Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah is host to nature, terracotta desert, mangroves, towering mountains, seemingly endless goat-worn pathways, ancient forts, and lots of pristine white sandy beaches. It offers a great holiday destination, wherever you choose to explore! Climate and best times to visit With a cool sea breeze and slightly less dry in the winter than its neighbours, temperatures vary from 18-25°C in January to 29-43°C in July, with eight to ten daily hours of sunshine year-round. Getting to Ras Al Khaimah Fly direct from London and Manchester airports to Dubai in 7-8 hours. From there, arrive in Ras Al Khaimah in under an hour by road transfer. Getting around is cheap, safe and easy, making this a great destination to explore. Holiday highlights There is LOTS to do in this fabulous destination, no matter what you are looking for from your holiday…here are my highlights… For those looking to experience Ras Al Khaimah’s unique terracotta desert, the Al Wadi Nature Reserve boasts the stunning Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert resort, offering private villas with breath-taking views, plus desert treks on camels and horseback riding at Al Wadi Equestrian Centre, private archery lessons and a falcon show. If you are seeking luxury dining under the stars, maybe head for Sonara Camp Al Wadi, a luxurious dining and entertainment experience set in the Al Wadi desert with herds of camels, oryxes and gazelles as dinner companions! Explorers looking to get a bird’s eye view of Ras Al Khaimah and the Hajar mountains can try a hot air balloon flight experience during sunrise, or if you want to keep your feet on the ground, maybe a 4x4 sand dune bashing experience is for you! For sun worshippers and beachgoers, 64km of pristine beach mean that you will be spoilt for choice. Some of the favourite hangouts are Flamingo Beach, Al Jazeera Beach and Al Rams Beach. The warm waters and shallow shores make them all ideal for families. Jebel Jais, the highest mountain peak in the UAE, is just over an hour from most hotels. Billed as an adventure capital it is host to some amazing tourist attractions such as Jais Flight (the world’s longest zipline at a height of 1,680m above sea level and 2.83km long where you can reach speeds of up to 150kph), Jais Sky Tour (a series of 6 ziplines above grand canyons and cliffs connected by 9 platforms and stretching 5km) and Jais Sledder (the regions longest taboggan ride over 1,800 metres long). For something in the mountains a little more relaxed you may choose to experience Emirati cooking from local mountain tribes or meditation and yoga. One of the few places in the world continually inhabited for over 7,000 years Ras Al Khaimah is home to many cultural and archaeological heritage sites including ruins and forts which can be explored with guided tours. Al Jazeera Al Hamra is the last surviving pearl fishing village in the Arabian gulf and remains largely untouched to this day featuring traditional elements such as a fort and watchtowers, mosque, souq and extensive courtyard houses of various designs. And if you are looking for a holiday memento, or a special gift, the selection of traditional shops and souks as well as modern malls have you covered! Choosing your hotel Like neighbouring Dubai, luxury international hotel chains are on offer. From the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa to the Waldorf Astoria, if you are looking for a high-end luxury stay you can find it here. There is great choice however, and so if you are travelling as a family, or looking for more mainstream options, there are lots to choose from. 90% of the hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are located on the beachfront and offer a whole range of water sports and activities, outdoor pools and water parks. Planning your holiday A visit to this amazing destination offers a great holiday for anyone, and as a Travel Counsellor I am always looking at ways to tailor-make perfect holidays for my customers. Perhaps you make it part of a twin-centre holiday and travel on to Mauritius or the Maldives for example? As an international hub, Dubai offers lots of opportunities if you want to tailor-make your time away. If you are feeling inspired, please get in touch to discuss your next holiday to remember!