Saudi Northbound Odyssey: Riyadh to Qassim to Hail and Jubbah to the Northern Desert

SAUDI ARABIA MULTIDAY NORTH ROUTE FROM RIYADH: TO QASSIM & HAIL

The Natural Route that most tourists follow from Riyadh by default is into the north, where more civilizations and variation awaits, civilizations, camel trains, and topography changes, and the desert lets into ancient ruins from a vanished time. This is ancient pre-Islamic and Islamic Saudi Arabia and focused on culture, history, and archeology and ecology. Ask us to customize to extend if there is more time.

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Briefing :  This is an odyssey into the Qassim Region as well as the nature and archeology highlights of the north. We do start in and around the glittering and gold-plated, oil-opulent capital of Riyadh, and see the main sites around it, but quickly head straight and far out of town to see more "real" Saudi treasures and timeless structures and social systems that are a better synopsis of the history of the last few millennia of the country. We also see the most shades of red, orange, and dusky brown in the best combinations you could ever hope to paint, with true tastes of the Arabian Desert and the mountains. The trip is a good default if you have a week to spend in the East, and can afford the time for a separate trip to cover the west of the country.

(This tour starts from Riyadh or any town in the greater Riyadh area, but can be reversed or customized to start on the north side of  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 RUH and Settle into Riyadh

Today arrive in Riyadh 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.) We can hit the night market and souks tonight if you wish! (Most clients need to crash for jet lag, but we are flexible to stay up with you if you do not arrive too early in the morning!)

Day 2: 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 and gold markets. All of the main and best highlights of the city are captured in today's itinerary.

Day 3: Riyadh, the Edge of the World, and on to Al Qassim

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 north into the Ushaiqer Heritage Village if time for a snack, Khartam and Al Mithnab, Aushazia Lake and Dunes, and Nafood Aloraq Reserve, (and if time the Tamya Mountain,) overnighting after seeing some truly fantastic Saudi landscapes. 

Day 4: At-Taysiyah Nature Reserve, Camels, Falcons, and Day Camping, Overlanding to Hail, Jubbah, and Al Jouf

Today we'll tour the nature reserve and its mammal and winged denizens, stopping for an essential Saudi picnic experience, and head to tour Hail and the archeology and architecture nearby, before heading further north, seeing the rock art and ancient carvings at Jubbah, and eventually making it to Al Jouf to hit the top of the country and Sakaka Town where we overnight. (Note - depending on if the road is open, we can take the road through Arar or Hail.)

Day 5: Rajajil Columns Bizarre "Stonehenge of Saudi" and Ancient Castles in the Desert 

Today we visit some of the most mysterious digs and ancient ruins of KSA as well as one of the country's most famous historic castles, a fine capstone to the tour and at one of the northernmost cities of the Kingdom and Arabia altogether!

Day 6: Head back to Riyadh (or Jeddah) if you prefer / Continue on to Al Ula or Tabuk (Optional) 

Today after a brief tour of Sakaka town we board the flight back to Riyadh or Jeddah, or arrange (not included but a usual great option if time permits) to continue on to Tabuk and Al Ula for the ancient "Petra of Saudi". 

-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! 

• (Note - we can add one more day to this trip to spend more time in Al Qassim's delights and sites if you'd like, as there are many to see in the sector.)

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