What to expect at AlUla Wellness Festival 2025: Yoga, triathlon and fitness escapes for UAE travellers

Dubai: UAE travellers seeking an immersive wellness escape this autumn may want to look west — to Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, where the annual AlUla Wellness Festival returns from October 24 to November 1.

Set amid ancient valleys and sandstone cliffs, the 2025 edition promises a packed schedule of endurance events, mindfulness sessions, and scenic workouts.

Part of the AlUla Moments calendar, this year’s highlights include a new triathlon, a 24-hour endurance race, and mountaintop yoga — combining natural beauty with curated wellness experiences just a short flight from the UAE.

From yoga to ultramarathons: What to expect in 2025

Catering to all levels of fitness and interest, the 2025 festival focuses on both physical and mental wellbeing. Attendees can expect a mix of calming and high-intensity experiences — with everything from Les Mills workouts at iconic landmarks to a new 24-hour endurance race.

New this year: Duathlon, half marathon and 24-hour race

Among the major highlights:

• AlUla Duathlon (Opening event): A multi-distance race (Olympic, Sprint and Kids categories) combining cycling and running across desert, oasis, and mountain terrain. The Winter Park race village will feature food stalls and live DJ sets.

• AlUla half marathon (October 25): With distances ranging from 1.5km (kids) to 21.1km, this scenic course weaves through AlUla’s heritage sites and will serve as an official warm-up for the 2026 Riyadh Marathon.

• Ashar valley triathlon: Hosted at Our Habitas AlUla, this indoor/outdoor challenge includes rowing, cycling, and swimming — all followed by a post-race breakfast in a premium setting.

• Ride with the pros: Amateur cyclists will have the chance to train alongside Team Jayco AlUla through two 90km rides, with coaching, nutritional support, and technical guidance from professionals.

• AlUla 24-hour endurance race: Set on the 8km Camel Track, teams of up to 12 or solo runners will attempt to complete as many laps as possible in a 24-hour window — testing stamina and teamwork.

Yoga and mindfulness in nature

The popular AlUla Yoga Program returns with 78 sessions hosted across luxury resorts including Banyan Tree, Our Habitas AlUla, and Shaden. Meanwhile, 22 high-energy fitness classes led by elite trainers will unfold at iconic sites like Elephant Rock, Maraya Rooftop, and Hegra — blending movement with AlUla’s awe-inspiring scenery.

Global wellness destination

With its unique mix of heritage, natural beauty, and world-class wellness programming, AlUla continues to position itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking to reconnect with both body and mind. More event details and registration information will be released soon.