Saudi Arabia road trip- part 2

Last week I have posted my first part , you can read it here . Let’s explore more of my home country in this post!

Beaches or Vitamin sea treasures route

My country has the clearest sea you will ever see in your life. I might be biased though, but honestly, we have a clear water. Nothing will be better than a road trip along the Red Sea or even better camping there! (After taking a permission of course). This road trip will start from the north part of the kingdom Tabuk Region and will end in Jazan Region. You can do a short cut and take a cruise, but I’m not sure if it will be open all year around, and btw it is expensive- at least for me-.

NOTE: The itinerary I made, depends on my preference of the route –I want to end up in cold region – however, you choose which city you want to start with.

Haql:

In Tabuk region 231 km (2,5 hours) from prince Sultan international airport, you will reach you first destination in this route Haql city.

Magna:

All the way from Haqal to Magna you will come cross shipwreck ( Georgios G) they call it Saudi Titanic lol, make sure you stop by and see it. It takes about 1,5 hours (110 km) to arrive to Magna. I love the beach right here you can see the coral without digging deeper. The city has famous places to visit, however, this is not beach treasure is about. If you want to go and explore the city, then off you go.

Ras Al-Shaik Hamid:

Just half an hour away from Magna (39.4 km), Ras Al-Shaik Hamid with its golden sand met with turquoise water. The perfect place for diving and exploring the red sea. On the coastline you will see Catarina (it is plane wreck). Btw, Ras Al-shaiK Hamid is part of NEOM project and just next to it you find the red sea project. In fact, all the red sea area is under development, but most of the areas are visitable, unless they told you otherwise.

Sharma:

Leaving Ras Al-Shaik Hamid to Sharma will take around one hour (97.9 km). It is my other favorite beach, although it can be crowded sometimes. If you have time to dive there, then do it, you don’t want to miss it.

Al-Wajh:

It takes 2,5 hours to arrive to Al-Wajh from Sharma (245 km ). The definition of turquoise – I’m not sure if the sunlight has an effect on the color or it just my eyes. Another good place for picnic by the sea and having some vitamin (sea).

Umluj:

It looks like Maldives without that huge resort (yet), not kidding. It is one and half hours away from Al-Wajh (169 km). There are many islands near Umluj, however, some of these island are not permitted to enter because it’s part of the Red sea project.

Farasan Island:

Southwest of the kingdom, and it is the last stop to your road trip route. It takes 15 hours to arrive to Farasan Island from Umluj (1260 km), you can do a short cut and stop in Jeddah airport and take a plane to Jazan. Then drive to the port and take the ferry to go to the islands. This place a paradise, everything in these islands is beautiful.

Umluj by Mohammah alsharif
twit: mohamed_5575

Greeny treasure:

Most of you know that my country has a lot of sand, I know you also think we just have desert, camel and tents, I know. Here is a fact we do have all what you think we have -and to be specific this was our ancestors way of life which we are very proud of-, but now, it is kind of winter activity/lifestyle for us, yah. Another fact is, we do have a green area all around the kingdom if you just open your eyes, and your mind. This road trip route will take you mainly in southern regions of the kingdom and south west region of the kingdom = Makkah region.

Get ready to enjoy the green scene, beautiful weather, high mountains and of course rich history.

Abha:

The capital of Assir province (the forest region) and it is the highest city in the kingdom -at over 2200 meters-. This city has a famous mountain called Al-Jabal Al-Akdar – the green mountain- it is a greeny and at night it lights with green light. You can ride the Aerial tramway to see the top of the mountain and the city. There is another famous mountain in Abha, which is Alsoudah mountain, I would encourage you to prepare yourself for camping because you will definitely want to sleep in nature and on top of the mountain. Don’t forget to visit other landmarks in Abha, I will write about them soon.

Rijal Al-Alma:

1, 5 hour away from Alsoudah (72.4 km), Rijal Al-Alma is one of the amazing greeny villages you must visit in the southern region. The houses, the green spaces, the history and the weather are all taking your trip to the next level.

Al-Baha:

It takes almost 5 hours (329 km) to arrive to Al-Baha from Rijal Al-Alma, Al-Baha is another province in the southern region of the kingdom. It has many forests, the famous one is Ragdan which a few minutes away from the city, and the other one is khairah forest -16 minutes’ drive from Ragdan.

Note:

– Be careful of the monkeys (baboon monkey) out there, and if you have children just keep eyes on them.

-Ragdan forest has many myths among its people. If you want to know these myths , let me know in the comment below.

Bani Malik:

It is part of the western region; it is located south of Al-Taif city. Just 121 km from Khairah forest ( 1 hour and 58 s). Bani Malik famous with its green area. The place I recommend to visit is Kaid Al-khala valley. It is amazing a combination of green, mountain and valley.

Al-shafa:

One of my favorite places, I have many childhood memories here. Picnic, berries and Barshowmi all the way long (I don’t know if this fruit is available in another country or not, but it is very popular in the western and southern region in Saudi), and the most important thing is the AMAZING weather. This place and the next one are the closest to my heart. Al-Shafa is 185 km from Kaid Al-Khala around 2 and half hours.

Al-Hada:

30 mins drive from Al-shafa. Our final stop in the greeny treasure road trip, it is my favorite place. It is just a few minutes away from my city ( Makkah), so it has always been an escape from the heat wave in Makkah. Similar to Al-shafa, Al-hada has free berries to get directly from the tree anywhere you look, no kidding.

Here you can find a complete file about Saudi Arabia road trip

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Saudi Arabia Road trip – part one

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