The Hegra site, Al-Ula, Dandan, Medina, Riyadh... Discover the fascinating jewels of Saudi Arabia on this 5-day tour starting in Jeddah and ending in Riyadh. Desert landscapes and places full of history await!
Tour Details
Day 1: Jeddah - Medina
Between 7 am and 8 am, we'll pick you up from Jeddah Al-Sulaymaniyah Station to begin a 5-day tour of the best of Saudi Arabia. Are you ready to experience vast deserts, ancient cities full of history and ancient monuments?
To begin with, we'll leave Jeddah behind and take a 5-hour drive through deserts and mountains to reach the holy city of Medina, the so-called “Illuminated City”.
Upon arrival, you'll have free time to get yourselves some lunch. Afterwards, we'll start a guided tour of one of the most important cities in Saudi Arabia. Millions of pilgrims travel to Medina every year, as it's known to be one of the two holiest cities in Islam. We'll tell you all about the peculiarities of Medina as we pass by the Prophet's Mosque, with a capacity of one million worshippers.
Afterwards, we'll head to Mount Uhud where, according to history, the Prophet's forces clashed with Meccan troops. We'll walk along its huge esplanade to respectfully watch the pilgrims arrive at this point. Our next stop is the Quba Mosque, built by the Prophet and his followers in 622. From here we'll approach the garden and well of Ethiq, a place that will surprise you with its history.
In the evening, we'll visit the outside of the Prophet's Mosque again to watch the pilgrims come to pray—a moment full of emotion!
To round off day 1 of our adventure, we'll head to a local restaurant to have dinner. Then, we'll take you to the hotel to rest up for the next day.
Day 2: Medina - Dadan- Al-Ula
After having breakfast in the hotel, we'll leave Medina and head to one of the most fascinating desert regions in the world. Specifically, we'll travel to Dadan, which was the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan. We'll tell you about the significance of this historical city, built in the 10th century B.C. while you explore this fascinating archeological site in the region of Al-Ula. We'll see over 12 meticulously carved and creative tombs in the red stone cliffs.
Afterwards, you'll have free time for lunch in a nearby restaurant. Continuing with these beautiful desert landscapes, we'll head to Al-Ula, a real open-air museum where rock formations, canyons and ravines await us, among which we'll find majestic buildings carved into the rock by the ancient settlers. One of the most exciting moments of the day will be in front of the 52 m (170 ft) high Elephant Rock, the undisputed symbol of Al-Ula!
We'll end the day as we arrive at the hotel in Al-Ula in the late afternoon. There, we'll enjoy a hearty dinner.
Day 3: Al-Ula - Tabuk
After breakfast, we'll continue by exploring the archaeological site of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites of the Nabataean culture, second only to Petra! We'll marvel at its tombs carved into the rocks and be captivated by its mysterious desert surroundings.
With your camera full of photos, we'll go to a local restaurant and have a traditional lunch. After lunch, you'll have some free time to explore the shopping area in the centre of Al-Ula or the Arts District and do some shopping if you wish. At the indicated time, we'll meet back up and travel to Tabuk, where you'll have time to wander around one of the oldest cities in Saudi Arabia.
At the end of the day, we'll head to a restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Finally, we'll take you to the hotel in Tabuk to rest.
Day 4: Tabuk - Riyadh
Early in the morning, we'll have breakfast at the hotel and head to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Riyadh. Upon landing, we'll take a guided tour of the capital of Saudi Arabia. The National Museum will be our first stop, a place surrounded by a beautiful park where we'll learn all about the history, culture and art of the kingdom.
Afterwards, we'll visit the Masmak Fortress, whose interior will take us on a journey through the last century—you'll be amazed by the changes the city has undergone! We'll also explore the souks of Riyadh, full of craft stalls. In this vibrant area, you'll have free time for lunch.
After eating, we'll meet back up and visit the Al Rajhi Mosque, the largest in Riyadh. There, we'll have an interesting introductory class on Islam and witness a prayer. You are sure to learn a lot about this religion!
To conclude the day, we'll stroll along the Boulevard, an area full of life, activity and numerous international restaurants.
Finally, we'll take you back to the hotel to rest.
Day 5: Riyadh
All good things must come to an end. At the indicated time, we'll take you to Riyadh airport so that you arrive in time for your departing flight. See you next time!
Accommodation & Meals
This tour includes 4 nights of accommodation in the following 4-star hotels:
- Medina: Season Star or similar. Accommodation with breakfast
- Al-Ula: Sahary Resort or similar. Half-board accommodation.
- Tabuk: Skyline Tabuk, Ewaa Express or similar. Accommodation with breakfast.
- Riad: Warwick Riyadh or similar. Accommodation with breakfast.
Children under 6 must share a room with their parents or guardians. Only one child is permitted per double bedroom.
Important: Schedules & Flights
Please keep in mind that this route begins from Jeddah Al-Sulaymaniyah Station on Sundays between 7 am and 8 am. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, we recommend that you stay in a hotel in Jeddah on your own accord the day before the tour starts.
On the last day, we'll take you to Riyadh airport at the time of your choice. To make sure you have no problems, we'll drop you off at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight departure time. We'll confirm your return time on the day of the tour.
However, you should bear in mind that the latest time to check out of the hotel is 12 noon, but you can stay in the lobby to pass time or take the opportunity to stroll around Riyadh and leave your luggage in the hotel's luggage room.
Visa Info
It's important to make sure that you have your entry visa for Saudi Arabia and that everything is in order before you arrive in the country. We advise you to do this well in advance to avoid any complications in obtaining your visa.
Children Under 2
Children under 2 can join this route free of charge. However, they will have to pay 22USD, as they will have to pay the price of the flight between Tabuk and Riyadh.
