World's Longest Zip Line In Ras Al Khaimah Promises Unmatched Adventure

The Jais Flight zip line in Ras Al Khaimah, spanning nearly three kilometres, holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest in the world. This thrilling attraction is located on Jebel Jais Mountain, the highest peak in the UAE at over 1,930 metres. It has become a significant landmark for adventure tourism in the Middle East.

Visitors begin their journey at the Jais Adventure Park welcome centre. Here, they can purchase tickets, enjoy refreshments, or dine at the 1484 by Puro restaurant before gearing up for their adventure. The zip line starts at an altitude of 1,680 metres above sea level and requires participants to weigh between 40 and 120 kilograms and be at least 122 centimetres tall.

Once equipped with safety gear and harnesses, adventurers launch themselves down the zip line in a Superman position. The exhilarating ride lasts about two minutes and ends on a platform suspended in mid-air with a glass floor. The team managing the zip line has extensive experience in adventure sports and steel cable attractions, ensuring that safety standards are met.

Alejandro Soto from Costa Rica, Operations Manager of Jais Zipline Park, emphasised that "safety standards are met" through daily inspections and staff training.

Preparing for Your Adventure

If you're planning to visit Jebel Jais, it's essential to allow extra time to reach the top. The mountain rises nearly two kilometres above sea level, offering numerous photo opportunities along the way. Upon arrival at the Jais Adventure Centre car park, visitors should report to the welcome centre at least 30 minutes before their scheduled activity with a printed reservation and identification.

The parking facilities are well-marked and accessible for all vehicle types. After checking in at the information centre with your reservation details and ID, a shuttle service will take you to the Jais Adventure Park. It's crucial to arrive on time as late arrivals result in forfeiting 100% of your payment.

Safety and Experience

The team operating the Jais Flight ensures participants have an exciting yet safe experience. Each adventurer is fitted with an over-suit and horizontal harness that allows them to fly aerodynamically at high speeds. The journey ends on a glass-bottomed platform suspended 80 metres above ground before transitioning to a shorter 1km zipline back to solid ground.

Alejandro Soto, Operations Manager from Costa Rica, emphasised that "safety standards are met," with daily inspections and staff training ensuring a secure experience. The team boasts years of expertise in adventure sports and steel cable attractions.

Visitor Experiences

Yanick, a Canadian tourist, shared his excitement with Emirates News Agency (WAM), saying he came to the UAE specifically to "experience the world's longest zip line." He described it as a "crazy, amazing, and unique experience," likening it to flying like a bird and highly recommending it.

The zip line has no age restrictions but requires participants to weigh between 40 and 120 kilograms and be at least 122 centimetres tall for safety reasons. Once geared up in safety equipment and harnesses, adventurers launch themselves down in a Superman position for an unforgettable ride.

Additional Attractions

For those seeking less intense adventures, there's also the Jais Sledder—a roller coaster-like ride embedded in the natural landscape where users control their speed through braking and acceleration systems. This allows visitors to choose their preferred intensity level while enjoying scenic views.

Philip Durrell, RAK Leisure's Senior Operations Director from the UK, highlighted that this zip line is just one of many attractions on Jebel Jais Mountain aimed at positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a diverse tourist destination. Durrell advises visitors to "arrive with an open mind" and explore all possibilities at their own pace to fully enjoy what Ras Al Khaimah has to offer.

Durrell mentioned that Jebel Jais offers activities for all types of audiences beyond typical desert-related options in the Emirates. These include less challenging hikes and the Sky Tour—a zip line route spanning five kilometres across the wadi. For those seeking less adrenaline-pumping activities, there's also the Jais Sledder.

The combination of thrilling activities like the Jais Flight zip line and other attractions makes Ras Al Khaimah an appealing destination for tourists looking for diverse experiences beyond desert-related options in the Emirates.

With inputs from WAM