Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia

17 Days / 16 Nights

The Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia is a grand sweep through a country that is arguably both the greatest enigma in the Middle East and its most overlooked treasure. This privately guided tour explores the length and breadth of the Kingdom combing Saudi Arabia’s great highlights with some of her off the beaten track secrets. Hegra’s (Madain Saleh) magical rock-hewn tombs are by far the most well-known attraction in Saudi Arabia, but as the journey unfolds, you’ll quickly discover countless others. Jubbah’s Neolithic rock art is astonishingly accomplished; ancient oases cities on the Incense Route tell the tale of empires that were forgotten in the mists of time; following the ill-fated Hijaz Railway through the desert reveals the shadow of T.E Lawrence; and at the Masmak Fortress you’ll see the gates forced by Ibn Saud in 1902 when he set out to conquer what is now the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From the misty mountains of Asir, to the breath-taking deserts of Al Ula, and the vast oases of Al Qassim; this journey through Saudi Arabia will also reveal landscapes that are as beautiful as they are varied. Non-Muslims can’t enter Mecca or Medina, but on the Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia it is possible to travel the roads once used by pilgrims during the annual Hajj. The country is vast, and it is impossible everything on one visit, but for travellers looking a good overview, we have designed the Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia.

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	Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana	Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Day 2	Visit the World Heritage Site of Diriyah and the National Museum. Complete the day at the Masmak Fort & Souq Al Zal.
Day 3	Explore Ushaiger Heritage Village, a stunning example of traditional Najdi mudbrick architecture, then continue your journey to Unaizah.	1 night Unaizah	Al Malfa Resort	Al Malfa Resort
Day 4	Rise early and visit the Buraidah Camel Market and a date garden, then drive to Ha’il via the Hutaymah volcanic maar crater.	1 night Hail	The Millennium Hotel	The Millennium Hotel
Day 5	Drive through the Great Nefud Desert to Jubbah where you’ll see the World Heritage rock art on before continuing to the Rajajil stones in Al Jawf.	1 night Sakaka	Al Nusl Hotel	Al Nusl Hotel
Day 6	Discover the history of Al Jawf province at the ancient settlement of Domat Al Jandal, then drive to Tabuk.	2 nights Tabuk	Grand Millennium Tabuk	Grand Millennium Tabuk
Day 7	Travel into the Land of Midian to see the gorge of Wadi Tayyib Al Ism, the tombs of Mughair Shuaib, and magical Wadi Zeeta.
Day 8	Drive to scenic Wadi Al Disah, where the perpendicular cliffs are framed by palm trees and pools of water, then continue to Al Ula.	2 nights Al Ula	Shaden MGallery Al Ula	Shaden MGallery Al Ula
Day 9	Visit Elephant Rock, then continue to Madain Saleh and see the tombs of ancient Hegra. After lunch on a date farm explore the magical scenery of Madakhil.
Day 10	See the WW1 period trains abandoned on the old Hijaz Railway. Travel by train from Medina to Jeddah.	2 nights Jeddah	InterContinental Jeddah	Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa
Day 11	Explore Jeddah’s beautiful Red Sea Corniche and immerse yourself in the city’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Al Balad quarter.
Day 12	Drive to the mountain resorts of Al Hada and Taif, then continue via Bin Raqoosh castle to Al Al Bahah’s Raghadan Park.	2 nights Baljurashi	National Park Hotel	National Park Hotel
Day 13	Descend to the Tihamah plain and visit the ‘troglodyte’ settlement of Shada Al Asfal and the striking village of Zee Ain.
Day 14	Continue south through the scenic Sarawat mountains via Al Namas to Abha in Asir Province.	2 nights Abha	Blue Inn Boutique Hotel	Abha Palace Hotel
Day 15	Visit Abha, discover the Asiri villages of Jabal Soudah including Rijal Almaa and browse through Mohyal’s traditional souqs.
Day 16	Visit the markets of Khamis Mushait and view the ‘hanging village of Habalah before drive to Bisha and flying to Riyadh.	1 night Riyadh	Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana	Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Day 17	Private transfer to Riyadh International Airport.