The Saudi Explorer

Fly from London to Ryadh. Check in and stay overnight at the Centro Olaya Hotel by Rotana or similar.

(N)

Make your way to Buraydah, with stops on the way. Visit the Ushaiger Heritage Village en route. The village inhabitants hold on to many traditions, and thus provide a glimpse into the society of old. It also features stunning Najdi architecture, which contains distinctive triangular windows and roofs.

Continue your journey by passing the villages of Al Mithnab and Al-Ghat.

Arrive at Burydah. Upon arrival, visit the Al Bassam Heritage House in Unaizah. The house was built in 1421 AH and has since undergone restoration work, being converted into a heritage center. It contains four unique sections which include Men’s Reception, Family, Garden, and Animal Pens. There are also 30 rooms on 2 floors, which includes bedrooms, guest bedrooms, and storage spaces.

Make your way back to the city and visit the market en route. Stay overnight at the Golden Tulip Buraydah or similar.

(B)

In the early morning, visit the Buraydah Camel Market. Every day at 6am, the locals gather to buy and sell all kinds of animals, including sheep and goats, as well as saddles and other accessories.

After the camel market, leave the Al Qassim region and proceed into the desert. Stop at the pre-Islamic city of Faid, located between roads that lead to Madinah and Makkah, respectively. The oasis of Faid was once a strategic location, which features water sourced from underground. The resulting features made it an attractive stopover for pilgrims and merchants.

Arrive in Hail at lunchtime. Stay overnight at the Hotel Tramontane or similar.

(B)

Head to Jubbah and visit the most famous rock art site in Saudi Arabia. The site features carvings from past ancestors, which include both written text and drawings of animals. There are even prehistoric tools still in the area.

After visiting Jubba, go to Alula, an ancient oasis city in the Medina province. It is the first site in Saudi Arabia to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it features ancient tombs that date back to 7,000 years and more, along with stunning rock formations and canyons.

Take an optional star gazing trip in the evening. Must pay on the day in local currency. Stay for 2 nights at the Sahary Resort or similar.

(B, D)

Head to the ancient city of Dedan. The area is the remains of an ancient oasis city, which was once the capital of one of the oldest kingdoms in Arabia. You’ll find it in the town of Khuraybah, at the bottom of the Jebel Ath-Thumatd cliffs.

Enjoy lunch in the center of AlUla, which has plenty of restaurants. Then proceed to the Old City of AlUla. The city has over 900 houses and 5 town squares, including the various remains of stone and mudbrick buildings.

(B, D)

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. You will take a guided tour of the area, which includes visiting the more than 130 decorated funeral monuments. You will also explore the secret tombs, stone structures, ancient inscriptions, and more.

Drive to the holy city of Medina in the afternoon. Stay overnight at La Meriden or similar.

(B)

Visit the outer regions of Medina. Technically, tourists are forbidden from visiting Mecca, as it is a sacred holy site. You will however get the chance to see some parts of the area. This includes viewing the outside of the Prophet’s Mosque, the Qiblatain Mosque, and seven other mosques in the region. Then visit the Dar Al Madina Museum, which details the history of Medina with visual galleries, archaeological collections, and rare pictures.

In the afternoon, travel by high-speed train to Jeddah. Stay overnight at the Hotel Ruve or similar.

(B)

Take a tour of the glorious city of Jeddah. This captivating hub attracts millions of tourists each year, and is a melting pot of different cultures and approaches to art and music. You will tour the old town and the various markets and galleries that are in the city. You will also visit several renovated structures, including the Beit Nassif (from outside).

After lunch, drive to the Jeddah Corniche. Stay overnight at the Hotel Ruve or similar.

(B)

Start your journey to the Sarawat Mountains. On the way, visit the city of Taif, which is 1,600 meters above sea level and thus has a cooler climate than the rest of the country. The area is popular for its lush greenery, pleasant temperature (especially in summer), and laidback atmosphere.

In the afternoon, visit a local rose factory and see the people of Taif gather roses to produce an incredible rose perfume. Finish the tour with a visit to the Sharif Museum.

Stay overnight at the Velar Inn or similar.

(B)

Make your way to Al Bahah, a city located in western Saudi Arabia. The city is surrounded by over 40 forests and, just like Taif, has a similarly pleasant and cool climate due to the surrounding greenery.

After lunch, drive to Raghaven Forest Park, and visit the Al Mud Village, followed by a visit to the Khairah Forest Park before returning to your hotel.

Stay for 2 nights at the Swiss Spirit or similar.

(B)

In the morning, explore the highlands of Al Bahah, and marvel at the traditional stone houses that sit atop the southern mountains. From there, make your way to Sheda Village. You will enjoy a picturesque drive, with sightings of rare plants, green cliffs and valleys, and the passing of ancient stone houses.

(B)

In the morning, fly from Al Bahah to Damman. While there, explore the Old Al Uqayr Seaport, which has a local market. Then make your way to the Al Ahsa Oasis, a stunning natural wonder that features Yellow Lake (named after the color of the surrounding dunes) and rich water that cascades between the dunes. After exploring, complete your journey to Hofuf, another incredible oasis with over 2 million palm trees.

Stay for 2 nights at the Garden Plaza or similar.

(B)

Visit Al Hofuf, the urban center of the Al-Ahsa region. It has the largest oasis in the world, the Al-Koot historical center – with some of the oldest buildings in Saudi Arabia –, and the Al-Mulla House, which was built in 1203 H by Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Mullah. The house has been lovingly restored and still has some of its original furniture. Finish the day by visiting the historical mosque of Jawatha.

(B)

Take a high-speed train from Hofuf to Riyadh. Then go on a guided tour of Riyadh. You will visit the National Museum, which features exhibitions that detail the heritage and culture of Saudi Arabia. You will also pass Riyadh Tower, an impressive structure built in 2002 that stands 99-storys tall.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant. Then visit Dira Souq and learn about traditional Saudi Arabian clothing. In the evening, visit Diryah for a spellbinding light and sound show in the nearby ruins.

Travel to the airport late at night for a return flight to London.

(B)