Paragliding in Dammam

Paragliding in Dammam

I never knew such an exhilarating and adrenaline-rush sport exists in Saudi Arabia. It is an experience not to be missed and a great treat amongst the adventure sport enthusiasts. You can just sit, relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of desert oasis, camel trails and wonderful sparkling sand dunes as the machine and glider is controlled by the pilot.

The activity involves a group of people, mostly expats, who assemble at one place in Khobar and then move in convoy towards the spot. Its rather interesting to reach the spot for paragliding though. The highway leads towards Abu-Hadriya, which is an hour’s drive from Khobar.  The highway is surrounded by beautiful farms and sand dunes. The last kilometer of drivable road is a bit tricky as Internet doesn’t work and you always need to be accompanied.

It was interesting to share our views and ideas with fellow members, as the group was diverse and super friendly. All of us got excited when we reached the spot, and we decided to explore the surrounding area first. While walking we saw a trail of camels and we fed them bread - this was an unbelievable experience as camels were chasing us for the food!  After we returned to the spot, the pilot started briefing us about safety, landing, take-off etc. which put us at ease. We were assured that the activity will be done safely and will be full of enjoyment.

As soon I as sat on the glider I was excited to have a birds’ eye view of the desert.  The take-off was smooth and the view from the top was simply amazing. The desert oasis looked like mini lakes in the dessert, and on the other side the view of greenery was mind-blowing as you hardly see such things in Saudi. The sand dunes were smooth and sparkling, and a camel trail added the cherry on the cake. It was like a wonderland to experience these phenomena up in the air. The flight took between 10 and 15 minutes, and the pilot brought all of us back safely with much ease.

As Saudis are well-known for their hospitality, the Bedouins surprised us by getting fresh camel milk right in front of our eyes. It was a delight, although I drank only a few sips to make sure everyone got their share.  The activity ended around 2pm and we returned to our homes having had the experience of a lifetime!

I would personally like to thanks Adventure Khobar team for this amazing experience and would definitely recommend this activity. They can be reached on these two platforms.

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