TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
A hidden gem in the northernmost part of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is a dream destination. The emirate boasts of magnificent landscapes featuring breathtaking coastlines, terracotta desert planes, and the towering Hajar Mountain range that has the UAE’s highest peak –Jebel Jais.
TT Bureau
With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometres of white sandy beaches, Ras Al Khaimah offers an entirely unique experience and is the perfect getaway from everyday life. What adds to the dramatic vistas are the stark Hajar Mountains and the country’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, where the average temperature is around 10 degrees lower than the UAE norm.
Bucket list for adventure
Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline as certified by Guinness World Records, is an exhilarating experience visitors must definitely tick off their bucket list. Those willing to take the spectacular ride from the UAE’s highest mountain peak that gives visitors a magnificent aerial tour of the Hajar Mountains, can expect to soar with unparalleled speeds of up to 150 kilometres an hour and land on a breathtaking transparent platform that is completely suspended in air.
Jebel Jais also offers hiking trails or mountain climbing routes, offering the perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts. The experience is made even more special with a 30-kilometre scenic drive up the mountain, with a pit-stop at Viewing Deck Park for coffee served with a side of mountain views. For a more grounded experience, visitors can try spotting a flock of flamingoes, as they kayak through the mangroves and salt flats, explore the desert on horseback, or simply enjoy a falcon show.
Relive 7,000 years of history
Ras Al Khaimah’s rich history and culture will keep visitors spellbound and busy. Visitors can start with the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, which once served as the residence of the ruling family and now houses archaeological treasures of the emirate. Perhaps the most visited archaeological site in the emirate is Dhayah Fort, a 16th century mud-brick fort and the only hilltop fort still existing in the UAE, with a fantastic view of the lush palm gardens, the sea, and the dramatic mountain range.
A tour through the Suwaidi Pearl Farm will help visitors learn about the country’s incredible era of pearling, and experience pearl diving, oyster opening and a traditional lunch cooked by Emirati women in the village.
Claim your own piece of paradise
Travellers can expect uncrowded and pristine strips of soft golden sand that are cooled by the emerald embrace of the Arabian Gulf. What’s more? Enjoy a wide range of traditional Arabic activities with entertainment, Tanoura dancing, camel riding, and an Arabic barbecue. RAK’s desert camps also provide facilities to experience an overnight stay.
