Oasis of AlUla

Oasis of AlUla

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AlUla Oasis: An Agricultural Haven

Nestled within the Wadi AlQura (or Valley of Villages) is the heart of the region — the Oasis of AlUla. This lush haven in the midst of the windswept Saudi Arabian desert has provided life to AlUla’s residents, weary travellers, flora and fauna for thousands of years. The oasis has made the region a cultural crossroads, the site of ancient kingdoms and a modern-day agricultural epicentre for flavourful fruits, aromatic herbs and perfumed oils.

THE OASIS THROUGH THE ERAS

Civilisations have built their kingdoms around the oasis of AlUla for thousands of years — from the ancient city of Dadan, capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms in first millennium BCE, to Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom dating to the first century BCE, to modern times. All along, the oasis has provided a welcoming place for merchants, pilgrims and other travellers to rest — and a source of agricultural wealth for local communities.

Under a canopy of date palm trees, crops flourished in the rich soil, yielding ample harvests of barley, wheat, oat, figs, olives, citrus, herbs and, of course, dates. The date palms not only bore nourishing fruits, they offered materials for shelter, fuel, art and building, a source of both cooling and creative inspiration. For millennia, the AlUla Valley has been adorned with an abundance of plants thanks to the life-giving waters of the oases natural springs and the nourishing shade of the date palms.

AN AGRICULTURAL HAVEN

Modern travellers will still find the vibrant, emerald-green groves of date palms clustered throughout AlUla. Each year, AlUla’s 2.3 million date palms produce more than 90,000 tonnes of dates. Numerous varieties of the date fruit are grown here, the most famous of which is the barni date.

The date palms are the top storey of the oasis ecosystem, still shading a layer of citrus trees, which in turn protect a carpet of aromatic herbs such as basil and mint. You’ll find the branches of the region’s 200,000 citrus trees laden with 29 varieties of fruit, from the torounge (a hybrid of a lemon and a pomelo cultivated by the Nabataeans) to oranges, ruby red grapefruit, sweet lemons and kumquats (referred to locally as maliki).

Wispy-branched Moringa Peregrina trees are native to AlUla, thriving in the fertile soil. 90,000 trees are cultivated here, producing the luxurious, premium moringa oil, which is extracted from the seeds. Similar to argan oil but different from the more common Indian moringa oil, Moringa Peregrina oil is renowned for its restorative qualities in cosmetics and fragrances. It has been sought after by ancient kingdoms and exported from AlUla for centuries. Visitors to AlUla can take home souvenirs of fragrant soaps, lotions, candles and more made locally with this oil.

Oasis Farming Experience

Learn about the sustainable farming practices of AlUla in this hands-on workshop, set in the heart of the AlUla Oasis. Use your skills to contribute to the restoration of the AlUla Oasis by planting new seeds and seedlings.

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Until 30 September Heritage Oasis Trail Tour

Walk the length of the Heritage Oasis Trail, from Dadan all the way to the centre of the AlUla Oasis, on this one-of-a-kind guided tour. Learn about the mudbricks that create the ancient walls lining the trail and see the lush farms being restored to their former glory.

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Temporarily unavailable Mudbrick Workshop

Revive ancient building techniques and learn about traditional decoration elements of the mudbrick houses in the AlUla Oasis. Don’t miss the chance to make mudbricks and decorations of your very own in this family-friendly workshop.

The experience is currently unavailable but will return back to AlUla soon. Follow @AlUlaMoments on Social to be the first one to know when this experience is back.

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2 Dec - 31 Mar (Fri- Sat only) Eco-Gardening

Great strides are being made to restore the lush AlUla Oasis to the verdant valley it once was. Using new techniques alongside generations of knowledge, Eco-Gardening aims to raise awareness about sustainability in order to preserve AlUla’s natural resources.

 

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ALULA FARMS


AlUla’s oases have thrived and nourished life here for millennia. Contemplate this rich history and the many civilisations that have come before as you explore the modern-day oasis.

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ALULA DATES


Nestled under the green fronds of date palms dotting the desert valley oasis of AlUla, nature’s sweet treats thrive in AlUla. Beyond the sugary goodness of every bite, the ancient trees and expansive groves are an important part of the local culture and economy.

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CITRUS CROPS


For thousands of years, citrus farming has played a significant role in AlUla. From the luscious and unique Torounge to the sweet Helou lemon, citrus crops provide a kaleidoscope of colours, tastes and value.

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ALULA PEREGRINA


One of AlUla’s most exciting plants is the Moringa Peregrina tree, which has grown here for millennia. The natural oil produced from its seeds is valued for its rare botanical properties — a mild odour, light colour and the ability to quickly moisturize the skin.

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ORANGE PATH


Walk between farms in the fresh AlUla air to discover sun-lit markets where local farmers and artisans sell wares from citrus-infused delicacies to pottery. Make a day of this experience by renting a digital bike to explore further and enjoying refreshment at Pink Camel.

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ALULA OLD TOWN VILLAGE


A crossroads of civilisations and oasis city on incense-trading routes, people have inhabited AlUla for thousands of years. Today AlUla Old Town Village encompasses its fascinating mudbrick Old Town, the lush Oasis and vibrant AlJadidah Arts District.
 

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Plan Your Trip To AlUla

Flying to AlUla

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What to Do

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Where to Eat

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Where to Stay

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