Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is an oasis of adventure and sport. Ras Al Khaimah in Arabic means “head of camp”. This emirate is truly located at the top of the country, with its high mountains part of the Hajar mountain range, located at the most northern part of the UAE, extending in the east above Oman. Like Dubai and Abu Dubai, the emirate is also blessed with a long stretch of sandy beaches along the Persian Gulf…writes Mohammed Reza Amirina.
We were staying in Dubai and had already experienced many attractions and activities in and around the city. We decided to leave Dubai and have a family day out to other parts of the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah was a good choice to get a different perspective to what tourists normally experience in Dubai with activities such as indoor skiing, outdoor waterparks such as Aquaventure, and visits to Palm Jumaireh and Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
It was only a 45-minute drive from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, but we had a longer journey through winding roads to get into the Jebel Jais Mountain range, a mighty peak standing at a height of 1,680 metres above sea level. We had tickets to experience the Jebel Jais zipline flight organised by Toro Verde.
by . Anxious and aware the we were about to arrive later than the official 4pm closing time, we drove through snaky roads for 30 km to reach the highest point. It was a breathtaking experience to witness the views of the mighty Jebel Jais mountains. Time was passing very slowly, and I felt that the scenic landscapes were never going to end. Hiking and cycling is a popular sport in this region. Despite the steep roads and the excruciating heat cyclists relentlessly made efforts to reach the top of the mountain.
At some point in the journey, we thought we were lost and had to call the reservation office to confirm directions several times. We eventually reached the parking area where there were coaches to pick up visitors and transfer us to the welcome centre. Despite arriving late, the staff were incredibly attentive and kind in preparing us for the flight.
We had to wear a very dense harness that was tightly placed over the head and securely fastened under the legs and around the waist. We also had a GoPro camera attached to the helmet. We took a shuttle minibus and reached the flight platform. It was all nicely prepared by very experienced staff to ensure a secure and pleasant experience at the top of Jebel Jais Mountains.
Once on the platform, the Toro Verde instructors weigh everyone to ensure that there is proper balancing with the gear and cable clips. All final preparation was done within a few minutes and we were set to get into position. There were two cables in parallel. My son and daughter-in-law were first to fly, with my wife and I following them after about ten minutes. The staff helped us to suspend ourselves horizontally from the cable facing down, diving into the sky. It was a quick departure over a rocky landscape for 2.83kms, propelled at a speed of approximately 150 km/hour flying like a bird. It was like flight in a dream, feeling like an eagle, gazing at the gorge beneath us. I descended slightly slower due to my heavy weight, but I reached the end without getting stuck in the middle. I was in the air for approximately 3 minutes.
We landed on a suspended platform, hovering in the air. It was a great photo opportunity to capture those moments in mid air, viewing the incredible scenery around us. We got into position for the last part of our Jebel Jais flight, which was only a short 1 km descent to the foothills of the mountain.
It was a memorable experience to fly over the Jebel Jais Mountain, experiencing the world’s longest zipline. As we returned to the Welcome Centre it was almost sunset time. The sun was fading away and the moon was becoming more visible. It was time to unwind, standing by the viewing platform, getting a glance of the far horizon. Toroverde promises more and more adventures over the vistas of the Hajar Mountain range. We hope to come back again to experience other flight options and activities.
Fact Box:
Toroverde Ras al Khaimah oversee the Adventure Park where visitors can spend the day enjoying the most breathtaking views of the Jebel Jais mountains in Ras al Khaimah, the highest peak of the UAE. Visitors can enjoy the ultimate ‘flying’ experience of the world’s longest zipline, with expert guidance from the Toroverde team.