Guide

You will have a crew of 1 Madventure tour leader on this small group tour. Our well trained tour leaders are passionate about travel and will ensure your journey is both safe and enjoyable. Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader will arrange local guides to give you the history of the important historic sites that we visit along the way. Please bear in mind that your tour tour leader is not a guide and will not be giving you the history of the sites we visit. Historic sites require the specialist knowledge of a local guide. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media. Tipping your tour leader at the end of the tour is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. We recommend you tip your tour leader a minimum of $100 at the end of this tour, thank you.

Transport

We have designed this tour to be comfortable and avoid long drives wherever possible. Most of the time we will be travelling in private air-conditioned buses and 4×4’s. We also include 2 domestic flights, from Jeddah to Jazan and from Abha to Riyadh, as the drive between these places is time consuming without much to see along the way.

Others

Services of your Madventure tour leader Local guides where required All transport costs including private buses, 4×4’s and domestic flights 15 breakfasts and 3 evening meals provided All accommodation costs in 3 & 4 star hotels, resorts and local guest houses National Museum Murabba Palace Najdi Village group dinner Masmak Fortress Diriyah Edge of the World 4×4 tour Ushaiger heritage village Buraidah camel market Jubbah rock art entry Hegra (Madain Saleh) tour Lion Tombs of Dedan tour Elephant Rock Jeddah Old Town tour Jeddah Arabian group dinner Farasan Islands boat trip Rijal Almaa Al Yanfa village Abha Arabian group dinner

Meals

All breakfasts will be provided during this tour, usually at the hotel before we start the day’s activities. We include 3 evening meals during this tour, usually a welcome dinner in Riyadh, a traditional group dinner in Jeddah and a farewell dinner in Abha. The rest of the evening meals are at your own expense. We do not include any lunches during this tour so this is a good time to sample the local food. Arabian food is delicious and also inexpensive by western standards so we are sure you will enjoy sampling the local dishes as much as possible. Please bear in mind that in Saudi Arabia the availability of western style food may be limited outside of the big towns. Hotels and restaurants do cater for vegetarians but the dishes may not be exactly what you are used to at home so please be prepared to try a few new things.

Accommodation

We stay at 3 & 4 star hotels, resorts and local guest houses throughout this tour. All the accommodation we provide is comfortable with modern conveniences and private bathrooms. Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another traveller of any gender. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed. There is a single room supplement fee of £800 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

Not included:

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Flights

International flights to and from Saudi Arabia are excluded. 2 domestic internal flights in Saudi Arabia are excluded.

Others

International flights Airport transfers Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (£150 – £200 per week recommended) E-visa (approximately £100) All lunches and 12 evening meals Snacks and soft drinks Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees and local guides at optional sites Any optional activities and excursions Tips for tour leader ($100 recommended)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Riyadh - National Museum - Murabba Palace - Kingdom Tower - Najdi Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riyadh - National Museum - Murabba Palace - Kingdom Tower - Najdi Village

This tour starts in Riyadh where we meet at our hotel at 14H00 to check in and have a quick pre-departure meeting. This afternoon we will then visit the National Museum and Murabba Palace, 2 of Riyadh’s most historically interesting sites.

This evening we will take the 180kph lift up the 99th floor of the Kingdom Tower where you can brave a walk across the Sky Bridge for unsurpassed views over the city.

We end our evening at the Najdi Village where you are invited to join us for a group welcome dinner at a traditional Saudi restaurant before retiring to the comfort of your 4 star hotel.
Day 2 Riyadh - Masmak Fortress - Diriyah - Edge Of The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riyadh - Masmak Fortress - Diriyah - Edge Of The World

This morning after breakfast we will venture into the old part of the city and visit Masmak Fortress, a mudbrick museum showcasing one of Saudi’s most important historical landmarks.

We continue to the mud-brick ruins of the ancient town of Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site where the At-Turaif open-air museum showcases quintessential Najdi architecture.

This afternoon we will take 4×4’s to visit The Edge of the World, a dramatic escarpment that rises steeply out of the rocky desert floor offering uninterrupted views of the horizon, best viewed at sunset.

This evening we return to our 4 star hotel in Riyadh where you have the rest of the night free to relax and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
Day 3 Ushaiger Heritage Village - Buraidah
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ushaiger Heritage Village - Buraidah

After breakfast we travel to the cultural heritage village of Ushaiger, a living museum where you can wander through the maze of twisting alleyways that lead to hundreds of yellow mud houses displaying traditional Najdi architecture.

We end our day in the town of Buraidah, famous for its date farms and a camel market which we visit early the following morning.

Tonight we stay at a 4 star hotel in Buraidah and you have the evening free to relax or explore the town at your leisure.
Day 4 Buraidah Camel Market - Hail
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Buraidah Camel Market - Hail

An early rise today and we are off to the world’s largest camel market on the dusty outskirts of Buraidah where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded each morning. This lively market is an attack on the senses and a true Saudi experience!

This afternoon we reach the town of Hail where we have sunset at Hail Hilltop for outstanding views over Hail city including views of the mud fort of Aarif and the Qishla mud palace.

This evening we will stay at a 3 star hotel in Hail where you have the evening free to relax or explore the town at your leisure.
Day 5 Jubbah Rock Art - Alula
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Jubbah Rock Art - Alula

This morning we will visit the ancient rock art at Jubbah. This area was once an oasis where thousands of years ago the Arab ancestors left traces of their passages in numerous petroglyphs in the rock face including representations of humans, lions, ibex, horses, camels and ostrich.

In the afternoon we continue our journey to the oasis of AlUla where we will have the following 2 days free to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty and history.

After checking into a local guest house in AlUla you will have the option to visit the old town at night where you are free to explore this quaint area and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6 Alula - Hegra - Madain Saleh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Alula - Hegra - Madain Saleh

Today we will visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Hegra (Madain Saleh) where we find well-preserved tombs with magnificent facades carved into the sandstone rocks by the Nabataean civilization nearly two thousand years ago.

Please note that our timings to visit the sites at AlUla today may vary depending on how many tourists are at each of the sites, so be prepared to be fluid.

We will spend this evening at our local guest house in AlUla where you are free to relax or explore more of AlUla by night if you so wish.
Day 7 Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock

Today we will visit the Lion Tombs of Dedan, a site that predates Hegra where the kings of Dedan were laid to rest with some of the most important tombs displaying lions carved at their entrances.

AlUla is an area not only famous for its ancient tombs but also for its natural beauty and today we spend sunset at the iconic Elephant Rock where nature has created an enormous geological feature resembling an elephant.

Please note that our timings to visit all the sites at AlUla today may vary depending on how many tourists are at each of the sites, so be prepared to be fluid.

We will spend this evening at our local guest house in AlUla where you are free to relax or explore more of AlUla by night if you so wish.
Day 8 Hejaz Railway - Lawrence Of Arabia Sites - Medina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hejaz Railway - Lawrence Of Arabia Sites - Medina

Today we will drive through Lawrence of Arabia country where in WW1 the Arab tribes frequently sabotaged the famous Hejaz Railway line that ran from Damascus to Medina. Along our route we will stop at an historic site that displays the remnants of this bygone era including rusting train carriages and an abandoned train station.

This afternoon we will arrive at the holy city of Medina where we will stay at a comfortable 3 star hotel.
Day 9 Medina - Open Top Bus Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Medina - Open Top Bus Tour

Today is a free day for you to explore the city of Medina by utilising the hop-on hop-off open top bus service. Officially the city centre and Prophet’s Mosque remain off-limits to tourists but muslims are welcome to visit and reports of non-muslims visiting these sites are becoming more common. Your time in Medina is free for you to explore as many of the historic sites as possible on your own.

Tonight we will stay at a comfortable 3 star hotel.
Day 10 Jeddah - Al Rahma Floating Mosque - King Fahd’S Fountain - Corniche
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Jeddah - Al Rahma Floating Mosque - King Fahd’S Fountain - Corniche

Today we drive to the ancient port of Jeddah, the cosmopolitan hub of the country displaying a vibrant mix of new and old. After checking into our hotel you have the opportunity to visit the lively corniche, a beautiful walkway along the Red Sea coast which also offers a wonderful view of the Al Rahma floating Mosque and King Fahd’s fountain which at 312 metres high makes it the world’s tallest fountain.

You will have this evening free to explore more of Jeddah at your leisure and enjoy the comforts of our 3 star hotel.
Day 11 Jeddah - Al Balad Old Town - Al Shafee Mosque - Naseef House - Tayebat Museum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Jeddah - Al Balad Old Town - Al Shafee Mosque - Naseef House - Tayebat Museum

This morning we will visit the UNESCO listed historic centre of Jeddah, Al Balad, where narrow alleyways lead you to spice-scented souqs, art galleries, quirky cafes and traditional bakeries. Some of the old coral merchants’ houses and mosques have been carefully restored and turned into living museums of which Naseef House and Al Shafee Mosque are two of the finest examples.

This afternoon we will take a trip to the Tayebat City Museum where you can learn all about Jeddah’s 2500 year history through a collection of over 60,000 items including ancient coins and manuscripts, Arabic weaponry, traditional Saudi costumes and fine art.

This evening you are invited to a traditional Arabic group dinner at a popular local restaurant before returning to our 3 star hotel.
Day 12 Fly To Jazan - Ferry To Farasan Islands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fly To Jazan - Ferry To Farasan Islands

This morning we will fly to Jazan in the southeastern part of the country and from there we catch the afternoon ferry to the Farasan Islands, an idyllic archipelago made up of more than 80 islands with pristine coral reefs and white sand beaches.

After checking into our resort you are free to explore the island and sample some of the country’s best seafood.
Day 13 Farasan Islands Boat Trip - Pearl Merchants House - Qassar Sandstone Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Farasan Islands Boat Trip - Pearl Merchants House - Qassar Sandstone Village

This morning you are invited to join the group for a 4 hour boat tour around the archipelago to enjoy some of the area’s best beaches and snorkelling.

After lunch we will then visit Al Qassar sandstone village and explore the historic Pearl Merchants Neighbourhood, the 2 most historic highlights of the Farasan Islands.

This evening you are free to explore more of the islands at your leisure or relax in the comfort of our resort.f
Day 14 Ferry To Jazan - Rijal Almaa & The Flower Men - Muhayil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ferry To Jazan - Rijal Almaa & The Flower Men - Muhayil

Today we catch the early ferry back to Jazan where we meet our bus and continue up to Rijal Almaa, a village displaying dark block-like fortresses elegantly studded with white quartz. The men of the village wear colourful wrap-around skirts and adorn themselves with floral wreaths which give them the nickname the Flower Men.

Later in the afternoon we reach the town of Muhayil where we spend the night at our 3 star hotel and you have the evening free to enjoy some of Saudi’s more modern conveniences.
Day 15 Mt. Soudah - Asir National Park - Al Habala - Al Yanfa - Abha
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mt. Soudah - Asir National Park - Al Habala - Al Yanfa - Abha

This morning a snaking road leads us up to the Asir province, so named after the local Asir tribe. This is an entirely different face of the Kingdom with the area boasting big mountains and lush vegetation, a huge contrast to the desert landscapes further north.

We head directly into the beautiful Asir National Park and explore this area of outstanding natural beauty which is home to troops of Hamadryas baboons and incredible views of Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, Mt. Soudah (3000m).

After lunch we visit the hanging village of Al Habala which is dramatically perched on the ledge of a sheer cliff. Built nearly 400 years ago by the Qahtan tribe and only accessible by rope ladders, this village is the only one of its kind in the Kingdom.

We continue on to Al Yanfa, a village that sits atop a warren of underground tunnels which resembles something out of a fairytale. Wandering through the labyrinth of low ceilinged tunnels is an experience not to be missed.

Tonight we spend our final evening of the tour in a 3 star hotel in Abha, a town famous for its mud-walled Shada Palace, a showpiece of traditional Asir architecture. This evening you are invited to attend a group farewell dinner to say goodbye to your crew and fellow travellers.
Day 16 Fly To Riyadh - Tour Ends In Riyadh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fly To Riyadh - Tour Ends In Riyadh

After breakfast today we catch a flight from Abha to Riyadh where our tour ends upon arrival at Riyadh airport, usually around midday. For your own peace of mind please do not book your flight home before 18H00 today.

If you need any extra nights accommodation in Riyadh your tour leader will be happy to help arrange that for you.

+13

16 days tour

Saudi Arabia 16 Day Group Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Saudi Arabia 16 Day Group Tour

Riyadh - National Museum - Murabba Palace - Kingdom Tower - Najdi Village

Riyadh - Masmak Fortress - Diriyah - Edge Of The World

Ushaiger Heritage Village - Buraidah

Buraidah Camel Market - Hail

Jubbah Rock Art - Alula

Alula - Hegra - Madain Saleh

Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock

Hejaz Railway - Lawrence Of Arabia Sites - Medina

Medina - Open Top Bus Tour

Jeddah - Al Rahma Floating Mosque - King Fahd’S Fountain - Corniche

Jeddah - Al Balad Old Town - Al Shafee Mosque - Naseef House - Tayebat Museum

Fly To Jazan - Ferry To Farasan Islands

Farasan Islands Boat Trip - Pearl Merchants House - Qassar Sandstone Village

Ferry To Jazan - Rijal Almaa & The Flower Men - Muhayil

Mt. Soudah - Asir National Park - Al Habala - Al Yanfa - Abha

Fly To Riyadh - Tour Ends In Riyadh

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