Ahway’s call to connect with Kingdom’s beauty
New Saudi tourism project embraces concept of disconnecting from everyday life to get back to nature
Saudi Arabia’s diversity — which includes deserts, rock formations, the Red Sea coastline, forests in the southern region and mountains in Makkah — makes it an attractive tourist destination.
Ahway is a new Saudi tourism project that embraces the concept of disconnecting from everyday life in order to connect with nature. It offers well-equipped caravans, all boasting beautiful views.
Taif is where the project is starting out, but it is expected to expand to other spots in the Kingdom, including AlUla, Tabuk, and Asir.
Its founder and CEO Saeed Azhar told Arab News: “It is an escape to nature from the distractions of the digital world.”
The project’s name is derived from the word “awestruck,” and the Arabic expression “ah,” which is used to express a range of emotions, including surprise, pleasure, sympathy and realization.
Ahway caravans are placed in the Al-Shafa Mountains, 180 km from Jeddah, at the Wadi Thee Ghazal, one of the most serene spots in Taif and an area synonymous with picturesque nature.
Its weather is moderate throughout the year, and visitors head for the destination in the summer season as it is one of the most beautiful.
Azhar said that although promoting local tourism is his main goal, he is also keen to promote the concept of Ahway.
He added: “I want to help tourists and locals experience the real joy of different terrains, where they can find solitude with nature.
“There are lockers for phone addicts inside each caravan, so visitors can live the experience to the fullest and away from social media distraction.”
Saudi Arabian terrain is ideal for camping and hiking trips, and the new project gives those with a taste for the great outdoors the chance to enjoy a unique and comfortable experience while enjoying the glories of nature.
The well-equipped caravans are designed in a way that offers privacy, each one being placed at a distance of 18 to 28 meters from another. All contain a fire extinguisher, smoke detector and firstaid kit.
There are also safety cameras at the site, and a guard around the clock to ensure guests’ well-being.