Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah will launch a range of adventure tours with the region’s first commercial Via Ferrata (Iron Path).
Tourists can tackle climbing, hiking and three zip-line challenges on the UAE’s highest mountain range, with the world’s longest zip-line and adventure park to follow in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The three-course Via Ferrata spans the rocky facade of Jebel Jais, the country’s highest peak, which rises to 6,266 feet and is part of the rugged Al Hajar mountain range. The average temperature in that area is 10 degrees Celsius below mean Gulf temperatures.
Due to be opened to the public later this month, the new adventure product, which is just 45 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah’s beachfront resorts, is part of the emirate’s Vision 2019 Destination Tourism strategy. It has been produced by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), which is now working with industry stakeholders to develop experience packages to also cover accommodation and travel.
“The world-class Via Ferrata is the first in a range of mountain, activity and adventure products we are developing specifically for nature and adventure seekers,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA.
“Our Vision 2019 includes a roadmap for innovative hospitality concepts which take advantage of our destination’s unique natural assets — including amazing coastline, stunning mountain ranges, hot springs and expansive desert,” he added.
Mattar explained that Ras Al Khaimah’s natural and cultural assets are well positioned to target key global tourist segments including wellness seekers, active adventurers and cultural explorers. “We can offer these visitor segments adventure through mountain activities, 7,000 years of historic sights and authentic Arabian culture,” he said.
With Ras Al Khaimah’s natural assets offering popular hiking, driving and trekking paths, amateur and professional adventurers can take on the challenge on their own private trips and at large-scale events such as the GCC Hiking Championship and North Face Run.
Tourist groups, who will be offered complimentary transfers from the centre of the city, will be able to choose from the three routes. There will be two daily supervised tours taking place for each route, starting at 8am and 1pm.
The standard course, the Ledge Walk, will take an average group of eight adventurers around four hours to complete. The middle, technical route — the Middle Path — will take around 3.5 hours and the higher, vertical route — Julphar Scare — will take around 1.5 hours.
Minimum age and weight restrictions apply for adventurers who must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 41.27kg and no more than 98.42kg. Challengers over 65 years of age may be asked for a doctor’s clearance before being accepted.
“All clients will need to prove themselves on the standard course before being allowed on one of the more technical routes,” explained Mattar. “It’s a unique opportunity to experience the dramatic Jebel Jais scenery at just under 400 feet — that’s the height of a 30-storey building.”
A highly-skilled team will operate the Via Ferrata with stringent safety and emergency rescue procedures in place. The Via Ferrata is being operated by Absolute Adventure, one of the Gulf’s largest adventure operators. The company’s 35-strong workforce comprises highly qualified outdoor instructors who all hold current wilderness first aid certification.
