Jeddah to Mecca to Taif to Riyadh to Dammam to Dubai Main Axis - Best of Saudi Arabia Bisect Eastbound

SAUDI ARABIA COMPLETE CROSS - JEDDAH TO MECCA/TAIF TO RIYADH TO DAMMAM (OR EVEN DUBAI OR QATAR! COMPLETELY) OVERLAND

A Bisect of the Saudi Nation, all the way from sea to shining sea! You can even come by boat to Jeddah and depart to Dubai or by boat from the Persian Gulf! Arrange this add-on feature with us for a truly old-school Arabian Odyssey if you're coming from Africa or another Persian Gulf State/Pakistan.

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Briefing :  This is a house-favorite for people in a rush to see modern Saudi Arabia and how the country pulses and paces today, with historical sprinkles but an emphasis on real current state of affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We will literally drive across the nation and into the desert through Jeddah, Mecca, Taif, Reserves and Desert Preserves, Mountains, the capital of Riyadh and its opulence and stupendous public works and investment projects, and out to Dammam and the apex of Gulf Oil Production sitting on top of 25% of the world's proven reserves at a time. You can also choose to depart via or to Bahrain, Dubai, or Qatar or we can even assist in booking a boat for you to sail into the gulf to your next destination!

(This tour starts from Jeddah or any town on the red sea side, but can be reversed or customized to start on the Gulf side as well without much price difference.)

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WORKING ITINERARY (ASK US TO CUSTOMIZE OR TAKE OUR RECOMMENDED ROUTE BELOW!)

Day 1: Arrive in JDH and Settle into Saudi

Today arrive in Jeddah International Airport and after friendly formalities with visas and shuttling into town, briefing and welcoming and drop off at a central city midrange hotel. (You may choose between Saudi character and excellent tourist location or more modern and quiet American brand name hotel.)

Day 2: Jeddah Old City and the Red Sea Gateway of the Pilgrims Tour

Today we tour the ancient winding alleys and soaring wood-decked ornate edifices and markets of Jeddah Al Balad, the old city, and learn about the history of the red sea port that hosts and hails millions of Muslim pilgrims through time on their road to Mecca, along corridors of immortal commerce and cultural interchange.

Day 3: Drive into the great desert interior and caravan trail through (if you are Muslim) or around (if you are not) Mecca, to Taif and into the far desert to reach the wildlife sanctuaries in the middle of the country

Today we drive on the immortal road of pilgrims to Islam's holiest place, where millions have trodden, walked, driven, and rode for millennia. We can stop here and see the city if you are Muslim and tour for a fair bit the periphery history and architecture, otherwise if you are non-Muslim we will spend that time seeing Taif, the next interesting stop on the route. We'll see the Shubra Palace and if time or interest, the Taif Regional Museum, replete with artifacts from Islamic and pre-Islamic periods. We continue on into the interior to reach Mahazat As-Sayd Wildlife Refuge and enjoy a night under remote stars in the desert, our first night in the middle of true remote Arabia.

Day 4: Mahazat As-Sayd, Saja and Umm Al Ramth Wildlife Sanctuary 

Today we'll tour the population and reintroduction efforts of Arabian wildlife under the Saudi Wildlife Authority in 2 designated reserves deep in the Arabian interior. We spend the morning looking and learning about the Arabian ecosystems and fauna, followed by lunch at a true desert camping and picnic experience in the dunes. We continue on past desert dwellers and camels dotting austere landscapes on the long road to Riyadh, reaching the modern and massively (possibly most) rich desert city. Tonight we hit the souks and the night markets and shop Riyadh's classic gold and spice labyrinths (these are open late at night but if you are tired we can leave them for the following early evening.)

Day 5: Riyadh and Royal Essentials

Today we tour all of Riyadh and its sites and delights. - Mosques, Forts, Towers and Modern Architecture, and the King's 2030 ambitions and plans for the city. We have optional stop-ins at museums and merchant alleys. All of the main and best highlights of the city are captured in today's itinerary.

Day 6: Riyadh, the Edge of the World, and on to Al Ahsa Oasis and Mountain Town

Today we start out heading to the postcard-perfect precipice about 50km out of the city which overlooks a cliff into the far plains, the overlook that just about every visitor and businessman/businesswoman to Riyadh with a day off for tourism makes their way to. We head due further east to reach Hofuf and the Al Ahsa Oasis, a green bloom in the middle of the vast desert, and likely the most green you've seen the whole past week! - We overnight in a forest city and enjoy the historical ancient settlement ringed by mountains.

Day 7: Al Ahsa to Al Aqeer, the Silk Road's Oldest Arabian Port, and to Aramco's Apex at Al Khobar and Dammam

Today we walk the Oasis and ancient architecture of Hofuf and hit the road to visit the oldest archeological antiquity of the maritime silk road with China on the Persian Gulf, touring the ruins and monolithic monuments to ancient trade before turning north along the beautiful coastline to spend a couple of hours driving and seeing the beautiful sea before arriving at the real pulse of modern maritime wealth of Saudi, the oil center of Al Khobar and Dammam, where a quarter of the world's oil reserves were recently located. You'll visit the Love Market in town and if time and desire, the surprisingly intriguing Oil Museum in Dammam, and end in your spot overlooking the blue sea for sunset. You've made it across!

Day 8: Dammam and Exit via airport, road to Dubai/Bahrain/Qatar, or Boat....or stay longer!

Your tour is over however this is a great springboard into the other Gulf states or the Middle East (ask us to arrange,) a boat charter into the Persian Gulf or onwards to South Asia, or stay in town a bit!

-END OF SERVICES-

Not Included:

• Food
• Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
• Flights
• Visas
• Other, and any of your changes in the itinerary and all costs created by these changes
  
• Any missed sites, if you are not keen for long touring days and distances, early mornings, and driving, though the trip can be paced into more days at higher cost if you'd like to spread out! 

• Midrange Hotel Accommodation (Double or Twin Basis)
• Transport
• Fuel
• Guide/Driver
• Entrances and Ticket Fees
• Some Snack Samples on occasion and small surprises