Embark on a unique 8-night adventure through Saudi Arabia, spanning the ancient cities of Al Ula and the majestic landscapes of the Nefud Desert. Explore the fascinating history of Riyadh, Ha’il, Madinah, and Jeddah through UNESCO sites, local traditions, and modern landmarks. An immersive journey into the cultural and natural richness of this captivating country.

Your itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Riyadh
Day 2: Riyadh
Day 3: Riyadh - Ha'il
Day 4: Ha'il - Jubbah - Al Ula 
Day 5: Al Ula 
Day 6: Al Ula - Mada'in Saleh - Madinah
Day 7: Madinah - Jeddah
Day 8: Jeddah 
Day 9: Departure from Jeddah

Please note: your itinerary may have minor adjustments, but your overall trip experience will remain the same.

• Upon arrival in Riyadh, after visa and immigration formalities, meet our representative who will welcome you and accompany you to your air-conditioned vehicle for your transfer to the hotel.
• Check into your room and spend a relaxing evening in your hotel before your adventure begins. 

Overnight in Riyadh. 

DAY 2: RIYADH (50KM)

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting your exploration of the mystical Riyadh through a visit to the National Museum, offering an overview of the history of Arabian civilisation from Prehistory to modern times.
• Continue with an exterior visit of the historic Murabba Palace (currently under renovation) and its expansive square layout.
• Make a stop at a typical local Saudi restaurant for a traditional lunch. 
• In the afternoon, your tour will continue with the Masmak Fortress and its museum, showcasing the history of Arabia under the Al-Saud family.
• Stop at Kingdom Tower and Faisaliah Tower for panoramic city views.
• Dinner and overnight in Riyadh.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Overnight in Riyadh. 

DAY 3: RIYADH - HA'IL (642 KM)

• After breakfast at your hotel, head to the  Riyadh railway station and board the new high-speed train to Ha'il.
• Enjoy lunch on your way before reaching Ha'il in under 5 hours, a town located at the foot of the Shammar, known for its hospitality and for its famous Saudi poets and writers.
• Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for your check-in.
• In the early afternoon, visit the A'Arif Fort and the nearby heritage museum, then stroll through Ha’il’s traditional market to sample local delicacies.
• Optional visit to Ha’il Regional Museum.
• Dinner and overnight in Ha’il.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Overnight in Ha'il. 

• After breakfast, depart for Jubbah, an ancient site near a former lake. 
• Discover archaeological sites with petroglyphs and inscriptions dating back to the Middle Palaeolithic ages.
• Admire rock carvings of animals such as aurochs, cheetahs, and lions on formations like Jebel Umm Sanman.
• Learn about Jubbah and Shuwaymis, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites for their rich rock art.
• Cross the Nefud Al Kabir Desert, a vast expanse of golden sand dunes.
• Lunch en route.
• Continue towards Al Ula, stopping at the iconic Jebel Al-Fil (Elephant Rock).
•  In the early evening, check in at the hotel, your base for the night.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Overnight stay in Al Ula.

DAY 5: AL ULA

• Today, set off to explore Al Ula, an oasis inhabited for over 7,000 years, rich with ancient rock engravings.
• Learn about Dedan, one of the earliest Arab kingdoms, which flourished on the incense trade route in the 1st millennium BC.
• Visit Hegra (Madain Saleh), Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 94 monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone. Discover inscriptions, decorated tombs, and remarkable Nabataean architecture through a fascinating guided tour.
• Lunch in the city.
• Afternoon visit to the Old Town of Al Ula, once a hub for pilgrims and traders, offering a living testimony of the past.
• Return to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast and dinner included. 

Overnight in Al Ula.

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• Begin the day with a visit to Jebel Ikmah, often described as an open-air library. Towering sandstone cliffs here are covered with thousands of inscriptions and petroglyphs left by ancient civilisations over centuries.
• Continue to the ancient city of Dedan, once a powerful kingdom and a thriving hub on the incense trade route. See traces of temples, tombs, and monumental inscriptions that recall its strategic importance in Arabian history.
• Lunch in Al Ula, sampling the local flavours of this desert oasis.
• In the afternoon, stroll through the Old Town of Al Ula, a labyrinth of mudbrick houses, narrow alleys, and fortifications that once welcomed pilgrims and traders crossing the desert on their way to Mecca.
• Travel by road toward Madinah, passing along the route of the historic Hijaz Railway, once built to connect Damascus with the holy city of Mecca.
• Arrive in Madinah by evening, check in at your hotel.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Overnight in Madinah.

DAY 7: MADINAH - JEDDAH (415 km)

• Begin the day in the holy city of Madinah, the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad and a centre of Islamic history.
• Visit the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the second holiest site in Islam, with its vast courtyards, gleaming minarets, and the iconic green dome that shelters the tombs of the Prophet and the first caliphs Abu Bakr and Omar.
• Continue to the Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where the Prophet received the revelation to change the direction of prayer (qibla) from Jerusalem to Mecca, a defining moment in Islamic tradition.
• Explore the outskirts of Madinah, accessible to non-Muslims, and pause near Mount Uhud, the site of the famous battle between early Muslims and the Quraysh tribe. The rugged mountain landscape sets the scene for stories of courage and faith.
• Visit the Dar Al Madinah Museum, a beautifully curated space that brings to life the history of Islam, the Prophet’s biography, and the city’s evolution through detailed models, artefacts, and illustrations.
• Drive to Jeddah (approx. 5 hours), following roads that echo the ancient pilgrimage routes.
• Upon arrival, visit the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum, an eclectic collection showcasing Saudi, Islamic, and Arab heritage through life-size displays, traditional crafts, and historic artefacts.
• Hotel check-in.

Breakfast and dinner included. 

Overnight in Jeddah.

• Start the day with a guided walking tour of Al-Balad, the old town of Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Wander through its narrow alleys lined with coral-stone houses, discover hidden galleries, colourful souks, and taste local culinary specialities in bustling markets.
• Admire the exterior of Beit Nassif, a beautifully restored 19th-century townhouse once home to one of Jeddah’s most prominent families.
• Lunch at leisure in the city.
• Continue to the Al Rahmah Mosque, known as the Floating Mosque, built directly on the Red Sea. This striking white mosque offers sweeping views of the coastline and is a masterpiece of contemporary Islamic architecture.
• End the day at the Jeddah Corniche, a 30-kilometre coastal promenade featuring landscaped parks, striking modern sculptures, recreational spaces, and the famous King Fahd Fountain, the tallest in the world, jetting water high above the sea.
• Savour dinner in a traditional Saudi restaurant, where you can indulge in the authentic flavours of the region.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Overnight in Jeddah.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE FROM JEDDAH

• Enjoy a final breakfast and check out from the hotel by 12:00 pm.
• Depending on your flight schedule, take your transfer to Jeddah International Airport for your flight home, taking with you the unforgettable memories that you made during this trip. 

Breakfast included.

At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully selected 3* and 4* hotels or 4* and 5* hotels, depending on your choice. 
 

3* and 4* hotels:

Riyadh: Grand Plaza Hotel 4*

Ha'il: Golden Tulip Hotel 4*

Al Ula: Sahary 3*

Madina: Delights Inn 3*

Jeddah: Ramada Continental 3*

4* and 5* hotels:

Riyadh: Crowne Plaza Palace 4*

Ha'il: Holiday Villa Hail 4*

Al Ula: Shaden Resort 4*

Madina: Le Méridien Medina 5*

Jeddah: Movenpick Tahliah 5*

If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply. 

An experienced English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the tour, bringing each destination’s history and culture to life.

Stay connected on the move with this exclusive mobile internet offer, perfect for modern travellers. Activate your included eSIM and enjoy connection wherever you go. Easily share your internet connection with friends and family without limits.

Please note: 3GB of internet data represents around 30 hours of web browsing/audio streaming or 3 to 4 hours of video streaming/social networking/video calls.

A land of contrasts, Saudi Arabia blends vast deserts, rugged mountains, and pristine Red Sea coasts with cosmopolitan cities, futuristic architecture, and centuries of rich heritage. From the bustling streets of Riyadh to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, this country offers a journey through time and culture, where ancient traditions coexist with contemporary luxury.

Must-sees / Must-do:

• Al-Ula & Madain Saleh (Hegra): Wander among dramatic sandstone formations and UNESCO-listed Nabatean tombs, a desert landscape steeped in history.
• Riyadh: Explore the National Museum, historic Diriyah, and King Abdulaziz Historical Centre for insights into the kingdom’s rich past.
• Jeddah Corniche: Stroll along the Red Sea promenade, marvel at public art installations, and witness the iconic King Fahd Fountain.
• Edge of the World: Experience a breathtaking desert cliff viewpoint outside Riyadh, offering endless panoramas of rocky plateaus.
• Red Sea diving: Discover vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life along the pristine western coastline.

Culinary culture:

Saudi cuisine celebrates bold flavours and hospitality. Savour spiced lamb kabsa, fragrant rice dishes, and slow-cooked meats, often accompanied by freshly baked flatbreads. Try dates and Arabic coffee, a cultural staple, and sample sweets such as baklava or kunafa.

Dive deeper:

Venture into traditional souks to browse spices, textiles, and handicrafts, or explore desert landscapes on a 4x4 adventure. For history enthusiasts, ancient rock art and pre-Islamic ruins reveal the kingdom’s long heritage. The Red Sea coast offers snorkelling, diving, and luxury beach resorts.

Good to know:

Dress modestly in public areas, especially around religious sites. English is widely spoken in cities and tourist hubs. Domestic flights and well-maintained roads make travel straightforward, while the Saudi riyal (SAR) is the local currency.