North-Eastern Explorer

📍 Riyadh - Edge of the World (100 km): 1.5hrs Edge of the World - Shaqra (150 km): 2hrs

Your north-eastern exploration begins mid afternoon with a journey to the Edge of the World. Leaving the glittering skyscrapers and bustling streets of Riyadh behind, it’s time to experience the first of Saudi’s many wild and rugged landscapes. 

The smooth highway leaving the capital ends at the valley of Sha’ib Khaimah, where a 4x4 takes you over the final stretch of dusty road, and the trails of the Tuwaiq escarpment begin. Your guide knows exactly which path to take for the best view out over the 300m high cliffs. Enjoy the panoramic views with a Bedouin-style picnic as a light dinner, as the sun dips into the hazy horizon.

Onward drive to avoid doubling back to Riyadh, overnight in Shaqra town.
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Shaqra -Buraydah (200 km): 3hrs

The little-visited town of Shaqra is gaining in local popularity thanks to a newly opened university. But before there were students, shops and Mcdonalds, there was an ancient town made entirely from mud. Here, and in the neighboring 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.

Continue your journey through time by taking the backroads to your next destination of Buraydah. Avoiding the highway, it is easy to imagine the hundreds of thousands of camels and traders that have made their way across these deserts for centuries. The dry desert dunes, as far as the eye can see, also hide a secret: this is one of the most important food-growing regions in the area. As you near the market town of Buraydah, the fascinating circular fields tell of the ingenuity of Saudi’s desert farmers.

Passing Onaiza city together with Buraydah the twin capital of the Qassim region, stop by a local heritage museum where a fantastic VR experience can give you a glimpse directly into the past.

Overnight in Buraydah.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Buraydah - Hail (260km): 2 hrs by high-speed train

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. 

Swap four wheels for the local train to Hail, with magnificent views over the rocky desert landscape. Hail was an ancient Arab capital, and the hilltop A’arif Fort speaks of the city’s prominence in this desert region. From the top of the fort to the center of the city, your next stop on the historic circuit of Hail is the Al Qishlah compound. Built with the same red mud as A’arif, the 8m high walls of this huge fort palace show the power of the local rulers.

Overnight in Hail.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hail- Sakaka (390 km): 4 hrs

An hour north of Hail takes you into the Al Nafud desert and past the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jubbah. Rising up from the windswept desert plains, the rocks of Jubbah feature some of the Arab World’s finest Neolithic rock inscriptions. The detailed drawings of people, animals, and daily activities, from agriculture to war, are as visible today as they were when they were created over 9,000 years ago. Follow your knowledgeable guide as he takes you on a tour of some of the best-preserved drawings.

Your journey to Sakaka continues deeper through the Al Nafud desert, where a sea of red sand dunes replace any sign of civilization. 

In Sakaka, look back across the dunes and the entire Al Jouf region from the hilltop fort of Zaabel Castle. From this vantage point, the red sands of Al Nafud contrast with verdant olive plantations and the city streets of Sakaka: a view that is distinctly Saudi. 

Overnight in Sakaka.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Sakaka - Tabuk (460 km): 5 hrs

Spend the morning outside of Sakaka, with a trip to Al Rajajil, Saudi’s very own ‘stone-henge’. These towering sandstone columns are the site of an ancient burial ground with fascinating traditions dating back to the 6th century BC. 

Move on to the 1st century AD and explore the impressive Marid Castle. This military fortress sits above the ancient city of Dumah Al Jandal, 620m above sea level, a position that allowed it to remain unbreachable for centuries. A thousand steps take you to its highest point for more panoramic views over Al Jouf. 

After a traditional lunch of Hashi, camel meat and rice, continue your journey west towards the city of Tabuk. Arrive in time for a stroll through the streets at sunset. The distinct Ottoman architecture is a testament to the city’s position as the gateway to Saudi and the Arab world.

Overnight in Tabuk.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

After breakfast the program ends.

You could enjoy some time in Tabuk until departure to your onward destination. From Tabuk, you could add on a trip to the oasis of Al-Disah or the red rocks of Al Ula.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast