Supported by AlUla Manara, the city’s residents and travellers take to the desert at night to admire the bounty of some of the darkest skies in the region

Late at night, deep within the vast AlUla desert, groups of people from all walks of life gather from the city and surrounding areas. They come prepared, dressed in warm jackets. Carrying sturdy bags filled with cameras and telescopes. But beyond the equipment, they bring a spirit of community, curiosity, and shared wonder.

Amid the awe-inspiring silence of AlUla’s rugged landscape, friendly chatter fills the air. They may be strangers, neighbours, or friends, but they’re united by one purpose: a passion for AlUla’s breathtaking dark skies.

Members of the AlUla Astronomy Club, a close-knit group dedicated to the beauty of the cosmos, regularly make these night-time pilgrimages to catch glimpses of far-off stars, planets, galaxies, and celestial phenomena.