Exploring the Edge Of The World Saudi Arabia
Booking a Tour to Edge of the World
The only option to get to the Edge of the World is to book through a tour company, as it’s dangerous to wander alone. We booked our tour through Get Your Guide, as we really enjoyed the tours we’ve booked through them in the past. The Edge of the World is in the middle of the desert, therefore most of the tours are in the afternoon during a cooler part of the day, and to see in the sunset over the horizon. There are a lot of people on this tour, so when you find your guide, they will break up everyone into smaller groups of 5-7 people with one tour guide.
Animal Stops
Our first stop was to see some camels in the middle of nowhere, about an hour away from our starting point. Their condition seemed so-so, and their enclosure seemed too small. Although it could have been temporary, as this site seemed made for tourists to stop by. It was our first time seeing a camel calf, and we spent time watching the calf follow its mother around. We were able to take pictures together with the camels in front of the fence.
This wasn’t my first interaction with camels since I became familiar with how to ride them in Mongolia. But I’ve never been face-to-face with a camel before, and I was pretty nervous. Thankfully, it was very kind, and I did not have any camel spit on me. It was a very quick ten-minute stop, but that was all the time that was needed.
Our second animal stop was to see gazelles at Huraymila National Park. Sadly, during that time of day, they went far away from the gate and were resting. Luckily, we were able to see a few in the distance. I think they mostly made this stop to allow us to stretch our legs, as we had been driving for several hours through the heat. We also drove up the hill and got a small taste of what was to come as we looked over the valley.
Hiking at Edge of the World
After a few hours of driving, we arrived at the Edge of the World. We were able to roam around for two hours, which gave us more than enough time to explore the area. We started out by walking to the farthest end and hiked our way back for the sunset. Seeing the huge cliffs and the vast desert underneath was gorgeous and surreal. I don’t think the camera does it justice; these are truly massive cliffs with straight drops and absolutely no railings.
It reminds me of when I lived in the desert states of the U.S. The sandy colors, hot sun, and dry air brought me back to my childhood. This was Michael’s first time seeing a desert that’s hot year-round, so it was a truly unique experience. We’ve seen the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and the Kazakhstan desert before, but only in winter. Thankfully, it wasn’t blistering hot, but it was definitely a new environment for Michael.
At the Edge of the World, there are no fences or safety features to keep you from falling off the edge. Even scarier, many of the best photo spots are ledges with massive drops. You have to be careful and only do what you are comfortable with. However, if you’re brave enough to stand on the ledge, you’re rewarded with some of the most amazing photos imaginable. Walking up the cliffs was very moderate and didn’t require being fit, so we were able to take a lot of great photos.
Sunset at Edge of the World
On the south end of the park is a high hill where people usually gather to watch the sunset. Although the view is great no matter where you go, the high vantage point makes the sunset even better. Some of the people in our tour group brought beer (non alcoholic, of course) and we enjoyed a lovely evening just chatting as the sun slowly faded. It was very peaceful and quiet, even though there were a ton of people around. It wasn’t the most spectacular sunset I’ve seen, but just sitting on the cliffs enjoying it with new friends made the atmosphere feel relaxed.
Campfire
Finishing off the tour, we went to a campsite to unwind with some traditional Arabian tea, coffee, and snacks. We pulled up to a site alongside all of the other groups from our tour company. It was a dimly lit area with a few nice fires, comfy rugs, and camping chairs. As we sat, the guides came around and offered dates, coffee, tea, chips, cookies, and more every few minutes. The tour guides were rotating around the circle several times, so we definitely didn’t go hungry.
After receiving a belly full of snacks, the tour guides thanked everyone for booking the tour and turned off the lights. As we looked up, we saw the stars extra bright as there is no light pollution in the desert. It wasn’t the best we’ve ever seen, but compared to what we can see in Korea, we were more than satisfied. We had a good 30 minutes to talk with our fellow travelers, and it was an amazing way to end the night.
Final Thoughts
We usually try to do things self-guided to save money and explore on our own terms. However, sometimes it’s nice to be forced to have a tour to remind us of the benefits. It’s great to get to know new friends and experience things with a guide. The Edge of the World is definitely one of those tours I don’t regret, offering amazing nature, great people, and a unique experience you can’t get anywhere near Riyadh.
