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The Marble Village and the 8000 ft Ascent: A Day in Al-Baha with Arabian Routes.

 My name is Ikbal, and this is the details an incredible day trip organized by Arabian Routes to  Al-Baha , a historical mountain region over 400 kilometers from Jeddah.

🚌 The Journey Begins

At 6:45 AM, three buses carrying nearly 150 passengers departed from Rock Garden near Sharafiyah. I was on Bus No. 2, hosted by the famous food vlogger,  MC Manaf . The journey began with a welcome kit containing cake, almonds, and raisins. Manaf kicked off the day with an engaging mix of speeches, songs, storytelling, and dance.


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ISHABIL TRIP AT A GLANCE

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Destination
Al Baha , Saudi Arabia
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Date of Journey
September 23, 2022
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Transport Mode
Benz Bus
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Companions
Group trip

Morning Stop at Al Lith

Around 10:00 AM, we stopped for breakfast at a beautiful park near the seashore in  Al Lith . We spent an hour there, enjoying our meal, using the facilities, and taking photos of the beautiful sea.

Back on the road, Manaf kept the energy high with quizzes and humorous questions, distributing chocolates as prizes. Outside, the scenery shifted between the desert, patches of greenery, and herds of camels. Since it was Friday, we stopped for Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) before continuing our journey.

We turned off the Jizan highway near  Al Muzaylif  and took the road toward Al-Baha. As we passed  Al Makwah , the landscape suddenly turned lush, offering beautiful green views—a welcome refreshment for the eyes and the soul. We were now climbing steadily, ascending from sea level.


🏰 The Marble Village of Dhee Ayn (ذي عين)

Our journey soon brought us to the ancient  Marble Village, or Dhee Ayn .

Located about 20 km from Al Makwah, right at the foot of the mountain pass, this spectacular structure is visible from the main road, perched high on a hill. We parked at the bottom and gathered for a crucial briefing.

A Lesson in History

Before exploring, we were treated to a detailed historical talk by  Hassan Cheruppa , a renowned historian and journalist from Jeddah. He enlightened us about this amazing site:

  • Architecture:  The 400-year-old village is constructed from stone and wood on a white marble hill. The building technique is unique: flat stones are precisely stacked and interlocked, forming buildings that range from two to seven stories high.

  • History:  Established in the 10th Hijri century, the village was home to the Zahrani and Ghamdi tribes. It witnessed countless battles before the unification of Saudi Arabia under King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Notably, the Ottoman Turkish army, which conquered much of the world, failed to subdue Dhee Ayn, suffering heavy casualties. The cemetery where their soldiers were buried ( The Cemetery of the Turks ) can still be seen in a section of the village.

  • Revitalization:  The Saudi Tourism Authority has invested 16 million Riyals into the village's reconstruction, successfully turning it into a thriving heritage and tourism center.



Exploring the Oasis

The village is named after  'Dhee Ayn'  (The Eye), the natural spring that flows through the dense trees at the foot of the hill.

We explored the ancient homes and took numerous photos. The large garden in the valley was a major attraction, filled with banana trees, basil, lemons, and palm trees. The view from above this vibrant garden was superb. We then followed the stream, which created small waterfalls through the greenery, right up to its source. The lush vegetation and flowing water gave us a feeling of being transported back to Kerala. After visiting the old mosque, we returned to the parking area for lunch.

📘 Ishabil Fact

  • Defeating an Empire: The Ottoman Turkish army suffered a major defeat trying to conquer Dhee Ayn. The "Cemetery of the Turks" can still be seen in the village today.
  • Engineering Marvel: The 400-year-old Marble Village is built by precisely stacking flat stones without mortar, creating buildings up to seven stories high on a white marble hill.
  • The Tunnels Road: The miraculous Aqabat Al-Baha (Al-Baha Pass) is a 25-kilometer stretch containing more than 20 tunnels, rapidly ascending to nearly 8,000 feet above sea level.

💡 Ishabil Tips

  • Group Travel is Key: For a destination over 400 kilometers away like Al-Baha, joining an organized group trip (like Arabian Routes) takes the stress out of driving and planning a packed single-day itinerary.
  • Follow the Spring: When exploring Dhee Ayn, don't just stay in the buildings. Walk through the lush valley gardens of banana and palm trees to trace the natural spring to its source.
  • Plan the Zip Line Approach: If you want to ride the incredible 957-meter zip line at Raghadan Forest Park, figure out your transport to the mountaintop starting station beforehand, as walking up is difficult.

🎉 Ishabil Fum

  • Bus Ride Entertainment: Enjoying a lively morning bus ride hosted by MC Manaf, complete with cake, quizzes, storytelling, and chocolates to keep everyone energized.
  • The Sudden Oasis: Experiencing the beautiful shock of watching the arid desert and camel herds suddenly transform into the lush, cool, green mountains near Al Makwah.
  • A Sweet Send-Off: Snacking on delicious, locally grown Al-Baha figs handed out as a parting treat on the bus while catching glimpses of Saudi National Day fireworks lighting up the night sky.


We enjoyed a delicious Biriyani meal, after which we visited a small gallery that showcased the history, photos, and modern information about Al-Baha and the Marble Village in an attractive contemporary style.

🧗 The Aqabat Al-Baha: The Tunnels Road

We boarded the bus again, and the journey to Al-Baha began on a road that can only be described as miraculous:  Aqabat Al-Baha  (Al-Baha Pass).

This 25-kilometer stretch contains  more than 20 tunnels  and numerous bridges, offering dizzying views from various points. It’s a favorite path for adventure cyclists. After navigating this breathtaking pass, we found ourselves nearly  8,000 feet above sea level . It was astounding to realize we had reached such an altitude so quickly from the coastline where we had eaten breakfast!


🌳 Sunset at Raghadan Forest Park

Upon reaching Al-Baha, the city was bustling with traffic due to the  Saudi National Day  celebrations, with roads filled with flag-waving vehicles.

Around 5:00 PM, we reached our next destination:  Raghadan Forest Park . Spread over 600,000 square meters, a large part of the park is a well-planted forest. It also features beautifully designed gardens, children's play areas, and adventure activities, including a  zip line .

We watched riders flying past on the zip line—designed to the highest international safety standards, covering a length of 957 meters with a 12% slope, allowing speeds up to 45 km/h. Although we wanted to ride, getting to the mountaintop starting station was difficult, so we gave up the attempt.

The park offered various unique transport vehicles shaped like old cars for touring. The design of the mosque caught my eye, resembling an old European-style bungalow. The park was meticulously designed with paved walkways, artificial waterfalls lit up attractively, and beautifully manicured lawns with flowers and small bridges.

We took many photos, enjoyed the children's programs organized for National Day, and returned to the bus around 8:00 PM.


🌙 The Night Drive Home

As the bus departed, everyone was handed some of the locally grown, delicious  figs  as a farewell treat. While navigating the traffic and descending the mountain, we caught glimpses of the National Day fireworks. We stopped for a late dinner near a mosque complex just after descending the pass.

After hundreds of kilometers, the bus finally reached Jeddah past 3:00 AM. We thanked the organizers for an unforgettable trip—a perfect blend of history, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and camaraderie.

Read my Saudi Arabia Chronicles

As an expat living here for years, I treat every weekend and break as an opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage and incredible geography of Saudi Arabia.

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