Saudi Complete Riyadh to Abha to Jeddah: Deserts, Mountains, History, and Culture

SAUDI ARABIA FROM RIYADH ACROSS THE SANDS TO ABHA & JEDDAH

The Road from Riyadh to Abha and the Mountain Towns of the south is very long, and this trip is best suited for travelers who want to truly appreciate the length and breath of the nation. We see a lot of different geology and terrain on the way and some of the most important Islamic and Pre-Islamic archeological areas and old civilizations, and you'll drive into the far remote villages of the Saudi Sphere.

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Briefing :  Part of this tour is long driving to some of the least-visited towns and areas of the Saudi Kingdom. You will see all of the tourist highlights of Riyadh, Jeddah, the desert, and the mountain architecture of the southwest, but you'll also get a more deep look at frontier life as a family in Saudi Arabia outside of urbanization. This road is almost never traveled by tourists, so you're in for a treat if you can keep in your seat for some long driving on the second and third day.

(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 The Hidden Canyon and Farmstay overnight

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 south to some hidden waterpools and canyons, and visit for the evening an actual farm family in Saudi Arabia to get a sense of the daily lives and difficulties of farming in one of the least hospitable tracts of the planet.

Day 4: Astride the Empty Quarter and Desert Day Picnic in Oroug Bani M'aradh Wildlife Sanctuary to Najran

Today we'll tour the nature reserve and its mammal and winged denizens if they are around, stopping for an essential Saudi picnic experience, though a LOT of driving today, and head to Najran, the seat of some of the best architecture, archaeology, and rock art and carved stone "skyscrapers" in the Middle East.

Day 5: Najran

Today we drive along the corridor almost to the border with Yemen, to see more archeological sites, ancient rock writing for lost civilizations of Arabia, and some of the emblematic and ginger-bread house-esque mud brick buildings and "skyscrapers" typical of southern Arabia and Yemen, and enjoy more historical sites, and Al Fau cave art.

Day 6: Abha

Today we see a southern city of flowers and colossal fortresses, with a surprisingly pleasant climate and cultural practices that have trained generations of locals to navigate caves and cliffs with ropes, and currently still hosts a palaces and a few ancient architectural structures like Al Basta and Shamazan. The city is also very green and produces most of the flowers for Saudi Arabia, a beautiful seasonal spectacle in its own right.

Day 7: Al Bahah Rock Citadels and "Castle Towns" Artesian Wells and Gardens and Rock Worlds

Today we'll tour the old rock houses in the desert that populate most of the postcards you've likely seen about Saudi Arabia, like Dhee Ayn Marble Village, since the country opened to tourism. Al Bahah and the rest of the rock houses will be toured today, and we can even take tea and dates under the sweeping geoglyphs! We spend the day in the archeology, mountain views and oasis landscapes.

Day 8: Out along the Red Sea Coast to see the sapphire waves, and on to old Jeddah

We leave Al Bahah and drive all the way to the Red Sea Coast and arrive for lunch in Jeddah in Al Balad. Today you will tour (evening is often best) the old city and architecture, and be dropped at your chosen city hotel. 

-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