The United Arab Emirates is one of the top destinations for winter vacations. The Middle Eastern country has a pleasant weather during the winter months, i.e., between November and March, making it a favourable location for those who want to avoid extreme winter climate for a few days or weeks. However, emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi get crowded during this peak holiday season. If you are someone who wants to be away from the hustle and bustle of these busy cities and still enjoy the raw beauty and hospitality of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is the one for you. Here is a complete guide on planning your winter break in Ras Al Khaimah.
Why Ras Al Khaimah is Perfect for a Winter Holiday?
The weather in Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect reason to visit this Northern Emirate of the UAE in winters. The temperature is somewhere between 12-27-degree C, making it perfect for outdoor exploration. And there are plenty of Ras Al Khaimah tourist attractions and activities that would keep you engaged. Ras Al Khaimah is home to the tallest mountain peak in the UAE and also to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country. Apart from these, ancient forts, historical buildings, and cultural attractions are awaiting exploration in this emirate.
How to Reach Ras Al Khaimah?
Once you know that winter is the best time to visit Ras Al Khaimah, the next step is to know how to reach the emirate. There are multiple ways to reach Ras Al Khaimah. The easiest would be to take a flight to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. There are direct flights from the most major Asian and European cities to this airport.
If you are already in the UAE, you can travel to RAK by road. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah offer daily shuttles or buses to RAK. The time to reach RAK from Dubai is around 1.5 hours, while it would anywhere around 2.5 hours to 3 hours from Abu Dhabi. It takes around an hour to reach RAK from Sharjah. An alternative to buses would be taxis or private vehicles, which are more convenient. If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car and drive to RAK from any one of the emirates.
Where to Stay in Ras Al Khaimah?
While RAK may not be as popular as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, tourism to this Northern emirate of the UAE has increased in the last few years. This is also the reason you would find a wide range of accommodation options here. Right from budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts, there are plenty of choices here.
- If you are on a budget, you will find the best hotels in and around RAK City Center. The hotels here are cozy, comfortable, and budget-friendly. As it is in the middle of the city, it is easier to access most of the tourist attractions in RAK if you stay here.
- In case you are looking for high-end, ultra-luxurious resorts, Al Marjan Island is the one for you. This place is teeming with swanky resorts offering luxurious rooms, access to beautiful private beaches, and a serene environment.
- Al Hamra Village has good mid-range as well as luxury hotels, perfect for families.
- If you are looking for some peace and quietude for your holidays, you will find plenty of hotels, bungalows, and resorts in Mina Al Arab. This area is ideal for couples on a romantic holiday.
Important Note: As winter is peak tourist season in Ras Al Khaimah, it is important to make your hotel bookings in advance.
What to do in Ras Al Khaimah?
Ras Al Khaimah is a place where a plethora of adventures await you. If you love the outdoors, these things to do in Ras Al Khaimah would definitely hook you.
Adventure Activities at Jebel Jais
Jebel Jais is the tallest mountain peak in the UAE. Part of the Hajjar Mountains, this rugged mountain is one of the main reasons why people visit RAK. While admiring the natural beauty of the place is a great thing to do here, Jebel Jais offers a host of exciting and thrilling activities.
Hiking: One of the most popular adventurous activities at Jebel Jais is hiking. You will find several trails here, including easy, moderate, and difficult ones. You can choose one depending on whether you are a beginner or an expert hiker. During your hike on Jebel Jais, you will come across viewing stations or spots from where you can enjoy the marvellous view of the mountain and its surroundings.
Jebel Flight: If you are fond of heights, speed, and thrilling activities, Jebel Flight is something you would enjoy. Perched at the height of 1680 meters above sea level and stretching 2.83 kilometers, Jebel Flight is the longest zipline in the world. The twin ziplines give you the chance to fly above the Jebel Jais canyons at the speed of 160 km/hour. Apart from being an adrenaline-rushing activity, ziplining over Jebel Jais also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the raw beauty of the place.
Jais Sledder: Jebel Jais offers a joy ride filled with moments of jaw-dropping moments in the form of Jais Sledder. It is a toboggan ride that takes you around Jebel Jais at the speed of 40 km/hour. The ride on the Jais Sledder takes around 8 minutes, making it the longest toboggan ride in the region. While the ride is fun and thrilling, it is also one of the best ways to admire the beauty of the mountain.
Jais Via Ferrata: If you love extreme adventures, you must try Jais Via Ferrata. Rather than hiking up the mountain, here you climb up via the rocky path with the help of steel cables and ladders. This is a group tour and includes all kinds of safety precautions. Apart from rock climbing, Jais Via Ferrata also involves a little bit of hiking as well as ziplining and swinging over Burma bridges.
If you are visiting with children, you must check out Jais Viewing Deck Park, the highest viewing point on the mountain. Here, you can enjoy a picnic and also watch a gorgeous sunset. Jebel Jais is also a great place for overnight camping.
Desert Safari
Like all the emirates of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is also a desert land, and desert safari is something you must not miss. The desert safari offers a combination of adventure and entertainment. Adventurous activities come in the form of dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and quad biking. For entertainment, you have fire dance, belly dance, and Tanoura dance performances. Desert safari in RAK also involves a 3-course dinner complete with BBQ starters, main course, and desserts. It is also possible to go for overnight camping in the desert.
Water Adventures
Ras Al Khaimah is endowed with lovely beaches, which offer a host of water sports and adventurous activities. Some of the thrilling water sports available here are jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, parasailing, flyboarding, fly fishing, and more. For those who want some quite adventures, Ras Al Khaimah also offers kayaking, standup paddleboarding, etc. This is also a great spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, as the Arabian Gulf is known for its rich marine life.
New Year Fireworks
If you are in Ras Al Khaimah during New Year’s Eve, you must not miss watching the New Year fireworks. The fireworks that happen here is one of the best and the biggest in the UAE. The Ras Al Khaimah fireworks show is accompanied by a laser drone displays that enhances the entire event. The show happens in front of the waterfront area between Al Hamra Village and Al Hamra Village. The best part is that you can watch this colorful spectacle from anywhere near the waterfront area for free.
What to See in Ras Al Khaimah?
Archaeological evidence suggests that life in Ras Al Khaimah existed since 5000 BC. With such deep history, you will find several interesting historical buildings and attractions here. Apart from this, RAK also has plenty of family-friendly attractions.
Dhayah Fort: Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, Dayah Fort is the only existing hill fort in the UAE. Built in the 18th century, the fort is made of mud brick structure, complete with stone, palm trunks, and wood. You need to climb more than 200 steps to reach the top from where you can enjoy an aerial view of the date plantations and rugged mountains.
RAK National Museum: If you want to know the deep-rooted history of the emirate, the RAK National Museum is one of the best places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah. The museum is filled with exhibits that tell the story of the emirate through the numerous archaeological as well as ethnological artefacts.
Al Jazirah Al Hamra: If you want to know how RAK looked like in the ancient times, when it was a pearl diving and fishing village, you must visit Al Jazirah Al Hamra Village. This is an abandoned village where you will find simple houses with courtyards made with coral blocks, rocks, date palm trunks, and such other local natural materials. Apart from the homes, you will also find a mosque, a souk, and watchtowers at this Ghost Town.
Mohammed bin Salem Mosque: One of the oldest mosques in the UAE, Mohammed bin Salem Mosque is believed to have been built in the early 19th century. An Islamic heritage site, here you will get to see and appreciate the traditional Emirati architecture made of mud and stone walls, coral stones, palm timber beams, etc. Along with admiring the architecture, you will also get to learn about the religion here.
Al Qassimi Palace: Al Qassimi Palace is one of the most intriguing attractions of Ras Al Khaimah. A luxurious royal residence built in 1980s, the palace is designed with intricate wall and ceiling murals, grand arabesque arches, chandeliers, stained-glass style windows, etc. But what attracts people to this place is it is believed that it was abandoned due to paranormal activities.
Conclusion
A winter holiday in Ras Al Khaimah promises exciting escapades, exhilarating experiences, and calming moments, all at once. Although a part of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah offers experiences that are unique and different from the other emirates. So, if you are planning a winter vacation in UAE, do consider visiting Ras Al Khaiman for its myriads of attractions.
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