Edge Of The World Tour - Riyadh

A couple of years back, as I was browsing the internet, I came across this destination in Riyadh called the "Edge Of The World".  I was immediately interested and researched how to get to this place.  Unfortunately, before, the only way you can get here is if you have a 4x4 vehicle and hope you can find the place as it is mostly secluded.  Fast forward several years later, tour companies in Riyadh are offering join-in tours to this place.  Now I can finally have a chance to get there.  I researched the internet on the best tour options and found a good deal thru Cobone.  Cobone is a online voucher store will all sorts of deals.  The have a voucher for an Edge Of the World tour operated by Ghazi Tours discounted to SR262.  So, without hesitation, I immediately bought a voucher and went to Riyadh in the weekend.

I met up with Ghazi Tours in Granada Center Mall in Riyadh which is the meet-up point for the tour.  once everyone arrived, we headed of to the Edge Of The World which is a 1.5 hour drive from where were at.

After about an hour of drive, we had a stop to stretch our legs.  We stopped in a deserty path and where this 600 year old tree is standing.

Moving on, after another 30-minutes of rough terrain, we finally reached our destination.  Welcome to The Edge Of The World!

The Edge Of The World is a series of cliffs overlooking a vast desert area.  It's considered the Grand Canyon version of Riyadh.  It was quite windy when we came so the visibility of the view below was low due to the sands blown by the wind.  It is quite a strenuous hike to go to the best look-out spots so you have to be fit to go to this place.

This place is amazing and you will be in awe with the views. Just also be careful as there are no safety fences or nets at the edge.  It is just raw untouched nature at its best.  Be mindful of your steps as not to trip and fall over.  By the way, the tour also provides free dinner after your visit at the Edge Of The World.  You will be directed to a desert camp where there are free flowing tea and coffee, fruits, and a barbecue dinner.  I was not able to capture photos after the tour because my battery died down and I forgot to bring my power bank.  In any case, I strongly recommend this tour if you ever visit Riyadh.  Below are the links on Cobone where I bought the voucher, and Ghazi Tours, the tour operator.

COBONE
https://www.cobone.com/en/deals/activities-riyadh/edge-of-the-world-trip/82376

GHAZI TOURS
https://www.ghazitours.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GhaziTours
https://www.instagram.com/ghazi_tours/?hl=en


Some reminders and tips if you visit Edge Of The World in Riyadh:

1. In the middle of your ride maybe around 30-45 mins along the way, drop by the nearest gas station or restaurant for a restroom stop as there will be no restrooms whatsoever in the Edge Of The World.
2. Bring water and extra clothes when you visit.  The hike is strenuous and you will perspire a lot specially if you visit on summer times.
3. Where comfortable but tough shoes as the terrain is rough and rocky.
4. No safety nets of barricades on the cliff edges so be very careful and be mindful of your steps.
5. If you have major injuries or of old age, you can still enjoy the view on the bottom outlook spots but going to the top view points will be very difficult if you are not physically fit.
6. If you want to visit the place by your own private transport, make sure you use a 4x4 vehicle.  The terrain is rough to the Edge Of The World and normal cars will have a hard time navigating to the place.

Edge Of The World




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Hualan Restaurant - Riyadh

Off to Riyadh again for an interview appointment at the US Embassy.  But before the interview, I'd like to clear my thoughts and calm myself.  What better way to that by eating delicious food.  I searched the internet for a restaurant near where I was staying and came across this restaurant called Hualan.  It really look good from the internet pics so I decided to go there for dinner.

Hualan is a Chinese & Asian Fusion Restaurant located at the Centria Mall along Olaya St. in Riyadh.

At the Entrance

At the Entrance

As I saw the entrance, I immediately knew that this was a high-end restaurant as it comes with a waiting area similar to a hotel lobby.  They also have a bar and an al-fresco dinning with views of the Al Faisaliah Tower.

Reception

Dinning Area

Bar

Al-Fresco Dinning Area

Al-Fresco Dinning Area

Al-Fresco Dinning Area

As I entered, I was courteously greeted by an attendant and then escorted to the dinning area.  I was asked if I opt to dine outside the balcony or inside the restaurant.  Since it was summer and it was still hot outside, i opted to dine inside.  I noticed that most of the waiters are Filipino's, and they were very helpful in suggesting dishes for me.  I ordered the following:

Sweet Corn & Crab Meat Soup

Shanghai Steamed Dimsum Platter

Crispy Soft-Shelled Crab

Steamed Rice served in bamboo container

The verdict... I was very happy with the menu choice I ordered.  All were very delectably tasty specially the soft-shelled crab.  I strongly recommend this restaurant if you crave for Chinese-Asian dishes.  I also suggest you come here as a group so you can split the bill, because prices are on the high side.


Hualan Restaurant
Centria Mall, Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Riyadh 12241

My Rating:

Food/Taste:  9/10 (great tasting high quality food)

Ambiance:  10/10 (very good, interiors and al-fresco dinning is classy)

Cleanliness:  9/10 (very clean)

Service: 9/10 (superb service, courteous & helpful waiters)

Establishment:  8/10 (within the city so its not difficult to locate)

Price:  7/10 (prices are on the high side in relation to serving size)

Overall:  8.67/10 (recommended to visit)


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Heet Cave - Exploring Riyadh's Underground Lake

Since I'll only be staying in Riyadh for 3 days, might as well explore as much destinations as I can.  My friend told me about this newly discovered cave with a under ground lake located on the south side of Riyadh named Heet Cave.  So without any hesitation we packed our things and head to the cave immediately.  From the city center, it will take around 45mins to 1 hour to get to Heet Cave.

Heet Cave is easy to locate if you are equipped wit a GPS or you can search it in Google Maps by just typing "Heet Cave".  The location should right about on the pointer shown in the image below:

Once there you will be amazed on the beautiful rock formations surrounding the place.

There is a roughly 100-feet descent when you enter the cave and reach the bottom lake.  The descent is very steep full of sharp rocks, so you must be careful going down.  One must be physically fit to course their way through the boulders and sharp rocks.  It is advised to make sure to bring with them everything they need as they go down (drinking water, clothes, etc.) because it is very difficult and dangerous to go up & down, back & forth.

Once you reach the bottom of the cave, you may now enjoy the cool waters of the underground lake.  This is the perfect way to cool down from the blistering hot weather of the desert.

It was a good trip! It is very rare that you get to see and experience an underground lake in the middle of the desert.  I have one concern though... Since the popularity of the cave is rising quickly, more and more tourists are flocking the cave.  And with more people, more trash are also being left in the site, nit to mention the vandalism.  The area is not protected by the local authorities, so one one is cleaning the area.  I do wish that the authorities find a way to manage the area in order to preserve this natural beauty.

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Red Sand Dunes Quad Biking

During my Riyadh visit, my friends told me I should try Quad Biking in Red Sand Dunes, so, without hesitation, we head there.  It's approximately 40 minutes ride from the city.  But the time just flew by because the scenery along the way was quite captivating.

On the way to Red Sand Dunes

On the way to Red Sand Dunes

On the way to Red Sand Dunes

On the way to Red Sand Dunes

Once you're near the area I'm sure you won't miss it.  As it's name suggest, the sand dunes has a reddish color to it.  You will see a lot of quad bikes for rent in the area.  We got the quad bikes for SR20 per hour.  Most will give it to you at a higher price, so make sure to use your negotiation skills. When we went there, it was Ramadan Season so the heat was really blistering.  But still, we enjoyed it.

Vast Fine Red Sand

Vast Fine Red Sand

Vast Fine Red Sand

Quad Bikes

Quad Bikes

Me and the Riyadh Guys

If you wish to go to the Red Sand Dunes, I suggest you go there on cooler months around November to February.  If you can't go on those months, just be there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.  Also make sure you bring plenty of drinking water to avoid dehydration.  The area is quite far from civilization so have cash ready with you before you go there.


RED SAND DUNES
Coordinates: 24.361714,46.358931
Type "RED SAND DUNES" and search in google maps in Riyadh area
Quad Bike Rental:  SR20 - SR30 per hour


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