The Mleiha glamping site
, located at the foothills of Al Faya Mountain, treats visitors to an unparalleled Arabian Desert camping experience. The glamping site is just 40 minutes away from Sharjah City Centre and is part of the Mleiha Archaeological Centre.Mleiha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with relics of the old Sharjah lifestyle and various ruins and burial sites dating back to ancient times. Tourists visiting this attraction can also participate in off-beat adventure activities like parasailing and buggy rides in the desert. The glamping service offers a new, refreshing spot to those seeking to experience Middle Eastern nature without the hype and crowd that surrounds luxury attractions like those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Sharjah government spearheads this project to create new tourist attractions in this part of the UAE. The glamping project is part of a multiphase development project in Sharjah, with an estimated AED 250 million expected to be invested in Mleiha over the next few years. This aims to help boost Sharjah’s eco-tourism, family tourism, cultural tourism, and adventure tourism sectors. The glamping experience marks another leaf in the hat for Sharjah tourism and serves as a contemporary, chic way of enjoying the rustic ambiance and cool, breezy nights with the best amenities in the middle of nowhere in Sharjah.
Visitors can stay overnight in ‘Yurt’ tents at the foothills of Al Faya Mountain while also getting complimentary access to explore the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. The tents come in Standard, Family, and Deluxe Family categories and fuse the convenience of a hotel with the thrill of outdoor camping. A shuttle service is also provided to reach the glamping site in a Mercedes Unimog. Visitors can also sign up for astronomical observations and stargazing during their stay. The whole glamping package comes with an overnight stay in tents, meals, and transfers, with prices starting at AED 1,295 for two people. The glamping season for 2023 is ongoing and will conclude by September 2023; the timing of each experience starts at 5 p.m. and ends the next day at 10 a.m.
Visitors can also seek even more luxurious experiences with dome-styled glamping pods for overnight stays provided by Mysk Moon Retreat, a part of the Sharjah Collection by Shurooq. The retreat features ten fully air-conditioned domes and six exquisite tents equipped with temperature-controlled pools, barbecue amenities, outdoor decks, and parking facilities. The entire arena of this retreat reflects the vibe of camping on a lunar surface.
Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, said: “With Mysk Moon Retreat now welcoming guests and bookings, this marks an exciting expansion of Shurooq’s portfolio of boutique hospitality offerings in the central region of Sharjah. It is the latest destination in a series of projects developed here, namely, the Mysk Al Faya Retreat, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism, and the Mleiha Archaeological Centre.”
The Sharjah government plans to add more luxury glamping retreats in the near future. One such unique project is the exotic ‘Floating Retreat’, a state-of-the-art campsite suspended between the mountains for an extraordinary camping experience. The project reflects the vision of Omran Alowais, the key Emirati architect and urban planner at Ardh Architects, as he puts it in his own words: “The absence of stress; serenity. The quality of calm such as the experiences in places with mainly natural features and activities, free from disturbance from manmade ones.” The project is underway and will offer an elevated camping experience to its guests, giving them a one-of-a-kind, unparalleled natural scenery they wouldn’t find while camping on the ground.
The Mleiha glamping experience is not only a great way to experience Sharjah’s natural beauty but also to support the local economy. After the pandemic, the tourism industry in Sharjah and the UAE saw a significant decline. However, the launch of the Mleiha glamping experience will provide a much-needed boost to the local tourism sector and create job opportunities for the locals.
The Mleiha glamping experience is expected to attract visitors from all over the world, especially adventure and nature enthusiasts. It promises a unique opportunity to explore the archaeological wonders of Sharjah and the surrounding natural beauty while enjoying the luxury and comfort of a hotel. The launch of the Mleiha glamping experience is a significant milestone for Sharjah’s tourism industry, and these projects are a nod to Sharjah’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting eco-tourism in the UAE.
Image Credit: discovermleiha.ae
