The Al Disah Valley, Wadi Disah, is a mountainous region and one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Saudi Arabia. The valley is nestled between majestic cliffs, reaching heights of 400 metres. Al Disah, known as the “valley of palm trees,” is a picture-perfect landscape that attracts numerous visitors each year.
Wadi Al Disah is a perfect spot for a day trip. From NEOM, we drove for just under 3 hours. We parked at the beginning of the canyon and continued on foot. It’s possible to drive through the canyon, but you need a 4×4. Despite the heat, the sun isn’t too scorching.
I kept taking out my camera because the landscapes are stunning. Along the way, we pass a few cars. Many Saudis come to picnic further down in the valley.
A few locals invite us to join them, and we can’t say no. Thankfully, my friend speaks a bit of Arabic, so I just smiled and listened—no Google Translate here! The pressure cooker indicates that the meal is ready. I was expecting to be served tea or coffee, but instead, I end up with soup. Later, I notice that the meat in the pot is actually…camel. Fortunately, I’m not too fussy a vegetarian…
We resume our walk; the colours start to change, and the cliffs take on orange hues. As sunset approaches, it’s time to head back to the car to avoid driving at night.
We still stop several times along the road to admire the colors and the stunning landscapes. The way back is long, so we can’t linger too much; otherwise, we’d end up driving in the dark, which is less than ideal here since the roads are quite dangerous.
When to visit Wadi Al Disah
The best time to visit Wadi Disah is during the cooler months, from November to March. I went in October, and the temperature was pleasant. Wadi Disah is particularly stunning in the late afternoon when the colours change. It is, of course, possible to camp there, and with very little light pollution, you can see the Milky Way.
Although we were not alone, it is a calm and peaceful place. I am so happy to be able to visit these places before mass tourism arrives. With the development of NEOM, I’m sure it will be the case soon.
How to get there?
The valley is located south of NEOM, halfway to AlUla. It is 215 km from Tabuk, 240 km from NEOM, and 265 km from AlUla..
