Escape to the Kingdom: 13-Day History, Culture and Desert Adventure in Saudi Arabia from Riyadh to Jeddah

See the best of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on this 13-day adventure. For so long, the kingdom has shielded itself from the eyes of the west. Today, it is now taking leaps forward in terms of modernization and openness to visitors from all over the world. 

After a difficult time during the global pandemic, interest in traveling to Saudi Arabia is slowly but surely starting to pick up again. Get a glimpse of the country's rich past and colorful present and visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, see age-old establishments blending seamlessly with modern city buildings, and meet the locals who are the true heart and soul of the country.

Day 1: Arrival in Riyadh 

Arrive at the airport in Riyadh and check in at your city center hotel. You will meet your guides and get some brief instructions about the trip.

Day 2: Riyadh City Tour

Discover the customs and traditions of Riyadh, one of the wealthiest cities in the world on this tour of the central city highlights. From afar, the bustling city is a picture of modern skyscrapers rising above an otherwise barren desert. Up close, you'll see that historic and well-maintained establishments blend beautifully with the city's state-of-the-art contemporary buildings. We’ll start the day at Al Masmak Fortress, a 150-year old clay and the mud-brick garrison turned museum in the heart of Riyadh. We’ll then take you to the Al-Zal Souk, which is over 120 years old, where you can find luxury products such as jewels, incense, craftworks, and carpets from all over the middle east. Continue your day to the King Abdulaziz Historical Center with a visit to the National Museum where we’ll get to know more about the Kingdom’s rich history. After a traditional lunch, we’ll go to the airport to take the plane to the city of Abha, where we’ll take you to your hotel for dinner and overnight. 

Day 3: Souda Mountain

Start your day on a fun cable car ride 1600 meters above the ground to Souda Mountain where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the city below. The mountain itself is an attraction, with its dense forest of juniper trees and aromatic plants. We’ll explore some more villages, markets as well as the local forts and art centers in the area. Head back to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4: The villages of the Asir Region 

Today, see more of what the Asir Region has to offer as you visit quaint culture-rich villages, local museums, hop on a cable car for some amazing views of the highland province, and enjoy a short hike with the group. After lunch, visit a local art gallery and then see the old mud-brick traditional buildings and walls Dahran Aljanub. Then, travel south to Najran, one of the kingdom's fastest-growing cities, and stay the night in one of its hotels.

Day 5: Najran

Today, make sure to have some cash ready as you'll be exploring a traditional market with over seventy shops selling everything from daggers and swords, to leather, and spices, and coffee. As marketplaces are known hotspots of culture and local goods, this is the best place to start for any visitors. We'll then continue to the governor’s palace, followed by a lunch of local cuisines. In the afternoon, head to Al Ukhdood and visit an archaeological site with artifacts dating back over 2,000 years ago, as well as drawings and engravings on stones.  

Day 6: Hima and Alfaw 

Head to the northern part of Najran where you'll visit the Hima Well and see several well-preserved rock engravings depicting the life of the traveling caravans during the ancient times, some dating back to 3000 BC. Continue to Qaryat Al-Faw, the capital of the first Kindah kingdom. The old capital had an underground water system which made the city flourish during the trading times. End your day at the Empty Quarter or Rub' Al Khali, the world's largest sand desert.

Day 7: Empty Quarter 

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the serene and seemingly endless Rub' Al Khali, with its rolling sands and shifting dunes, spectacular mountains, and wadis. Start with Uruq Bani M’aradh Wildlife Sanctuary where you'll meet the re-introduced Arabian oryx. Enjoy the calm and charming atmosphere and take as many photos as you wish before ending the day at a campsite where you'll have a traditional dinner and drinks under the stars.

Day 8: Empty Quarter 

Enjoy the peace and serenity at the Empty Quarters while you can as you'll be heading back to and spending the night at the bustling city of Riyadh in the afternoon.

Day 9: Al-Qassim Province

From Riyadh city-center, drive north towards the Al-Qassim Region and into Ushaiger Heritage Village, a historical site that offers a glimpse of Saudi Arabians' rich past. Surrounded by thick walls and massive towers, Ushaiger is organized into seven districts and has many palm trees and orchards beautifully integrated into its maze of pathways. To walk its narrow lanes is to enter a living museum, with the slow-paced and relaxed ancient way of living still hanging heavily in the air. You'll then proceed to one of the vibrant souks of Al Mithnab and then enjoy a coffee break at the governorate's traditional farm.

Day 10: Hail Province

Today, venture into the Hail Province, the eighth-largest province of the KSA. Explore the pre-Islamic city of Fayd and see the historic citadel and other age-old sites. Proceed to Tabah, an old village situated on a volcano crater. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and when the heat has subsided and crowds have thinned, you'll go on a thrilling hiking trip in the mountains. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 11: Jubbah 

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Rock Art in Jubbah, some are believed to be dating back to 10, 000 years ago. You'll find carvings of human representations along with cattle, oryxes, ostriches, and even lions. Continue to Dumat Al Jandal, an ancient city of ruins and the historical capital of the Al Jawf Province.

Day 12: Flight to Jeddah 

Visit the standing men of Al-Rajajil, a collection of fifty groups of man-made stone columns near Sakakah, and have a tour to the ancient Zabal Castle and the Sesra Well. Then, hop on a plane to Jeddah and stroll along the new Cornish and neighborhood, followed by dinner and overnight at your city-center hotel.

Day 13: Departure from Jeddah 

Explore the ancient winding alleys and soaring wood-decked ornate edifices and markets of Jeddah Al Balad, the old city. Learn about the history of the red sea port that hosts and hails millions of Muslim pilgrims through time on their road to Mecca. After a delicious local lunch, you'll then be transferred to the airport or your next destination in the city.

END OF TOUR

Includes

• Transportation in bus or 4X4 
• Accommodation in double rooms
• English speaking guide
• All meals
• VAT

Excludes

• Travel/medical insurance
• Visa
• Flights
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities

Please Notes

• The tour is available from the month of October to April.

• Prices may vary depending on the room availability. Please contact us to know the updates on prices and local situation before booking the tour.