Where to Travel in SAUDI ARABIA

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?