Saudi Arabia Tour
Small Group Tour

Overall driving time approx. 30-45 mins

Arrive in Riyadh and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be time to explore the city at leisure. No meals or guided services are provided today. Overnight at Centro Olaya by Rotana, or similar.

This morning, we take in old Riyadh at the King Abdul Aziz Historical Area with the national museum and the Murabba Palace. Continue to Masmak Fortress, which was converted into a museum in the 1990’s. In modern Riyadh Al Faisaliah and Kingdom Towers tower above the city. A view from one of the towers offers a panorama across the whole city. This afternoon visit the old walled city of Al Dir’iyah, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site (optional visit). The city was the first capital of the Saudi kingdom in the 18th century and abandoned after the siege of the Ottomans in the 19th century. A new capital was then built, which was Riyadh. Overnight at Centro Olaya by Rotana, or similar. (B)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 4.5 hours)

Departing Riyadh we travel to Ushayqer Heritage Village, a mud village dating back around 1,000 years. It has been impressively restored and allows a glimpse into Saudi Arabia’s ancient lifestyle. Ushayqir was an important point on the pilgrimage route to Mecca. Continue to Buraidah. Overnight at Best Western Plus Hotel, or similar. (B)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 3 hours)

Early this morning, visit the camel market followed by a visit to a date farm outside of Buraidah. Drive to Ha’il. The city was an important trading centre for the traditional camel caravans until the construction of the Hejaz Railway. Visit Al-Qashalal fortress and Al ‘Arif Fort, built with mud and clay, on the top of a hill providing a nice view over the city. Overnight at Aronani Hotel, or similar. (B)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 1.5 hours)

Departure towards Jubbah, UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its impressive rock carvings that are believed to date back to 5500 BC. The rock engravings feature a variety of animals, such as elephants, buffalo and then from a later period camels and other domesticated animals. Continue to Sakaka. Overnight at Raoum Inn, or similar. (B)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 6.5 hours)

Our first stop today is Rajajil, an ancient burial site. The standing stones are monoliths, some over 3 metres tall. Continue to Dawmat Al Jandal, which was an important point on the trading routes of Arabia, because of the presence of water. This afternoon, visit the fortress of Marid, which lies on a hill above the oasis, which is dotted with ancient villages. Through the Nefud Al Kebir desert, the large sand desert with its hilly dunes and bush vegetation, presenting itself in different colours, to Tabuk. Upon arrival, time permitting, visit the old Hejaz railway station in Tabuk which houses the Tabuk provincial museum, holding artefacts of the past but also a glimpse into the future with the plans of Neom City, a new city under construction on the Red Sea. Overnight at OYO 358 Garden View Hotel, or similar. (B)

Your guide today will choose one of two possible excursions showcasing superb Arabian scenery. The first option is a 4WD excursion to Al Shuwaq and Wadi Disah, also known as Wadi Qaraqir. Wadi Disah is one of the most famous valleys in the kingdom. The valley is surrounded by red mountains and contains a wide variety of trees and plants. Al Shuwaq is wide canyon, locally also nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Saudi Arabia. The second option is a full day excursion to Jebel Al Lawz, Wadi Damm and Jebel Hisma. Jebel Al Lawz, The Almond Mountain in Arabic, dominates the landscape and offers great views over the surrounding areas from a viewpoint at about 2000 m. The mountain can be covered in snow during wintertime. Wadi Damm and Jebel Hisma are the extension of Wadi Rum in Saudi Arabia. The desert, dotted with rock formations, offers a great sight and exploration. Return to Tabuk. Overnight at OYO 358 Garden View Hotel, or similar. (B, Picnic Lunch)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 5 hours)

Drive through the desert to the oasis of Tayma, located on the incense trading route. Tayma is one of the oldest settlements in Saudi Arabia where human activity dates back an incredible 90,000 years. Visit the museum and Haddaj Well, which dates back to 6th century BC and noted as an archaeological masterpiece. The well has a diameter of over 15 metres and had a number of pulleys attached to it that were operated by numerous camels to extract the water. The water was then directed to farmlands via small canals. Nowadays, the well still provides water for irrigation, albeit via a more modern system. Continue to Al Ula. Upon arrival, time permitting visit Al ‘Ula old town. Overnight at Sahary Resort Al Ula, or similar. (BD)

(Overall driving distance today is approx. 100 kms)

Visit Elephant Rock and continue to Mada’in Saleh (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the second city of the Nabateans after Petra in Jordan, on the caravan route between Mecca and Petra. The structure of the city has influences from Mesopotamia, Egypt as well as Greek-Roman. The remains of the city include over 90 tombs that were carved out in the rocks. Mada’in Saleh lost its importance on the caravan routes, once the naval route to Yemen had been established by the Romans. Only 4% of the biblical site of Dedan has been excavated, but the organised structure of the city is clearly visible and the inscriptions found document the political and societal organisation of the kingdom. Back to Al ‘Ula for overnight. Overnight at Sahary Resort Al Ula, or similar. (BLD)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 3.5 hours)

Depart this morning towards Medina. Travel partly via the old Hejaz Railway, originally built by the Ottomans to reduce the travel time for pilgrims from Damascus to Mecca, but the line was never finished beyond Medina. The construction of the line was a controversial project with the Arabs suspecting the Ottomans of using the transportation of pilgrims as a pretext for more political and military purposes. The railway was forever made famous by TE Lawrence by his attacks and sabotage during WWI. Several stations can be visited today, among them the station of Al ‘Ula, which was the last one where fresh water could be taken before reaching Medina. Upon arrival in Medina, walk through the city. Later this afternoon, drive to Mt Uhud for wonderful views over the city of Medina. Overnight at Delights Inn, or similar. (B)

 (Al Wahba Crater) – Ta’if (Overall driving time today is approx. 5.5 hours)

Departure to Al Wahba Crater, northeast of Ta’if. The crater is 250m deep and 2km wide. Descend down into the crater or if you prefer just walk a part of the rim. Picnic lunch. Continue to Ta’if. We end the day with a visit through the busy and atmospheric souk where you can haggle for a bargain. Overnight at Tulip Inn, or similar. (B)

Ta’if is known for its beautiful rose plantations. The rose that is grown here, is used in all kinds of perfumes and is celebrated during the Rose festival each spring. Ta’if is a popular summer resort, with its cooler climate and mountainous area. Visit Shubra Palace, the city’s museum, and a beautiful 20th century house. Continue towards Jeddah, driving around Mecca. The winding road leads via Al Hada, with its hairpin bends and spectacular views. Overnight at Centro Shaheen by Rotana, or similar. (B)

This morning visit Al Balad, the old and historic part of Jeddah, which is registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site; with its narrow lanes and merchant houses, Naseef House and Souq Al Alawi. Later in the afternoon, we head over to the coastal road, the Corniche, that is lined with sculptures over a length of 30 kms. Visit (from the outside) to Fatima-Al-Zahra Mosque, which is built in the sea and is nicknamed the Floating Mosque. Farewell dinner in Jeddah. Overnight at Centro Shaheen by Rotana, or similar. (BD)

(Overall driving time today is approx. 30-45 min)

The day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport and your onward flight. End of services. (B)