Famed as Jabal Al-Gara or Al-Gara Caves, this tourist site is attracting legions of visitors from various parts of the Kingdom and abroad. It ranks today as a favorite tourist destination that catches the eye and influences the soul. Moreover, the mountain also symbolizes the rock formations that were molded naturally during prehistoric era through the harsh climatic conditions including the actions of waves and the tidal flows.
In the process, the mountain of Al-Gara also gave birth to a labyrinth of caves that need to be studied for their serenity and for their healing effects. In fact, Al-Gara Mountain, also known as the legendary “Caves of Ali Baba,” is one of the most important landmarks in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Standing on the top of this Al-Gara Mountain, one can see Al Ahsa’s miracle of being the largest palm oasis in the world.
The mountain is distinguished for its caves that are cold during summer and warm during winter season, and its extraordinary rock formations lure tourists of all ages and races. The oasis adjoining the mountain is more like a natural resort surrounded by palm trees from all sides. Al-Gara Mountain is considered to be a key tourist attraction in Saudi Arabia today. It is a must see for all visitors to the Kingdom.
In fact, Al-Gara Mountain was formed from sedimentary rocks and stones made-up of sheets of different color. Uniquely uncovered by the wind, the mountain and its suburbs present a fascinating scene. The caves and caverns of the mountain paint a remarkable and inexpressible picture. This is the reason that many explorers have visited the area and have written books on the history of the region, its significance and its origins.
Undoubtedly, Al-Gara Mountain has emerged as a major tourist destination in the Kingdom today. It is located about 15 kilometers outside Hofuf and 13 kilometers outside Mubarraz in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. The mountain’s base area is a total of 1,400 hectares, and it rises to a height of 120 meters above sea level. Jabal Al Gara, which hosts several caves is approximately 130 kms southwest of Dammam, and was named after a large well-known village in proximity of the mountain.
According to a report, Al-Gara caves have also very interesting and popular geologic and geomorphic features. Its cool protected passages have been a gathering place for visitation and commerce for generations. The whole mountain stretches about 1,000 meters from north to south and 800 meters from east to west. It is always advisable for tourists and explorers to climb to the top of the mountain.
“Parts of the uphill climb will be steep, and hence all precautions should be taken,” said Eric Johnson, a European tourist, who recently returned from a trip to the mountain. On the ground below, there are several spots where picnics can be organized, he added. A visitor to the mountain can also see younger children including men women clambering around on the rocks, he said.
Many visitors simply go to caves to experience cold during hot seasons and hot during winter. Within the mountain, in fact, there are lots of caves to discover. Even in the hottest months of the year, these caves are nice and cool. A large number of people living and working in Riyadh also visit Al-Gara Mountain for fun and leisure. A good three-hour drive from Riyadh takes them the legendary caves of Ali Baba.
A visitor to the mountain will have to inquire about the places of interest on and around the mountain. It always pays to know the Arabic name for the caves as the locals are less familiar with ‘The Caves of Ali Baba’ than with ‘Jabal Al-Gara’. Local guides will also be of great help to identify selected tourism sites around the mountain and its fascinating sandstones with tongues to speak.
In fact, the first view of the sandstone mountain that have been carved over time into a row of enormous sentries guarding the pathway to the caves, will be quite breathtaking. At least, you will quip “Wow!” Then, there are also meandering footpaths besides a well-kept footpath that disappears around the sandstone mountainside.
And, if you’re the highly imaginative type, you can quite believe you will have to say ‘Open Sesame’ at some point to be swallowed into the mountain caves. ‘Open Sesame’ was the code words used by legendary character Ali Baba as narrated in the classical tale. It is interesting to note here that the entrance to the reputed den of Ali Baba and his 40 thieves is quite clearly marked on the mountain.
Once inside the mountainous caves, a tourist or any visitor will find a surprising amount of space and rooms with a much cooler temperature. Exploring alleys and passageways, that can lead to caverns large enough for a family to sleep in, will be another search expedition for a curious visitor. A family or a group of tourists can also easily search out a suitable spacious cave for dining purposes.
But, some passageways are so narrow that a person can’t make his way through to explore the other side, even after removing his shirt in the vain hope it would make him slimmer. But, if a visitor manages with difficulty slipping through the somewhat dark linear cracks, he or she may land into a larger space, some with shafts of light filtering. Once inside the caves, one can see and discover for himself as why it is a popular tourist spot.
With cool interiors sheltered from the sun, these caves have been a favorite hangout spot for ages. The caves are easy to traverse with natural and artificial lighting throughout, and steps for easy access. What is unique about the rocks of the mountain is the fact that they seem to have been carved into different shapes and different height by a good sculptor, which is not the case.
Because of adeptness, the rocks have harmony, as it were, even if they are of different shapes and height. Some of them provide unique ambience with properties to heal the body and the mind. Whatever the case may be, but the whole mountain offers a new rich experience. The mountain and its surrounding areas are currently undergoing major improvement and beautification to attract more tourists.
“Al Gara Mountain is considered to be one of the most important natural landmarks in Al-Ahsa, and it has become one of the most important natural sites in the region,” said the state-owned Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), which has undertaken the modernization plan of the site. But, even if development is being undertaken, the mountain is open for the public, and no entrance fee is being collected.
Once the development project of the SCTA is completed, then there will be more facilities with all necessary utilities available for the visitors. Then, the visitors will be able to stay long hours in the vicinity of the mountain, where lamp posts are being installed. Work to create more space for visitors’ mobility near the mountain’s entrance is also going on.
Commercial and office buildings have already been constructed in an elevated area off the road near Al Gara Mountain. What these buildings only need now are the finishing touches. Accessing the site is easy for everyone even if he or she is not familiar with the place. A visitor can travel from Riyadh and may reach the Al Gara Mountain through Al-Mansoura District and through Al-Gara village.
On the way to Hofuf, which is the outlying city next to Al-Gara Mountain, a visitor traveling from the Saudi capital city of Riyadh will have to cross over a lot of sand and open space. But, there will always be something to catch the eye as the desert rock formations will be spectacular along the route. Also, the random herd of camels is fun to look at especially when they are crossing or walking down the road in herds.

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