Saudi Arabia

If there is a final frontier of tourism left, it's Saudi Arabia. The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is rich in attractions and stirring symbolism. For Muslims, the cities of Mecca and Medina, rich in Prophetic significance, have no equal, while the carved temples of Madain Saleh, known as the second Petra, and the sophisticated rock art at Jubbah are the Kingdom's greatest pre-Islamic treasures.

Photos

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival Riyadh

  Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel
  
  After check-in & settling down and head to Visit Diriyah and Turaif
  
  Discover the captivating story of At-Turaif and Diriyah, the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia. This ancient town evolved from a traditional human settlement to a thriving national capital, thanks to its strategic location on key trade routes connecting Arabia, India, Mesopotamia, and the Levant. Despite its destruction in the 19th century, At-Turaif has been lovingly restored and inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, offering visitors a glimpse into a crucial period of Saudi history.
  
  Experience the magic of this unique destination, where culture and history are brought to life for contemporary generations.
  
  Lunch at local restaurant
  
  Visit Boulevard Riyadh City
  
  A city within a city, this huge entertainment area in Riyadh is famous for its world-class theatre shows, top-quality restaurants, amazing shopping and interactive games – all surrounded by dazzling architecture. Boulevard Riyadh City is open year-round
  
  From food trucks and street parades, to dancing fountains and a buzzing replica of New York’s Times Square, its nine zones are packed with incredible things to do – and are impossible to see on just one visit!
  
  Back to the hotel

• Day 2

  Riyadh Sightseeing

  Pick-up from the hotel after breakfast
  
  Visit Al Murabba Palace
  
  The palace is known to be the first building to be built outside the old city's walls and was initially built by King Abdulaziz, who is known as the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. The construction began in 1936 and came to an end in 1945. At the time of construction, the palace was built as a residential place for the king's family and his court. As of now, it is one of the museums of the city.
  
  The building is made up of several palaces used for different purposes. The cubic building had it all, ranging from residential buildings and service facilities to diwan of the king and a vast and breezy courtyard surrounding the building. Around the courtyard is a brick wall, having a total of nine gates. As of now, the main gate is the one on the southern side, as it allows a very short link to the nearby mosque.
  
  Visit Al-Dira Souk (old bazaar)
  
  Also known as Al-Thumairi Souq (because it’s along Thumairi Street) and Al-Zel Souq, the Deerah Souq is located in the old part of the city near the Al Masmak Fort. It is famous for its gold souq and antiques souq sections. Hundreds of little shops show a plethora of product that ranges from carpets, gold, silver, souvenirs, traditional clothes and props, antiques, and even furniture. Most shop owners speak some English, so this souq is very tourist-friendly. Hop from shop to shop and don’t be afraid to bargain. This is not only one of the most popular Riyadh attractions, but it is also the most interesting souk one can visit since since you could see a glimpse of history through the many antique artifacts being sold there.
  
  Time for a traditional lunch
  
  Visit Al Rajhi Mosque
  
  Riyadh’s largest mosque, the monumental Al Rajhi Grand Mosque, is one of the capital city’s most important Islamic institutions. The Grand Mosque is used as a place of worship, with an 18,000-person capacity in the men’s hall and a 2,500-person capacity in the women’s area, as well as a spot for community events. It houses two libraries and an educational center, and Friday prayers are translated into seven languages and shown on digital screens for people with hearing loss.
  
  Non-Muslims are not permitted inside, but it’s worth stopping to admire the impressive exterior architecture, which glows a radiant orange when lit up at night.
  
  Visit Kingdom tower with sky bridge
  
  Completed in 2002, the Kingdom Tower is the sixth-tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia. The tower is regarded as one of the most unique landmarks in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom Tower is located in Al Olaya and also showcases a selection of the finest local and international brands at the 57,000-square-metre Al Mamlaka shopping mall.
  
  It is the world’s third-tallest building with a hole after the Shanghai World Financial Center and the 85 Sky Tower in Taiwan.
  
  At the top of the Kingdom Tower, you can find a 65-metre Skybridge at the top of the massive skyscraper. The structure weighs about 300 tons and is made of steel, taking the form of an enclosed corridor with windows on both sides. The Skybridge will show the stunning Riyadh sky from a height of 300 meters.
  
  The entire tower takes up 100,000–square meters and provides tons of entertainment, food, and shopping options. It also houses the Al-Mamlaka shopping mall and the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
  
  Back to the hotel

• Day 3

  Riyadh to Al Ula Flight / Local Sightseeing

  Morning Breakfast in Riyadh hotel
  
  Transfer to Riyadh Airport & Departure to Al Ula
  
  AlUla is a region of extraordinary human and natural heritage, where you can travel back in time, exploring a living museum deep within a stunning desert landscape. Rich in history, the region is home to the Kingdom’s first UNESCO site and the well-preserved tombs of Hegra. Nature lovers will be in awe of the geological marvels of the region's unique rock formations and the tranquil setting offered by the palm oasis.
  
  Transfer to AlUla Hotel for check-in
  
  Visit the Elephant rock
  
  A true icon of AlUla, the elephant shaped rock formation stretches up 52 metres into the sky, its warm-hued sandstone shaped by wind and water erosion over the course of millions of years. Known in Arabic as Jabal AlFil, Elephant Rock is particularly magical at dusk when the fading sun casts a bewitching deep crimson light over the trunk and body of AlUla’s famous geological pachyderm.
  
  Enjoy the stargazing experience
  
  Far from the glare of city lights, the ancient oasis town of AlUla occupies a treasured place in the darkest desert where stargazing takes on a whole new magnitude.
  
  Come to AlUla and let local astronomy experts guide you through endless night skies on an unforgettable after-dark desert stargazing tour, during which you’ll learn about constellations while hearing tales of how Bedouins have used the stars as navigation tools for centuries. As you look upwards, prepare to marvel at the sight of crisp, clear stars twinkling and glimmering against an inky backdrop.
  
  Back to the hotel

• Day 4

  Al Ula Sightseeing

  Pick-up from the hotel after breakfast
  
  Visit Dadan and Ikmah
  
  Explore these ancient sites dated to 9th century BCE with marvelous displays of inscriptions and petroglyphs
  
  The first stop on this journey back in time is Dadan, the ancient Kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilisations. Next stop is a 10-minute drive to Jabal Ikmah. Set in a stunning desert canyon, this ‘open-air library’ has the most impressive collection of inscriptions, rock art, and petroglyphs in AlUla and is the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
  
  Visit Hegra
  
  In the scrub-speckled desert north of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, rocky outcrops and giant boulders the size of buildings, beautifully carved and with classical-style pediments and columns, poke out of the sands like divinely scattered seeds. As the sun sets, the dusty colors flare, revealing pockmarks and stains caused by rain, which has shaped these stones for millennia.
  
  Once a thriving international trade hub, the archeological site of Hegra (also known as Mada'in Saleh) has been left practically undisturbed for almost 2,000 years. But now for the first time, Saudi Arabia has opened the site to tourists. Astute visitors will notice that the rock-cut constructions at Hegra look similar to its more famous sister site of Petra, a few hundred miles to the north in Jordan. Hegra was the second city of the Nabataean kingdom, but Hegra does much more than simply play second fiddle to Petra: it could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of an almost-forgotten ancient civilization.
  
  Lunch at a local restaurant
  
  Visit Old Town
  
  Stroll among the ruins of mudbrick buildings dating back almost a millennium Get a glimpse into AlUla’s not-so-distant past on the Old Town Tour. A Rawi (guide) will lead you through AlUla's Old Town, where pilgrims, travellers and permanent settlers congregated through the ages. Inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980's, Old Town offers researchers unique oral histories and living memory that the area’s other heritage sites cannot. With 900 houses, 500 shops and 5 town squares, you can explore a maze of remnants of original stone and mudbrick buildings and enjoy views of an AlUla Castle dating back to the 10th century. Guest will learn about Old Town’s settlers and pilgrims, as well as their motives and methods in the city’s construction.
  
  Visit Al Jadidah district
  
  Feel the stir of a lively souq, where oud music spills over balconies and the scent of freshly-baked bread wafts through the air. Welcome to the AlJadidah Arts District, a twinkling art district eager to be explored, with restaurant and cafe options ranging from artisanal coffee shops and gourmet oasis-to-table dining to a bustling knot of food trucks.
  
  Stroll around its pedestrian-friendly quaint and quirky streets, each with its own unique vibe, and you’ll soon discover that art is everywhere. Look to the walls and see one-of-a-kind murals and curated street art that tell stories through calligraphy and paint. Below your feet, find the world’s largest hand-painted carpet as you stroll along its streets dotted with galleries and pop-up exhibitions.
  
  Back to the hotel

• Day 5

  Al Ula to Jeddah / Local Sightseeing

  Morning Breakfast at the hotel
  
  Pick-up and transfer to AlUla Airport to fly to Jeddah
  
  Pick-up form the airport and directly visit Al Balad (Jeddah old city)
  
  The winding streets of Al Balad are a walk down memory lane and a gateway to the unique cultural legacy of Saudi Arabia that has withstood the test of time. The spirit of this town was recognized in 2014 when it was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will find your heart anchored in a live portrait of the past. The buildings adorned with wooden lattice windows that once witnessed the hustle-bustle of the early trading days of Jeddah, warmly welcome new faces from around the globe.
  
  Later transfer to hotel for check-in and overnight stay

• Day 6

  Jeddah Sightseeing

  Morning Breakfast in the hotel accommodation
  
  Visit Jeddah Sculpture Museum on the Corniche
  
  The Jeddah Sculpture Museum, situated along the picturesque Corniche, showcases over twenty of Jeddah's renowned sculptures. Many of these sculptures, once prominent landmarks in the city, have endured extensive damage over the years due to exposure to natural elements, relentless winds, and the corrosive salt from the sea. To preserve their historical significance and enhance their prominence, a thoughtful decision was made to restore these sculptures to their former glory by housing them in an expansive open-air museum. This museum spans a seven-square-kilometer park along the Jeddah Corniche, fondly known as 'Al Hamraa.'
  
  Visit The floating Mosque (Masjid Al Rahma)
  
  Famously known as the Floating Mosque, the Al Rahma Mosque is amongst the most prominent mosques and the local landmarks in Jeddah. Also known as Fatima Al-Zahra Mosque, it is present on the northern tip of Jeddah’s waterfront and covers a massive area of 2,400 sq m. The majestic structure is anchored to the sandy shore by a low-walled walkway sprawled across the Red Sea.
  
  Thousands of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims visit Masjid Al Rahma all year round as the city of Jeddah is the gateway to the sacred cities of Madinah and Makkah. In addition to hosting pilgrims, its architectural beauty and historical significance also attract the attention of tourists from all around the world. Al
  Rahma Mosque has become a notable highlight of Jeddah tourism and listed amongst the most prominent must-see attractions in the city. Many tourists and locals love to stroll along the Jeddah Corniche to fully admire the mosque’s beauty, especially during sunset and sunrise.
  
  Lunch at traditional restaurant
  
  Visit Jeddah Fakieh Aquarium
  
  Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and discover the beauties of the ocean! A journey through the Fakiyeh Aquarium puts you near some of the 800 Red Sea oddities unique to this region of the world, all while being accompanied by a contemplative soundtrack and encased in cavern walls.
  
  It provides education and enjoyment by showcasing the wonders of the Red Sea's underwater world and wonders brought in from other seas and oceans around the globe. It is no accident that it is located close to the city's lapping Red Sea.
  
  Visit King Fahd's Fountain
  
  Visible from all across the city, King Fahd Fountain is a much-loved Jeddah landmark and a 30-year-old monument in the middle of the Red Sea. At 312 meters high, its waters decorate the sunset of Jeddah, and whether you are thinking of taking a picture or a video of that magical scene, seeing the fountain will not seem impossible no matter how far away you are. As the spectacular display of the fountain continues, you can walk around and try different kinds of food along the various stalls in Alhamra Cornish. Seven is the most popular kiosk on the walkway.
  
  Back to the hotel

• Day 7

  Departure from Jeddah

  After breakfast, transfer to airport as per flight schedule

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