Following in the footsteps of professional travellers and adventurers is usually an exceptional experience, so imagine if you were shadowing Saud Aleidi, one of the few Mount Everest climbers from the Kingdom.

The highest mountain (above sea level) in the world peaks at around 8,849m, and scaling it all the way to get to the highest elevation on Earth – where many helicopters can’t even land – is an arduous and admirable feat, requiring a lot of disciplined training, not to mention hefty costs (we’re talking around $50,000).

The journey is quite challenging, and the evidence of loss of life on the way up to Mount Everest’s summit is shocking, with Saud revealing: “Unfortunately, there are many dead climbers, and some have even become reference points to gauge what altitude has been reached.” The 2019 ascent is one of many for Saud, an experience that has helped him become a better human being, investor, CEO, and co-founder of Pangaea, one of Saudi’s most prominent eco and adventure tourism companies.

“I feel responsible for helping people achieve their goals – a reflection of my personality,” the adventure tourism mentor says. “Since 2014, I’ve helped 1,500 people reach different mountain summits around

the world.” And as well as providing inspirational mountain climbing assistance, he offers tourism experiences in different regions across the Kingdom.

The Journey

Before he started dedicating his time to travelling the world, Saud was a film producer, and his first project was in China and Tanzania. And although that trip did ignite his passion for travelling, he explains that he was actually compelled by a different motivation: to encounter locals rather than discover places.

Over time, however, his travel interests evolved, sparking a newfound interest in mountaineering. When asked what first stirred him to become a climber, Saud says he can’t really pinpoint the reasons, but it could be that mountaineering has made him a better person, one with a clearer mind. Indeed, the widely popular outdoor sport has had a great impact on his personality. “While mountaineering, you are often quiet, and then when you come back, you become an even quieter person,” he explains.

To date, Saud has ascended two of the world’s 14 mountains that pass the 8,000m mark – Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. He believes that one of the most

dangerous challenges he faced while scrambling up Mount Everest was the possibility of avalanches, as they occur suddenly and can hardly be predicted. He has also crossed off Mount Kilimanjaro, the Rocky

Mountains, and many other majestic wonders in Africa and South America.

Adventures and Eco-Tourism

The go-getter believes it is only a matter of time before the Kingdom turns into an attractive destination on the global tourism map. Saudi’s giant and luxurious tourism projects, including AlUla, Red Sea, NEOM, and its Sindalah Island, will achieve international status. In return, Pangaea has a new tourism concept to offer: eco-friendly adventure trips, providing tourism solutions at reasonable costs without forsaking fun and excitement.

Best Times to Visit AlUla

Saud thinks AlUla is a great destination at any time of the year, cancelling the need to limit a visit to a season or specific months. However, he feels winter is the most suitable for those who might be interested in art, music, entertainment, and various other events. Meanwhile, the summer is the calmest time for experiences and adventures, with prices possibly slashed by half during this quieter period.

Sharaan Nature Reserve

AlUla has many hidden gems, which Saud, driven by his spirit to explore, is making sure get discovered. He recalls the story of an Italian tourist who brought a very old book with him. He showed Saud a picture of an inscription and asked him to go there. And because of his vast knowledge of AlUla’s secret treasures, the visitor’s wish was granted. Perhaps one of the region’s most significant natural wonders is the Dancing Rocks, or Raqasat, in the heart of the Sharaan Nature Reserve, which extends over an area of 1,500 sq km. It’s a very popular spot amongst researchers and explorers rather than being a run-of-the mill tourist attraction, and it often attracts visitors from Italy, France, and Belgium, armed with old books with pictures of AlUla. Saud also highlighted the camel inscriptions, some of the oldest, in the reservation, which can also be found in the mountains surrounding Hail.

Getting Around AlUla

AlUla covers a wide geographical area, which makes moving around a bit of a challenge. Pangaea provides transportation services through their experience packages, offering some of the easiest and fastest solutions for adventurers and travellers. Saud advises solo travellers to use a licensed airport taxi, while local residents also provide a service for transporting visitors within AlUla in their own cars.

Pangaea Adventures Club

Through his company, Saud established the Pangaea Adventures Club, which provides economical accommodation and entertainment options inside and outside of the club, giving those wishing to visit AlUla the opportunity to stay longer. The club provides activities like archery, workshops, and farming and harvesting experiences in and around the town centre. When it comes to accommodation, Pangaea Adventures Club offers different levels, ranging from luxury caravans to small tents. As well as a store for all your travel needs and souvenirs, there are outdoor kitchens for those who prefer to cook for themselves and laundry facilities.

Events and Activities in AlUla

Pangaea offers many thrilling experiences, such as a Sharaan Nature Reserve safari, allowing visitors to see different wild animals – like the Arabian oryx and Nubian ibex – up close in a convertible 4x4. Through the safaris, guests also get the opportunity to see some ancient inscriptions within the reserve.

The company also arranges special weekend trips to explore AlUla from a different perspective, and provides custom tours for individuals or companies through its website.

The Best Restaurants Around

Saud suggests visiting two restaurants, which are on his favourites list. The first is OKTO, a contemporary Greek restaurant located on top of Harrat Viewpoint, at an altitude of 1,200 metres, providing a far-reaching vista of AlUla city and the opportunity to watch the ultimate sunrise. Tawlat Fayza, named after a beloved elderly family member and opened in a traditional house that resembles hers, is the second option. Dining there feels more like being a house guest and the risotto with homegrown ingredients is a definite must. Meanwhile, Coyard Coffee Roasters is Saud’s favoured café, where a range of specialty coffees is brewed at its location in the Old Town.

@saud_ed

@pangaeaclub

Imagery with thanks to Abdullah Alshathri

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