May Rambles:
Ramble #1: Friday May 12th, 2023 - Exploring the past and present of Zubarah
Ramble #2: Friday, March 3rd, 2023 - A Weekend Road trip to Saudi Arabia
Ramble #1: Friday May 12th, 2023 - Exploring the past and present of Zubarah
Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Gathering Time and Place: 3:00 pm at Zubarah Fort
Duration: 3 hours max.
Trip Leader & Coordinator: Dr. Ferhan Sakal
Ramble Summary
Once a thriving port bustling with fishermen and merchants, the town of Al Zubarah, on the northwest coast of Qatar, was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. This tour will include a visit to the iconic Al Zubarah Fort as well as the 60 hectares large archaeological site of Al Zubarah and will explore its recently installed boardwalk.
We'll take this opportunity to do a bit of birdwatching, as part of our contribution to Global Big Day (World Migratory bird day).
This event is open to all present and past members. However priority will be given to present members. Members can take this opportunity to renew their membership by bringing cash payments (Single membership is QAR 75 and family membership is QAR 150 per annum).
Assembly point details will be provided to members that register for the ramble.
Trip Leader Bio
Dr. Ferhan Sakal is a Turkish German archaeologist who studied Prehistory and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the Universities of Istanbul (Turkey) and Tübingen (Germany). He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Archaeology from the University of Tübingen. Before moving to Qatar, he worked for several excavation projects in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Germany and was Field Director of several excavation and survey projects. He published several books, editions and articles on chronology, archaeological excavations, and material studies. Since 2013 he works for Qatar Museums and currently holds the position Head of Excavation and Site Management at the Department of Archaeology.
What to bring?
Hat & sunscreen
Camera, Binoculars
Snacks and plenty of water
Ramble #2: Friday 19 th & Saturday 20th May, 2023 - A Weekend Road trip to Saudi Arabia
Please note that this trip will involve camping on a beach with some facilities.
Trip Registration
We have a limited number of participants so please, register in advance for this special adventure.
Omer QNHG Ramble coordinator
Trip Logistics
Friday, 19th May
9:30 am: Gather at the Salwa border petrol station:
9:45am: Proceed for Qatar Immigration and onwards towards KSA immigration.
9:45am~11:30am: Immigration window
2:00 pm – Meeting with tour guide and various visits around Al Hufuf (Farm + Al Qarah mountain)
7:00pm: Camp setting in Al Uqair
7:30pm ~ 8:30pm: Drive to Al Uqair (70km)
8:30pm: Set out tents and spend the night at Al Uqair
Saturday, 20th May
4:47am: Sunrise
7:00am: Packup and leave the campsite
7:00am~01pm: Explore Al Uqair and Al Ahsa (Heritage sites + museum)
01pm~02pm: Lunch
2pm: Leave for Doha
4pm: Proceed to immigration
Before The Trip
Apply for a visa. it is recommended to apply through a travel agent. They charge a little extra but can get the processing done seamlessly. Expect around QAR 550 for visa processing through a travel agent. (We can suggest an agent if you want).
Ensure your car is serviced and in good working order including oil change if needed.
You can only take the car if it is in your name. Rentals and cars in other names are not allowed.
Your Passport should be valid for a minimum of six months ideally.
Expenses During The Trip
Car insurance while entering KSA - around QAR 150 for a week.
Tickets to the Al Qarah mountain - SAR 55
Tickets to museums etc - Not known at the moment
Payment to the tour guide - Tour guide will charge SAR 1900 which we will distribute among all participants.
