‘Ahlan wa sahlan’, the Arabian welcome phrase, literally means “you are among family and ease”. The Arabic hospitality embodies a deep sense of belongingness and congeniality.
The ‘Nature Emirate’ Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is turning out to be the symbol of this Arabic warmth and hospitality. Be it the breath-taking natural landscapes, pristine beaches, lush mangrove forests, vast terracotta desert dunes, and the rugged Hajar mountains, the place has something to offer to everyone!
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has built a reputation as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Middle East and North Africa region. Rapidly growing Emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah are bustling, giving locals and tourists much to explore and do.
“So, whether you want to ride a 4×4 in the desert, shop ’til you drop in one of the world’s biggest malls, or explore centuries-old mosques and palaces, this is the place,” an official of the RAK Tourism Development Authority said.
Camp 1770 perched along the trails of Jebel Jais mountain is the only camp in the UAE where you can witness both the sunrise over the Indian Ocean and the sunset over the Arabian Sea. This site offers commanding views over land and turquoise seas—and a captivating 180-degree panorama of the Hajar Mountain range, stretching across Oman and Ras Al Khaimah.
“Mountains always have a calming effect on us. At Camp 1770, we offer our people a golden chance to relax and reconnect with nature. We conduct a whole range of activities – from adventure sports to health and wellness events.
“Our conduct of the Wim Hof method of relaxation is quite popular. We organise exercises to beat depression, stress, anxiety, and even strengthen one’s immune system. This is the new global movement now!,” Fadi Hachicho, CEO, Adventurati Outdoor Guided Tours, told The Statesman.
“Besides, we also organise trekking and backpacking in different disciplines, that is, we cover the 24-km stretch in 13 to 16 hours. In the other method, porters carry the belongings of people, and for the more fit, they hit the summit with their backpacks. More importantly, we serve our guests the authentic Arab food prepared by the locals, which also serves as a means of employment for them,” he added.
Our next stop was the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, a place known for its well-preserved coral-stone houses, wind towers, mosques, and marketplaces that offer a rare glimpse into pre-oil Emirati life. With the discovery of oil, its inhabitants had left the place in the late 1960s.
“Al Jazeera Al Hamra is the only remaining historical pearling village in the entire Gulf region; the rest were demolished with the discovery of oil. Al Jazeera Al Hamra translates from Arabic to mean Red Island. We are restoring the village to make it a popular tourist spot,” a tour guide said.
“At the village, people had built separate rooms for the harsh winters and summers. Huge wind towers were also a common sight here. We have restored many old ones and also built new towers. We also conduct workshops for school students in the month of October. The village is usually open for tourists throughout the year,” she adds.
1484 by Puro is named according to its height above sea level – 1,484 meters. Positioned overlooking the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, this unique restaurant boasts a magnificent panorama of Jebel Jais and its otherworldly landscapes. The restaurant features a sleek, modern interior and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Hajar mountains.
The next stop in our RAK itinerary was undoubtedly the most popular — Jais Flight or the world’s longest zipline.
“I had an amazing experience doing the zipline. The ride offered stunning views of the Hajar mountain range, right across deep ravines, canyons, and through jagged peaks 1,680 metres above sea level.
“The whole ride takes just about 3 minutes and is designed to thrill at hair-raising speeds up to 150 kmph. Though I was very scared, I am happy I did it,” said tourist Ramesh, a native of India’s Telangana region.
We ended our RAK journey with a visit to the beautiful Suwaidi Pearls Farm and Dhayah Fort.