Hiking in high temperatures can be extremely dangerous, experts have warned after five people were lost in a Ras Al Khaimah valley on Sunday.
Police rescued the group after officers responded to a distress call.
“They lost their way in the Wadi Qada’a area. It turned out they were in a rugged area that could only be accessed by a helicopter,” said Col Yousef bin Yaqoub, director of Ras Al Khaimah Police’s Special Task Force.
The hikers were airlifted to safety.
Temperatures have dipped in recent days, making mornings and evenings feel cooler. But the mercury still hits about 40ºC by early afternoon.
People don’t understand how their body reacts when exposed to intense heat combined with the physical exertion required for hiking
Amy Subaey,
owner of UAE Trekkers
“After rescuers provided them with support and ensured they were in good health, they took them to the car park where they left their vehicles,” Col bin Yaqoub said.
“But one of them was taken to hospital after suffering from extreme exhaustion.”
He urged people to avoid hiking until cooler weather arrives in the autumn.
“We are fully prepared to provide help and rescue people in distress but for better public safety it's advised that members of the public avoid rough mountains.”
Wait for cooler conditions
Amy Subaey, owner of UAE Trekkers, an adventure tourism company, said people often set out in the cooler mornings, not realising how rapidly temperatures will rise.
“People don’t understand how their body reacts when exposed to intense heat combined with the physical exertion required for hiking,” Ms Subaey said.
She said hikers can find themselves in a medical emergency in a matter of minutes if they do not have enough water, have weak mobile signals or a faulty map.
“Dehydration, heat exhaustion and ultimately, heat stroke all are serious medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention,” she said.
The symptoms can also be very confusing to people who do not have training or experience, leading them to underestimate the risks they may face.
“If people really want to hike now, they can go on trails that they know well from 5am to 7am, but no later.”
Ms Subaey said bodies that are accustomed to air conditioning can go into a shock very quickly.
Dr Adil Sajwani, consultant in family medicine at Fakeeh University Hospital, said more cases of heat exhaustion and heat strokes arrive at hospitals during the summer.
“These can be life-threatening and increase because of hiking during the summer,” he said.
“This is because people are not drinking the amount of water their bodies need and also when hiking in mountains, they must know oxygen levels drop causing some people to suffer from breathing difficulties.”
Dr Sajwani urged people to simply not go hiking during the hot weather.
“If you want to go, you need to be well trained and keep in mind that you must remain hydrated, eat fruits that retain water such as bananas, apples and dates,” he said.
“Avoid drinks and food that make you lose water such as coffee and spicy food.”
He also said that breathing exercises are important to increase lung capacity when hiking in mountains.
Top hiking routes in the UAE — in pictures
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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