Best of Saudi Arabia

Welcome to Saudi Arabia! Upon arrival at the Riyadh International Airport, prepare for a meet and greet followed by a transfer to your hotel.


Overnight in Riyadh

Your day will begin with a wonderful tour of Riyadh. Start your day with the tour to mystic Riyadh by visiting the National museum which is the primary custodian of the Saudi national heritage and culture. The Museum is a place of learning and discovery, it offers an overview to the history of Arabian civilization from Prehistory to our modern era. Continue thereafter to the nearby Murabba Palace (outside visit as in renovation) which is one of the historic buildings of the city. The palace was named after its square with the form of 400 by 400 meters. We will stop then for lunch in a typical local Saudi restaurant. Afternoon we will continue our tour of mystic Riyadh by visiting the Masmak Fort and its museum that depicts the history of the history of the conquest of Arabia by the Al-Saud family. The palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of the nation today, captured the fort in 1902 making of this fort the birthplace of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. At the end of the afternoon, you will pass the kingdom tower & the Faisaliah, back to your hotel.




Overnight in Riyadh

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will depart for Riyadhs railway station and board the fast-new train for Hail. The railway link was constructed very recently and allows us to reach Hail in just under 5 hours. The city of Hail lies at the foot of the imposing Shammar mountain range whose is name also the one of a large northern Arabian tribe. Renowned for its hospitable people, Hail is traditionally the home of Saudi Arabias poets and writers. An interesting fact about Hail is that most of the early European explorers passed by this city during the 19th century (Charles Doughty, Lady Blunt, Charles Huber, Julius Euting…). Lunch on your own . Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel. As it will be early in Hail in the early afternoon, we will visit the AArif Fort and the nearby heritage museum. Then we will have a walk at the traditional market where we will find the local delicacies. We will pass also by the Hail Regional Museum, and if it is open, we will drop there to admire its collections. Dinner and
Overnight in Hail




Overnight in Hail

Today you will travel to Jubbah, an oasis believed to be a remnant of an ancient lake. Several archaeological sites of human settlement from the Middle Paleolithic period were found around the margin of the paleolake. Jubbah is surrounded by large sandstone outcrops that are filled with ancient petroglyphs and inscriptions. Jubbah benefited from past humid phases that turned the arid Arabian Peninsula into a savannah similar to what is found today in Africa. During the last humid period that took place from the 10th to the 6th millennium BCE the African monsoon rains filled rivers and lakes where wildlife thrived. If the animals that used to live there became dinstinct because of the desertification that started during the 6th millennium BCE, some men fixed forever their presence in Jubbah thanks to carvings of aurochs, cheetahs, lions. Those drawings are still visible today on several sandstone outcrops like the Jebel Umm Sanman. Jubbah and Shuwaymis, the other major carving site of Hail Province, where listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2015 for their numerous petroglyph panels and rich inscriptions. The region between Hail and Al-Ula offers some of the best desert experiences in the world. On your way, you will pass through the famous desert of Nefud Al Kabir which literally means the “great extent of sand dunes”. It is 290 kilometers long and 225 kilometers wide, with an area of 103,600 square kilometer. Lunch on your own. You will continue your route to the famous Al Ula area. Early evening, you will arrive and check-in at the beautifully located hotel & enjoy your delicious dinner.




Overnight in Al-Ula

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the resort before you set out to explore Al-Ula, an ancient oasis that is believed to have been inhabited for the past 7000 years. Owing to its strategic position on the frankincense trade road, Dedan developed as one of the oldest Arabian Kingdoms that ruled most of todays Tabuk and Medinah Provinces. Around the 1st century BE, the Nabatean people from Petra settled 30 kilometers north of Dedan in Al Hijr and built roughly 94 monumental tombs – very similar to the one in Petra. Todays adventure will start with a trip to the two ancient carving sites in Al-Ula. Later, you will drive past the ancient city of Dedan and continue to explore the historic city of Al-Ula, which, during the Islamic era, developed as an important stopover along the pilgrimage route to Mecca. Enjoy lunch en route as you set out to see the ancient sites of Ekma and Abu Aoud, known for their ancient scripts which were written by the people of Oasis. Climb up to the top of Harrat Al-Uwayrid, where you will uncover a mesmerizing view of the oasis of Al-Ula. Later in the afternoon, you will drive back to the hotel for a delightful evening at your camp. The Bedouin tents conjure images of Arabian nights. Lay back and relax on the comfortable low cushions, get your hands painted with intricate henna designs, set off on a short camel ride, or simply enjoy the aromatic shisha. A feast of grilled meats, fresh salads, and delectable Arabic sweets will be served under the galaxy of stars, as you watch the bewitching belly dancer swaying to the sounds of Arabian music. You won't want this enchanting evening to end!




Overnight in Al-Ula

After having your breakfast, will start your journey with a visit of the famous Hegra (Madain Saleh) which is the first site of Saudi Arabia that was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Madain Saleh, whose original name was Al-Hijr or Hegra in Greek, is the southernmost important city of the Nabatean Kingdom that flourished thanks to the caravan trade between the 2nd century BCE until the Roman conquest in 106 CE. It is the second richest Nabatean city in terms of monumental tombs with 94 decorated funeral monuments including some of the most vibrant and well conserved architectural prowess of the Nabateans builders.  Lead through this fascinating site and reveal the secrets of its tombs, ancient inscriptions, stone structures, and many others. Your visit will be followed by a lunch on your own before you continue to explore many sites around AL-ULA as Leopard trail and many others. Later you will visit Jebel Al-Fil for a relaxing time next to the “Elephant rock”. By the afternoon , you will be taken towards the city of MEDINA passing the old HIJAZ route railway. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel & enjoy your dinner.




Overnight in Medina

This morning you will visit the holy city of Medina. In the city center, the vast Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) is a major Islamic pilgrimage site. Its striking Green Dome rises above the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. The Masjid al-Qiblatain (Qiblatain Mosque) is known as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the direction of prayer to Mecca. You will visit the outskirts of the city only, except the holy pilgrimage areas, and conclude your day with a short walk near Mount Uhud to enjoy the sunset over the city. You will also visit the DAR AL MADINA museum which will relate the story of Islam and the prophets biography. Then you will depart towards Jeddah which you will reach after a 4 hours ride. Upon arrival check in to your hotel & enjoy your dinner.




Overnight in Jeddah

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will start your tour with a visit of Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum which presents the local and Arabian heritage. You will then hit old Jeddah & enjoy a wonderful walk in Al-Balad, the old part of the city. This walk tour of the old Town will take you along all the less known must-see local spots: Old Market hidden gems, Old Jeddah hidden galleries, local Jeddah food only for locals. While visiting Al-Balad, visitors will be taken to see Beit Nassif (from outside), one of the prominent renovated structures in the old city, which dates back to the mid 1800's. The five-story building provides a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the blend of traditional architecture with modernity. Lunch on your own. You will pass by the Al Rahmah Mosque. After that, you will see The Floating Mosque, this single domed architectural marvel that sits literally on the sea, symbolizes Jeddahs bold storm into the modern age. Sitting in an enviable location, the mosques courtyard offers unencumbered views of the Red Sea. Tour will end with the Jeddah Corniche which is the 30 km coastal resort area of the city of Jeddah. Located along the Red Sea, the corniche features a coastal road, recreation areas, pavilions, and large-scale civic sculptures as well as King Fahd's Fountain, the highest fountain in the world. Later you will head to a traditional Saudi restaurant to enjoy your dinner.




Overnight in Jeddah

Today you will be transferred back to the Jeddah International Airport, where you will board your return flight home.