
Saudi Arabia's AlUla Launches Eventful ‘Summer Untold' Program
Saudi Arabia's AlUla has launched its summer program under the theme 'Summer Untold,' offering a rich collection of experiences that blend ancient heritage sites with breathtaking natural landscapes.
Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, the governorate is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure.
The program features exclusive hotel packages at AlUla's luxury resorts nestled in nature, alongside a series of artistic events at the local amphitheater that combine live music performances with AlUla's stunning surroundings. Guests can also enjoy musical experiences by the pool, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and golden sands.
Returning this August for its third edition, the AlUla Desert Blaze trail race offers an ideal challenge for adventure seekers, who will race through some of AlUla's most iconic landmarks amid its spectacular desert terrain.
The program also invites visitors to explore the summer oasis farms and discover the traditional lifestyles of farmers in AlUla's Old Town.
Furthermore, AlUla Adventure Hub is rolling out an exciting lineup of thrill-seeking activities this summer, beginning in the early morning hours among the region's striking desert landscapes. Highlights include the AlUla Zipline, the longest and fastest of its kind in the Kingdom, offering breathtaking mountain views, as well as the Giant Swing, the AlUla Stairway, mountain rappelling, the Via Ferrata, the Canyon Hammock, and rock-climbing adventures.

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Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia steps up measures to tackle sweltering heat as pilgrims embark on Arafat journey
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Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
62 air carriers operate 3,314 Hajj flights from 238 destinations
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Arab News
30-05-2025
- Arab News
Mount Al-Fahlatain — where prophetic history meets pilgrimage tradition
AlUla: Rising from the landscape north of Madinah, Mount Al-Fahlatain has served as a geographical beacon and spiritual waypoint for more than a thousand years. The landmark, on the historic route to AlUla, bears witness to one of Islam's most significant military expeditions — the Prophet Muhammad's journey to Tabuk in 9 A.H. The mountain's name tells its own story. Two colossal rocks crown its summit, their silhouette resembling the horns of a bull — 'fahl' in Arabic, giving rise to 'Al-Fahlatain,' or 'the two bulls.' The sacred site has been documented meticulously by historians and travelers. Ali Al-Samhudi's work, 'Wafa Al-Wafa Bi Akhbar Dar Al-Mustafa,' places the location precisely one day's march from Madinah, describing twin peaks sheltering underlying rock formations. Firuzabadi reinforced its historical significance in 'Al-Maghanim Al-Mutaba fi Ma'alim Taba,' cataloging it among the landmarks witnessed by the Prophet's army on their way to Tabuk. Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al-Mawlawi provided additional detail in 'Rihlat Al-Shita Wa Al-Sayf,' positioning the twin peaks on the mountain's western flank alongside the main thoroughfare. Al-Suwaidi offered an alternative etymology in 'Al-Nafha Al-Miskiyya Fi Al-Rihla Al-Makkiyya,' suggesting the name reflects the mountain's solitary stance in the landscape, isolated like a bull among grazing camels. Historian and Islamic history researcher Fouad Al-Maghamsi identifies Mount Al-Fahlatain — sometimes called Faifa Al-Fahlatain — as strategically positioned near Shajwa village, northwest of Madinah. With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains, bordered by complementary ridges and highlands. Al-Maghamsi said the site functioned as a vital rest station along the Syrian Hajj route, known as Darb Al-Hajj Al-Shami, earning local appellations including 'Antar's Fortress' and 'Antar's Stable.' Archaeological evidence such as building foundations and service facilities suggests a sophisticated infrastructure designed to support the thousands of pilgrims and merchants who annually traversed these routes. The Syrian Hajj route encompasses diverse terrain rich with sites linked to prophetic biography and pilgrimage heritage.