Thrilling Adventures at Moon Mountain
If you’re looking for calmness and serenity outside the city borders, or if you seek Adrenaline filled adventures, Moon Mountain has it all. The valley located in the northeast of Jeddah near the village of Asfan, an hour away from the city center, is known for its unique terrain and striking rock formations shaped over many years jutting out from the soft sands and endless desert views. It is a favorite destination for desert hikers.
Visitors enjoy the range of activities here, such as stargazing at the clear skies, watching the stunning sunset, and full moon nights, when the moon lights up the valley. It is recommended that visitors camp for two or three days to fully enjoy the beauty and serenity of the place and unwind with family or friends.
A Different Kind of Adventure
Thrill-seekers are attracted to the exceptional nature of this place, which allows for amazing activities. These activities include quad-biking and driving four-wheelers, camel riding and mountain climbing, and group sports, like football, volleyball, tug of war, and hiking on the sand desert.
The Pleasure of Camping at Moon Mountain
Once you reach Moon Mountain, you will notice the scattered camps and outdoor seating with barbecue sets. After dinner, a cozy campfire setting is made for guests to sit back and stay up late sharing interesting conversation, of course, guests may choose the solitude of heading back to the private tent for a quiet evening. Some trips offer meditation and yoga sessions scheduled during the peaceful nighttime of the valley.
Tour operators in Jeddah coordinate continuous trips to the valley due to the variety of activities that visitors can enjoy. Trips start with early reservations through tour operators licensed to organize these types of trips. Guests are picked up in groups on four-wheel-drive cars from the city center to the valley and are provided with snacks and drinks during the trip.
Costs for desert safari tours start from around SAR299 (US$80) and vary by operator and package.
Homefront Frontiers
Tucked within the district of Diriyah and its fringes are interesting Kashta (hangout) spots – with many of them on the waterways that make you think you’re no longer in the city. When the urge to go far is low but the sense of adventure is high, why not sneak into the quietude of the stunning Diriyah.
Wadi Hanifah
Wadi Hanifah loops around Diriyah, and is the perfect harmony of greenery and the rocky humble terrain stand out against the noble historic site surrounding them, offering camping experiences to suit everyone’s needs. Wadi Hanifah has excellent walking and bike trails if you decide to break a little sweat.
Wadi Safar
Wadi Safar is a beautiful site tucked-away in Diriyah where you can have an epic camping experience, and if you get bored of the sand around, you can always stroll down to the dam nearby and explore the rather lovely view of the reservoir.
Wadi Laban Dam
Along the tributary of Wadi Hanifah, Wadi Laban Dam is a peaceful reservoir where you can pitch up a tent next to the breezy trees and wildflowers.
Rawdat Tinhat
In the range of King Abdulaziz National Reserve, you will find the biggest natural meadow in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with an area of 140,000 km² and extended greenery within sight. Discover the wonderful days you will spend in Rawdat Tinhat.
Green Painting
Rawdat Tinhat is one of the most beautiful camping sites where a grove of dense green plant cover adorned with aromatic tulips is in tune with beautiful sounds of birds, great atmosphere and fresh air. It is located 185km north of Riyadh, Rumah province. It is the final mouth of a number of valleys, its gorgeous image is completed by the sands of Nafud Ad Dahna that adorn its northern and eastern sides.
Best Time to Visit
Discover the captivating magic that is hidden in Rawdat Tinhat in spring, as natural components blend together to create the best place to walk, explore, and spend a day-time picnic with family on green carpets. Admire the sunset scenery, or enjoy a night barbeque party accompanied by the chatter and laughter of your friends. All you have to do is to prepare for the camping, get the necessary equipment from the stalls on the highway, choose a full-moon night, and enjoy the most pleasant and serene days, under the starry sky and the splendor of moonlight.
Must-Try Day Trips in Tabuk
It’s to no one’s surprise how Tabuk quickly rose as a favorite tourist destination to both locals and visitors as of late. It’s filled with so much history and beauty. Whether it be the culture, the diverse landscapes, the views, or the variety of outdoor activities available to nature lovers, Tabuk is a destination worthy of its reputation.
Tabuk has received more exposure internationally in the past few years due to the planned NEOM megaproject. However, Tabuk has always played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the country and still preserves much of its heritage and natural features.
Though the city itself has a lot to offer, if you’re in the mood to venture out, there is definitely a lot to see and explore.
Wadi Al Disah
About 260 kilometers outside of Tabuk lies the valley Wadi Al Disah, located in the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Natural Reserve. The valley is famous for its mountainous terrains, lush palm trees, streams, and hidden hot springs.
Wadi Al Disah is also home to relics from the past dating back to the Nabataean Empire. Their ancient writings can be viewed etched all over the valley.
The area provides the perfect opportunity for a hike or a picnic against the backdrop of the mountains along with the towering greenery.
Haql Shipwreck
Located about 55 kilometers outside the city of Haql in the Tabuk region is the infamous shipwreck, sometimes dubbed as the ‘Saudi Titanic’. The shipwreck is located on a large bay, the beaches are gorgeous and the coastline extends as far as the eye can see. There is not much development surrounding the city, so this secluded beach makes for a great camping spot as well.
Duba
A small port city just outside of Tabuk, the city immediately takes you back in time to the early Islamic expansions. The area was described by scholars such as Ptolemy, referencing the trade route to Al-Ula. And by Sheikh Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi; when he recorded his journey to Makkah to perform Hajj in 1790.
The most prominent place in Duba has to be Al-Ozlam Castle, dating back to the early 14th century and is a proposed world heritage site. It served as an important station serving to connect many pilgrims en route to Makkah and provided access for trade between neighboring countries. Hence, it’s significance was and still is of great value.
Another historical site would be the castle King Abdulaziz built after his conquest of the city, which was recently renovated using the same materials to preserve its original appearance.
Discover Edge of the World Cliff in Riyadh.
Edge of the World is the name of the 1.131 m height cliff that lies some 100 km from Riyadh at the end of the 800 km extending Tuwaik Mountain range. Edge of the World is the perfect destination of mountain climbing and hiking lovers. Discover the breathtaking off-cliff spectacular views.
Get Ready for the Journey
Before taking off on a journey to the Edge of the World in the northwest of Riyadh, you can look up the available trips in the list of Experiences to book your journey. It would be best to drive a four-wheel car due to the roughness of the roads. Also, make sure to equip yourself with everything you need as the area is wild and barren with no services available. You may encounter a mobile network outage, so you had better go with a group of people or a tourism expert. It is also advisable to put on trainers appropriate for hiking and climbing cliffs for a spectacular adventure in the mountains. It will be such a worthwhile challenge to mount the cliff to reach its top and enjoy the astonishing views overlooking a deep valley and extending barren desert. The best time to reach the top of the cliff is at sunrise or sunset, so pick your time to enjoy the magnificent view of the gradation of the sky colours.
Nature Surrounding Edge of the World
On the cliffs of Tuwaik Mountain with its distinguishing dry soil-free surface, you can enjoy the desert environment view with its arid features. You will notice samar trees and acacias spreading over the land of the valley, while ghodi trees and pole plants cover the majority of the high fixed sand dunes. The characteristics of the carved mountains with their intriguing sight tell the story of their long resistance to erosion and survival against time factors. Exploring the area, you may also discover some snails and marine life fossils spreading here and there indicating the fact that the area had once been a marine habitat. Finally, winter-time is so special at Edge of the World when the beautiful nature is accompanied by the cold weather and rainy season.
Best camping sites in Riyadh
Enjoy the tranquil beauty of nature, full of serenity under Riyadh’s sky and shining stars. Whether you are an expert or a beginner, we guarantee an unparalleled experience amidst the golden dunes of the suburbs of Riyadh.
If this is your first camping experience in Saudi Arabia, you can start with a visit to one of Tamimi Market branches or Carrefour, as they are large stores that provide camping supplies. Or you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting one of the traditional markets, such as Al Owais Markets. These markets include a variety of shops that provide everything you need for a perfect camping trip, including basics and luxuries while getting to know the traditional culture of the city.
After you have prepared for your camping trip, we suggest some special camping sites in Riyadh:
Rawdhat Nourah
Rawdhat Nourah is one of the most serene places. It has a wild environment characterized by its long green grass in spring and winter. These two seasons are the best seasons to visit Rawdhat Nourah for camping and revitalizing your energy. It is under the supervision and protection of environmental security, which makes it a haven for its visitors.
Rawdhat Khuraim
Rawdhat Khuraim has been transformed into a reserve to preserve its innate beauty and remain an environmental masterpiece in all its splendor. Spend a night or two and spend some exceptional time in the lush nature.
Thumama National Park
It is the most popular park, and the companion of all the immortal memories of the people in the region. You can get acquainted with the ideal form of camping, around which service facilities are distributed. You can bring your tent or rent tents equipped for the utmost camping experience.
Rawdhat Al-Khafs
Rawdhat Al-Khafs is covered with a green carpet as far as the eye can see. Some plants are known to grow in it, such as the wild Sidr. In late autumn until the end of winter, you can have a great camping experience in the beautiful weather.
Wadi Chic
For those looking to escape life’s hustle and bustle, amble on over to the beautiful surroundings with incredible views, pack up your hamper and head off for a picnic in the fresh air.
Wadi Hanifah
Head to Wadi Hanifah and soak up spectacular vistas, creating pockets of open spaces with lush greenery and streams while offering a chance to connect with nature, relax, unwind and be active.
Wadi Laban Dam
Cozied up next to the Hanging Bridge, Wadi Laban Dam is a little slice of grassy water preserve where you can wriggle your shoes off and bask in the sunshine. There is also a trail popular among cyclists in this location.
Al Bujairi Garden
Located in the Al Bujairy District and overlooking the historical site of Salwa Palace, Al Bujairi Garden is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. This idyllic spot is complete with lush greenery, brimming with palm trees that make a perfect canopy for picnics.Additionally, from Hofuf it takes an hour by car to reach Al Khobar, where you can visit the Sci-Tech Center or about an hour and 40 minutes to go off-roading in Al Qatif.
Namar Lake
Have yourself a nice picnic at Namar Park, one of Riyadh’s best-kept secrets and sit by the scenic lake to watch ducks float on by as you marvel at the beautiful natural panorama this site has to offer.
Diplomatic Quarters
Ramble in vast green and rocky spaces tucked within the confines of the Diplomatic Quarters, dotted with palm trees, some fauna and hidden waterfalls before heading to the Oud Square for great alfresco-eating spots.
The Majestic Dunes of Saudi Arabia
Must see deserts
Escape the city and experience unforgettable serenity.
Saudi Arabia is landlocked by a range of spectacular high dunes and long sand valleys, which are readily accessible to visitors to enjoy a unique blend of serenity and thrill.
Here are some of the different deserts in Saudi Arabia with windswept mammoth dunes surrounded by mountains and the breathtaking areas.
Rub’ Al Khali - The Empty Quarter
Rub Al Khali is a huge stretch of endless horizon of softly rolling dunes rising from the ground with its highest dunes reaching 250 meters. The desert’s gigantic size is overwhelming but it’s still loved by adventurous travelers.
Covering 650,000 square kilometers, it is part of a southern third of the Arabian Desert, including parts of Saudi Arabia; mainly the Eastern Province along with Najran and Riyadh Provinces, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The massive sand dunes of Rub AlKhali feature a collection of diverse sands including longitudinal, crescent sands and dome shaped.
Watch out for the sabkhas, which are soft plains between gigantic dunes that can be threatening to the vehicles.
Activities: Dune bashing, camping, quad biking
Al Nufud Al Kabir - The Great Nufud Desert
Al Nufud Al Kabir, staying true to its name is the largest and well-known dunefield in Saudi towering over 700-1000 meters.
The pristine golden sand stretches 90 kilometers from the village of Jubbah to the city of Sakaka and extends from Al-Zulfi for a distance of 300 kilometers until it reaches the borders of Hail. It also spread over an area of 10,3600 square kilometers in the provinces of Hail, Al Jouf, and Tabuk.
Some areas of Al Nufud Al Kabir dunes rise out of the fossilized forest tributaries when you least expect them, and offer panoramic views of the geological formations. In addition, the fossils of giant prehistoric elephant and birds of prey, dating back to 7,000 years have also been discovered in the Great Nufud desert.
Activities: Camping and picnics.
Al Araqana Desert
Located east of Tabuk, on the Medina – Tabuk road, Al Araqana desert features an ocean of large rusty golden-red dunes that flow over miles, and makes for an excellent backdrop for sunsets, during which the rolling amber hills radiate an intense fiery red color.
Activities: Dune bashing, camping, star gazing, and fossil hunting.
Must Visit: Don’t miss visiting Qaryat, an ancient prehistoric village rich in ancient history of the region.
Jubbah Desert
The Jubbah desert resembles a large rocky canyon with linear sand dunes and is home to one of the famous rock art sites in Saudi Arabia dating back to the Paleolithic period. The town of Jubbah in Hail is considered rich in agriculture despite being set against the harsh sand dunes of Al Nufud Desert.
Activities: Camping, star gazing, hiking to see rock art.
Ad-Dahna Desert
Along the Dammam highway 80 km east of Riyadh, Ad-Dahna Desert, also known as the Small Al Nufud Desert, acts as a sandy bridge between the great Al Nufud desert and the Empty Quarter.
45,000 square kilometers of a magnificent reddish sandy terrain spreading horizontally like veins, Ad-Dahna rises around 300 to 600m and forms seven percent of the sand dunes in the kingdom. 200 kilometers north of Riyadh, Ad-Dahna dunes form into huge star-shaped dunes rising up to 100 meters.
Different Type of Sand Dunes:
There are different types of dunes that develop into all shapes and sizes:
The Crescent Dunes:
As its name suggests, the crescent dune is shaped like a crescent and is the most common type of dune. Formed by winds blowing in one direction, these dunes are more wide rather than long.
The Linear Dunes:
With ridges as their prominent feature, the Linear Dunes are straight and long. Usually separated by other sand or rocky terrain, these dunes occur in parallel sets.
Dome Shaped Dunes:
Dome-shaped dunes are low circular-shaped dunes that lack a slip face, occurring due to the instability of winds.
Star Shaped:
When the wind blows from all directions, the Star Sand is accumulated like a pyramid-shaped mound growing upward.
Traveler Tips:
- Prepare your car to tackle the desert. Make sure you’re driving a SUV 4×4 car.
- All-terrain large tires that are in good condition are a must.
- Some essentials to take along: shovel, tow rope, torch, jump leads, foot pump.
- Come prepared for the cold weather, the temperature drops significantly during winter in the desert.
- If you want to experience the desert sports on the heaps of sand, bring along or rent a sandboard, sand sled or a quad bike.
Diriyah Mornings
Riyadh’s crisp and chilly mornings are a great opportunity to head out to Diriyah, a superb getaway for a family outing amongst its historical significance.
As Diriyah meanders through winding streets, head out to Wadi Hanifah’s dirt road loop where you can roll out a picnic mat. Here, you will spot mobile bike rentals as well, so if you want to park your cars and pedal down the trail, then there’s no better way to explore the area than on a bike.
Explore and play in sand, sea and mountains
Saudi’s diverse terrain makes it ideal for exhilarating outdoor sports and adventure: a vast desert with sand dunes and towering rock formations, green mountains to the north, and seas on both coasts.
Omar Faisal Abdulaziz Alhegelan, head of the Saudi Arabian Extreme Sports Federation and a world-champion skydiver, is no stranger to outdoor adventures. At a recent exhibition, he said, “In Saudi, we have huge opportunities for adventure tourism, starting from the seas and majestic mountains.” The federation, founded in 2020, is working to expand access to extreme sports for locals and tourists.
Whether you are seeking an adrenaline rush or an exciting challenge, Saudi has options for adventurers of all levels.
Dune Bashing
Saudi’s desert is marked with sand dunes, and you can drive on their shifting sands with the right setup. Known as dune bashing, this off-roading activity combines mud and hill driving. Hire an experienced driver with a four-wheel-drive vehicle or join a tour group for an adventure that you won’t soon forget. Pack a picnic lunch for a relaxing break. Visit Moon Mountain, an area northeast of Jeddah named for its lunar appearance, or the King Khalid Royal Reserve north of Riyadh, which has diverse wildlife and plant life around its golden dunes.
Tour operator Bandar Al Yasser says companies are equipped and trained for these adventures and can customize the experience based on your wishes. “Some tourists request dinner or want to camp overnight, so we meet those needs,” he says.
Water Sports
The Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf make Saudi a great option for adventures in the water. Jeddah is an ideal base for such activities in the Red Sea. Explore spectacular coral reefs while snorkeling, find underwater caves, swim with sharks, go full speed in a boat at sea, or cruise around the marina on a jet ski or flyboard. On Saudi’s east coast, visit Dana Beach Resort in the Eastern Province, where you can glide above Half Moon Bay on a parasail or swim among the fish with a certified diving instructor.
Mountaineering
Saudi is characterized by mountains throughout the country, a great opportunity for those who want to climb, hike, or bike. Jabal Halaliyat, a mountain in the eastern part of the country, is a great destination for exploring canyons and rock domes. North of AlUla, climb the towering sedimentary rock formations that dot the desert. In the southwest, Al Hada Mountain sits between Taif and Makkah. At more than 2,000 meters above sea level, its cooler temperatures make it perfect for hiking year-round. In the Tabuk region, Wadi Al Disah is an oasis for hikers, with iron-rich red rock formations, natural springs, and ancient ruins.
Horseback Riding
Horses have a long history in the region — Arabian horses date back at least 3,500 years — and horseback riding is an important sport in Saudi. You can ride along sandy beaches or warm deserts and enjoy the country’s beautiful landscapes. Caballo Equestrian Club in Riyadh trains riders on several species of Arabian horses.
Skydiving and Paragliding
If you want to experience an adrenaline rush, skydiving is sure to give you a thrill. Jump from planes and mountain slopes in areas such as Taif, Riyadh, and Jeddah. Paragliding is another great way to sail over Saudi’s mountains and valleys. Many centers provide excursions and training courses for those wanting to learn these sports.
Guides:
Contact the customer support through the chat button at the right downside of your device’s screen and list out your choice of packages and activities for instruction or direction.