An Indian Perspective on a Magical Location in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, a land where ancient history meets futuristic ambition, has now opened its door to a host of unique experiences that intersect culture and luxury! The birthplace of Islam is no longer just a place of pilgrimage, but an emerging tourist destination that whispers stories of tradition, transformation, and untold adventure.
We were delighted to present Saudi as an experience-first destination to one of our beloved clients – and even happier that it exceeded their expectations. If you wish to know all about their itinerary we’ll have a post on that soon, but today, we want to focus on one specific highlight of the trip – the desert oasis city of Al-Ula.
Read this article as an introduction to Al-ula, to help you find out if it’s the destination for you or not.
Al-Ula: A Living Museum
There are few places in the world where the desert boasts charm and luxury like in Al Ula. From its fascinating & historical Old Town to the vast open desert littered with grand rock formations, Al-Ula brings to light the ancient and modern grandeur of the beautiful country of Saudi Arabia. At the crossroads of the Silk Route and the Incense Route, the stories held in this desert are proudly recounted today. The stories tell of ancient sites like Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, which offers a window into the Nabataean Kingdom’s architectural prowess – through nearly 100 meticulously carved tombs! They continue to unfold in the Old Town, surrounded by a verdant oasis, which is a testament to the sophisticated urban planning of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms. These ancient cities, along with the rock art sites in Jabal Ikmah, narrate the area’s significance through the ages.
The cultural heritage of Al-Ula is matched by its natural splendour. The region’s ecosystem supports a plethora of wildlife and vegetation and is a key conservation area.
“Visitors can immerse themselves in Al-Ula’s history, explore its natural landscapes, and engage with the local community, experiencing first-hand the hospitality that has been a hallmark of the region for centuries.” – The Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU)
Al-Ula: A Luxury Oasis
Saudi Arabia is also known to be an experience for those in search of luxury. Other spots like the Red Sea Project are well-publicised, but we believe Al-Ula represents a gracious and refined luxury that is truly distinct.
There are various accommodations within the Old Town. The Dar Tantora House Hotel is the pick of the bunch. But when in search of true opulence, you must make a beeline down to the Ashar Valley. There, the private villas seem to be crafted specially to cater to your desires. For example, the Dune Villa at Banyan Tree with a plunge pool gives you the perfect mix of relaxation and personal adventure. The villas at Our Habitas provide you with intimate spaces to connect with your loved ones, or sprawling abodes to lounge, entertain yourself and absorb the nature around you. These two properties are considered some of the most unique luxury resorts in the entire world! Our guests were staying in the Alcove Villa, which boasts stunning views of the Sandstone Cliffs from the private terrace.
Al-Ula’s luxury ethos integrates the environment so harmoniously that you feel it is the natural offspring of a culture of exploration and adventure. No property better defines this than the Caravan by Our Habitas. We put our clients up for a night in an Oasis Caravan and their experience was described to me as “surreal”. No surprise when this is what it looks like.
In addition to the caravan, they host perfectly fitting yet unique programmes such as The Caravan Cinema Club and a Sound Bath Experience. The desert setting concurrently provides plenty of mindful moments to be experienced in grandeur.
Cultural Immersion: Desert Edition
Should you choose to tear yourself away from your luxury digs, Al-Ula has a world of ancient wonders waiting for you to explore. We already mentioned Hegra, which by day, stuns visitors with monumental tombs intricately carved into sandstone cliffs standing as silent sentinels of a lost civilisation. As the sun sets, Hegra transforms. Under the night sky, the tombs glow under soft illuminations, and a quiet mysticism settles over the land. This duality makes Hegra an experience that changes with time, much like the stories it holds.
We recommend a Range Rover tour through Hegra, which allows you to traverse its expansive terrain effortlessly, and account for the harsh weather and terrain while taking in the sheer scale of the site.
Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, are the foundations of Al-Ula’s past long before the Nabataeans. Dadan’s structures date back to the first millennium BCE, over three thousand years ago. Nearby, Jabal Ikmah is often referred to as an open-air library an astonishing collection of inscriptions and petroglyphs that recount everyday stories of those who once walked these lands.
In stark contrast stands Maraya, a stunning architectural feat that redefines modernity. Its mirrored façade seamlessly reflects the surrounding landscape, blurring the line between nature and structure.
Maraya is also a cultural hub, hosting world-class concerts, art installations, and performances that breathe new life into Al-Ula’s timeless surroundings. Maraya is deep in the Ashar Valley and open to access for guests staying here, but tours from the town visit Maraya as well.
And Al-Ula’s magic is not confined to the earth. A hot air balloon ride at sunrise unveils the landscape from an ethereal vantage point. The ancient tombs of Hegra, dramatic rock formations, and undulating dunes form an artist’s canvas.
As the day fades, another spectacle unfolds in the night sky – a breathtaking tapestry of stars, with the Milky Way stretching vividly across the heavens. Guided stargazing experiences offer a deeper appreciation of the cosmos, linking modern explorers to the celestial navigation of ancient civilizations. These experiences might be expensive and are a part of the luxury of Al-Ula, but what they offer is worth the investment.
Dining Experiences To Savour
The culinary landscape at Al-Ula is as diverse as its terrain. Tama at Habitas delivers a refined take on regional flavours, blending locally sourced ingredients with international techniques. Suhail presents a journey into Saudi heritage through its elegantly crafted traditional dishes.
If you are seeking a setting as memorable as the meal, Heart of the Oasis provides a dining experience amid lush date palms. Meanwhile, Somewhere brings a contemporary, vibrant energy to the scene, making it a favourite for those looking to enjoy creative Mediterranean flavours. From the bustling atmosphere of Al-Mansyah Plaza, where casual street-side cafés invite slow mornings, to the exclusivity of hidden desert pop-ups offering private dining under the stars, Al-Ula captures what it means to eat in the heart of an ancient kingdom. Whether you sit at the table of a king or a courtier, every dish, and every setting tells a story that lingers long after the last bite.
If you are looking for an experience-first destination to explore this winter Alula might be the choice for you. This desert destination can be combined with a few days in Jeddah and the Red Sea to experience the best of what Saudi’s west coast has to offer! Be prepared for immersive tours, stunning landscapes and a lot of delicious food!
Planning trips within nascent destinations really challenges us to look far and wide to find special offerings for our clients. It’s all part of the process – we don’t just stick something tried and tested onto them – we research and test and find out what works perfectly for THEM. It’s about coming away with the EXPERIENCE – not just the stamp on your passport and tick on the travel list.
