A land of arid desert and scorched mountains, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conjures up all the romance and adventure of the golden age of discovery. The only country on the Arabian Peninsula with a foot in both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the birthplace of Islam is one of the most difficult and enigmatic countries on earth to visit.
Beginning in the capital Riyadh, this astonishing journey takes us deep into the heart of its ancient landscapes, visiting sites that few travelers from beyond the Arab world have ever seen.
Blessed with a remarkable cultural heritage, we will visit spectacular World Heritage sites, traverse some of the world’s finest desert scenery, discover the beautiful Ottoman houses of historic Jeddah and marvel at the remote mountain villages of Abha and the south-west. This is a tour like no other, offering a glimpse into one of the world’s most misunderstood and least known countries that is certain to appeal to those who are drawn to destinations with a difference.
A chance to visit the spiritual birthplace of Islam. Visit the World Heritage sites of Diriyah and the petroglyphs near Hail. Marvel at the stunning desert scenery around Al Jawf. Discover the stunning mountain heritage of Abha. Enjoy the cultural highlights of Jeddah and Riyadh.
Accommodation: As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels throughout, although it should be noted that conventional tourism is almost non-existent in Saudi Arabia, so service levels may not be comparable with other countries in the region. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
On this tour we will use minibuses and domestic flights.
Climate: Given the extreme summer heat of the desert, November to March is definitely the optimum time for visiting Saudi Arabia. Typically, you can expect daytime temperatures to reach mid/late 60F, with night times being surprisingly cool, often in the single digits. Rain is rare, although not unheard of!
Is this trip for me? It may sound obvious, but our tours are not always for everyone, and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please take time to read the dossier carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the trip, but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, please contact the office.
Key aspects to consider: being a deeply conservative country, Saudi Arabia is likely to be different from many other destinations you may have travelled to. There are many dos and don’ts, but the ones that might hold the greatest sway over your decision are as follows:
Women should be aware that it will be necessary to follow Saudi Arabian dress code whenever they are out in public. This will include wearing an abaya (a long black dress covering the body from shoulders to feet), which will be given to you on arrival as a gift. Women do NOT have to cover their hair. Alcohol is forbidden.
Unmarried couple are not allowed to share a room. • Sometimes sites can be closed for no foreseen reasons and without prior notice
| Tour Cost: | $6750 per person in Double |
|---|---|
| Single Additional cost: | $900 |
| Deposit: | $1000 |
| Full Payment: | 60 days prior to departure date |
| Average Group Size: | 5-10 in a group |
Entry Tourist Visit visa • Tips • Beverages & any costs of a personal nature • Travel Insurance. International flight.
Currency Rate Exchange to $1: 3.73 Saudi Riyal
Alcohol drink is forbidden to bring into Saudi Arabia, No Alcohol sell/serving in Saudi Arabia, No Drugs.
Travel Date:
Upon arrival to airport private transfer to your hotel, Dinner at hotel and Evening at Leisure.
After breakfast start your full day in the Capital of Saudi Arabia Kingdom; Visit to a local camel market as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, the original home of the Saudi Royal family.
After Breakfast start your tour t Hail historically derived its wealth from being on the camel caravan route of the Hajj in Mecca. Here amongst other sights, we’ll visit the impressive Al Qishlah Palace with its eight watch-towers and local people housing area. Dinner at local restaurant
After breakfast, start your stunning drive across the Nafud desert to Al Jawf. En route we’ll stop at the oasis of Jubbah, surrounded by large sandstone outcrops filled with ancient petroglyphs that hold UNESCO World Heritage status.
Later, exploring the region of Al Jawf, we’ll visit the ruined city of Dawmat Al Jandal, Zaabla Fort and the nearby Nabatean-era 15-meter deep Sisrah well. Dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast full day to explore the region of Al Jawf, we’ll find ourselves first visiting the ruined city of Dawmat Al Jandal, Zaabla Fort and the nearby Nabatean-era 15-meter deep Sisrah well. Dinner at local restaurant.
after breakfast Today we’ll take in some of Jeddah’s most captivating old Ottoman houses, constructed from wood and coral and take a drive along the historic corniche to enjoy the views and the spectacular city skyline, The Famous Fountain , Dinner at local authentic Restaurant with view of the Red Sea.
After breakfast start your visit to the stunning Tayebat City Museum, built in the traditional Hijazi style of old Jeddah, and containing an extraordinary array of exhibits, late afternoon flight to Abha (2200m) in the mountains, upon arrival transfer to your hotel, Dinner at Hotel
after breakfast start your tour in the famed silver market at Khamis Mushayt as well as some of the nearby mountain villages with their distinctive Yemeni-style medieval multistoried houses. Dinner at Hotel
After breakfast private transfer to airport for your flight back home.
Tour cost in USD per person
