Classic Saudi Arabia Tour

11 Days / 10 Nights

The Classic Saudi Arabia holiday follows the ancient Arabian caravan routes through astounding deserts and lush oases on a cultural journey that reveals all five of the Kingdom’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This sensibly paced private tour starts in Riyadh where the story of modern Saudi Arabia began. While in the Saudi capital you’ll travel out to the Edge of the World on the Tuwaiq escarpment and explore the beautiful mudbrick Najdi architecture at nearby Dirayah. Then, board a train and travel through the desert to the Al Ahsa oasis. In a country where most of the land is arid desert, the presence of some 2.5 million date palms, 150 natural springs, and countless gardens is nothing short of miraculous. Continue by air to Hail, where you’ll explore the heritage of a city that was once an important station on the Darb Zubaydah caravan route, prior to driving into the Great Nefud Desert and beholding the celebrated rock art of Jubbah. The Classic Saudi Arabia holiday then meets the ancient Incense Route at Al Ula where a three-night stay will give you the time you need to investigate the stunning landscapes and heritage sites that include the Lion Tombs of Dadan and the Nabataean tombs of Madain Saleh. Next up are the lava girt trading oasis of Khaybar and the Hijaz Railway station of Al Buwayr, where a WW1 period train lies abandoned in the desert. Then fly to the Jeddah – the Bride of the Red Sea – where you’ll discover one of the finest old towns in the Middle East and the Classic Saudi Arabia holiday concludes.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels	Diamond Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Riyadh International Airport, Saudi Arabia. Meet and private transfer to your hotel.	2 nights Riyadh	Centro Olaya by Rotana	Al Faisaliah Hotel
Day 2	Discover the World Heritage Site of Diriyah, then drive out to the dramatic Tuwaiq escarpment and watch sunset from the Edge of the World.
Day 3	Sightseeing in Riyadh including the Masmak Fort, Souq Al Zal and the National Museum. This afternoon travel by train through the desert to the Al Ahsa oasis.	2 nights Al Hofuf	Al Koot Heritage Hotel	Al Ahsa InterContinental
Day 4	Visit Al Hofuf, then explore the World Heritage Al Ahsa oasis with its 2.5 million palm trees and see the needle-like canyons of the Qarah Caves.
Day 5	Transfer to Dammam and fly to Hail and explore the city’s historic mudbrick forts.	1 night Hail	The Millennium Hotel	The Millennium Hotel
Day 6	Drive to Jubbah in the Great Nefud Desert where you’ll see the World Heritage rock art on before continuing to Al Ula.	3 nights Al Ula	Sahary Al Ula Resort	Shaden MGallery Al Ula
Day 7	Explore Al Ula’s spectacular heritage and visit a date farm. The day concludes with a 4WD safari through the dramatic canyons of the ‘Dancing Mountains’.
Day 8	Walk through the desert to Elephant Rock, then continue to Madain Saleh and see the breath-taking World Heritage tombs of ancient Hegra that are Saudi Arabia’s number one attraction.
Day 9	Visit the oasis of Khaybar then drive to Al Buwayr where a complete WW1 period train has been abandoned in the desert. Fly from Medina to Jeddah on the Red Sea coast.	1 night Jeddah	InterContinental Jeddah	Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa
Day 10	Immerse yourself in Jeddah’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Al Balad quarter. Then stroll along the beautiful Red Sea Corniche and gaze on the world’s tallest fountain.
Day 11	Private transfer to Jeddah International Airport. Farewell to Saudi Arabia.