Wonders of Saudi Arabia – 12 Days

Tour Highlights

Diriyah & Edge of the World
Riyadh, train to Al Hofuf
Hofuf & Al Ahsa Oasis
Damman, Fly to Ha’il
Watch the sunset from the Edge of the World.
Jubbah, arrive Al Ula
Travel through the red sands of the Great Nefud Desert
Al Ula & Hegra
Wadi Al Disah, arrive Tabuk
Jeddah, Bride of the red sea.

Route Map:

Day1: Arrive Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Your Tour leader/ Driver will be waiting for you. They will be holding a sign of SaudiArabiaTours, You do not need to look for them – they will be waiting for you and will find you.

You will be transferred by an A/C car to your hotel. Overnight in Riyadh.

Day2: Diriyah & Edge of the World

From the moment your tour starts, your tour leader will give you full attention. Once in the car, your tour leader will talk to you about all the things on the way as well as other aspects of your tour that will interest you.

Step back in time and discover the World Heritage Site of Diriyah where the story of modern Saudi Arabia began. Within Diriyah’s historic Al Turaif district you’ll see stunning examples of traditional Najdi mudbrick architecture and get a sense of the way of life in the first Saudi capital some two hundred years ago. some sites like the mud houses can be visited only from outside as there are some renovation works now. Some sites like the mud houses can be visited only from outside as there are some renovation works now.

Your journey continues this afternoon through an Acacia studded desert towards the Jebel Fihrayn also known as Edge of the world. Standing atop the 1,000-foot high escarpment at Jabal Fihrayn, you find stretching before you an uninterrupted view of the horizon in all directions, leaving you with the impression that you are, indeed, standing at the very edge of the world. The effect on one’s body and mind and soul is exhilarating.

These cliffs rise dramatically from the desert, stretching toward the sky like a great natural wall. When you stand atop them and look toward the horizon, you have a prime view of the sky as it seems to melt into the barren earth.

The Edge of the World Saudi Arabia (Jebel Fihrayn) is an unexpected and dramatic geological wonder in the rocky desert northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The site earned its nickname because from atop the escarpment, you have an uninterrupted view of the horizon.

It’s part of the much longer Tuwaiq Escarpment, and drops down 1,000 feet into an ancient ocean bed. While standing on the cliffs, you’ll spot dried rivers weaving across the land, and see camels moving far below. These camels and their herders are following a well-trodden path, as an ancient caravan route once passed within its shadow.

Travel in comfort back to your hotel, Riyadh has so much to see, feel, eat and buy so if you have time and want to add more to your itinerary – just let us know what you are interested in and we will arrange it for you.

(Optional ) Riyadh Food Tour, Start at 4:00 pm.

To enjoy the real taste of Saudi Arabia you have to try the original Saudi Arabian food Tour. Enjoy the best local food in Saudi Arabia which is one of life’s great pleasures, Discover off-the-beaten-path spots in the real Saudi Arabia that is not covered in any guidebook.

(Optional ) Riyadh Food Tour, Start at 4:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast only.

Day3: Riyadh, train to Al Hofuf

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Riyadh’s landmark Masmak Fortress will be the first stop on today’s tour of the Saudi Arabian capital. Next, proceed to the Souq Al Zal, the city’s oldest market for a glimpse of traditional Saudi culture and some shopping. Then

After lunch visits the National Museum which has been established in 1419 as a significant part of the king Abdulaziz historical center in Riyadh. Very impressive and important museum about the entire Saudi history, the Saudi royal family, the kingdom formation, and everything regarding the political context. you will be led to numerous antiques, manuscripts, and documents that are all chronologically organized. It includes eight main halls: Hall of Man and the Universe, Arab Kingdoms, Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet’s Mission, First Saudi State, Unification of the Kingdom Hall & Hall of Hajj, and Two Holy Mosques.

The museum includes interesting examples of Arabian and Islamic art as well as architecture. The masterpieces include Prehistoric Elephant Skeleton, huge meteor found in the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia desert, Rock Grafitti from Hejaz region backdate to pre Islamic era, Copy of rosetta stone, an example of Madaian Salah Rock-cut tombs.

Then enjoy the National museum park walks through the outdoor gardens one of the best gardens you will visit in Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz’s historical park is an open area that you can enjoy with your family. Then proceed to the Hall of King Abdulaziz where there is a showroom of old cars that were used by the king.

This afternoon board a train and travel through the desert to Al Hofuf in the Al Ahsa oasis.

Meals: Breakfast only.

Day4: Hofuf & Al Ahsa Oasis

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Visit Qasr Ibrahim, Al Hofuf’s architectural masterpiece, then travel through the world’s largest oasis to the village of Al-Kilabiyah where the 1400-year-old Jawatha Mosque also incorrectly spelt Al-Jawan, is located in the village of Al-Kilabiyah, about 12 km (7.5 mi) northeast of Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. It was the earliest known mosque built in eastern Arabia, and most of the original structure is in ruins., then continue through the palm trees to the Qarah Caves where weathering has transformed the perpendicular cliffs into a labyrinth of needle-like canyons. This evening, explore the atmospheric winding lanes of the Hofuf’s Al Qaisariya Souq.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day5: Damman, Fly to Ha’il

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Dammam and fly north to Hail on the edge of the rugged Jabal Shammar mountains. After a tasty traditional Saudi Arabian lunch you’ll visit Hail, which is a city in north-western Saudi Arabia. Haʼil is largely agricultural, with significant grain, date, and fruit production. A large percentage of the kingdom’s wheat production comes from Haʼil Province, where the area to the northeast, 60 to 100 km away, consists of irrigated gardens. Historically, Haʼil derived its wealth from being on the camel caravan route of the Hajj. Haʼil is well known for the generosity of its people in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world as it is the place where Hatim al-Tai lived. It is also the homeland of the Rashid royal family, historical rivals to the Saudi royal family. Sightseeing will include the 17th-century A’arif Castle, a mudbrick citadel that sits atop a strategic hill that can be seen for miles around, a photo-stop at the ruined Barzan palace, and the Qishlah Fortress with its distinctive eight towers.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day6: Jubbah, arrive Al Ula

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Travel through the red sands of the Great Nefud Desert to reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jubbah.

Jubbah is one of the most interesting places of Saudi Arabia. It is believed that camel figures carved at Jubbah are the oldest in the Arabian Peninsula. These rock carvings date back to approx. 4000 years.
Jubbah lies on an ancient lake bed that measures at least 20 km by 4 km with its full extent concealed beneath wind-swept sand on its northern, southern and eastern boundaries. Jubbah is surrounded by large sandstone outcrops that are filled with ancient petroglyphs and inscriptions on the rock face.

Here, on the walls of Jabal Umm Sinman, the finely accomplished rock art may be as much as 11,000 years old and sheds light on human activities, hairstyles and clothing during the Palaeolithic period. Lady Anne Blunt, one of the first Europeans to witness Jubbah’s art, wrote in 1879: ‘Jubbah is one of the most curious places in the world and to my mind one of the most beautiful.’ This afternoon drives to Al Ula and check-in at your desert camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day7: Al Ula & Hegra

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. An hour’s walk in the cool morning air along with Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. Enjoy Elephant Rock, This spectacular rock formation resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground, is one of Al Ula’s geomorphological wonders became one of AlUla iconic landmarks. Then, drive on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Madain Saleh where you’ll visit the old Hijaz Railway station and explore the magnificent tombs of the ‘second Petra’. Madain Saleh tourist site was anciently known as Hegra or Al-Hijr, and was built by the Nabataean Arabs to protect their lucrative trade route with south Arabia. These fabulously situated tombs had been ‘lost’ to the world until their ‘rediscovery’ in 1876. After lunch on a date farm the day concludes with a thrilling 4WD safari through the fabulous Madakhil rocks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day8: Wadi Al Disah, arrive Tabuk

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Leaving Al Ula behind you, We will take you to Wadi Al Disah is a mountainous area located in the southwest Province of Tabuk (260 km). Wadi Al Disah is a beautiful mountainous valley in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern Tabuk province. Al Disah translates to “the valley of palm trees”, and when you arrive here you’ll see exactly why. The luscious valley floor is surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs and pillars that are perfect for exploration. The Al Disah Valley extends for some 15km and is framed by giant columns of rock and perpendicular smooth cliffs that rise up above the lush vegetation, water pools and palm trees. This beautiful spot for hiking and off-roading also contains several archaeological sites that include a Nabataean tomb. After an al fresco picnic lunch you’ll drive on to Tabuk.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day9: Land of Midian/NEOM

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Explore the ancient Land of Midian, a spectacular region that has been identified for a multi-billion US$ investment and has been rebranded as ‘NEOM’. Neom is a planned cross-border city in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is planned to incorporate smart city technologies and also function as a tourist destination. The day will start with a scenic drive to the headland of Ras Al-Sheikh Hamid at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba where you will see the picturesque wreck of a Catalina Seaplane that has been on the beach here for more than half a century. Then, travel up the cliff-girt coast to reach to the hairline gorge of Wadi Tayyib Al Ism (Valley of Moses) where you’ll be able to enjoy a short hike and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the ‘Springs of Moses’ at Magna and Al Bada where you’ll see the tombs of the ancient city of Midian (known locally as Mughair Shoaib).

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day10: Wadi Bajdah, Fly to Jeddah

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. A stunning off-road adventure today will take you through the grand landscape of Wadi Bajdah with its vast partially ‘melted’ monoliths of sandstone, belts of blood-red sands, fabulously weathered rocks, deep chasms, and ancient petroglyphs. The valley is every bit the equal of its more famous neighbour of Wadi Rum in nearby Jordan. Wadi Rum, known also as the Valley of the MoonOccasionally, some camels or shepherd will come into view, but otherwise, it is likely that you will be able to have Wadi Bajdah almost entirely to yourself. Return to Tabuk after a picnic lunch, then fly south to Jeddah on the Red Sea coast.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day11: Jeddah

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Jeddah is known as the ‘Bride of the Red Sea’ and for centuries has been the port for nearby Mecca. Late this morning, meet your guide and drive along Jeddah’s beautiful manicured modern seafront Corniche to the ‘floating Mosque’. After a late lunch with a view of the Red Sea, the new city is juxtaposed with the old as you walk through Mecca Gate and enter Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed old quarter of Al Balad which is the historical area well known as the “Old Town”, where many of the oldest families used to live and work. It boasts of old buildings, a traditional souk, and many restaurants, where visitors get to walk amid the old streets and experience the traditional landscape of the old town. On arrival, discover the lively souqs and multi-story houses built of coral stone with their unique distinctive.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day12: Farewell to Saudi Arabia

Today a private transfer will bring to Jeddah International Airport where you will check-in for your onward flight. Farewell to Saudi Arabia!

Includes:

Accommodation as described.
All your tours and excursions are by an A/C vehicle.
English speaking tour leader/ driver.
Meals as listed in the itinerary (11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 2 Dinners).
Sightseeing and entrances as per the itinerary.
Train ticket in Standard Class (Riyadh/Al Hofuf).
Domestic flight in Economy Class (Tabuk/Jeddah).
Our prices include all taxes and services.

Excludes:

International Airfare.
Saudi Arabia entry visa.(We can provide you with your visa upon arrival at your request).
Any meals other than described in the itinerary.
Tipping

Important Note :

We accept all methods of secure payment: Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, direct bank transfer.

Kindly note that the hotel rating in Saudi is not the same as in USA or Europe, so Luxury or Ultimate Luxury hotel options are always recommended.

Accommodation Plan (A) 5 stars:

Riyadh: (Shaza Riyadh // Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana // Four Points By Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia)
Jeddah:(Prime Hotel – Jeddah, Al Hamra // Radisson Blu Hotel, Jeddah Al Salam // Sheraton Jeddah Hotel // Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah )

	3 Stars	4 Stars	5 Stars
Price per person in DBL or TRPL Room	4320$	4680$	7560$
Solo traveler	6910$	7490$	12095$

Accommodation Plan (B) Luxury (Sapphire Hotels):

Riyadh: Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana – Classic Room.
Al Hofuf: Al Koot Heritage Hotel – Standard Room.
Hail: The Millennium Hotel – Deluxe Room.
Al Ula: Shaden MGallery- Superior Room.
Tabuk: Grand Millennium – Deluxe Room.
Jeddah: InterContinental – Deluxe Room.

	All year round
price per person in dbl room	8500 $
Solo traveler	13600$

Accommodation Plan (c) Ultimate Luxury (Diamond Hotels):

Riyadh: Four Seasons Hotel- Superior Room.
Al Hofuf: Al Ahsa InterContinental – Deluxe Room
Hail: The Millennium Hotel – Deluxe Room.
Al Ula: Shaden MGallery- Superior Room.
Tabuk: Grand Millennium – Deluxe Room.
Jeddah: Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa – Sea View Room.

	All year round
price per person in dbl room	10000$
Solo traveler	16000$

Travel Insurance – from AIG
Secure your trip and give yourself greater peace of mind with the Travel Insurance program proposed by AIG for you. For more info visit www.aig.com
One week 50$ per person
More than one week 75 $ per person.

Saudi Sim Card
if you plan to get a Saudi sim card we would advise you to get it at the airport when you arrive. as it will be much easier to buy it from the airport other than anywhere else as they request more documents if you decide to buy it later from anywhere else.

Our Tour Leader/Driver
We don’t only choose qualified and professional Tour leader/ Drivers but also choose those who are friendly, with a sense of humor who are committed to offering a superior level of service so you can enjoy your time with them.

How To dress
Both men and women are asked to dress modestly in public, avoiding tight-fitting clothing. Women should cover shoulders and knees in public.

Your passport
You should keep your passport with you during any tour you will be making in Saudi Arabia. don’t leave it in your hotel room as some times they request to see your passport or visa.