Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia

16 Days / 15 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. Madain Saleh’s 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 breached by Ibn Saud in 1902 when he set out 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 oasis of Al Ahsa; this journey through Saudi Arabia will also reveal landscapes that are as beautiful as they are varied. Non-Muslims can’t enter Mecca, but on the Grand Tour of Saudi Arabia it is possible to see something of Medina – Islam’s second most holy city – as well as travel the roads once used by pilgrims during the annual Hajj. The country is vast, and it isn't possible to see 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	Centro Olaya by Rotana	Al Faisaliah Hotel
Day 2	Sightseeing in Riyadh including the Masmak Fort, Souq Al Zal the Kingdom Centre and Diriyah.
Day 3	Fly to Bisha and drive south to the hanging village of Habala, Tamniah village, and Al Dalaghan park. Arrive Abha late afternoon.	2 nights Abha	Blue Inn Boutique Hotel	Abha Palace Hotel
Day 4	Visit Abha, discover the Asiri villages of Jabal Soudah including Rijal Almaa and browse through Mohyal’s traditional souqs.
Day 5	Drive north through the scenic Sarawat mountains via Al Namas to Baljurashi in Al Bahah province.	2 nights Baljurashi	National Park Hotel	National Park Hotel
Day 6	Visit Al-Mkhawat weekly market, drive up into the ‘troglodyte’ mountain of Shada Al Asfal and visit the striking heritage village of Zee Ain.
Day 7	Explore Al Bahah’s Raghadan Park then continue through the mountains to Taif and on to Jeddah.	2 nights Jeddah	InterContinental Jeddah	Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa
Day 8	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 9	Travel by high speed train to Medina the second holiest city in the Islamic world. This afternoon explore the sights the lie outside the Haram area.	1 night Medina	Hotel Le Meridien Medina	Hotel Le Meridien Medina
Day 10	Follow the defunct Hijaz Railway north towards Al Ula and view the abandoned WW1 period trains rusting in the desert.	3 nights Al Ula	Sahary Al Ula Resort	Shaden MGallery Al Ula
Day 11	Explore Al Ula’s spectacular heritage including ancient Dadan. The day concludes with a 4WD safari through the dramatic canyons of the ‘Dancing Mountains’.
Day 12	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 13	Drive to Jubbah in the Great Nefud Desert where you’ll see the World Heritage rock art on before continuing to Hail.	1 night Hail	The Millennium Hotel	The Millennium Hotel
Day 14	Explore Hail’s heritage. Fly to Dammam and transfer to Al Khobar on the Arabian Gulf.	2 nights Al Khobar	Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche	Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche
Day 15	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 16	Private transfer to Dammam Airport or Bahrain International Airport.