Visitors can now fly over Saudi Arabia’s historical gem, AlUla, to explore its expansive landscape that showcases three distinct geological periods dating back to a thousand million years. The city boasts great cultural significance and houses Hegra, the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can now be discovered from an aerial view.

After geologists and archaeologists, visitors can now appreciate AlUla’s diversity by taking the helicopter tours, which are the Kingdom’s first. Geologist Don Boyer, who was among the few who have undertaken a research-based flight, shared visitors can expect to be “blown away” by the experience.

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“While the rocks are mostly common rock types, the fact that you have these three completely different landscapes – the Precambrian Arabian shield rocks, the sandstone that was laid down over it, and then the black basalt formed by volcanic eruptions – all in one area, is what makes AlUla so special,” he noted.

Numerous archaeological sites have been identified in AlUla and very few of them have been closely investigated. The archaeology covers an astounding 7,000 years at the least, including the Dadan and Nabataean periods.

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“The weathering, the agencies of wind and water, have created drainages, such as the wadi that cuts through AlUla and the steep walled canyons nearby. These elements have sculpted the ridge-tops and created dramatic rough edges of basalt and interesting rock formations,” he added. “Then, you have the variety of colors and textures from the black basalt to the multi-layered sandstone. It’s an extraordinary geological journey that takes your breath away; it almost brings you to tears at times.”

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The helicopter flights are available at SAR 750 (approximately Dhs 735), and will operate twice a day. The 30-minute flight will cover seven key sites, including Jabal AlFil (Elephant Rock), AlUla’s most famous natural geological rock formation; Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataean civilization; The Hijaz Railway and the modern-day marvel of Maraya, which is the world’s largest mirrored building that glistens in the desert.

The tour will also take in Jabal Ikmah (the open-air library) and Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms, as well as AlUla Old Town, the 12th-century medieval city, before landing at Fursan Village. For bookings, visit Experiencealula.com.

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