Khaybar Oasis

Khaybar sits in a break in the Harrat Khaybar, one of the great basalt lava fields of western Arabia, where springs allow date cultivation among black rock. The contrast is the landscape: green palm gardens against fields of dark clinker, with volcanic cones rising nearby, including the white-topped Jabal al-Bayda and the black Jabal Qidr, and lava tubes and craters across the harrat. Above the oasis stand the ruins of basalt-built fortresses and settlement on the rock outcrops, occupied through the early Islamic period and long after. The old village of Khaybar with its mud and stone houses lies below. Development of the area as a heritage destination has been under way.

The landscape

• The lava fields - the black basalt harrat around the oasis.
• Volcanic cones - Jabal al-Bayda and Jabal Qidr on the harrat.
• The fortress ruins - the basalt structures on the outcrops.
• Palm gardens - the green cultivation among the black rock.

When to go

October to April; the harrat is severely hot in summer and the black rock holds heat. Mornings are best for walking on the lava. Access into the deeper harrat needs four-wheel drive.

What to expect

Site development is in progress and access to the fortresses has been restricted at times. The lava fields are hard walking on sharp broken rock. There are no facilities in the harrat. Some volcanic features are far from any road.

Nearby

Medina lies south; AlUla is north.