UAE: Sharjah is bringing solar-powered trailers in the mountains without Wi-Fi or lights for true nature escape

As the demand for wellness and slow travel grows globally, Sharjah continues to strengthen its position as a sustainable tourism hub. At the heart of this expansion is the “Sharjah Collection,” an eco-luxury retreat portfolio curated by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The latest addition, Nomad , set to launch in late 2025, introduces a distinct off-grid trailer experience in the mountain valleys of Kalba. Here's a detailed look into the collection's evolution, its latest offering, and the broader context of Sharjah's sustainable tourism ambitions.

The Sharjah Collection: A strategic eco-tourism vision
The Sharjah Collection is a growing network of eco-retreats spread across deserts, coastlines, mountain valleys, and restored heritage towns. Developed and operated by Shurooq, the collection reflects Sharjah’s commitment to preserving both cultural identity and biodiversity. Designed to offer “slower” and more meaningful travel experiences, the retreats align with global trends in sustainable and wellness tourism.

So far, the collection includes seven destinations with a total of 154 accommodation units, forming part of Shurooq’s Dh850 million+ hospitality portfolio. Each retreat is built with sustainability at its core, using environmentally conscious practices such as water and energy conservation, biodegradable materials, and local sourcing of construction and supplies. Shurooq positions these retreats as opportunities for travellers to engage deeply with nature, heritage, and mindful living.

All developments under the Sharjah Collection support the emirate’s broader ambition to emerge as a leader in sustainable tourism, providing distinctive, eco-sensitive experiences without compromising comfort or design integrity.

Nomad: Sharjah’s first trailer-based eco retreat in Kalba
The upcoming Nomad retreat marks a significant departure from traditional eco-resort formats by introducing 20 bespoke solar-powered trailers in Kalba’s mountainous valleys, located near the Kalba Nature Reserve. Scheduled for launch in Q4 2025, this off-grid concept is designed to immerse visitors in nature while supporting environmental conservation and community enterprise.

Key features of Nomad include:

• Off-grid, locally manufactured trailers powered entirely by solar energy.
  
• A "no-wifi, lights-off" policy to encourage digital disconnection and preserve night-sky visibility.
  
• Integration into Kalba’s ecosystem with impact-mitigation protocols for rainfall, terrain and wildlife movement.
  
• Built to promote mindfulness, environmental awareness, and minimal ecological impact.
  
  

The Nomad retreat also supports local economic development, with the construction and supply chains being rooted in the community. Its location near a protected natural habitat emphasizes the retreat’s dual goal: offering luxury in nature while ensuring its preservation.

Shurooq sees Nomad as an evolution of its eco-tourism model, providing travellers with a stripped-down yet immersive experience that resonates with the rising preference for minimalism and disconnection in travel.

Overview of existing Sharjah collection retreats
While Nomad introduces a new frontier for off-grid tourism, the rest of the Sharjah Collection continues to reflect the emirate’s diverse landscapes and cultural depth. Here’s a look at the other six properties:

• Al Faya Retreat – Mleiha Desert
  Set amid archaeological landscapes, Al Faya repurposes two 1960s buildings, formerly a clinic and grocery beside the UAE’s first fuel station — into a five-room boutique retreat. Guests enjoy curated desert trails and modern wellness services against a backdrop of timeless dunes.
  
  
• Moon Retreat – Mleiha National Park
  A glamping-style destination with 10 geodesic domes and 6 premium tents, this retreat offers stargazing, yoga, horse riding, and guided desert exploration led by a trained team. It merges luxury with Sharjah’s natural desert heritage.
  
  
• Kingfisher Retreat – Kalba
  Located within a protected mangrove reserve, this eco-lodge offers 40 sea-facing luxury tents and operates in collaboration with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). The design prioritizes low-impact architecture and nature-based experiences.
  
  
• Al Badayer Retreat – Red Dunes of Sharjah
  Combining traditional caravanserai architecture with modern amenities, this retreat features 46 rooms and tents. Visitors can engage in camel rides, dune adventures, and take in the stillness of the red desert landscapes.
  
  
• Najd Al Meqsar – Wadi Wishi , Khorfakkan
  This heritage retreat comprises seven restored homes over 100 years old, overlooking ancient mountains and petroglyphs from 2000 BCE. Developed with Mubadara, it offers access to a 300-year-old fort and scenic hiking trails that lead to Al Rafisah Dam .
  
  
• Al Rayaheen Retreat – Historic Khorfakkan
  Located in Khorfakkan’s cultural core, this retreat includes 19 restored heritage houses, redesigned in collaboration with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage . Among them is the home of the Al Mushtaghil family, now a guest reception hub with a traditional restaurant and shaded courtyards.
  
  

Each retreat in the collection highlights a different aspect of Sharjah, from coastal mangroves and red dunes to archaeological sites and restored mountain villages, delivering rich, locally rooted experiences.

Global Trends and Sharjah’s Positioning
Sharjah’s investment in sustainable hospitality comes at a time of global growth in wellness and eco-tourism. According to the Global Wellness Institute , wellness tourism is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2025, and the “slow travel” trend, focused on immersive, mindful, and culturally rich experiences, is expanding at an estimated 10% annually.

Sharjah’s own numbers reflect this shift. Guest arrivals rose 11% in 2024, and international occupancy continued to climb through the first quarter of 2025, according to Shurooq. This growing demand further validates the emirate’s investment in its nature-first, heritage-based hospitality strategy.