to laws of that time. Several life-size sculptures of men have also been found along with remains of the religious centre as well as artefacts used in daily life!

2. Marvelling at the Rock Art of Jabal Ikmah

Unleash the historian in you as you make your way to Jabal Ikmah, the site that is home to more than 450 early Arabic inscriptions! Also known as ‘Saudi Arabia’s Open Library’, Jabal Ikmah offers a breathtaking collection of rock inscriptions that are thought to date back as far as the first millennium BCE. The inscriptions depict pictures of animals, people, musical instruments as well as offerings, messages and laws – written in an ancient language. When here, you can also visit the Incense Museum which is a great centre for learning about trade routes and commodities back then.

3. Trekking to the Rock Outcroppings of AlUla’s Desert

Looking surreal and shiny under the sun, the landscape of AlUla is dotted with aesthetically shaped rock outcroppings that are the artwork of nature’s erosive forces of wind and water over a passage of million years! Undertake your jaunt over the foot, bicycle or a 4x4 vehicle or even better – on an Arabian horse! However, the best way to appreciate the striking scenery is by going on a hiking trail with a guide where you can admire the Elephant Rock which stands at 171 ft and snap pictures. You can also arrange to have a dining experience under the stars here. Also, check out the Dancing Rocks that are situated in the Al Raggasat Valley, these are natural rock formations that form a network of canyons. Among these, the three spiralling formations of rocks that have been sculpted by sand being blown over by strong winds over a passage of time are something to marvel at! If you love more adventure, you can try to locate the 2000-year-old petroglyphs on the rocks here. Sitting in the backdrop, is the Harrat Khaybar which is a mass of igneous basalt columns and add a tinge of beauty to AlUla and are a product of an ancient active volcano! Other rock formations like the Face Rock, Finger Mushroom Rock and the Arch are among other attractions that can be seen in the region. 

A good way to end this outdoor adventure would be by choosing a stargazing activity at AlGharameel in a traditional bedouin setup. The dark coloured night sky makes for a beautiful canvas for the glimmering stars!

4. Hiking Through the Mysterious Oasis of AlUla 

Huddled amidst the sprawling sandstones of the Hijaz Mountains, the AlUla’s valley oasis is a lush green haven of serenity that offers a soothing respite. It has fragrant citrus trees, date palm grooves along with bountiful harvests of olives, figs, wheat, barley and oats.The beautiful valley has everything needed for a peaceful stopover, thanks to the bounty of natural springs of the oasis and the drainage basin.

Travellers can take a two-hour guided climb to the Alfath mountain peak for a great view of the AlUla oasis. After climbing the Sandstone Mountains, feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring view of millions of date palm trees below. Revel amid the dense foliage, relax and unwind and preferably stay back to witness a spectacular sunset over the oasis!

So that was a mini guide for all the thrilling experiences in the AlUla city of Saudi Arabia! You can find more experiences and places to visit here.