Saudi Arabia is defined by its vast landscape which is mostly arid. Most of the kingdom is dominated by Rub’al Khali which is also known as the Empty Quarter. This is world’s largest contiguous sand desert along with the northern a Nafud desert and the central rocky plateaus. There are several geographical features that add to the diverse landscape of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The vast deserts, mountain ranges, desert plains, coastline with the coral reefs, rocky formations and oasis all add up to the diverse landscape of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has always been known for the religious significance and status of being the focal point of Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. Millions of Muslims travel to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah every year and the number is only increasing by every passing day. It is recently that Saudi Arabia has permitted the tourists to visit the country and explore the landscape. The authorities of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia have started to grant the tourist as they are planning to enter the tourism sector under the vision 2030. Now Muslims can visit the tourist attraction spots and perform Umrah on their trip to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The trusted Umrah packages via a reliable travel agency such as Islamic travel can help you achieve you religious and spiritual goals along with the visiting the most popular tourist attractions.
Diverse landscapes of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia geographical map is characterized by the dramatic contrasts which are far beyond the sand dunes and arid landscapes. Some of the various landscapes are mentioned in the guide below.
Jebel Fihrayn
Also known as the edge of the world, Jebel Fihrayn, is part of the massive Tuwaiq Mountain range, and these cliffs provide a breathtaking and abrupt drop-off into a valley. They also showcase the visible fossilized marine life indicating the area which was once an ocean floor.
Desert Regions
The country features the vast Rub’al Khali also known as the Empty Quarter which is the world’s largest contiguous sand desert in the south and the an-Nafud desert in the north.
Mountains and Plateaus
The west and southwest region features the dramatic Hijaz and Aseer mountain ranges, which rise over three thousand meters, offering a greener contrast to the arid region.
Geological Wonders
The landscape includes volcanic lava fields, canyons and rocky plateaus that stretch across the Arabia Shield. All these geological wonders are panoramic to watch but the tourists are advised to visit these places while the temperatures are moderate. Muslims who want to explore these sites along with performing Umrah may opt for the affordable Ramadan Umrah Packages form UK. This is the ideal time as spring season is in its full swing and the crowd of pilgrims is not dense either which makes it convenient to perform Umrah with ease.
Visiting the Edge of the World in Saudi Arabia
The incredible destination of the Edge of the World is located in the desert which is at sixty miles northwest of the Saudi Arabia capital city of Riyadh. It is a 1131-meter-high cliff along with the five-hundred-mile long Tuwaik Mountain Range. This is usually the best location for someone who likes adventure sport and is into trekking. There are several things that one must keep in their mind in order to visit the edge of the world safely and enjoy their experience to the max. Some of these precautionary measures are mentioned in the guide below.
Choose a suitable time to visit
It is well known that the Edge of the World can be visited all year round, but to enjoy your adventure to its maximum potential without facing any challenges you must visit this location during the cooler winter months from October to March. You must try to avoid visiting during the hot summer months when the temperatures will be extremely high. The travelers must keep in mind that there are no trees on this location hence you cannot find a single shade to save yourself from the Sun.
Choose an efficient mode of transportation
It is possible to visit the Edge of the World by yourself by renting a car, however the best way to visit is by booking a private tour with your own driver. Most travelers prefer to rent a car and drive the vehicle on their own, but the uphill ride requires impeccable driving skills that only an experienced driver can provide. The Edge of the World is located far from the main roads which means that there is no public transport available to get to your destination. This journey involves a lot of off-road and unmarked paths that has rocky and uneven dirt roads making it quiet challenging to drive.
Witnessing the sunrise and sunset at the Edge of wearing Abaya and the World
If you want to witness the mesmerizing view of the Edge of the World, the perfect time is between afternoon and evening as the sunlight is bright but not blazing which brings a certain warmth to the atmosphere. The wonderful warm and orange color fills the sky and showcases a surreal view. At night the sky is full of stars hence one can enjoy stargazing in the middle of the desert.
Appropriate dress code while visiting the Edge of the World
Saudi Arabia no longer has a strict dress code for the tourists. They have removed the compulsion of wearing abaya and head covering at all times, but females are still required to wear loose fitted clothes. As climbing is involved you can wear full sleeved jumper along with the loose linen trousers and athletic shoes.
Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring a hat and sunglasses along with you as the sun is usually blazing at the day time. You must also bring a light jacket along with you as the temperatures can drop significantly in the desert without any warning.
With some basic precautions, the visit to the Edge of the World can be the most memorable parts of your trip to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
