From Capital to Canyon

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

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.

On this first day in the Kingdom, explore the city from above with a visit to the iconic Al Faisaliah Tower. Its distinctive design and observation deck provide breathtaking views of Riyadh’s sprawling skyline and surrounding landscapes. Conclude the day with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Saudi cuisine served in a contemporary setting, offering a warm introduction to Riyadh’s vibrant culture.

For those who arrive early, why not consider an optional trip outside town to the stunning The Edge of the World.
 

Optional Program for a great half-day by 4x4 to the stunning Edge of the World
Leave the city center and head out to Jebel Fihrayn, more famously known as “The Edge of the World”. It got its nickname from the uninterrupted view of the horizon it offers atop its 300-meter-high cliffs, which overlook the plain below. Go for a stroll along the edge before you get cozy on your carpet and takwa, the Saudi picnic seat, for a prime view of the sky as it seems to melt into the barren earth. Enjoy freshly brewed arabic coffee, tea and picnic-style snacks before returning to the hotel in Riyadh.

Time : 14:00 - 18:00
Distances and journey time:
Riyadh - Jebel Fihrayn (Edge of the World) (100 km): 1 hr 30 min each way
 

Overnight in Riyadh. 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Let’s begin with some pointers toward Saudi’s charismatic past. 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. Modern Saudi shop in supermarkets but a few old market areas remain, like  Souq al Zel and Souq Bisht, two of the most characteristic traditional marketplaces in town. Learn more about Saudi history at beautiful Murabba palace and at the modern National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

After lunch at a traditional restaurant, 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. Explore the mosque's striking design, followed by a coffee break in the financial district.

It is time to 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.

Overnight in Riyadh.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Riyadh - Ushaiger (200km): 2 hrs 30 mins Ushaiger - Buraydah (185 km): 2 hrs

Leaving behind Riyadh's glittering skyscrapers and bustling streets, venture into Saudi Arabia's untamed heart, where rugged and wild landscapes await. The plateau on which the capital sits drops abruptly, offering panoramic views of the ancient seabed 300m below. The drop leaves today’s cars at a standstill while the camels of old find their way up a steep, winding path. Walk in their footsteps for a while and marvel at this ancient caravan route and the skilled camel drivers who used it. Once down, cross the first section of desert plain to the town of Ushaiger, explore the ruins of the mud village, enter a renovated mud house, and learn all about the people who lived here with a visit to a family-run museum.

Continuing the journey through time, the backroads provide a scenic route to the next destination, Buraydah. By avoiding the highway, the landscape evokes imagery of the countless camels and traders who traversed these deserts over centuries. Stretching endlessly, the arid dunes conceal an intriguing secret—this region serves as a vital center for food production. Approaching the market town of Buraydah, the circular fields showcase the remarkable ingenuity of desert agriculture in Saudi Arabia. Stop at Onaizah, one of the twin capitals of the Qassim region alongside Buraydah, to visit a local heritage museum and souq. Conclude the day with a short drive to Buraydah.

Overnight in Buraydah.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Buraydah - Hail (280km): 3 hrs

Buraydah is with Onaizah the twin-capital of Qassim province, also known as the ‘food basket’ of Saudi Arabia. Where better to understand this than at your first stop, a local wet market. Watch as the buyers and sellers do business by auctioning from the back of their trucks. Then, wander through what is probably the largest date market in the world. In season, the stalls are piled high with tropical fruits and vegetables and, if the time is right, don’t miss the opportunity to sample Qassim’s famously succulent dates. Even outside the season, the scale of this market is enough to realize that Saudi Arabia is not just about oil.

Not only this, the city is hosting the world's largest camel market too. This bustling marketplace comes alive each morning, excluding Fridays and holidays, as countless Arabian camels exchange hands. These camels, known for their distinctive single hump, hold a special place in Saudi Arabian culture, prized for their suitability for riding and as a source of flavorful meat. Moreover, they have gained further significance in recent times, becoming prominent participants in the thrilling sport of camel racing. 

Next, continue driving to Hail, with magnificent views of the rocky desert landscape. Hail was an ancient Arab capital, and the hilltop A’arif Fort is a testament to the city’s importance in this desert region. From the top of the fort in the city center, your next stop on the Hail Historical Tour is the Al Qishlah Complex. Built from the same red earth as A’arif Fort, the 8-meter-high walls of this vast fortified palace demonstrate the power of the local rulers.

Overnight in Hail.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hail - Jubbah (125km): 1 hr 30 mins Jubbah - AlUla (500km): 5 hrs 30 mins

An hour's journey north of Hail leads into the Al Nafud desert and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jubbah. Emerging from the windswept desert plains, the rocks at Jubbah display some of the finest Neolithic rock inscriptions in the Arab world. These detailed carvings, depicting people, animals, and scenes of daily life—from agriculture to warfare—remain remarkably visible despite their creation over 9,000 years ago. A guided tour highlights some of the best-preserved examples, offering a glimpse into ancient life.

Continue the journey from Hail to AlUla, passing through vast desert plains and rugged rock formations. The route offers ever-changing scenery, from golden sand dunes to rocky plateaus dotted with acacia trees. As rich in natural beauty as it is in history and cultural heritage, AlUla is a highlight of any trip to Saudi. 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. Get in the mood with a sunset visit to Jabel Al Fil, or Elephant Rock, set in golden desert sands and climbing into the blue Arabian skies. Elephant Rock is one of AlUla’s most easy to remember geological marvels.

Inclusions: