Exploring the Fayfa Mountain Range, a travel and tour destination in Saudi Arabia, is akin to receiving a prize brimming with indescribable joy.
The car-accessible elevation, sweeping vistas of the farmlands, the lake, and the winding road from base to summit with its branching paths consistently astonish visitors, drawing thousands of tourists each year. These attributes make Fayfa/Fifa Mountain one of the most enchanting destinations in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
The stunning combination of green and bluish landscapes is a remarkable view that can send shivers down your spine. The gulley, mountain ridges, and colorful buildings on the summit, along the slope, and at the base make it no surprise that someone like me would be drawn to explore this mountain.
Fayfa Mountain is 100 km from the heart of Jazan City, offering a perfect 1 hour and 45-minute drive on well-kept concrete roads. As you climb, many locations will tempt you to stop, admire the scenery, and take photos to capture the stunning vistas that reveal themselves gradually, frame by frame, inch by inch, and ridge by ridge.
After an 8-minute drive from the Fayfa entry point, we paused briefly to take pictures and appreciate the breathtaking views of the mountains, ridges, hills, and expansive farmlands at the foot of Fayfa Mountain.
As a solo traveler taking photos for my blog, I set out on journeys with a personal guide. Whenever I see something I want to capture, I ask my guide to stop.
Exploring a coffee farm in Fayfa Mountain, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, underscores that the climate in this tropical part of Saudi Arabia resembles that of my home country, the Philippines. The temperature, humidity, sporadic rain, and plant life made me feel like I was back home.
One of the exciting aspects of the adventure was seeing an Arabic coffee tree for the first time. Since I tried Arabic Coffee, I've been curious about its appearance. Does it resemble the Barako coffee in the Philippines? Indeed, it does look similar. The main difference is that it is shorter than the coffee tree on our farm, and there is a variation in the time from planting to fruit-bearing. According to the farm owner, Arabic Coffee takes two years to bear fruit, while our native Barako Coffee needs at least five years from planting the seedling. Despite these differences, it was evident that Jazan is genuinely a tropical region of Saudi Arabia.
The climate similarities with my country were evident when I found the "Siling Labuyo" chili pepper, native to my region, growing in Jazan, particularly on Fayfa Mountain. This discovery deepened my sense of home in my favorite province in the Kingdom. Alongside "Siling Labuyo," other native plants also thrived on Fayfa Mountain:
Tanglad (Lemon grass)
Albaha (other species of basil)
Papaya
Atis (fruit tree, Gaesta, as the locals call it, but I am not sure if I got it right)
Lakatan (species of banana)
Palo Maria (species of forest tree)
Despite similarities, Fayfa Mountain is a must-visit spot in Jazan, promising a rewarding exploration during your trip or stay. Its concealed magnetic charm enriches the enchanting experience of nature's gift and purity.
Quick Facts:
Name: Fayfa Mountain
Location: Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Distance from Jazan City: 100 Km
Road Condition: Excellent, but climbing, you need to deal with some steep
portions. A 4WD car is highly recommended.
Activities You Can Do
Sightseeing
Hiking
Camping
Picnic
Farm Visit
The author recommends that first-time visitors to this mountain have a knowledgeable guide about the attractions. This will ensure that the time and effort you spend visiting Fayfa will lead you to the desired locations. Your guide will choose the stopping point, as each guide has particular topics to discuss with their tourists in addition to the famous landmarks.
I am grateful to Mr. Yahya Al Fify for the hospitable accommodation during my visit and to my guide, Mr. Fuad Al Kubaisy, who consistently takes me to surprising places in Jazan.
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