WE WILL RAKYOU

THE WORLD’S LONGEST ZIPLINE

Most travellers will head straight for the Hajar Mountains which stretch from the eastern reaches of Ras Al Khaimah across the border into Oman. And it’s the peak of Jebel Jais – the highest point in the UAE – that has fast become the adventure capital of the Middle East, with rugged mountain landscapes offering up an impressive menu of adrenalin-charged activities.

The poster child for Jebel Jais is the Jais Flight; the world’s longest zipline. From a starting point 1 680 metres above sea level, riders fly down the wire – suspended face down in a Superman position – for 2.8 kilometers, or the length of 28 football fields, while reaching speeds of up to 160km/h.

If you dare to look down, you’ll find yourself flying across desert canyons and deep ravines. When you do come to a stop, the adventure’s not over. The first section ends on a glass-floored platform suspended 80 metres above the ground, with a final zip wire taking you back to terra firma. Too extreme? The Jais Sky Tour offers a series of more traditional zip lines that are a little shorter and speed along at a more sedate pace.

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A Rocky Rollercoaster

If you’re not one for the high wire, the Jais Sledder delivers all the high-speed thrills without the added aerial adrenalin. A little like a gravity-powered rollercoaster, the Jais Sledder’s steel rails careen up and over the rocky ridges of Jebel Jais, rocketing riders along almost two kilometers of track at speeds topping 40km/h. For family adventure and those afraid of heights, it’s an unforgettable mountain experience.

And while these adrenalin-charged experiences grab the limelight, it’s the mountain landscapes that are the true stars of the show. The sinuous switchback road that leads up the slopes of Jebel Jais is reason enough to visit, with the Jais viewing deck delivering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes of empty desert, ancient villages and date palm plantations. Outside of the summer (June to August) heat, the region’s hiking trails offer an immersive taste of the landscape, with the soon-to-open Via Ferrata – an ‘iron path’ laid into rock faces with steel rungs and ladders – upping the adrenalin factor.

FANCY YOURSELF A BEAR GRYLLS?

If all that adventure makes you fancy yourself an intrepid soul, make your next stop the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp. Established by the well-known British celebrity survival expert, the Explorer Camp offers a range of captivating wilderness experiences that will teach you everything from desert survival to celestial navigation. You’ll learn self-rescue techniques and skills ranging from trapping animals to lighting a fire (without matches). While the setting amid the Jebel Jais Mountains is spectacular, the cabins fashioned from shipping containers lean towards the rustic. Fine for a night, but don’t expect much R&R.

Dopamine Of Another Kind

Our advice? Book-end your adventurous escapades with a few nights at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, in the breathtaking Al Wadi desert, an hour’s drive to the south.

This is desert luxury with a capital ‘L’. Set within a 500-hectare protected reserve, the resort’s opulent villas promise no end to indulgence, from private pools to a discreet butler service. This highly curated resort offers an array of culinary experiences, whether it’s discovering the flavours of the region at Kaheela or sipping bespoke cocktails beneath star-spangled skies at the al fresco Moon Bar. To fill your days, the expansive spa offers an indulgent rainforest experience, reminiscent of a desert oasis, while an experience concierge is on hand to curate everything from desert walks to falconry displays. You won’t be bored.

It’s an entirely new perspective on the United Arab Emirates, trading the bright lights and big-city bustle for bucolic desert landscapes. Watch this space… 2023 is the year of Ras Al Khaimah. ■