The UAE’s northernmost emirate is to be home to the first internationally certified multi-day hiking experience in the GCC.
Ras Al Khaimah will host the region's first Highlander hiking experience in November. Organised by Highlander – the only certified international hiking association in the world – the launch experience will be a three-day, 51-kilometre trek called Highlander55 that will take place across Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain.
There are also plans to develop the Highlander hiking trails to extend over 100 kilometres in the future.
It's not only about the hiking; it's about the sleeping under the stars, enjoying the campfire, making new friends, it is really the adventure of a lifetime.
Founded in Croatia in 2017, Highlander is known for its curated hiking adventures. There are 20 experiences on the roster, taking place annually in 15 destinations including Morocco, Egypt, Montenegro, Russia and Austria.
Ras Al Khaimah was the obvious choice for Highlander UAE, said Jurica Barac, chief executive of Highlander Global at the media preview on Jebel Jais on Thursday.
"Nobody believed we were coming to the UAE for hiking, but when we showed up with the pictures and the drone footage of the mountains, people were amazed. And this is why we decided to come here and create one of the best hiking events in the world," said Barac.
"Highlander55 offers views and new trails, surrounded by beauty, culture and heritage and we can't wait to share this trail with you guys in November," said Fadi Hachicho, managing director at Highlander UAE.
Under the slogan "the adventure of a lifetime", Highlander experiences are not a race. Instead, they are about appreciating nature, self-sufficiency and being in the moment.
Highlander UAE has been developed in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and the brand's sustainable "Leave No Trace" policy aligns well with the tourism authority's focus on environmental preservation.
Raki Philips, chief executive at RAKTDA said: “This launch marks the latest in a series of new, sustainable and nature-focused experiences as we look for ways in which to immerse our guests in the natural beauty of our Emirate and protect its diverse surroundings for generations to enjoy for years to come. We cannot wait for everyone to enjoy this new adventure on Jebel Jais.”
Outdoor sports thriving during Covid-19 pandemic
Addressing those attending the Highlander UAE preview at Jebel Jais Adventure Park on Thursday, the man behind Highlander Global explained a little more about the concept.
"It's a very simple concept, we just want people to go into nature, to enjoy the outdoors and to release stress. This is why we started Highlander six years ago in Croatia, as a long-distance hiking event and with the goal of making it the number one hiking series in the world."
"Hiking is a huge trend at the moment, outdoor sports are seeing a popularity surge during Covid times and this is going to continue to grow. We want to show people the beauty of the area and give them an incredible experience."
Communicating that the event is not competitive, Barac added: "It's not only about the hiking; it's about the sleeping under the stars, enjoying the campfire, making new friends, it is really the adventure of a lifetime."
What is the Highlander55 event?
Highlander55 will be the launch event of the Highlander UAE series. Taking place from Thursday, November 18 to Saturday, November 20, 2021, the three-day experience is for adults with a moderate level of fitness, but participants don't need to be hiking experts. Less intrepid adventurers keen to get involved will be able to opt to trek the Highlander Experience, a shorter 30-kilometre, two-day adventure.
Highlander trails around the world are designed by local mountaineers and the UAE is no exception. Highlander55 will offer participants access to unique experiences including exploring new Jebel Jais trails, sleeping under the stars at Camp 1770 – the highest campsite in the UAE, and attending campfire talks to learn more about the natural landscape of the area and the rich culture of the emirate.
Where will the hike take people?
The inaugural edition of the Highlander55 event will see participants trek over carefully flagged routes, more than half of which are off-trail. Starting at Wadi Ghalilah dam, the trek follows part of the Ghaf Summit trail and hikers will have to be ready for a steep climb – the hike tackles 1,800 metres elevation gain in the first day.
Day two sees the trail wind across newly created routes designed by the Highlander team. These will wind along the rocky mountain ridge, with the ocean on one side and cliffs on the other. Hikers will get the change to trek through an old settlement above Wadi Haqeel and follow along on an even older Bedouin trail. On day three, the adventure will take in a date farm near Wadi Haqeel before ending at Shimal.
Every hiker must be self-sufficient and carry their own equipment. There will be checkpoints that all participants must cross to receive stamps showing they have completed the trail. Hikers must also be committed to nature preservation and complete the trek leaving no trace of their journey other than footprints.
How can I take part in the first Highlander UAE event?
Pre-registration is open now for the inaugural event in November. It is open to anyone over 18 with a moderate level of fitness, with fees starting from Dh985 for early bird pricing.
Included in the entry charge is transportation to and from Ras Al Khaimah and the event, access to on-duty UAE rescue services if required, a hiking map, Highlander finisher badge and a certificate of completion.
Three meals per day are also provided by the Highlander team, the majority of which are cooked in the homes of the locals who call the Jebel Jais mountain area home. Campfires will be set up at designated spots along the trail where hikers can set up their tents or bivouacs and then relax under the stars and swap stories with other participants.
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Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
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15 years, 235 days old
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- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
MATCH INFO
Burnley 1 (Brady 89')
Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Results
5.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Al Battar, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer).
6.05pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Good Fighter, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
6.40pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Immortalised, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Franz Kafka, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
8.25pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Mayadeen, Connor Beasley, Doug Watson.
9pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Chiefdom, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
