Helicopter tours in Al-Ula showcase the rich geological heritage of the governorate

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The unique landscapes of AlUla show three distinct geological periods dating back about a thousand million years. While archaeologists and geologists have the opportunity to fly over AlUla as part of their work to understand and document this history, visitors to AlUla can now enjoy the diversity of archaeological monuments and the global significance of the governorate’s landscape through Conducting the first recreational helicopter tours in the Kingdom.

Don Boyer, one of the first geologists to take research-based helicopter flights to AlUla, says visitors will have the most exciting experiences of their lives when seeing AlUla from the air.

Based on his research on AlUla's geological topography, Boyer said: "While the rocks are mostly common rock types, there are three very different landscapes - pre-Cambrian Arabian rocks, sandstone that was added naturally on top of them and then the black basalt that formed from Volcanic eruptions - all in one area, is what makes AlUla so special.”

A view of the tomb of Lahyan bin Koza at the Al-Hijr archaeological site in Al-Ula from a helicopter

Boyer added: “Atmospheric erosion and changes in wind and water have created a natural drainage like wadi running through AlUla and the adjacent steep valleys. These elements have carved hilltops and created jagged edges of basalt and interesting rock formations, you'll find a variety of colors of different textures from black basalt to multi-layered sandstone. It's such an extraordinary geologic journey that takes your breath away and almost makes you cry with excitement and a sense of dread at times."

Tens of thousands of archaeological sites have been identified in Al-Ula and few have been closely investigated so far. The time period covered by archeology in Al-Ula is approximately at least 7000 years old, including the Dadan period and the Nabatean period.

Boyer says there was clearly a lot going on even in the desert hinterland, which he says is remarkable given the apparent lack of evidence of settlements where these ancients might have lived.

Boyer added: “The landscape we see today is more or less the same as the one that people here saw 7000 years ago. The joy of flying over this part of the Arabian Peninsula - rather than, say, the heritage sites of Europe - is that there is no chaos. The spaces are vast in AlUla, and you can see things in their initial state and the state of preservation is very good in general.”

Helicopter rides are available at a price of 750 SAR per person and operate twice a day. The 30-minute journey covers seven major sites of interest including the gigantic Elephant Mountain, the most famous natural geological rock formation in AlUla, Al Hijra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the southern capital of Nabataean civilization, the Hejaz Railway and the modern engineering marvel Hall of Mirrors, the largest A building of mirrors reflecting the world as it sparkles like diamonds in the desert.

The tour will also include flying over Jabal Ikma (The Open Library) and Dadan, the capital of the kingdoms of Dadan and Lehyan as well as the ancient town of Al-Ula, a medieval city dating back to the XNUMXth century AD, before flying back to the village of Farasan