Exploring the Petra of Saudi Arabia

As the hot air balloon soared at sunrise over the Arabian desert, monumental tombs carved into surreal sandstone rock formations appeared far below. This was Hegra, a city founded nearly two thousand years ago by the Nabataeans, the mysterious civilization of Arabic traders that also built Petra in Jordan.

I was here to experience the AlUla Skies Festival, a celebration of all things airborne. Each morning, dozens of hot air balloons drifted across AlUla’s cloudless cerulean skies. By day, hundreds of colourful kites twirled through the air and sightseeing helicopters circled over AlULa’s landmarks and heritage sites. At night, illuminated drones formed choreographed patterns, the stargazing was stupendous‌ and a pop-up outdoor cinema projected Hollywood movies against a stark canyon backdrop.

Part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Vision 2030 plan to transform the world’s largest oil exporter into a more diversified global trade and tourism hub, AlUla represents the Kingdom’s attempt to woo Westerners with a mix of archeological wonders, post-modern art installations, unique and sustainable luxury resort experiences and Arabic hospitality.

Aware of their infamously austere and conservative country’s image problem in the West, the people marketing AlUla to the wider world are content to attract only a relatively small number of well-heeled, intellectually curious travellers willing to journey well off the beaten track.