9 Unique Things To Do On Your First Trip To Ras Al-Khaimah

When I was first invited there I asked, “where is that?” You’re probably thinking that right now! Well, RAK is just 45 minutes outside of Dubai.

Jebel Jais is a mountain range in Ras Al Khaimah that consists of 58 mountains. It’s not possible to hike in this area without a guide because it can be so dangerous, so make sure you have someone to show you the way!

Ras Al Khaimah can get extreme storms and rain which changes the terrain of the mountains every year – so depending on the weather, they could be submerged underwater. We had the amazing opportunity to walk through the White Wadi, which got its name from the rocks that have changed colour due to the ever-changing water levels. If you fancy walking through this yourself make sure you have sturdy hiking shoes because the rocks are not completely stable. It’s not a walk for the faint of heart but it’s 100% worth it.

Now, this is something I had never dreamed of doing but I’m so happy I got the chance to. Before the UAE traded oil, their main export was pearls, so pearl farming was a pretty big deal back in the day. With the help of Suwaidi Pearls, I learned the full history of pearl farming in the UAE and how important it was to the Emirati people. And to top it all off you even get to farm your own pearl. Yes, I own a pearl now, I’m a pearl babe.

Now I’m sure it’s common knowledge that when you got to the UAE you can book a car or truck and go a bit wild on the dunes. So imagine that but you’re surrounded by Gazelles, Oryx and Camels? A dream right? The Ritz-Carlton offer an amazing safari-like experience where you can get up close and personal with the local animals and even try your hand at feeding some of them – they’re friendly I promise.

Camel rides. Sandboarding. Archery. Hawks. Fire Breathing. The list goes on. And you can do all of these things at Sonara Camp at the most beautiful time of the day: golden hour. Sonara Camp is the perfect place for a family adventure or a friendship group looking for a wholesome time with a couple of cocktails, of course.

Dhayah Fort is the only fort that still exists in the UAE. From the top, you have an amazing view of all the different terrains that RAK has to offer. It’s truly a sight to behold. The Dhayah bay has been inhabited since 3000 BC, so even though you may think Ras Al Khaimah is new to you, people have lived there for a really long time. 

I know not everyone enjoys going to museums while on holiday but The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah gives you an amazing outlook over how Ras Al Khaimah used to be. The museum used to be the residence of the ruling family in the 1960s which then turned into a police station and then prison. It was then converted into a museum in 1987. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 

Ras Al Khaimah is home to the world’s longest zipline and yes I cried throughout that experience. It’s 2.83km which is about 28 football fields, and is an incredible 1,680m above sea level. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is perfect for you. A true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you’re still craving more excitement, the Jais Sledder is just around the corner from the world’s longest zipline. You may have seen something similar in Switzerland but I can guarantee it’s not the same. You can hit speeds up to 30kmh on this bad boy…If that’s not for you, you can also take a leisurely time down the mountain, but trust me you want to go FAST.

As a Brit, I’ve spent a significant amount of my life watching Bear Grylls push his body to the limits in what seems to be impossible tasks. And like most people you say “I can do that”, well at the Bear Grylls Explorer Camp you can find out if you really have what it takes. From training classes to overnight stays, you’ll get the full experience and maybe eat a worm or two.