From flying over UAE’s highest mountains on the world’s longest zipline to cracking open oysters for pearls, there are many adventures to be had in Ras Al Khaimah. Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s contributor joins in on a few.
The lub-dub of my thumping heart grew louder with every passing second, until it seemed to drown the wail of the wind whooshing through the mountains. My throat was parched as I surveyed the landscape of the rugged Hajar mountains from my vantage point atop Jebel Jais the highest peak in the UAE. Having done numerous hikes across the mighty Himalayas and the Alps, this 1,934-metre-high mountain should’ve barely caused any concern—if only I wasn’t about to fly down from it at hair-raising speed on the world’s longest zipline! The thrill coursing through my veins was electrifying, a feeling I’d soon get accustomed to through various adventures in Ras Al Khaimah.
The oldest of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, or RAK as it’s often abbreviated, has been continually inhabited for over 7,000 years. It was the last emirate to join the UAE after its formation in 1971, and unlike its popular, glitzy neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this small and sparsely populated emirate manages to retain much of its heritage, culture, and natural charm. The only emirate that boasts a landscape of desert, sea, and mountains, RAK is the epicentre of adventures for varied interests, age groups, and levels of daring.
Zipping Through Ravines
Inarguably, the most thrilling of them all is the Jais Flight. Reaching speeds of up to 160 kmph, it promises three minutes of pure adrenaline as you zipline for almost three kilometres over jagged peaks and deep ravines. In any other instance, even the thought of such an activity would’ve sent my acrophobic self running in the opposite direction. But the fact that over 70,000 people have attempted the flight with zero incidents and that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list experience, made me muster the courage to give it a go.
The drive from Ras Al Khaimah city to Jais Adventure Park up in the mountains was short, smooth, and picturesque. After signing a bunch of forms, my fellow adventurers and I were shown a demo video and then fitted with suits, helmets, GoPro cameras, and harnesses, before being driven to the launch platform at the top of Jebel Jais. One last set of instructions, and soon I was standing on the launch pad, with my instructor swiftly fastening my harnesses to the zipline. “So far, so good. I can do this,” I kept telling myself over and over.
It wasn’t until I was instructed to lie prone in a push-up position and then lifted off the ground to secure the last of the harnesses, that I knew my fragile heart couldn’t take it. Dangling from the zipline, with no ground beneath my feet, just the endless expanse of mountains, I engaged in one last furious inner dialogue in an attempt to face my fears. But alas! Seconds away from my flight, I was half-shouting, half-crying to be let off, even as my friends zipped down without a second thought. They’d later narrate the fantastic experience with excitement still writ in their eyes, while I listened with the disappointment of chickening out at the last moment.
Desert Delights
There should be no room for regret anymore; I was determined to go headlong into the next adventure, come what may. Jais Sledder sits comfortably on a low-slung track. On it, I hurtled down the Hajar mountains at a top speed of 40 kmph, swerving over 1,840 hairpin curves and undulating waves, with glorious panoramas of the mountains around and the coastline in the far distance. Now this was something more suited to my disposition—thrilling, yet not terrifying, with the complete freedom to speed up or brake the sled as I pleased.
On the second day, we drove into the Al Wadi Desert through small mounds of sand dunes interspersed with sparse vegetation. The ultraluxe Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert lay sprawled within a 1,235-acre private nature reserve, which we set out to explore aboard a handsome 4×4. Over the hour-long drive that took us over steep dunes, we came face to face with herds of gazelles, Arabian oryx, and other fascinating desert natives from the animal world.
As the sun began its descent on the horizon, we drove deeper into the desert and arrived at the Bassata Desert Village. Designed like a colourful Bedouin camp, it offers an array of adventure activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, camel rides, and the popular dune bashing, which sent us squealing as we drove up, down, and sideways on the dunes, revving up mounds of sand along the way. After a relatively quiet sunset break atop one of the dunes, we arrived back at the village to an assortment of barbecues served alongside the entertainment of the night—traditional belly dancing and swirling Tanoura dance, followed by a dazzling fire show.
Water Adventures in Ras Al Khaimah
The last day was especially exciting for the water baby in me, as we set out to the Arabian Gulf in a traditional-style boat. Cruising through the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, we passed by lush mangrove ecosystems and desert shores with camels milling about, arriving at what looked like a floating house in the middle of the water. This was the demo station of Suwaidi Pearls, the Arab world’s first pearl farm established by the world’s first Arabian pearl farmer, Abdulla Rashed Al Suwaidi.
Here, we met Obaid who gave us a lowdown on pearl farming, its chequered history, and newer sustainable farming techniques. Hands-on lessons on different types of pearl oysters and pearl grades followed a quick tour of a traditional pearl diving boat. Obaid also pulled up one of the oyster baskets from the sea to demonstrate how the oysters grow alongside corals, sponges, and other sea creatures. He then asked for a volunteer, to which I promptly raised my hand. The sea is my favourite playground, and I would’ve been up for any adventure there.
I was instructed to plunge my arm into a tank full of oysters and pick one. Putting my theory lessons to practice, I pried its shell open with a special knife and gingerly felt my way around its mushy organs with one finger. Within seconds, I felt the hardened round surface of a pearl. “Only 60 per cent of the farmed oysters produce a pearl. You sure are lucky to find one,” Obaid said, as I pulled out a shiny white pearl and held it in the palm of my hand. Now that was a whole other definition of adventure, one I wasn’t going to forget anytime soon!
All photographs courtesy of RAK Tourism
Related: Bookmark This: 15 Extreme Adventure Activities To Amp Up Your Adrenaline
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
— How do I reach Ras Al Khaimah?
Emirates operates direct daily flights from all metros in India to Dubai, from where Ras Al Khaimah is a comfortable hour-long drive away.
— Where can I stay in Ras Al Khaimah?
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort offers a choice of rooms, suites, and villas with views of the skyline, gardens, or the Arabian Gulf. Doubles from INR 12,218
— Where can I eat at Ras Al Khaimah?
Savour the Lebanese feast of kebabs, koftas, shawarmas, baklavas, and other delicacies from the Levant at the seaside Al-Maeda. Pizzas, salads and hearty global dishes at 1484 by Puro, the highest restaurant in the UAE located 1,484 metres above sea level at the Jais Adventure Centre are a must try. A Middle Eastern spread of cold mezze and other regional specialties await at the desert fine dining setting of Kaheela.
For more information, check out Visit Ras Al Khaimah’s official website and Instagram page.
Related: This Airline Has Launched A New Flight From Hyderabad To Ras Al Khaimah
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