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.
The sight of mist-clad mountains, juniper forests, and colourful fortified villages is not one that you would anticipate finding in southwestern Saudi Arabia, and is exactly what makes a visit to Asir and Al Bahah such a contrast to the rest of the Kingdom. This distinctive corner of Arabia is also noted for its unique artistic heritage, lively traditional markets, and cheeky baboons. Abha, the pleasant resort capital of Asir, is a good place to start your tour. While little remains of old Abha, numerous villages in the surrounding countryside exhibit many fine examples of traditional Asiri architecture: tower-like mudbrick houses with rings of protruding slates. Within these buildings, you will find colourfully decorated rooms and elaborate geometric design, a style known as Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. A journey through the stunning mountain scenery of the Jabal Al Soudah will reveal several such villages and bring you to Rijal Almaa. This remarkable town is considered to be one of Saudi Arabia’s great cultural gems and has a phalanx of fortress-like houses climbing up the steep hillside. Another of Asir’s celebrated sites is the inaccessible ‘rope-village’ of Habala, which is known for its ‘flower men’ on account of the male custom of garlanding their heads with herbs. North of Abha, a visit to the mountainous province of Al Baha both complements and contrasts with neighbouring Asir. Al Bahah is known for its cool weather and forests as well as the impenetrable fogs that can descend in January and February. The panoramic views from the green Sarawat mountains here are spectacular, but for many overseas visitors, the undoubted highlight of a visit to Al Bahah province lies in the coastal plain below. A 4WD excursion to the ‘troglodyte mountain’ of Shada Al Asfal and the beautifully restored village of Zee Ain standing on its mountain of marble will take you completely off-the-beaten-track and reveal two of Saudi Arabia’s great unsung marvels.
High in the mountains of the Jabal Soudah the towering stone houses of Rijal Almaa village are one of Saudi Arabia’s finest attractions.
Saudi Arabia’s highest mountain boasts spectacular views, small traditional villages, and plentiful greenery.
The bare granite slopes, troglodyte dwellings, and rock art of this mountain in Al Bahah make it one of Saudi’s great treasures.
Discover the misty mountains, fortress-like villages & vibrant markets of a unique region named ‘Happy Arabia’ in antiquity.
A grand sweep through a country that is the greatest enigma in the Middle East and its most overlooked treasure.
Abha Palace Hotel is sited a short drive from Abha city centre overlooking Lake Saad. This...
Blue Inn Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Abha and is within walking distance of ...
The Bayat Hotel by Cristal, Khamis Mushayt is a five-star property located 35 minutes&rsqu...
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Shada Cave Guesthouse is located overlooking a breath-taking landscape on the bare granite...
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