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Ras Al Khaimah
United Arab Emirates / Sharjah & Ras Al Khaimah / Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais, the Longest Zipline and Quiet Beaches

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹7,770From / night₹1,550Food / dayFreeEntry

The northernmost emirate, an hour and a half from Dubai: beach resorts on Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra, and inland, the road up Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, often 10 °C cooler than the coast, with the Jais Flight zipline, a toboggan ride and a viewing deck. Old forts at Dhayah and the abandoned pearling village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra add history. Its airport (RKT) has a few flights from India.

Highlights

  • Drive up Jebel Jais
  • Jais Flight, one of the world's longest ziplines
  • Jais Sledder toboggan
  • Dhayah Fort
  • Abandoned village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra
  • Al Marjan Island beaches
  • Mangrove kayaking

Things to do

  • Jebel Jais drive & viewing deckMorning · 4h
  • Jais Flight ziplineMorning · 2h 30m
  • Dhayah Fort climbAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Al Jazirat Al Hamra ghost villageAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Al Marjan Island beachAfternoon · 3h
  • Mangrove kayak at Al QurmMorning · 2h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Ras Al Khaimahvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Ras Al Khaimahvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: October – April

Worth knowing

Flight Disruptions Since the 2026 Regional War

Since the war in the region began in February 2026, Gulf airspace has closed at times and UAE flights have been cancelled at short notice; in October 2026 Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are open with occasional cancellations. Book changeable fares, buy travel insurance that covers disruption, and check your government's advice (the US rates the UAE "Reconsider travel") and your airline before you fly.

Worth knowing

Summer Heat: Outdoor Trips Limited

⚠️ June to September is dangerously hot away from the coast (often 45 °C and more inland): dune drives, hikes, kayaking and fort visits are only possible at dawn or after sunset, and heatstroke is a real risk. Carry far more water than you think, never walk into the desert or a wadi at midday, and consider coming back between November and March.

Heads up

Ramadan (expected 8 Feb – 9 Mar 2027)

During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight (hotels and many restaurants serve discreetly), dress conservatively, and keep music down. Museums and offices keep shorter hours, live entertainment is quieter, and bars may open only after sunset. Evenings are lively with iftars and late-opening malls, and hotel prices dip.

Heads up

Flash Floods in the Wadis

After rain in the Hajar Mountains the wadis flood within minutes, even under a blue sky downstream. Stay out of wadi beds when rain is forecast, and never drive through running water.

  • Ramadan — The fasting month, expected to run from about 8 February to 9 March 2027. Visitors are not expected to fast, but eat, drink and smoke discreetly in public in daylight; many restaurants stay open (some behind screens), malls open late, and the evenings come alive with iftar tents and Ramadan night markets. Office and museum hours are shorter; desert-camp shows may be quieter. A good, cheaper time to visit if you plan around it.
  • Eid al-Fitr — The three-day holiday ending Ramadan (expected about 9-10 March 2027): fireworks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, crowded malls and beaches, and the UAE's residents travelling, so flights home to India and hotels in Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah and the east coast are busy and dear.
  • Eid al-Adha — Four-day public holiday (expected about 16 May 2027). Flights between the UAE and India are at their dearest around it, and resort towns fill with residents.
  • UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) · 2 Dec — A long public-holiday weekend around 2 December: fireworks, parades and flag-draped cars. Hatta, Jebel Jais, Fujairah and the desert camps fill with residents; book early and expect slow traffic on the roads out of Dubai.
  • New Year's Eve fireworks · 31 Dec — Fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, the Palm and Atlantis, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah's record-setting show. Downtown Dubai closes roads and Metro stations from the afternoon; Burj Khalifa-view restaurants and hotel rooms sell out months ahead at the year's highest prices.