Hikers assemble! Gear up for the Highlander experience in RAK
Love yourself a good challenge? Sign up for some long distance hiking in Ras Al Khaimah! Renowned adventure organisation HIGHLANDER is all set to begin its adventures in the UAE with Highlander55 – a three-day hiking expedition in RAK, scheduled for November 2021.
Think you have what it takes to successfully complete this extreme hiking adventure? Register yourself for 2021 Highlander RAK! But before you do, here’s everything need to know about it.
WHAT IS HIGHLANDER55?
Highlander55 is part of a global series of long-distance hiking adventures that take place in a variety of locations around the world. These hikes that usually last 5 days, are set in mountains, deserts, forests and national parks that offer the best experience of nature and biodiversity.
Although it may seem like one, the Highlander hikes are not a race. They allow participants to set their own pace and hike towards the finish point to receive the Highlander status and a finisher badge. The 2021 Highlander55 will take place in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE amid the glorious Hajar Mountains.
- 2021 Highlander55 Ras Al Khaimah Dates: November 18 to November 20
- Highlander55 Hiking Distance: 51 km
- Starting Point: Wadi Ghalila Dam
- Finish Point: Wadi Haqeel
- Checkpoint Timings: 06:00 am to 07:00 pm
HOW CAN I REGISTER FOR HIGHLANDER55 RAK?
To register for the Highlander adventure in the UAE, you need to complete the registration form available on the Highlander55 website. The registration fee has to be paid online, so make sure you keep your debit/credit card handy.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email from the organisers. The email may land in your spam folder, so keep a lookout for that. In case you don’t receive the email, reach out to the organisers via an email sent to: rak@highlanderadventure.com.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE EVENT?
Since the event doesn’t begin until late November, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for it. When the event dates draw near, you’ll receive an email with the complete instructions on how to go about the hike and the things you’d need.
At the start of the event, all participants must register on-site to attend the technical briefing and collect the Participant Kits to be able to embark on the hike.
ENTRY FEE FOR HIGHLANDER HIKING IN RAK
WHAT IS THE HIGHLANDER55 ENTRY FEE?
Currently the registration for 2021 Highlander55 costs AED 1,190 (USD $323) per person. Please keep in mind that these rates are volume based and subject to increase as the available spots on the expedition fill up.
An additional charge of 5% Active Fee applies to the all real time Highlander registration fees.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ENTRY FEE FOR HIGHLANDER55 LONG DISTANCE HIKING IN RAK?
As per the official Highlander website, the following things are covered in your registration fee:
- 9 meals (3 meals per day).
- The infrastructure at the start, finish and other checkpoints along the hiking route.
- The hiking map and GPS route.
- The Highlander55 Finisher Badge.
- The Highlander55 Certificate.
- Leisure and educational activities during the event week.
- Rescue service.
- Luggage transportation (One 20kg or 60l bag only).
- Participant transportation to the starting point.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE 2021 HIGHLANDER55 HIKING?
The registrations are open for participants aged 18 and above. It is important to keep in mind that the Highlander expedition is not easy and requires excellent stamina, good health and a strong resistant body. The adventure is best suited for people who have an active lifestyle and good practice of traversing on rough terrains.
IF I AM UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HIKE, CAN I TRANSFER MY REGISTRATION TO THE NEXT EVENT OR SEASON?
It is possible to transfer your registration to another event, subject to certain conditions. For the Highlander55 RAK expedition, you can transfer your registration only:
- To other events in the same country.
- To events falling in the same calendar year.
A bunch of other conditions and stipulations apply to transfer of registration for Highlander hiking in RAK. Please refer to the Transfer and Withdrawal Policy section in the Information Desk tab on the official website for more information.
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR HIGHLANDER55 IN RAK?
While the Highlander55 hiking in RAK may not be too much of a bother for experienced hikers, it is still a gruelling task that requires good health, stamina and resistance. It is therefore best to train your body for the hike, starting with easier walks and then slowly levelling up to more difficult terrains.
The hike is 55km long and will last three days, with you carrying at least a 20kg-backpack throughout. The best way to go about it is to practice and build your stamina – and make sure you do so in your hiking boots to break them in before the actual hike. For first-timers, it also helps to get some insight into what desert camping in the UAE can entail.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN GEAR?
Yes, all participants are required to bring their own hiking and camping equipment. The key items you may need as recommended on the Highlander55 official website include:
- A backpack (maximum 50l)
- Snacks
- Water bottle or hydration bladder
- Water purification tablets
- Tent
- Sleeping bag/mat
- Stove and fuel
- Lighter
- Cookware and utensils
- Compass/GPS device
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper and toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Head lamps
- Trekking poles
- Emirates ID or passport
Participants can buy most of these things from camping equipment shops in Dubai. Other emirates too, have specialty shops that deal in camping gear and supplies required for trekking and camping in the UAE.
WHAT CLOTHES SHOULD I PACK?
For this year’s long distance hiking in RAK, Highlander recommends a mix of warm and cold/wet weather clothing. The key items you need to pack include:
- A quick-drying shirt
- A long-sleeve shirt
- A warm wool or fleece shirt
- Basic and quick-drying underwear
- Trekking shorts or trousers
- Rain trousers (waterproof)
- Rain jacket (waterproof)
- A pair of socks
- A hat
- A pair of gloves
For adequate footwear, the organisers recommend you keep:
- Hiking boots
- Trail running shoes
- Open sandals
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET LOST ON THE HIKE?
As long as you adhere to the markers on hiking trails and follow the mapped route, there are very low chances of getting off track. It is therefore important to keep an eye out for the trail markers and follow the route as provided in the GPS file given to you by the organisers.
SHOULD I BRING MY OWN FOOD?
All participants will be provided 9 staple meals throughout the 3-day hike (3 meals a day). However, each person has different eating habits and body requirements, so if you feel the need, you can carry your own food as well.
WILL TRANSPORTATION BE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS?
Participants will be transported from the makeshift car park at Al Khor Park to the starting point in Wadi Ghalilah via shuttle buses. The same buses will take the participants back to the car park after this long distance hiking in RAK ends.
Participants can take a taxi back to the city from the finish point at their own expense.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE HIGHLANDER HIKING ORGANISERS?
You can reach the organisers on their email address: rak@highlanderadventure.com. For more information and details, refer to the official Highlander55 website.
That’s all we have for you for now. If you’re up for some long distance hiking in Ras Al Khaimah, make sure you sign up for the Highlander experience. Places are being taken up fast, so better hurry up if you don’t want to miss out!
Even if you don’t make it to the Highlander55 adventure, there’s plenty of hiking tours in the UAE to be enjoyed. You just need to find one that works for you.
For those of you who aren’t too keen on RAK hiking, but still love the great outdoors – the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp in Ras Al Khaimah allows you to truly experience the wild in an ultimate survival adventure.
If you’d like to combine adventure with fun, head over to the Jais Adventure Park that offers all the thrill of experiencing life on an all-time high – quite literally, because how many times have you considered cycling in mid air?
Besides all this, there are several other outdoor adventures in the UAE that you can try. From riding a zipline in Ras Al Khaimah to mountain biking in Hatta, the immense excitement will send adrenaline running through your veins.
