Adventure seekers and travel enthusiasts can agree it’s about time! Time to go out and explore the world from another viewpoint. And while you’re probably getting your notepads to write down your preferred travel destinations this holiday season. Here’s a little suggestion: add UAE to the top of that list! You’ll be surprised with the range of Adventurous Activities In UAE.
It’s audacious to make such a statement. I know. You’re probably wondering “The UAE is all beautiful and glamorous. But is there anything adventurous I’d be doing if I visit there?” The answer is a surprising yes.
The beauty of the UAE goes beyond its remarkable buildings, glamorous sights, and exotic souks. There’s a truckload of adventures to engage in when you visit the UAE. I have seen them for myself and I want you to experience them, too.
And I’m going to show you what adventures lie in wait when you visit the UAE. But hey, before we get down to business, here are a couple of things you need to know about the UAE in general.
Then and Now: A Brief History of the UAE
Before the glam of the UAE came to be, it used to be a massive desert inhabited by Bedouins. According to historical records and archeological findings, merchant activities were the order of the day back in the 7th Century.
This Arabian Gulf was in a strategic position with her residents involved in pearl diving and fishing in the coastal areas. The area connected trade from Asia to Europe and other parts of the world.
However, conflicts broke out between European powers (Britain, France, and Portugal) to seize control of the region and India.
Portugal took control of the region in the 16th Century and continued to colonized the region until the British Navy expelled them in 1625 and finally put them out of business in 1766.
The region remained under the control of the British who established a treaty with the Sheiks of Oman Coast in 1820. This brought Arabian kingdoms in the region under British rule. It became The Trucial Coast. Faster trade relations with India, China, and other countries were established.
Due to WWI, WWII, and oil discovery in the region, British influence over the geographical location waned. In 1968, the British announced that it would be pulling out of the region which it did in 1971.
In 1972, the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Fujairah, Umm Al Quain, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah came together as a single political unit to become the United Arab Emirates.
And since then, the UAE has grown exponentially, turning into a major hub for travel, trade, real estate, entertainment, tourism, and lots more. Its cities are now filled with countless wonders, boasting of the tallest building in the world—the Burj Khalifa—a testament of their global prominence.
Fun and Adventurous Activities in the UAE
With the history out of the way, I have curated some of the most adventurous activities to have while in the UAE.
Let’s check them out:
Explore Ghost Town in Ras Al-Khaimah
If you’re a sucker for explorations, this is the best place to start. Think about a typical sci-fi movie depicting the end of the world. Think about zombie dwellings. That’s what Ghost Town is all about.
This place is not yet known or frequented by tourists. Located in Ras Al-Khaimah, an hour drive from Dubai, Ghost Town is an inland town that has been long abandoned.
Its background story is particularly interesting. According to locals nearby, this place provided shelter for a group of people who fished nearby. However, as oil was discovered in the late 1960s, the residents left the settlement in search of greener pastures in the bigger cities.
From mere appearance, the whole place looks shabby and in ruins. But as soon as you start to explore, you’d begin to feel an enveloping spookiness only punctuated by the sweeping wind.
There’s a rumor that the whole place is heavily haunted. Just from the looks of the numerous ruins, it would appear so. You can easily tell that the buildings were made with coal stones held together by clay. The roofing of these buildings is made up of date palms woven together to provide enough shelter for its previous occupants.
Ghost Town is eerily quiet. Your footsteps would be the only sounds you hear as you walk through the town. If you’re not a fan of horror movies, I don’t recommend that you visit this place alone. As no touring guide visits this location, it is best if you get a hiking partner like I did.
Ghost Town is accessible from the highway; it is only a 15-minute drive from the hotel we lodged for a couple of days (Marjan Island Resort and Spa).
Explore Jebel Jais
It would be a disservice to visit the UAE and not make a quick stopover at Jebel Jais. Located on the eastern part of Ras Al-Khaimah, Jebel Jais is the highest peak in the whole of the UAE.
Together with the surrounding mountain range, findings reveal that Jebel Jais was formed over 70 million years ago.
As a tourist, the mountain range offers several exciting activities for you. You don’t have to worry about the heat. While the UAE is hotter for the average visitor, the weather at Jebel Jais is mild, with a cool breeze blowing all day.
No matter the time you visit Jebel Jais, you’re going to enjoy a cool experience in whatever activities you might do there.
Some of these activities include:
Enjoy a Zip lining Experience
Jebel Jais holds the Guinness record for being the longest zipline in the world. It’s one of the major attractions Jebel Jais and one of the most Adventurous Activities In UAE.
Inside the facility, there’s a stall where you can get kitted materials for your ziplining experience. You’d be traveling at a speed of 140km/hr and at a surprising height of 1,934m above sea level. A camcorder is fixed to your helmet to record the entire experience.
There would be a shuttle waiting at the other side to return you to the mountain park when you’re done. You can pre-book the activity from the Toroverde Ras Al Khaimah website.
Hiking on the Mountain Range
If you love hiking, the Jebel Jais mountain offers a unique hiking experience for you. One of the coolest things about the mountain is that hiking trails have been created and maintained. It presents the opportunity to know all about this famous mountain range while being one with nature.
The total distance of hiking you will cover is 16km, divided into the lower and upper segments. The staff is fully cooperative in ensuring you get all the important information about the mountain.
Cycling around the range
If you love cycling, Jebel Jais also offers an opportunity to put your skills to work. Here you can enjoy the pleasure of cycling around the mountain on long paved roads. This particular exercise will test your stamina and resolve. So, get ready.
There are several companies offering different packages to interested cyclists. Look out for a package that is affordable for you to enjoy a unique cycling experience around Jebel Jais.
Camping on the mountain range.
If you’re planning a weekend trip to the UAE, why not do so in the most adventurous way possible? Camping!
The mountain range offers several locations that you can set up your own tent for a unique camping experience. There are several tour companies that can help organize an overnight camping stay in this mountains.
Enjoying meals surrounded by breathtaking views
One of the coolest things about the Jebel Jais mountain range is that it offers several impressive views. And you can marvel at these sights while enjoying wonderful snacks.
Some of them include salad, pastries, pizzas, and so much more. There’s also a café in the park where you can whet your thirst with chocolate coffee, latte, smoothies, and cappuccino. There’s a top-of-the-world feeling you’re going to get when you look at these views. Nothing comes close to it.
If you plan to visit Jebel Jais from Dubai by rental car, ensure you have the following:
- Enough gas for the trip.
- Enough clothes to change into, as the temperature changes as you visit the mountain range park.
- If you plan to camp, bring your camping tools as there are no malls to get them there.
- Comfortable footwear for the hiking experience.
The UAE, particularly Ras Al Khaimah, has a lot of adventurous activities in UAE for adventure seekers and travel enthusiasts who are looking to have the best fun in the Middle East.
So, get ready and start making travel arrangements to the UAE for a unique travel experience. You’d be glad you did.
Check out my last blog about my staycation experience in the gorgeous resort in Ras Al Khaimah!
