AlUla

Hegra: A Private Encounter with Saudi Arabia’s Ancient Wonder Step back two thousand years into the hushed domain of the Nabataeans, where more than a hundred tombs are etched into rose-gold cliffs across the desert plain. In the UNESCO-listed necropolis of Hegra, you’ll arrive by vintage Land Rover or luxury SUV, tracing the paths of ancient traders and modern archaeologists. A private guide brings the stories to life—pointing out Qasr al-Farid’s hauntingly unfinished façade, or reading long-lost inscriptions in Nabataean script. Visit at dawn to watch sunlight spill slowly across the sandstone, or at golden hour, when shadows dance on ancient walls. Afterwards, sip Arabic coffee in a desert majlis, silence hanging thick like history itself. Maraya: Reflections of Art in the Desert Like a mirage, Maraya rises from the sand—its mirrored walls dissolving into the cliffs, reflecting sky, earth, and imagination. This is the world’s largest mirrored building, but also one of its most intimate performance spaces. Attend a private concert under crystal chandeliers, where sound reverberates off stone and sky. Stroll through rotating contemporary art exhibits or enjoy rooftop cocktails as the desert burns gold at sunset. With exclusive VIP access and culinary experiences to match, Maraya is AlUla’s gleaming heart—a surreal fusion of architecture, art, and the elemental. Helicopter Flight Over AlUla’s Timeless Terrain From the air, AlUla reveals its secrets. Board a private helicopter and rise above valleys brushed in ochre and shadow, past the volcanic black fields of Harrat Uwayrid, over the lonely majesty of Elephant Rock, and across the sepia expanse of Hegra. As Qasr al-Farid’s symmetry unfolds beneath you, the sheer poetry of this land takes shape. Choose sunrise or sunset flights for the most ethereal light—when every crevice and cliff glows with otherworldly clarity. It’s not just a view; it’s revelation. Stargazing in the Silence of the Desert When the sun surrenders behind AlUla’s jagged horizon, the sky opens its ancient vault. Recline on woven rugs in a remote desert camp as an astronomer guides your gaze from Orion to the Milky Way, each star echoing stories once told around desert fires. Sip cardamom coffee, savour mezze, and let the hush of the night wrap around you. This is astronomy with soul—scientific, spiritual, and completely sublime. Here, constellations aren’t just coordinates—they’re companions. The Oasis Heritage Trail: Walking Through Time AlUla’s soul doesn’t only reside in stone—it pulses in the green sanctuary of its oasis. Walk shaded paths beneath rustling palms, guided by qanat-fed streams. A local host shares stories of irrigation wisdom, date cultivation, and generations of desert life. Stop for herbal tea beneath a tamarind tree or taste citrus just plucked from the branch. This is a journey of scent and slowness, where history hums in the leaves and architecture peeks gently from mudbrick walls. Dadan and Jabal Ikmah: Tracing the Inscriptions of Lost Kingdoms Before the Nabataeans, there were the Lihyanites and Dadanites—rulers of an oasis civilization whose thoughts are still etched in stone. With an archaeologist-guide, visit Dadan’s Lion Tombs, their guardians crouched in eternal vigil. Then continue to Jabal Ikmah, a sandstone library of ancient graffiti—petitions, prayers, declarations—preserved in early scripts. Here, time is tactile. Lean in, read the lines, and feel the presence of hands long vanished, minds still speaking. Elephant Rock: A Sunset Ritual in Sandstone At day’s end, all paths seem to lead to Elephant Rock—AlUla’s most iconic natural sculpture. Lounge in a desert majlis beneath its gentle curve as fire pits crackle and lanterns glow. Sip sparkling date juice or tamarind mocktails, accompanied by the lilting notes of live oud music. The rock glows amber, then violet, then disappears into night. This is not a sightseeing stop. It’s a sunset ceremony—quiet, contemplative, and deeply moving. AlUla Old Town: Walk Through a Thousand Years of Life Within mudbrick walls and shaded lanes, AlUla Old Town tells a different story—of pilgrimage and trade, of homes built to welcome, protect, and endure. Walk with a heritage expert past spice shops, restored homes, and ancient mosques, their courtyards now reinvented as galleries or cafés. Sample reimagined traditional dishes on a rooftop terrace or shop for crafts inspired by the spice routes. At night, the town glows with quiet charm—lantern-lit and oud-strung, where every stone holds memory. Luxury Desert Camping: A Night Beneath Ancient Stars There is no hotel lobby that can match the silence of the desert. In AlUla’s luxury camps—whether tented or stone-framed—you’ll sleep under stars older than stories. Enjoy a chef’s table dinner amid canyons, fireside poetry, or guided stargazing from your private deck. Each suite blends Bedouin heritage with modern design—plush, elemental, and deeply private. In the morning, the desert wakes you gently: light on the cliffs, birdsong on the breeze, breakfast beneath an acacia tree. Adventure Awaits: Hike, Ride, and Soar Through AlUla’s Wild Heart For those who crave movement, AlUla’s wild terrain offers an elegant invitation. Hike the sculptural pathways of Hidden Valley at dusk, gallop on Arabian horses through palm groves, or zipline across rocky gorges. Try a hot air balloon ride at dawn or scale ancient cliffs via ferrata routes. With safety and style ensured, and each outing woven with stories and scenery, these adventures don’t detract from AlUla’s calm—they deepen it. Here, adrenaline finds its poetry.