All the things you have to do at the AlUla Skies Festival 2024 happening right now
It’s not just your average hot air balloon festival…
As anyone who’s spent time in AlUla knows, there’s never a dearth of fun to be had. And now, with the AlUla Skies Festival 2024 taking place, an even more spectacular week of wonder awaits.
Happening right now until Saturday October 5, the AlUla Skies Festival has captured hearts and amazed audiences since its debut, earning rave reviews as a mesmerising celebration of the ancient city’s awe-inspiring landscapes.
This year, the festival makes its highly anticipated return with a brand-new theme: A spectacle from every angle. From spectacular flights over AlUla’s breathtaking scenery to breathtaking stargazing experiences and unmissable astronomy activations, AlUla Skies Festival 2024 is set to evoke a sense of adventure, awe, and wonder for all – during the day and throughout the night.
Here are some of the highlights that you should and must check out in the ancient oasis of AlUla during the AlUla Skies Festival 2024.
Explore the spectacular history from above
What’s the AlUla Skies Festival without a gorgeous, clear blue summer sky in the background, making each balloon stand out in its own unique way? For all aero-explorers and summit-seekers, an unforgettable experience awaits in one of AlUla’s hot air balloons. This remarkable event invites guests to explore AlUla’s spectacular terrain and over 200,000 years of human history from elevated vantage points – presenting visitors with truly exhilarating experiences from as high as 1,200 metres.
AlUla Hot Air Balloons, 4.30am onwards, The price starts from SAR1,295 per adult and from SAR995 per child (five to 11 years). Book your experience here.
Capture the cosmos in Gharameel
Get ready to hear stories of the stars and discover how to photograph AlUla’s astonishing night skies with Stargazing & Astrophotography. Within the remote desert of Gharameel, one of the world’s very best stargazing destinations, guests will embark on a truly wondrous moment by entering the astrophotography stratosphere. The purpose of this beginner’s guide activation is two-fold: to teach a new skill and provide the perfect platform to admire AlUla’s world-famous night skies as astronomy guides tell enthralling mind-expanding stories stretching back millions of years.
Stargazing & Astrophotography, 5.15pm to 11.45pm. SAR397 per person. Book your experience here.
A trek beneath the dazzling night sky
The Sharaan Nature Reserve in the mountains of the Hidden Valley is the only place to be for the midnight marchers and twilight trailblazers who join the Madakhel Garden Night Hike this weekend. Without daylight to illuminate your path, the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other becomes suddenly unfamiliar – but also far more exciting and adventurous. On this gentle 5km trek through the ancient soft sands of northwest Arabia, turn your gaze upwards and embrace the awe of AlUla’s dazzling night sky. It’s an occasion you’ll tell tales of for many years to come.
Madakhel Garden Night Hike, 6pm to 8.15pm, SAR304 per adult & SAR253 per child. Book your experience here.
Stargaze in a state of wonder
Such was the diversity of people who travelled through AlUla on trade routes centuries ago that foreign flavours from India, Africa and the Middle East inevitably found their way into the cuisine of northwest Arabia. Fast-forward to this week, these rich and varied dishes form the centrepiece of a memorable Picnic Under the Stars – one that’s both delicious and historically revealing. As you recline on handmade blankets and cushions just like the Bedouins who once roamed the area, a sumptuous picnic of traditional Saudi dishes is served in the desert while a breathtaking canopy of stars twinkles overhead in the clear AlUla night sky. A perfect opportunity to rest and digest while stargazing in a state of wonder, local music accompanies your desert dinner to draw you further into the culture.
Picnic Under the Stars, 6pm onwards, Wadi AlFann Area, SAR800 per person. To book your experience, WhatsApp +966 55 240 0110.
Swing, swoop, scream towards the horizon
Feel a rush like no other on the Giant Swing. Start with a picturesque hike along a 15 to 20-minute trail secured by a sturdy wire cable on the mountainside. Traverse a bridge suspended between two peaks leading to the safety briefing area. Once briefed and securely harnessed, step onto the platform perched 85 metres high. A quick pull of the release rope will send you into an exhilarating freefall, followed by a heart-pounding swing.
Giant Swing, AlUla Adventure Hub, Morning, afternoon and evening sessions available. SAR250 per person. Book your experience here.
Climb up the stairway to heaven
Experience the ultimate thrill with the AlUla Stairway – the first of its kind in the region. Climb a 45-meter wire cable ladder to reach the summit, where awe-inspiring views await. Then, get ready for an adrenaline rush as you descend on an exhilarating 100-metre zipline in a comfortable seated position. Feel the rush of the wind and the thrill of flight as you soar through the air, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.
AlUla Stairway, AlUla Adventure Hub, Morning, afternoon and evening sessions available. SAR150 per person. Book your experience here.
Retreat into bliss under the starry skies
View this post on Instagram
Do you ever look up at the night sky from the Harrat Viewpoint in AlUla and gasp at the striking beauty? For one session only, yogis can engage in yoga and meditation from the top of a volcanic mountain amid a lava field 1,219 metres above sea level – a unique setting to really connect with yourself and the world around you. Beginning at the beguiling sunset hour, the event combines the teachings of a skilled yoga instructor with the natural surroundings to create an atmosphere where wellness can flourish. Imagine reaching a blissful state of flow as a gentle desert breeze soothes your soul, helping you to feel at one with nature.
Harrat Viewpoint Yoga & Meditation, Oct 4, 6pm to 7.30pm, SAR120 per person. Book your experience here.
Images: Supplied / What’s On Archives