Winter at Tantora
Winter at Tantora is an annual festival held in the winter season and it called Tantora season. It is located near Mada’in Saleh in Al-Ula city. Tantora is sample a solar watch that used by the natives to know the beginning of the 4 seasons of the year and the beginning of the farming season. Tantora takes pyramid shape . The festival was established last year, and it aims to show the landmark of the Alula to the world and to make it one of the international tourist destinations. There are a variety of outdoor activities during this season along with many live concerts by international and local artists and pop-up food stalls. This festival will be different from all pervious festivals you have attended. At Tantora you are going to experience different adventures in one place, not only that, but also you are going to experience a lot of things that you have never though you are going to do. The most special thing is you are going to do all of these activities in an ancient civilization area. Although it is located “kind of “ in the desert, it is going to be an extraordinary experience. As native, and I don’t mean that I’m from Alula, I assure you that there is nothing more beautiful than spending the winter season in the desert. What if this desert has many monuments beside of course its beautiful golden sands. Nothing is more beautiful than this, at least for me, I’m the daughter of the desert after all! The festival starts on the 19th of December and continue till 7th of March. You can book your ticket to different activities using this official website. The booking can also cover the accommodation and more depends on what you chose and your travel plan. Last year the ticket was also provided at the entrances of the festival for those who are not planning to stay and prefer to book on the same day, I believe. However, I do encourage you to check the website to know the tickets status and to avoid any inconvenient. If you are not a citizen and you what to come to Saudi, then you have to apply for a visa through this website. It only takes few minutes to do that, the website is easy to use and the process is fast.
The activities that you can do at Tantora:
1- Historical touring around Mada’in Saleh:
Here you can do some touring around the famous landmark in Mada’an Saleh from Al-Hijar to Kingdom of Dadan, you can read about it here. The touring will cover mostly the famous tombs out there (Don’t worry, there are no bodies. Honestly, probably there was, million years ago, luckily you will not see them anymore, so it is kind of an empty tomb). The local guide will take you through this, nothing better than listening to a history from a local. If you could interact with them, then go ahead and don’t hesitate. They are genuinely very welcoming and friendly.
2- Riding a hot air balloon:
Is there anything beautiful than a trip in AIR BALLOON, in the sky above the sand dunes? Where you can see all the sights in the area from above, or is there thing more beautiful than a trip over an oasis of the palms surrounded by golden sand? This is going to be unforgettable hot air balloon rid. You can book your ride from here, it will be on 2 to 11 January. You will be accompanied by another traveler just like you who came for the same reason to enjoy and explore.
3- Riding a desert motorcycle:
Are you one of those who likes to ride a motorcycle in the desert? If this kind of activity brings joy to your soul then this exciting adventure is waiting for you to experience Alula.
4- Riding Arabian Horse or camel:
If you love riding horses like I do, then this activity is for you. This experience will take you to another world with a complete experience of a native Arabian tribe lifestyle.
5- Attend or participate in ability and endurance race:
This race is on the Cup of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz for the racer with their horses. It’s held on the first of February.
6- Do you think a exploring Alula from above will be enough with the Air balloon? If you expect this, you are wrong. There are small classic planes that will take you around Alula to explore the region.
7- Visit the ancient volcanic area that fraught with a scattered lava.
8- If you are cyclist enthusiast, then Alula is open the place for you to do this. Bring your mountain bike to explore the area yourself.
9- Attend the concerts at the end of each week. It is a mixture of local and international art, which held in Almaraya theater. BTW, it is a unique theater you have never seen something like it before.
10- Visit the garden of the sculptures and art galleries. Since I am a daughter of an artist this kind of events was and still attracts me because it allows me to see other person’s talent.
11- To buy some local pieces collections, the open market “wadi alqura souk”gives you the opportunities to do so and to see the talent of the local.
12- Visit one of the Alula farms and taste of its goods. One of these is Almahkar, it is a local farm as it is shown in the pictures below and located near to Mada’in Saleh. They served Arabic and specialized coffee, and of course dates. There is nothing more beautiful than having a cup of coffee in place where you surrounded by palm trees. The farm is suitable for family and also for going alone to enjoy reading your favorite book with a cup of coffee. We thank Al-Mahkar’s Twitter account for providing us with these images.
13- Inspired by the surrounding environment of the Kingdom of Dadan, the basin of Lahyan has been rebuilt to make you have a relaxing time.
14- Enjoy the taste of delicious international and local dishes in Alula.
15- Do you like Polo ? we got it here in Tantora festival. This is going to be the first Polo event happen in the desert, and it will be on 16-18 January.
This schedule includes the most prominent concerts that will be held during the Tantura Festival
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Valley Market, a journey through time to learn about previous civilizations and cultures, and the experience of visiting the cultural farm. |
19-21 December
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Middle Eastern concerts
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26-28 December: Omar Kayrat concert
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Western concerts
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2-4 January: Beethoven music |
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16-18 January: Il Divo concert.
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23-25 January: Nile Rodgers and Jamiroquai concert |
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30 January – 1 February : Andrea Bocelli concert |
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6-8 February: Yanni concert |
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13-15 February : Caracalla concert
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20-22 February: Enrique Iglesias and gipsy kings concert |
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27-29 February: Lionel Reichard and Craig David concert |
You can see here the map of the festival provided by the official website experience alula.
These are the highlight of the activities you can do while you are in Tanotra. click here to read where you can stay in Alula, and here to read about Alula city. Wish you spend the most enjoyable time here.
