AlUla is located in North-West Saudi Arabia, some 1,100 km from Riyadh
It is a vast area covering 22,561km², and embracing a lush oasis valley and towering sandstone mountains.
AlUla has an ancient cultural heritage sites, dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom.
It has more than 100 well preserved tombs with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement.
The Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to protect and safeguard this region of outstanding natural and cultural significance.
The Commission is embarking on a long-term plan to develop and deliver a sensitive, sustainable transformation of the region.
This will reaffirm it as one of the most important archaeological and cultural destinations and ready AlUla for visitors.
E-Visas
Saudi Arabia's e-visa makes travel to The Kingdom straight forward for vaccinated international travellers.
Arabian Leopard cub
A rare Arabian Leopard cub was born earlier this year in a breeding programme at the RCU-operated Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
The species, which is critically endangered, will eventually be reintroduced into the wilderness in the mountains of AlUla, and in early 2024, a state-of-the-art breeding centre is set to open as part of the Sharaan Nature Reserve.
This is one of many conservation projects undertaken by the Nature and Wildlife team including the successful release native animals Ibex and Gazelles as well as an extensive replanting.
Archaeological finds in AlUla
The Kingdoms Institute, AlUla's global hub for archaeological and conservation, has announced two fascinating finds so far this year.
The earliest evidence of a domesticated dog in Arabia
In March 2021, a team of archaeologists in AlUla uncovered the earliest evidence of dog domestication by the region's ancient inhabitants
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The discovery came from one of the projects in the large-scale archaeological surveys and excavations of the region commissioned by RCU.
The researchers found the dog's bones in a burial site that is one of the earliest monumental tombs identified in Arabia, roughly contemporary with such tombs already dated further north in the Levant.
The dog's bones were dated to between circa 4200 and 4000 BCE.
Rock art found in the region indicates that the Neolithic inhabitants used dogs when hunting ibex, wild asses and other animals.
One of the world's oldest series of monumental structures uncovered in AlUla
An aerial survey of AlUla and the region, followed by a ground survey and targeted excavation, has uncovered one of the oldest monumental building traditions yet identified.
The existence of the Mustatils, which are prehistoric monuments made of sandstone walls clustered in groups, was previously known.
More than 1,000 Mustatils have now been recorded, twice as many as were previously identified.
New attractions
Activities and attractions here include rock art trails, mountain biking, stargazing tours at Gharameel or exploring the desert landscape by horseback.
Helicopter tours
New helicopter tours launched in August reveal the rich geological heritage of AlUla from the sky, as well as the sheer vastness of the Arabian desert.
The 30-minute flight takes in seven major sites including :
- the Jabal AlFil (Elephant Rock) natural geological rock formation
- Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the southern capital of the Nabataean civilisation
- the Hijaz Railway, and
- Maraya, the world's largest mirrored building shining brightly like a diamond in the desert.
Via Ferrata and Canyon Hammock
The new guided climbing tour, Via Ferrata & Canyon Hammock, takes place in the desert canyons.
It has climbing points, bridges, suspended obstacles and aerial challenges to enable climbers to take in the canyon views and surrounding area.
Yoga in AlUla
Held in AlUla's oasis of Hijrat Nora, the Emtinan Yoga Wellness Experience offers guests a 90-minute session of yoga and meditation techniques.
Twisted Maze Hike
Hiking enthusiasts can walk AlUla's Twisted Maze Hike, with a guiding team leading guests off the beaten path through the canyons of Madakheel.
The 12-hour hike enables guests to test their limits whilst they hike, climb and swim through some of AlUla's unbelievable rugged landscapes.
Ridge Walk Hike
The Ridge Walk Hike is a slightly easier hiking experience, good for families looking for a taste of AlUla's nature and adventure.
Guests have the chance to fully immerse themselves in the desert oasis, marked by awe-inspiring views of AlUla's stunning landscape.
A particular highlight on this guided trip includes the steep four km trek to a vantage point overlooking the iconic, Wadi AlUla.
Road to Eldorado Experience
Offered by Husaak's Adventures, the Road to Eldorado experience is a 12km hike within AlUla's historic Grand Canyon.
Participants will be guided through a vibrant canyon full of colourful rocks, featuring rock art and carvings, walk-on exposed edges, navigate ladders and even have the chance to spot gold hidden in the rocks.
The eight hour trip enables guests to experience first-hand Alula's archaeological remnants and amazing rock formations within a captivating preserved area.
Volcano Hike
This is a two-hour extreme off-road drive across AlUla's surreal scenery to a breathtakingly extinct volcano before embarking on a short but steep remote nature hike to the volcanos ridge.
AlUla zipline
AlUla's new zipline experience is perfect for adventure travelling seekers.
As one of the longest in the world, visitors will race along to a speed of over 100km/h through the Hijaz Mountain range.
New Restaurants
With iSaudi and Middle Eastern cuisine available throughout the region, AlUla's food offering combines vibrant flavours, textures and spices.
There are traditional restaurants, such as Suhail, serving up fine Saudi food in AlUla's restored Old Town, and pastry restaurants like Pink Camel, in the AlUla oasis.
Maraya Social
Chef Jason Atherton, who owns and runs three-Michelin-star restaurants across the world, has opened his first restaurant in Saudi.
The restaurant is located on the rooftop of Maraya, the world's largest mirrored building.
Diners get 360-degree views of stunning rock-strewn valleys and canyons of the Ashar Valley.
Maraya Social is serving up fine European cuisine in a sharing format, and is working with local farmers to source fresh ingredients from the farm to the table.
Annabel's
This private members club is to return in December 2021 to a new secret setting, after a successful pop up at Hegra in 2020.
Annabel's will feature a series of themed private dining areas, serving their signature menu favourites and bespoke mocktails inspired by AlUla.
Other restaurants set to open include:
- Forces of Nature, a fine dining restaurant set deep within a canyon offering a farm-to-table experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner
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- Circolo, specialising in rustic and authentic Italian food
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- SKLT, which will showcase the diversity of meat and other tantalising ingredients served on cast iron skillets, and
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- Incense Road Suppers, a 360 degree sensory experience using the famous incense road and spice routes as inspiration.
New Hotel Openings
The new Shaden Resort and Sahary Desert Camp are two of 12 new properties set to open over the next four years, including three ultra-luxury Aman properties in 2023/4 and a resort in the Sharaan Nature Reserve designed by Jean Nouvel in 2024.
www.experiencealula.com/en/plan-your-trip/where_to_stay
Habitas AlUla
Located in the ancient oasis of the Ashar Valley, Habitas is a new eco conscious resort made up of 96 villas, designed with ethically sourced organic materials.
Banyan Tree AlUla
Inspired by more than 200,000 years of human heritage and unique landscapes, Banyan Tree is a new luxury tented resort, nestled against the incredible sky-high rock formations in a monumental valley.
www.banyantree.com/en/saudi-arabia/alula
AlUla Moments
AlUla is set to welcome four festivals under the umbrella of AlUla Moments, celebrating the region's heritage of art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian, gastronomy and astronomy.
The four distinct festivals will commence on 21 December and run through to 30 March.
- Winter at Tantora (21 December 2021 to12 February 2022) is the first music and arts festival offering culinary and musical experiences, live immersive shows, archaeology and cultural workshops.
- It also embraces a new Citrus Festival celebrating local AlUla produce, and an AlUla Desert polo event.
- the AlUla Arts Festival (13 February to 31 March 2022), will bring together exhibitions and encounters created by a diverse array of artistic talents, in celebration of AlUla's legacy as a cultural crossroads
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- AlUla Skies (27 February to 12 March 2022) will be a display of the geographical landscape of the region, from stargazing and helicopter tours, vintage flights and hot air balloon rides. There will also be a Symphony under the Stars musical performance, and Constellations - a new sight and sound experience, and
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- the AlUla Wellness Festival (17 to 27 March 2022) will offer a Five Senses Sanctuary with a range of mind, body and soul experiences from expert yoga, meditation and mindfulness practitioners.