Surprising Saudi - Join in

📍 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.

Important note on arrival and departure transfers: 

• Group transfer will be available and for those who need individual transfers need to be arranged separately with the supplement. 
• For flights arriving before 0600H and after 2200H and departures before 0800H and after 2300H, surcharges will apply (night transfer). See our table of surcharges.

Today all participants of the tour will arrive. For those who arrive early, why not soak up some atmosphere by strolling in the area of the hotel, maybe visit the Kingdom Tower or Faisaliah Tower (by your own expense) Skybridge with views of the greater Riaydh or consider an optional trip outside town to the stunning The Edge of the World.

Tips: Your hotel is centrally located 5mins away from the Metro station and Most of the major attractions are located near to the stations like Kingdom Tower. Don’t forget to get advice from your guide or at a hotel for the Riyadh Metro Map.

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 and tea, the flames of the fire and picnic-style snacks before returning to your hotel in Riyadh

Time : 15:00 - 20:00

Overnight in Riyadh.

Inclusions:

Meet the guide at your hotel and start touring. Discover the wealth of contrasts that distinguish Riyadh. Historical highlights here include Masmak Fort, Souq al Zel, and cultural centers such as the National Museum and the Murabba palace. And of course Ad Diriya, once the heart and start of the Kingdom. Whilst making your way across the city you will note the contrast between these local marketplaces and the city’s sparkling highrise.

Let’s begin 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. Modern Saudi shops 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. 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 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.

From the future to the past, 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.

Enjoy a great dinner at one of the high-society restaurants of the Bujairi Terrace to complete what was just day one! (Dinner at own expense). 

Overnight in Riyadh.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Riyadh - Tabuk by plane: 2 hrs Tabuk - Wadi Disah (215 km): 3 hrs 15 mins

This morning you leave the capital by air for Tabuk, the gateway to Saudi Arabia’s northwest, and for centuries a resting point for Jordanian and Egyptian pilgrims on their way to Mecca and Medina. Life moves slowly here as you will feel wandering along the main street, checking out the ‘smach’ shops (Saudi headwear for men) and the all-purpose stores selling anything a bedouin needs in the desert. The small fort sits at the top of the street and houses a small museum (Tabuk town visit only included when time permits, depending the flight schedule)

Traveling southward, the route winds through arid deserts and rugged mountains, revealing the captivating landscape. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way with the breathtaking view of the mountains. 

Reach Wadi Disah, one of Saudi Arabia’s most spectacular natural attractions. Loosely translated as the Valley of the Palm Trees, the beautiful valley is characterized by mountain forms and tall rocky columns in various colors, and a freshwater spring which creates 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. Settle in on a fruit farm where more will be learned about agriculture in this arid climate.

Climb into a 4x4 for an off-road adventure. With a skilled driver behind the wheel of the local jeep, lose yourself in the deep canyon, pass through lush vegetation and alongside a stream winding its way between the towering rock walls. Stop at any time to take a closer look, take photos or to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Enjoy a flavorful dinner at the Farm. 

Overnight in a Bedouin tent in Wadi Disah - Cozy Bedouin tents, equipped with proper beds and shared bathroom facilities, offer a comfortable night’s rest, reflecting the traditional nomadic lifestyle.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Wadi Disah - AlUla (270 km): 3 hrs 30 mins AlUla - Jabal AlFil (Elephant Rock) (5 km): 10 mins

See the sun appear from behind the mountains while a fresh local breakfast is prepared. Then it's time to move on, like a true bedouin. 

Back on the road, the drive goes through quiet valleys, past villages and the occasional donkey to AlUla, possibly the most stunning destination in Saudi Arabia. 

AlUla is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated deep in the desert, 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, and for most travelers the biggest highlight of their Saudi adventure.

Lunch at a local restaurant in AlUla.

Check in & enjoy your afternoon at leisure at the Farm, stay in the nature date farm. 

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 AlUla’s most impressive geological marvels. It is interesting to see how the AlUla local government gave the natural site an arty vibe with their design make-over.

Continue exploring AlUla historic city, often called ‘the Old Town,’ a charismatic place that once sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Incense Route, and that rewards a leisurely stroll. Recent renovations have turned it into a magical mix of ancient alleys and trendy restaurants and upmarket souvenirs shops.

Dinner in the beautiful old town at your own choice by your own expenses.

Overnight in AlUla.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 AlUla - Hegra (20 km): 20 mins Hegra - AlUla Historic Town (20 km): 25 mins

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’ll start the day with a visit to the Nabataean site of Hegra by bus, which was the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom, dating back to the first century BCE. Today, visitors follow their ‘rawee’ or storyteller, to explore several of the more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs, most with elaborate facades carved from rock formations scattered around the desert.

Next, head for the green zone that is AlUla oasis, why not enjoy a cup of coffee  at The Pink Camel (by your own charge), situated beautifully amid the date farms. Take a stroll where lush palm trees sway gently and the smell of citrus fills the fresh air, adding to the oasis-feeling that AlUla still retains. Follow the winding, shaded Oasis Heritage Trail through the orange grove, hear birds and imagine how the nomads of the past found water and refuge from the desert here.

Lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expenses). 

Exit the lush oasis at AlJadidah, an area known also as ‘Art Town’ which has a colorful vibe with street art and art exhibits spread out in its walking streets.

Closer to evening, ready to go for a special experience. Far from city lights, wide open spaces in remote desert lands create some of the world’s clearest dark skies. This makes AlUla an idyllic place for stargazing followed by a dinner. 

Overnight in AlUla.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 AlUla - Medina (300 km): 3 hrs 30 mins Medina - Jeddah (420km): 2hrs by high-speed train Jeddah train station - Jeddah city center (20km): 25 mins Hotel - Al hamara corniche : 1.7km : 19mins walk

Head south and travel through the desert and mountains to Medina along an ancient pilgrimage route. Don’t expect sand dunes, this is a volcanic area with black lava stone and mountain vistas and rich in religious significance. 

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. Experience exterior views of the wonder of the Prophet’s Mosque (from outside the square): a 10-minaret giant that can accommodate one million people. Join the throngs of pilgrims, it is hard to describe the vibe. 

There’s much more to Medina than its primary holy site. Then visit the Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, where explore exhibits that showcase the life of Prophet Muhammad and the rich history of Islamic civilization through detailed artefacts and multimedia displays.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the late afternoon, board one of Saudi Arabia’s state-of-the-art high-speed trains (economy class - Train schedule : approx 15:00-17:00) to make the short (under 2 hours) hop to the coastal city of Jeddah, 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. 

Arrival in Jeddah and transfer to the Corniche for a short walk before heading to the hotel.
Celebrate your arrival in Jeddah (sunset time depends on your arrival time) along the beautiful Corniche. Join the locals at the end of the day, at the time of the call to prayer, as the world’s tallest fountain comes to life facing the seaside promenade.

Dinner at leisure (at your own expense). Your hotel is located just a short walk from the Corniche.

Overnight in Jeddah.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Enjoy your morning at leisure to relax before we enjoy the afternoon visit at Albalad - Historic Jeddah.

Optional Morning Program: a great half-day of snorkeling and swimming (without guide)
 
Experience the Red Sea! Hop on a speedboat to enjoy the sea and sun. Snorkeling gear is packed to discover the wealth of underwater life the region is famous for. Different types of colorful coral, old sorts of exotic fish; snorkeling along the coral sites will impress. These shallow waters make it fun for all levels. The temperatures of the water are at least 21C and the high salinity is beneficial for your health. Top off the trip with a seafood barbeque, skillfully prepared by your skipper.
Time: 09:00 - 14:00
Note:

• Transfer included from/to hotel to the jetty 
• Trip can be confirmed starting from 4 pax up to 10pax per boat

End the day on foot when the sun slowly sets in the atmospheric old Jeddah called ‘Al Balad’, which achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.  Its traditional multi storey buildings and merchant houses are an architectural treasure trove. 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. Visiting Al Balad is like a dive back in time with the buzz of trading, pilgrims shopping and the occasional tourist mixed in. In a quickly modernizing Kingdom, this area might be the last one to find that ‘real Middle Eastern mix of sights and smells’ that you can find in the old souqs across the region.

For your final dining experience, your guide will take you to the historic Seafood Restaurant Al-basali in the heart of Albalad. A beloved landmark since 1949, this is where exquisite seafood traditions blend with timeless spice recipes. It's the perfect farewell before you say 'ma al salama,' or goodbye, until next time.

Overnight in Jeddah.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

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

At leisure until you check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport.

Important note on arrival and departure transfers: 

• Group transfer will be available to join as FOC and individual transfers need to be arranged separately with the supplement. 
• For flights arriving before 0600H and after 2200H and departures before 0800H and after 2300H, surcharges will apply (night transfer). See our table of surcharges.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast