On this trip we aim to show you the highlights of Saudi Arabia, revealing a charming land that until recently has been almost impossible to access. We start in the vibrant city of Riyadh, a juxtaposition of bright new developments and old Arabian heritage, before visiting the old mud brick villages at Ushaiger and desert dunes of Al Nafud. From here we fly to the ghost town of Al Ula, the gateway to Madain Saleh, built by the same civilization responsible for Jordan’s Petra. We spend our time here discovering the natural landscapes and exquisite rock carved tombs, learning about the ancient history of a people long gone from this land. From Al Ula we fly south to Jeddah, our final stop on this journey. This is perhaps the country’s most atmospheric city, with its Ottoman heritage, traditional architecture and winding alleys which we explore on foot. Despite its often-negative reputation, Saudi is a surprisingly hospitable country to visit, and for the curious traveler, a delight to experience.
Arrive in Riyadh and transfer to the hotel. Depending on when you arrive there may be time to explore the city. Overnight in Riyadh.
Spend today exploring Riyadh. We visit the Murraba Palace, built by King Abdul Aziz in the traditional style as a home for his family, as well as the historic Masmak fortress, one of the oldest buildings in the city. As well as this we will visit the Dira souq, specialising in copper and brass as well as old Bedouin jewellery, and if time allows, the Rajhi Mosque. Overnight in Riyadh.
Drive to the well-preserved mud brick village of Ushaiger, with its approximately 400 houses and 25 mosques lining a maze of paths amidst the palm trees and orchards. Later head out to explore the desert dunes of Al Nafud, then return to Riyadh for the night. Overnight in Riyadh.
Fly to Al Ula, with its superbly preserved historic buildings. This is the gateway to Madain Saleh but is well worth exploring on its own. Upon arrival we visit its main sites including the ‘lion tomb’ and Ikmah Mountain with its ancient inscriptions, followed by a walk through the old town. Overnight in Al Ula.
Head to the site of Madain Saleh – perhaps the highlight of this trip. We spend time exploring its numerous tombs and chambers hewn into the rocks, a remnant of the Nabataean civilisation which once ruled this part of Arabia. We also visit the famous ‘elephant rock’, before returning to Al Ula for the night. Overnight in Al Ula.
Fly to south to Jeddah and transfer to the hotel. Later we head out to see the King Fahd Fountain, a 30-year-old monument with spectacular displays in the middle of the Red Sea. Overnight in Jeddah.
Spend today exploring Jeddah. This morning visit some of the old Ottoman houses, constructed from coral and wood, for a sense of the history of this Red Sea city, built on the wealth of ancient trade routes. We also explore the fish market and have time to stroll along the cornice with the locals. Overnight in Jeddah.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Please note that government restrictions may sometimes force us to make amendments to this itinerary, and you should be prepared for a degree of flexibility. The Saudi authorities can be rather arbitrary in making sudden closures of sites and we cannot always guarantee that all sites can be visited. You should also be aware that some sites, like forts and mosques, can generally only be viewed from the outside.
