Ras al KhaimahA G U I D E T O

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Ras al KhaimahUnique in its character and the experiences it offers, Ras Al Khaimah is globally connected yet authentic, mixing gorgeous beaches, mountains and desert scenery with luxury resorts all in one place. Whether you want to relax, indulge, actively explore or discover the heritage and ancient traditions – or a blend of some or all of these – Ras Al Khaimah offers a combination of activities and experiences available nowhere else in the UAE, despite being just 45 minutes from the global hub of Dubai International Airport.

Being so varied, Ras Al Khaimah appeals to all types of travellers, including couples, groups of friends, families, beach-lovers, adventure seekers and culture vultures (its rich history goes back some 7,000 years). Its fabulous choice of hotels and resorts similarly embraces something for all tastes.

Population 417,000

Country UAE

Currency Dirham (AED)

Introducing

Official language Arabic

Time zone GMT +3

Flight time LDN - RKT 7 Hours

Ras Al Khaimah is home to the highest mountain in the UAE, Jebel Jais, standing tall at 1,934 metres high.

The emirate boasts 64km of white sandy beaches with clear blue water and watersports aplenty. Ride a banana boat, go body boarding, or even master the arts of wakeboarding.

The Arabic name ‘Ras Al Khaimah’ means ‘top of the tent’, referring to its location in the Northern most part of the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. It’s one of the few places in the world that has been continuously settled for over 7,000 years.

The abandoned fishing village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra, just outside Ras Al-Khamah city, is a fascinating insight into local life before the booming oil industry.

Interesting facts

Ras Al Khaimah’s cuisine is known for its delicious dishes and recipes passed from one generation to another. Being seafarers and merchants for centuries, the local people brought exotic plants, spices and recipes from all over the world. Therefore, traces of Indian, Egyptian, Iranian and Turkish influences can also be found in local dishes. The food in Ras al Khaimah is reminiscent of wider UAE food traditions.

Here’s how to make the national dish of the United Arab Emirates:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon curry powder, medium or hot

• 3 bay leaves

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 4 cardamom pods

• 4 cloves

• 5 black peppercorns

• 1/4 tablespoon crushed dried lemon

• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into a few pieces

• 4 teaspoons cooking oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped

• 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped

• 2 chicken stock cubes

• 1 whole skinned chicken, cut up

• 700ml water

• 390g basmati rice, washed in water a few times

METHOD Prep: 20min › Cook:1hr › Ready in: 1hr20min

1. Mix the curry powder, bay leaves, paprika, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, crushed dried lemon and cinnamon stick into a small bowl.

2. Add the cooking oil to a frying pan and fry the onions on medium heat. As the onions are almost half way to becoming brown, add the bowl of spices to the onions and mix together well.

3. After approximately 1 minute, add the chopped garlic. Once the onions are brown, add the tomatoes, chicken stock cubes and chicken. Fry the chicken until its fully sealed. Continue to fry the chicken for about 4 minutes on medium heat after the meat is sealed.

4. Add the water, stir well and simmer until the chicken is no longer pink at the centre, stirring every few minutes. Taste the juice and add salt accordingly.

5. Once the meat is fully cooked, and enough salt added, add the rice. Bring it up to the boil, stir it every 2 minutes for approximately 5 minutes. Then turn the gas down to the lowest flame possible, put a lid on and allow it to slowly simmer, stirring every 3 minutes. As the rice is cooking, the water will slowly disappear.

6. When you can see the water is almost completely gone, taste the rice to see if its fully cooked. If the rice is still not fully cooked, add a little drop of water, allow it to cook further. Taste again, and continue this process until the rice is fully cooked (carefully add a little water at a time to avoid soggy rice)

7. Once the rice is fully cooked then it's simply a case of just serving and enjoying!

Recipe: Machboos

Action-packed adventures

MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES:

The majestic mountain range of Al Hajar offers myriad adventure activities, including mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking. Standing as the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais is also home to the world’s longest zip line – the Jebel Jais Flight, where you will reach speeds of between 120-150kph over its 2.83-kilometre course. Jebel Jais is also home to the Middle East’s first commercial Via Ferrata, where you can get your blood pumping with three thrilling zip lines as you traverse over 1km on this exciting mountain adventure.

For less adrenaline-fuelled pursuits, the Viewing Deck Park lets you watch family and friends take on the Jebel Jais Flight whilst you relax with a refreshing drink and a bite to eat. Featuring seven viewing decks complete with twelve binoculars, you’ll be able to marvel at the superb vistas of the glittering Arabian Gulf and Al Hajar Mountain valley below.

WATER ADVENTURES:

With 64 kilometres of stunning coastline, Ras Al Khaimah is the ideal location for water activities and the clear blue seas provide the perfect conditions for mumerous motorised and non-motorised water sports, including scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing and water skiing. For nature lovers, don’t miss the chance to kayak in the mangroves – it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

DESERT ADVENTURES:

The golden-red terracotta sands of the desert offer the perfect environment for a variety of activities, including four-wheel drive safaris, as well as camel and horseback riding.

Fascinating cultureSUWAIDI PEARL FARM:

For a glimpse into the emirate’s incredible era of pearling, don’t miss a trip to Suwaidi Pearls – it’s the only pearl farm in the region that offers an insight into this unique tradition. Located at the foot of the majestic Al Hajar mountain range in the northern town of Al Rams, your excursion starts as you board a traditional pearling boat to reach the pearl farm itself. The undoubted highlight of your tour though will be the array of immersive activities that are on offer, including an oyster opening experience, a fascinating mangrove tour and a traditional lunch in the village. You can even enjoy an underwater dive to find and keep your very own pearl.

ICONIC LANDMARKS:

Explore Ras Al Khaimah’s captivating landmarks and historical sites, such as Dhayah Fort and Mohammed Bin Salim Mosque, in addition to its wealth of fascinating museums and galleries, including the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum.

BEDOUIN OASIS CAMP AND BASSATA DESERT VILLAGE:

Enjoy a magical desert experience at the Bedouin Oasis Camp - an authentic reproduction of Bedouin life just as it used to be. Take a thrilling drive across the sand dunes in a 4x4 or enjoy a camel ride, before rounding off your incredible day with a traditional Arabic dinner and entertainment around the campfire. You can also choose to stay overnight and sleep under the stars in a Bedouin-style tent. Another place to indulge in the ultimate desert experience is the Bassata Desert Village, where you can enjoy a wide array of authentic Arabic activities, including belly dancing, falcon shows, camel and horseback riding, and a stunning sunset barbecue dinner.

Family-friendly fun

Boasting a wealth of fantastic family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, Ras Al Khaimah’s luxurious accommodation offers great value for money, with 5* hotels available at 4* prices.

Many of the adventure activities here are suitable for all the family, including the Jebel Jais zipline, where there are no minimum age requirements; only weight and height restrictions apply. The beaches are lovely and swimmable, and the emirate is regarded as being extremely safe for tourists, making it the ideal choice for your next family holiday.

Bottle of beer Taxi starting price Three course meal for two

100AED 7.50AED 10AED

IDR 50,000One way-ticket on local transport 1 litre of petrol

8.50AED 2.20AED

Spending MoneyAs of August 2019, £1 GBP = 4.48 UAE Dirham

How much should you expect to pay for the regular everyday necessities during a trip to Ras al Khaimah?

Our recommendations

“I stayed at the amazing Waldorf Astoria. It was originally built as a palace, and the

generous rooms sizes reflect this. With the beach one side and the golf course the other, and with a new shopping mall a short walk away. The hotel is well placed to enjoy all

that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer as a beach destination, but travel inland and you are

greeted by desert and mountains.

In the desert we watched the sun go down with a glass of fizz and had a falconry

display, followed by an evening of traditional entertainment and food at a Bedouin oasis

camp.”

Natalie, Travel Counsellor

“From discovering ancient traditions and fascinating culture to being able to take part in some of the most exciting activities in the

UAE – Ras al Khaimah truly offers something for everyone. I can’t wait to go back!”

Joseph, Travel Counsellor

Take a look at some of our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations for a unique experience of Ras Al Khaimah.

Travel Counsellors Ltd, Venus, No.1 Old Park Lane, Trafford City, Manchester, M41 7HA

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