attractions REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Celcius – significantly less than the readings found in the centre of the country. Thousands more drive up to the city from Jeddah via a coast-hugging highway that then winds its way up the mountains of Asir to the provincial capital. The combination of landscape
and climate mean that Asir is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It has several protected forests and wildlife conservation areas and hiking trails abound in its mountains and valleys. It is also popular for adventure sports such as hot-air ballooning, paragliding and rock climbing. Importantly, there are now
plans to turn Abha into a year-round tourist destination, with meetings a central component. There are already two major facilities in the area and, in December 2013, the Abha Forum sought to attract investment from the wider GCC as part of plans to develop the region’s infrastructure further. The region already generates US$700 million (SAR2.4 billion) from tourism.
Abha and Asir
Spectacular scenery, protected wildlife, heritage sites and a cool climate have all combined to make the mountain province of Asir the ideal summer escape for visitors
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In the deep south of Saudi Arabia, beyond the vast expanses of desert, rises the mountainous province of Asir, a land of clouds, rain, trees and wildlife. A fertile province that rises to more than 2,000 metres above sea level, its elevation means a marked contrast in climate, with mild summers and cool winters, making it one of the favoured places to escape to for residents of the big Saudi cities
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during the long, hot summers on the peninsula. Abha, the capital city of the
province, has a population of 260,000 people and is served by Abha Regional Airport, located east of the city. The airport becomes the gateway for thousands of tourists who pour into the region during the summer when Abha’s temperatures average a daily high of around 29 degrees
Raidah Protected Area Asir is one of the few remaining places in the Arabian Peninsula where endemic animal species such as the Arabian leopard, the Caracal lynx, the mountain gazelle and the Nubian ibex can still be found. The Raidah Protected Area is a forested tract of hillsides, the natural habitat of these species. Though one of the smallest of Saudi Arabia’s wildlife reserves at only 14 square kilometres, it is one of the most important, with abundant food sources that attract wolves, the striped hyena and nine out of the 10 indigenous bird species of Saudi Arabia.
1 Mud houses in a village near Abha 2 Te sights near Abha City, Asir
Small group tours Open all day, but best visited early before the animals take shelter from the heat Remember to take your binoculars and hire a guide
ABDUL MAJEED ISA
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