Enchanting Sands: A Self-Drive Adventure

📍 Jeddah - Jeddah airport (25km): 30 mins

Jeddah is a commercial hub sitting to the west along the Red Sea with the second busiest seaport in the Middle East. It’s the principal gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, and sees over a million pilgrims a year on their way to perform the Hajj. Despite this, Jeddah is perceived to be the most liberal city in Saudi Arabia and is a popular tourist destination, offering the beauty of ancient architecture mixed with the latest luxuries.

Guided transfer and excursion
Meet your Saudi guide and celebrate your arrival with sunset drinks on the city’s attractive corniche. Stroll along the seafront, slalom around pieces of modern art that form an outdoor museum until King Fahad’s fountain comes into view. Spread out your carpet and your ‘takwa’, the smart Saudi picnic seat. Join the locals when the sun sets, the call for prayer sounds and the world's tallest fountain comes to life in front of the beachwalk. Complete your first day in Saudi Arabia with a welcome dinner in modern style, befitting fast-paced Jeddah.

Overnight in Jeddah.
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel.
Guided excursion
Start the day understanding the Saudi bigger picture in the Tayebat museum. The museum is housed in a multiroom complex that re-creates the traditional architecture of Al Balad. With several floors of in-depth exhibits, the museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage.
Jeddah’s proximity to the Red Sea puts local seafood at the forefront, unlike elsewhere in the country. The Central Fish Market is the hotspot where buyers and sellers come together. Squid, shrimp, lobster and a great variety of fish, some only native to the Red Sea, are all fresh and on display. Follow the flow of the market where customers first choose their pick. Next they move on to have it weighed and get a ticket for the cleaning section. All set? Now it can be prepared in the restaurant right in the market or taken home.
Discover the welcoming atmosphere of the historic old town, Al Balad, which achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. Its traditional multi storey buildings and merchant houses are an architectural treasure trove. It is a dive back in time with the buzz of trading, pilgrims shopping and the occasional tourist mixed in. The roshan or wooden window covers are the ancient way to create shade and cool in this hot and humid climate, and they make these alleys especially picturesque. 

Overnight in Jeddah.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Jeddah city center - Jeddah train station (20km): 25 mins Jeddah - Medina (415 km): 1 hr 45 mins by high-speed train Medina train station - Medina city center (20km): 25 mins

Unguided transfer to the train station.

Say goodbye to Jeddah and follow ‘the footsteps of prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)’ to The Holy City of Medina. His early followers undertook this journey on foot and by camel. Present day’s pilgrims go by Haramain, Saudi Arabia’s state-of-the-art high-speed train system, which makes it a short (under two hours) hop to Medina, one of Islam’s holiest pilgrimage sites. 

Guided transfer and excursion
Meet your Medina guide upon arrival at the train station. Medina is one of the two most sacred cities in Islam (the other is Mecca). Medina is centered around Al Masjid an Nabawi, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, which was constructed by the Prophet himself and is also where he is buried. For a showstopping finale to a remarkable day, experience exterior views of the wonder of the Prophet’s Mosque: a 10-minaret giant that can accommodate one million people. Join the throngs of pilgrims, it is hard to describe the vibe. 

Non-muslims are welcome to enjoy exterior views of the mosque from the edge of the square. When the sun sinks it is a great time to visit Mount Uhud, a major pilgrimage site and viewpoint across the Holy City. 

There’s much more to Medina than its primary holy site. Guests will get the chance to visit the terminus station of the Hijaz or Ottoman railway, which once brought pilgrims to Medina from as far away as Damascus in Syria. Guests will round out their time in Medina with some browsing time at the city’s central market. Saudis are known for having a sweet tooth and the stalls at this bustling souk are ideal snaffling territory for goodies such as ma’amoul (butter cookies stuffed with pistachios, walnuts, almonds, or dates), luqaimat (hot, crispy dumplings drizzled in honey) and kunafa (a kind of sweet cheese pie made with semolina pastry and rose water syrup).

With the support of your guide, collect your car at the car rental for your self-drive journey. Start of self drive program, end of guided services.

Overnight in Medina 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Medina - Khaybar (175 km): 2 hrs Khaybar - Al Ula (225 km): 2 hrs 25 mins Medina - AlUla direct (325km): 3hrs 30min Al Ula - Jabal AlFil (Elephant Rock) (5 km): 10 mins

Embark on an extraordinary self-drive adventure. The following information are mere suggestions (no tours or entrance fees are arranged or included unless clearly mentioned).

Leave the Holy City of Medina via Khaybar or direct to AlUla, home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaits. These destinations sit deep in the desert in the northwestern region of the country. Don’t expect only sand dunes, this is a volcanic area with black lava stone and mountain vistas and rich in historical significance. 

Why not make a stop at the historically significant city of Khaybar. Before the rise of Islam in the 7th century, the Khaybar region was inhabited by Arabian Jewish tribes. In 628 AD, Muslims under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad took over the city during the Battle of Khaybar. Visit the remains of the mud city situated in a steep wadi or valley, with its several fortresses towering over thousands of green palm trees. The area has been recently reopened after renovations.

Arriving in AlUla before sunset leaves ample scope for a pilgrimage to Elephant Rock. Set in golden desert sands and climbing into the blue Arabian skies, the rock (also known as Jabal Alfil) is one of A Ula’s most impressive geological marvels.  

As the day comes to a close, retire to our carefully selected accommodation in AlUla, where you can relax and reflect on the memorable experiences of the day, eagerly anticipating the adventures that await you tomorrow.

Overnight in AlUla
 

Inclusions:

The draw to AlUla is its remarkable natural rock formations and canyons, extensive and varied pre-Arabic rock art, and immaculately preserved tombs built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans. You could start the day with a visit to the Nabataean site of Hegra, which was the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom, dating back to the first century BCE. Follow your ‘rawee’ or storyteller in a (shared) bus tour, to explore several of the more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs, most with elaborate facades carved from rock formations scattered around the desert. 

After Hegra, why not head to AlUla historic city, often called ‘the old town,’ an charismatic place that once sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Incense Route, and one that rewards a leisurely stroll. Recent renovations have turned it into a magical mix of ancient alleys and trendy restaurants and souvenirs shops.

Beyond the old town in the wadi or valley are numerous farms where lush palm trees sway gently and the smell of citrus fills the fresh air, adding to the oasis-feeling that Al Ula still retains. Follow the winding, shaded path through the orange grove, hear birds and imagine how the nomads of the past found water and refuge from the desert here.

‘Next door’ is AlJadeeda, an area known as ‘the Art city’ which has a colorful vibe with street art and exhibits spread out in its walking streets, making for a great stroll with numerous options for a drink on a terrace, watching the world go by while the sun changes the colors of the towering cliffs around.

Overnight in Al Ula
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Al Ula - Wadi Disah (299 km): 4 hrs

Why not enjoy your morning at leisure. Enjoy the facilities of the hotel or continue your exploration of Al Ula’s landscapes with an optional activity: to name a few; see the sandstone mountains from above in a helicopter or hot air balloon (in season), hop on a mountain bike and venture off the beaten path into desert dunes or climb the valley’s edge to better soak in Al Ula’s expansive vistas.

Check-out and depart on time for the 4 hours drive north, to Wadi Disah. Loosely translated as the Valley of the Palm Trees, Wadi Disah is one of Saudi Arabia’s most spectacular natural attractions. The beautiful valley is characterized by mountain forms and tall rocky columns in various colors, as well as freshwater springs which create a real oasis feeling. Due to the presence of fresh water, the site has been inhabited for centuries and is well known for its dates and mango. 

(the start of the included overnight Desert Camping Experience is at 4pm)

Leave your car safely at our farm for a short offroad transfer to a secluded corner of the valley to find a private tented camp, complete with camels, set up just for you! Bedouins traditionally sleep in tents to be able to follow their herds, which go after the rains that fall scattered across the desert. Your tent has a proper bed and other required comforts for a good night sleep but it is not bedtime just yet. Recline on the takwa while the campfire creates a warm glow. A traditional bbq dinner is served under the star-filled night sky and your guide will explain to you how these stars help desert travelers navigate and share a good story or two over freshly brewed arabic coffee.

Overnight camping in Wadi Disah.

Note: For groups of 5 or more, we will return to the farm for an overnight stay after dinner. Enjoy a unique camping experience under the stars, surrounded by the farm's serene ambiance instead of the desert.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Wadi Disah - Tabuk (218 km): 2 hrs 30 mins Tabuk city center - Tabuk airport (20 km): 25 mins Flight Tabuk - Riyadh: 1 hr 45 mins Riyadh airport - Riyadh city center (35 km): 45 mins

See the sun appear from behind the mountains while a fresh local breakfast is prepared around the fire. Then, break up camp and move on to the next destination, like a true bedouin. 

But not before exploring the canyon, Wadi Disah itself. Hop in a local 4x4 for an off road adventure through the lush vegetation and through the stream winding its way between the towering walls. There are several archaeological sites such as facades of Nabataean tombs, and the remains of walls containing Nabataean and Arabic writings in Kufic script. For those fancying a stroll, step out and walk for a bit, enjoy the birds singing and once it's enough, the jeep is soon with you.

Lunch is served under the fruit trees on the farm where more will be learned about agriculture in this arid climate. 

(end of the Excursion after lunch, continue your self drive to Tabuk)

Tabuk, the gateway to Saudi Arabia’s northwest including NEOM, has long been a resting point for Jordanian and Egyptian pilgrims on their way south to Mecca and Medina. Maybe time permitting, see something of its provincial center. At the modern airport, board the booked flight to Riyadh, the Kingdom’s modern capital.

(Return the car at Tabuk airport, where your self-drive adventure ends)

Catch an evening flight to Riyadh and proceed with an unguided transfer to the hotel.

Arriving in Riyadh you’ll immediately see how rapidly the city is modernizing. From towering skyscrapers to long boulevards, shopping centers, mosques and luxury hotels, this is a city that is set to surprise you. 

Overnight in Riyadh.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Guided excursion

One of the wealthiest cities in the world, Riyadh is a showcase for modern Saudi Arabia.  Once a walled, mud-brick way station along desert trading routes, the capital is now a hyper-contemporary metropolis with the best hotels and restaurants in the country. Its organized grid layout is lined with more than 4,000 mosques, numerous busy shopping centers and traditional souks, public parks, and a diverse set of communities and neighborhoods.

Let’s start with some pointers toward Saudi’s charismatic past. You’ll find Al Masmak Fortress in the heart of the old town. A large clay and mud-brick citadel that witnessed the birth of a kingdom, the 150-year-old edifice stands as a reminder of Saudi’s storied past. Justice Square is another reminder of the past. Roaming this ordinary neighborhood on foot you discover mud houses, abandoned not long ago.

Onward, head for Souq al Zel and Souq Bisht, two of the most characteristic traditional marketplaces in town and uniquely atmospheric hubs of Arabian commerce. This is the perfect place to purchase an Abaya for use during your travels. Naturally, as a foreigner the use of an Abaya is completely voluntary. You’ll learn more about Saudi history at Murabba palace and at the fantastic National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

Lunch at a local restaurant with an old Riyadhi charm called ’Najd.’

Across town and pointing high into the sky as a symbol for power is KAFD, or King Abdullah Financial District, the strikingly modern heart of business of the Kingdom and more and more the wider Gulf region. Have a look at the mosque in an equally bold design before traveling further into the future visiting The Line Experience. This stunning complex of halls explains how The Line, the future main city in NEOM is being built and how life inside will be for its 9 million inhabitants.

Then explore Ad Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state called At-Turaif which ruled between 1744 and 1818. The UNESCO World Heritage site has just been restored to its former glory and is poised to become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s tourism offerings. Discover more about the architecture and heritage at the site. Find out how the mud-brick houses were built; how homes were cooled during the hot summer days; and how people lived without electricity and creature comforts.

Have your guide take you out for one final taste of Saudi cuisine before you can say ‘ma al salama’, goodbye, until next time.’

Overnight in Riyadh.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Riyadh city center - Riyadh airport (35 km): 45 mins

At leisure until you check out of your hotel and transfer (unguided) to the airport

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast