Few places offer adventure activities quite like Ras Al Khaimah. This unique destination in Arabia is home to an incredible natural landscape of pristine beaches, lush mangrove forests, vast terracotta desert dunes and the rugged Hajar mountains, creating the perfect environment for a range of thrilling activities. With so many experiences to choose from the only thing you’ll struggle with is deciding which ones to do. Luckily for you we have picked the top 5 adventure activities in Ras Al Khaimah guaranteed to satisfy even the most extreme thrill seekers needs. Read on to find out which exhilarating experiences made the list below!
Of course, the Jais Flight has to be the top adventure activity to do in Ras Al Khaimah. This zipline is located at the top of the Jebel Jais mountain peak and is an astonishing 2,83km in length – making it the longest zipline in the world! Guests are securely fastened in a lying down position, offering a unique birds eye view of the breathtaking surroundings as you fly through the air across deep ravines, canyons and through jagged peaks. At a height of 1680 metres above the Arabian Gulf and reaching spine-chilling speeds of up to 150 kmph, this experience is not for the faint hearted. Since opening in 2018, more than 70,000 people have bravely taken on this flight – don’t miss the chance to add to this with a flight of your own!
Is one zipline not enough for you? Well if not then take on the Jais Sky Tour. This sky tour takes you through a complex route of six different ziplines, which range from just 337 metres to over 1 km in length and an average speed of 60 kph. Covering a total distance of 5 km, this experience takes around two hours as you navigate seven platforms connected by the six ziplines. The highest platform is the Sky Bridge, which is located at 300 metres above the ground. Of course, safety is paramount which is why each flyer is seated and securely fastened onto the zip wire by the trained Warrior Group team. If you’re scared of heights we don’t recommend it but if you are brave enough to take it on you’ll have an incredible story to tell!
Next up on the list is none other than Via Ferrata, an experience which is a cross between rock climbing and mountaineering, suitable for all levels. The 470 metre Via Ferrata offers guests the chance to scale a remarkable part of the rugged Hajar Mountain range. This course runs over three mountain hikes which connect via a series of zip wires measuring 50, 60 and 300 metres. Guests can choose to take on either the Ledge Walk, Middle Path, or for the most adventurous, the Julphar Scare. The Ledge Walk is perfect for those wanting something a bit less challenging and takes around four hours to complete. The Middle Path takes around three and a half hours to complete and will make guests face three vertical routes and a restricted horizontal climb that dramatically rises 60 metres from the wadi bed. The Julphar Scare is the shortest route but the most exhilarating! This route is a thrilling combination of ladders, climbing, scrambling and hiking narrow mountain goat path. Whichever path you choose, it will be an experience to remember.
Some people think humans aren’t meant to fly and are instead meant to stay on the ground. And whilst we certainly disagree with that, there are plenty of other exhilarating activities that won’t make you take flight – but be warned that doesn’t make them any less terrifying! That takes us to number four on our list - The Jebel Jais sledder Mountain Coaster located in Jebel Jais Adventure Park. Guests will sit comfortably on this low-slung track as they reach speeds of 40 kmph hurtling down the Hajar mountain range with views of the mesmerising coastline. This electrifying ride takes approximately 8 minutes to complete and covers 1,840 metres. The sleds on this ride are designed to take two people (one in the front and the other in the back) meaning you aren’t alone in this experience, and, if you need it, someone else giving you courage to go on!
The last experience on our list is Dune Bashing in the Liwa Desert. Dune Bashing is an exciting off-roading experience that takes place on dune fields and there is no better place to do it than in Ras Al Khaimah as the Liwa Desert has some of the largest and highest dunes in the world. Jump in a large 4 x 4 vehicle driven by an expert driver who will navigate the car through the sand at varying speeds. Feel the car tilt, slide and bounce as it goes up and down the dunes, creating a hair-raising roller coaster-like sensation. Be sure to choose a reputable safari trip operator for this experience like the Arabiers – a company which offers dune bashing, camping, trekking and much more!