Balloons take flight at Al-Ula Balloon Festival in Saudi Arabia (8 images)

Balloons take the sky during the Al-Ula Balloon Festival in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, which runs from February 1 to February 9, 2019. Part of the Winter at Tantora Festival, the nearly five mile journey crosses Al-Ula's landscape and heritage sites like Qasr al Farid and Mada'in Saleh, the second largest Nabatean city after Petra.

More than 60 balloons took to the sky during the Al-Ula Balloon Festival. Photo by Hussain Daghiri/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

The balloon festival is part of the Winter at Tantora Festival which aims to attract tourism to the region by showcasing the country's natural wonders. Photo by Hussain Daghiri/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Saudi Arabia made tourist visas easier to obtain in 2018, after suppressing tourism in 2010. Photo by Hussain Daghiri/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Madain Saleh is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site as it was home to the Nabataean civilization. Petra in Jordan is the only other site that is larger. Photo by Hussain Daghiri/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---