Transport

Transportation in buses and 4x4 vehicles.

Guide

One English-speaking local guide/tour leader is provided.

Meals

All breakfasts and 4 evening meals

Flights

Two domestic flights are included.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 3- & 4-star hotels & guest houses throughout this tour Camp/Guesthouse (upon availability) for 3 nights in Al Ula. Accommodation is provided on a twin-share basis, so if you are traveling alone, be prepared to share your room with another member of the trip. Single rooms are available upon request, which requires an additional fee.

Others

Tours and entrance fees to all of the destinations listed on the itinerary Hegra tour Dadan/Ikmah tour Edge of the World tour

Not included:

Insurance

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Day 1 Riyadh – National Museum – Murabba Palace – Kingdom Tower – Welcome Dinner
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riyadh – National Museum – Murabba Palace – Kingdom Tower – Welcome Dinner

This tour starts in Riyadh, where we meet at our hotel at 14:00 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 180-kph 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 – Local Markets – Diriyah – Edge Of The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Riyadh - Masmak Fortress – Local Markets – 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 Arabia’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 – Buraydah
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ushaiger Heritage Village – Buraydah

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 Buraydah Camel Market – Hail
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Buraydah 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, ibexes, horses, camels, and ostriches.

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

After checking into our 3 star accommodation 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 - Old Town Market
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Alula - Hegra - Madain Saleh - Old Town Market

This morning, after breakfast, we start the day by visiting 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. This site was the Nabatean kingdom’s southernmost and largest settlement after Petra. Visitors can marvel at the remnants of the lost civilization and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Later this day, we visit Al Ula Old Town, also known as Deira. It is one of the main attractions in Al-Ula, as it consists of many ancient heritage buildings, mosques, and markets. All these ruins date back to about seven centuries. The buildings inside were once built with original stones and mud bricks. There are around 900 houses built closely together and separated only by narrow alleys.

Please note that our timing 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 7 Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock

On this day, 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. Jabal Ikmah is considered the open library of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it contains hundreds of inscriptions, writings, and drawings on the cliffs and rocky facades that can be dated back to the Dadani and Lihyan periods.

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. The Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) is one of the world’s most popular rock formations. Standing at a height of 52 meters, the giant rock climbs three stories into the Arabian sky.
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 the Lawrence of Arabia country, where in World War I, 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. This evening, we will stay at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Medina.
Day 9 Madinah - Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Madinah - Hop On Hop Off 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

This morning, 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 and a quick lunch, you have the opportunity to visit the lively corniche, a beautiful walkway along the Red Sea coast that 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.

This evening, you are invited to a group dinner at a popular local restaurant before returning to our 4-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 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 & manuscripts, Arabic weaponry, traditional Saudi costumes, and fine art.

Later this afternoon, 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, & 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.

You will have this evening free to explore more of Jeddah at your leisure and enjoy the comforts of 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 will 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 3 hour boat tour around the archipelago to enjoy some of the area’s best beaches and snorkeling.

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.
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 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 gives them the nickname the Flower Men.

Later in the evening, 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 Arabia’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, 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 (3000 m).

After lunch we visit the viewpoint of 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 16:00 today.

If you need any extra nights of 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 – Welcome Dinner

Riyadh - Masmak Fortress – Local Markets – Diriyah – Edge Of The World

Ushaiger Heritage Village – Buraydah

Buraydah Camel Market – Hail

Jubbah Rock Art - Alula

Alula - Hegra - Madain Saleh - Old Town Market

Lion Tombs Of Dedan - Elephant Rock

Hejaz Railway - Lawrence Of Arabia Sites – Medina

Madinah - Hop On Hop Off 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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