NATURE & OUTDOORS
Unique adventures to have in Saudi
These unique adventures will challenge your pre-conceived expectations of travel in Saudi and discover experiences you never knew existed in the country...
Words by Eibhlis Gale-Coleman
1
2
Not much beats the feeling of racing on horseback through lapping waters on a beautiful beach. To recreate this Saudi-style, the shorelines just outside of the King Abdullah Economic City are the ideal destination; head out with the popular stables, Lagoona Horse Riding, located just by the beach. The collection of stunning horses are mostly finely-tuned Arabs.
Beginners can take it steady at a gentle walk on a 30-minute riding experience. More advanced riders have options to trot, canter, and gallop – taking the speed up a notch for an extra adrenaline kick. Sunset rides are an extra special package.
3
Saudi has nearly 8,000 named mountains, and the beautiful granite Jabal Al Lawz is widely rated as one of the best for hiking. The mountain is located in northern Saudi, right next to the Jordan border and just a 2.5-hour drive from Aqaba. It is rumoured by some to be Mount Sinai, a biblical location where Moses took the Ten Commandments. But aside from its hiking trails and potential religious significance, visiting Jabal Al Lawz causes a buzz with its snowfall.
Jabal Al Lawz is nicknamed the Almond Mountain for its almond-rock colour. However, it is almost entirely dusted in snow in December and January. Enjoy the novelty of snow angels and snowmen with some of the rarest desert snow in Saudi.
4
Al Baha has long been a hub for beekeepers. Residents have used traditional beekeeping methods for hundreds of years, with thousands of beehives scattered on the acres of land in Al Baha’s mountainous outskirts. Not only is it a massive element of cultural heritage, but Al Baha’s beekeeping is vastly important for the region’s ecology and economy.
The best way to experience the practice of beekeeping in Al Baha is by attending the annual summer International Honey Festival. The festival welcomes bee experts from over 35 countries and honey producers. Chat with stall holders and taste Sidr, Talh, Salam, and Berseem honey varieties.
5
AIUIa’s desert landscapes are often best appreciated from an aerial view. Keep your eyes open while zipping through the air at around 120km/h to appreciate this unique vantage point. The longest zipline in Saudi stretches 1.5km and is the best experience for adrenaline lovers – treating travellers to expansive views of AIUIa’s distinctive geology at high speeds.
This zipline is accessible on an hour-long experience guided by Adventure Hub, a leading tour operator in the city.
6
Paramotoring is one of the most bizarre activities you’ll ever see. A go-kart-looking contraption soars through the air with a parachute above; it’s a more powerful version of a paraglider. Just north of Riyadh, you can experience this hair-raising activity first-hand.
In winter, Thumama National Park is at its most popular. Visitors journey through the park in 4WD vehicles for off-roading and Bedouin camping experiences. However, the park is an equally famed location for practising paramotoring. To arrange a paramotoring experience, both Qassim Aviation Club and Serb al Soukour School offer extensive training courses.
7
Chances are you’ve seen images of falconry training before; a handler, usually wearing a traditional Shemagh headdress, stands with a falcon clutching his wrist. While falcons were once used for hunting in Saudi, the birds are now a hobby and symbol of status and lingering cultural heritage. A falconry experience is one of the most significant cultural adventures in Saudi.
The best place for such an experience in Saudi is the Saudi Falcons Club, located just north of Riyadh. The club hosts regular events, including the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival. Get close to these noble creatures and learn more about the traditional falconry practices.
Practical information
Visas
It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).
Getting there & around
With plenty of direct flight links from the UK to Riyadh, it’s really easy to get to the Saudi capital. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C. The Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) operates several bus routes in the city, while taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem offer even more flexible ways to navigate Riyadh. Due to launch in early 2024, the Riyadh Metro will transform the city’s public transport network further, with six Metro lines and 85 stations planned.
Local customs
To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.
Weather
You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.
Is English spoken in Saudi?
Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.
What is the currency of Saudi?
The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.
What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?
We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.
What’s the time difference in Saudi?
Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.
