Saudi Arabia is a fabulous destination for culture, adventure and remote tourism. A three-week tour would cover the Kingdom’s highlights, but with any shorter duration it will be necessary to be selective. For non-Muslims the ruins of Madain Saleh (the 2nd Petra) are the main reason to visit Saudi Arabia, but these fabulous tombs are just the tip of the palm tree. Asir and Al Bahah offer fortified houses and mountains; Eastern Province has the vast oasis of Al Ahsa; the northern and central part of the country have fabulous desert scenery and caravan cities; while in the Red Sea you’ll find a technicoloured wonderland. Our Saudi Arabia guides and suggested itineraries are a good starting point for planning. When you want to move forward, our tailor-made Saudi Arabia team are on hand to help fine tune ideas to ensure that you’ll be able to have the perfect tour.
A visit to Al Ula in northwest Saudi Arabia will reveal one of the country’s most exceptional heritage sites. This oasis of great natural beauty is surrounded by wondrous terracotta hued mountains and is home to some exceptional hotels. For many visitors, exploring ancient Hegra (formerly Madain Saleh - see separate description) was the main reason to visit Al Ula, but the region has a great deal more to offer, and deserves time. The history of Al Ula is an ancient one pre-dating that of Hegra and is centred around the kingdoms of Dadan (9th and 8th century BC) and Lihyan (5th to 2nd century BC) who once controlled this important staging post on the Arabian incense trail. Al Ula’s heritage sites include ancient Dadan where you’ll be able to view the remarkably well preserved tombs – including the famed Lion Tombs - that puncture the perpendicular red cliffs. Across the valley is Jabal Ikmah with its remarkable rock art. The site has been called the largest ‘open-air library’ in Saudi Arabia. Nearby, are the ruins of the abandoned village of old Al Ula, a maze of c900 crumbling mudbrick houses that is surrounded by its verdant oasis of date palms. A visit to Al Ula Old Town will reveal a range of shops and restaurants that come into its own in the evenings. The Maraya Concert Hall – the world’s largest mirrored building – is another must see site. Outside the sheltered valley of Al Ula, you’ll find wild and breath-taking desert panoramas of drifting dunes, deep canyons, wonderfully eroded rock forms, and dark lava flows that can be explored by 4WD, horse-back, helicopter or on foot. Elephant Rock (Saharat al-Fil) is the most well-known of Al Ula’s geomorphological wonders. Another excursion will take you in a 4WD vehicle to the deeply eroded canyons of north Madakhil where you will find more rock art as well as the dramatic span of ‘Rainbow’ rock arch. A drive to the west of Al Ula reveals the Harrat Uwayrid, a dramatic volcanic landscape of lava flows, scoria cones and tuff that is a fabulous playground for Dune Buggies. The night sky in the desert of Al Ula has to be seen to be believed. For an evening to remember why not join an excursion to the crooked ‘fingers’ of Gharameel rocks for dinner in the desert and stargazing?
A ghost town of mud and stone, the Al Deera Heritage Village is an atmospheric warren of narrow lanes that are dominated by a citadel.
Also known as Jabal Al-Fil, this vast sandstone monolith resembles a pachyderm with its trunk rooted into the desert.
A maze of deep canyons known as the ‘Dancing Rocks’ are a natural wonder caused by millennia of weathering.
This introductory tour reveals Saudi Arabia's most magical cultural highlights.
An adventure through one of the world’s last untamed frontiers combing desert, canyons & the 'Saudi Maldives'.
An immersive journey of discovery that will reveal Saudi Arabia's cultural and scenic treasures.
Explore Saudi Arabia's archaeological treasures as well as its rock art & scenic wonders.
A grand sweep through a country that is the greatest enigma in the Middle East and its most overlooked treasure.
This scenic journey follows the ancient incense route and combines Petra with Hegra.
Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's highlights then relax in style by the beach in the Sultanate of Oman.
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