27°34’15.6″N 41°27’12.9″E
CHRISTMAS IN A HIDDEN GEM IN SAUDI ARABIA
Made it to SAUDI ARABIA. After spending almost two weeks in Kuwait City we really had to urge to get back out into the wild, out into nature and adventure. Our first days we spent in the Ha'il region, in the Tuwarin Oasis – diverse and striking, reflecting the beauty of Saudia Arabia's natural environment. A perfect place to spend our Christmas days. Slow mornings, exploring different valleys, hiking some of the peaks around and picking fresh dates from the trees – pure enjoyment.
The Tuwarin Oasis is a remote desert oasis located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, not far from the borders of Jordan and the Tabuk Province of the country. While it's not as widely known as places like AlUla or Wadi Al Disah, it's a hidden gem for adventurers and off-road explorers we heard. And it's true! Driving to the heart of the oasis was such a nice off-road ride. Not technical difficult but the views!
You can see it in Stéphanies eyes, this trail was so much fun to drive.
The Camp Site
Our campsite, tucked between swaying palm trees and red sandstone cliffs — still one of our all-time favorite places.
View from one of the smaller mountains into the valley we came from.
A little christmas in the desert
There is not much of a Christmas vibe to be found in remote places, but with our small camp set up and tiny lights we managed to make it a little cosy. Lights and campfire make a different (campfires are not allowed to have on the ground without any
Views from above? Yes!
Whenever we get the chance to see a place from above, we don’t hesitate — you never have to ask us twice to hike or climb. At Tuwarin Oasis, the ascent was surprisingly doable. Some steep sections, but the limestone offered solid grip. And once we reached the top, it felt like stepping into another world — once again. Have a look:
Blue hour: The colors were insane.
Wild moments on the mountain 🙂
Step by step — and at times, it got pretty tricky.
Valley views were exceptional.
When you travel, you witness so many beautiful things — landscapes, cultures, people, and moments that are completely different from what you’re used to back home. Every place offers something new, something unfamiliar, something that challenges what you thought you knew. But there’s also another side to it — a quieter, deeper truth. Nothing stays the same.
And it’s often not the grand sights or dramatic scenes that leave the biggest impression, but the small, fleeting moments: a conversation with a stranger, a worn-down village path, an old tree standing alone in the desert. These little things remind you how fragile and precious life is — how time moves on, and how every life, including our own, has an end. Travel opens your eyes, not just to the world’s beauty, but also to its impermanence.
Found this somewhere up there.
It didn’t feel disgusting, ugly, or disturbing — in a strange way, it was actually beautiful.
An unexpected dinner invitation
It was December 24th and we were actually preparing our little christmas dinner already in the after noon. Some strangers passed by – later we found out they were from Qatar – and started to talk to us.
They seemed genuinely fascinated by our Defender setup and the way we were camping. After a few laughs and stories exchanged, they surprised us with an invitation: “Come join us for dinner at our camp.” At first, we politely declined — after all, we had everything set up already, and their camp was about a 45-minute drive away. But when we explained that, they simply said, “No problem — our driver will pick you up.”
And that’s exactly what happened. A short while later, their driver arrived, and off we went. We didn’t know what to expect, but when we got there, we were blown away. Their campsite was massive — more like a desert gathering than a simple overnight stop. There were more people, all incredibly welcoming, and we were immediately offered a spread of snacks, Arabic coffee, tea, and an impressive feast of proper food.
What started as a quiet Christmas Eve turned into something we’ll never forget — a spontaneous celebration, surrounded by strangers who felt like friends. It reminded us again how powerful hospitality can be, especially in the middle of nowhere. Moments like these are what make this journey so unforgettable.
The traditional Arabic way of a dinner: fruits, dates, cookies, coffee and tea first.
AND than a lot of rice, some veggies and mutton, lamp or chicken. It was a real delicous – of course we ate by hand.
This oasis was an introduction to Saudi Arabia we never could have imagined. Hidden away in between desert and mountains, it felt like a hidden world — and it completely surprised us. We ended up staying longer than planned, adding a few extra nights simply because we loved it so much.
Days were spent relaxing in the shade of tall palm trees, picking dates straight from them, and enjoying quiet moments of calm. Every now and then, locals would pass by, always so friendly and generous — offering us Arabic coffee and a few kind words, even if we didn’t share a common language.
We hiked deep into the valley and climbed above it, finding new perspectives with every step. The off-roading here was a dream — weaving through the sandy tracks and rocky paths all the way to the furthest corners of the oasis. It was so much fun to drive and deeply peaceful to stay.
If this is how Saudi Arabia begins for us, then we’re already in love. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
