An epic escape in Saudi Arabia for history buffs

Riyadh - AlUla - Jeddah

Start off your tour by exploring Jeddah and its top attractions such as Al Balad & Gabel street. Make your way to AlUla and soak up the cultural highlights including the iconic AlUla Old Town and Al Jadidah District. End your tour with 2 nights in Riyadh and discover historical attractions such as the Al Masmak Fortress, Souq Al Zal & the Najd Village.

Jeddah

Dubbed as ‘the Bride of the Red Sea’, this commercial heart of the Kingdom is a blend of old and new. A magical city which is best explored by foot, Jeddah takes you back in time to an era when it was bustling with traders and pilgrims. A gateway to Makkah and Madinah, this town surprises you at every turn.

AlUla

AlUla is an ancient oasis in a desert valley preserved by time. With breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hegra and impressive landmarks such as the Elephant Rock and AlJadidah District, it is an archaeological and cultural jewel in the heart of Saudi Arabia. 


Riyadh


The capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The city has embraced modernity while keeping its heritage and culture intact. An urban metropolis with natural beauty, ancient ruins and famous Arabian hospitality, this city will give you a memorable experience!

 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival
On arrival, you will be greeted to your hotel for a seamless check-in process. You can spend the rest of the day at leisure and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Meals - Dinner

Day 2

Embrace the Saudi lifestyle in Al Balad
10:00 AM - Breakfast & pick up After you have your breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel to discover the charm of Historic Jeddah. 10:30 AM - Take a tour of Al Balad Explore Al Balad on foot and enjoy a visit to the popular Beit Saloum museum, Baashen House, and Matbouli House, where you can admire the unique traditional interior before passing by Nasseef House. 11:30 AM - Dress up like a local Head over to our partner's office in Al Balad to have a makeup artist spruce you up with some traditional makeup and try on Saudi wear such as Abaya or Thobe, with a Hijazi touch that is unique to the region and take plenty of pictures in front of the iconic houses. You can purchase the clothes for an extra charge and take them back with you after the tour. 12:30 PM - Matbouli House visit Head to Matbouli House, a traditional building that was eventually turned into a museum and captures the design and spirit of old Arabia. 1:30 PM - Gabel Street tour Pass by Nasseef House, before arriving at the gold market on Gabel Street and check out interesting jewellery and other local products such as oud, perfumes, spices and other exotic curios. Explore some of the food trucks and enjoy local dishes and fast food at your own expense before calling it a day. 2:30 PM - Lunch Enjoy an elaborate lunch and savour the delicious Saudi Arabian dishes. 4:30 PM - Take a tour of the Tayebat Museum Tayebat Museum is home to comprehensive records of the city's culture, history and ancient civilisations. The museum is housed in a multi-room complex that resembles the authentic Hijazi architecture of the old city. 5:30 PM - Click pictures at the Jeddah sign The Jeddah sign is a landmark which is popular among tourists and locals. An Instagram-worthy attraction, it is a huge LED sign with Jeddah spelt out. 7:00 PM - Pass by the King Fahd's Fountain Accessible from every point in the city, the King Fahd's Fountain is a popular Jeddah landmark. Capture this stunning scene in a photo or a video & witness the fountain's grandeur. 7:30 PM - End of tour The tour has now come to an end, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You will be dropped off at your hotel for dinner & spending the night. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3

Transfer to AlUla and check in to your hotel there.
12:00 PM - Head to the airport Enjoy breakfast and grab some last-minute souvenirs if you have the time. Then it’s time to leave Jeddah. 2:30 PM - Departure to AlUla Grab some lunch at your own expense at the airport, catch your flight & fly to AlUla 4:30 PM - Head to the Elephant Rock Take a break and enjoy a lavish spread of Saudi Arabian dishes while visiting the iconic Elephant Rock, which is a large sandstone monolith that is considered one of the iconic landmarks of AlUla. 6:30 PM - Check in to your hotel and have dinner Once you land in AlUla, make your way to the hotel, check in, have dinner and rest for a while. 8:30 PM - Tour of AlUla Old Town and Al-Jadidah District Get picked up from the hotel, head to Old Town, an attraction that is brimming with heritage and explore the winding alleys and hundreds of houses built of mud brick in the AlUla Old Town and take a trip back in time. Visit the Al-Jadidah District and soak up the vibrant ambience of a bustling souq and take in the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. 10:00 PM - End of tour You will be dropped off at the hotel at the end of the day. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4

Wednesday - Explore Hegra - an open-air museum
8:00 AM - Pick up & Hegra tour Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, get picked up and embark on a tour of Hegra. It is the first World Heritage Site to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia and features roughly 130 ancient and well-preserved tombs dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. 11:00 AM - Visit Jabal Ikmah Rock Located roughly 3 km from the city of AlUla, Jabal Ikmah is an ‘open-air library’ where visitors can admire ancient writings and inscriptions that date back to the Lihyan civilisation. The mountain is also considered Dadan’s largest source of information on trade, economy and taxes. 12:45 PM - Explore the ancient town of Dadan and the Lion Tombs Dadan is a stone-built city that features a magnificent history that dates between the 9th and 8th century BCE. The city also features over ten tombs which are carved into red-rock cliffs. The most famous would have to be the ‘Lion Tombs’, which are seated lion sculptures that mark the burial site of elite society members. 2:30 PM - Transfer to the top of Al Harra Head to the top of Al Harra which is a must-visit for thrill seekers & nature lovers. Enjoy the magnificent view of the breathtaking vistas. 3:30 PM - Lunch Enjoy your lunch at the top of AlUla while admiring the scenery around you. 4:00 PM - Enjoy the view from the top of AlUla Take in the stunning view of the dramatic canyons. 5:00 PM - End of tour Your tour ends here. You will be dropped back at the hotel and enjoy your dinner there. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5

Day trip to Madinah
7:00 AM - Breakfast Enjoy breakfast before you leave AlUla. You can relax at the main pool at Shaden Resort which offers a fantastic experience with its elegant design and spacious layout. 9:00 AM - Head to Madinah After your breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel to discover the charm of Madinah. 12:30 PM - Arrive at Madinah Embark on an incredible journey through Madinah's rich history with a specialised guide. Immerse yourself in compelling stories and uncover the hidden treasures surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque. Your journey will begin with the tale of the Prophet’s (PBUH) arrival in Madinah, followed by the story of the kneeling site of the Prophet's (PBUH) camel, Al-Qaswa. Continue exploring key landmarks, including the prayer areas to the west and the Well of Ha’. Conclude with a visit to Saqifah Bani Sa’idah. 2:00 PM - Lunch Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Madinah and try authentic cuisine. 4:30 PM - Pass by Mount Uhud Majestically standing amidst the plains and valleys, Mount Uhud is considered an important destination for pilgrims looking to admire the imposing castles and rock engravings. The mountain is distinguished by its red colour due to the density of red granite stones. 5:00 PM - Head to the airport to fly to Riyadh Make your way to the airport and grab some dinner at your own expense at the airport and catch your flight to Riyadh. 8:30 PM - Arrive in Riyadh Upon reaching Riyadh, head to your hotel for check-in and rest. Meals - Breakfast & lunch

Day 6

Explore Riyadh & its rich heritage
8.00 AM - Pick up & tour of Al Masmak Fortress Have a delicious breakfast, get picked up from the meeting point & enjoy a tour of Al Masmak Fortress, a prominent attraction of Saudi Arabia. 9:30 AM - Take a walk around Souq Al Zal Explore Souq Al Zal and check out all the local products available here. From Bukhoor, pottery and prayer beads to unique accessories, there are plenty of things you can take back as souvenirs. Try on local dresses such as abayas for women and Saudi accessories like Shemagh and Agal, headdresses for men, and take lots of pictures. Take a whiff of exotic spices and test your sense of smell to win great prizes before heading to the next destination. 10:30 AM - Visit the National Museum Take a deep dive into Saudi Arabia's history at one of the most popular museums in King Abdulaziz Historical Centre and marvel at the unique exhibits showcasing the rich heritage of the Kingdom. 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Najd Village It's time to wind down for lunch at the Najd Village and treat your taste buds to some authentic Najdi flavours. Have some Jareesh, one of the country's oldest dishes, and Kabsa, considered the national dish of Saudi Arabia, along with Gursan, Hamees and round it off with a dessert made of dates called Hininy. 2:30 PM - Transfer to Diriyah Head to Diriyah, which is a historical city that was founded in AD 1446. 3:00 PM - Visit At-Turaif district Explore the iconic historic attraction of At-Turaif district in Diriyah which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Enjoy a glimpse of ancient times and gain insights into the turning points in the history of Saudi Arabia. 4:30 PM - Head to Bujairi Terrace Next up is Bujairi Terrace, a high-end dining destination which is home to over 20 global restaurants. 5:45 PM - Tour of Al Rajhi Mosque Visit the Al Rajhi Grand Mosque which is the largest mosque in Riyadh. It is also touted as an architectural masterpiece and an iconic Islamic institution. 7:30 PM - End of tour Your tour ends here. Don't forget to take plenty of pictures as the tour has now come to an end, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You will be dropped off at your hotel. You can also have dinner at the hotel. Meals - Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7

Bedouin Camp Experience
9:00 AM - Make your way to the camp After breakfast, set off to the camp for an exciting Bedouin experience. 12:00 PM - Step into the shoes of a Bedouin Explore the ancient culture of the Bedouins at a stunning traditional desert camp. Learn a thing or two about the nomadic lifestyle and experience some of their rich traditions. 1:00 PM - Lunch Sit down for a delicious lunch and savour the Saudi Arabian flavours. 5:00 PM - Get back to the hotel Enjoy dinner & spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8

Departure
Check out After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and head to the airport. Arrive at the airport Arrive at the airport to catch your flight back home.

Inclusions

Accommodation
Double occupancy accommodation on a sharing basis

Daily breakfast
A lavish breakfast spread is included

Guided tours
Either an English-speaking tour guide or an Italian translator will be available for historical and cultural tours.

Meet & assist
Coordinator to greet you upon arrival and assist with departure.

Transportation
Return airport transfers
Transportation throughout the tour itinerary

Activities & entry fees
Entrance tickets to museums and attractions are included in the package

Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as per the itinerary & Snacks during tours

Other inclusions
Taxes and surcharges

Terms and conditions

  • - Prices are subject to availability; exact quotations will be shared upon request.
    - Bookings need to be confirmed and paid for at least 31 days before the date of arrival.
    - If the payment is not made by the due date, Discover Saudi reserves the right to cancel the booking.
    - Hotels T&Cs apply.
    - All requests for early check-in / out are subject to availability (occupancy levels permitting).
    - Access to landmarks and museums is subject to local authorities.
    - Sometimes we may change the direction, or slightly modify the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances. We will advise you of these amendments before the commencement of the tour or otherwise during the tour.
    - In the event of a passenger missing out on any part of the sightseeing tour, or any such tour, due to delay on his part, he will not be entitled to claim a refund for the same.
    - Travel Documents:
    Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months and for any visa requirements.
    A valid visa: It's your responsibility to obtain a visa if needed. We can assist you with the entire visa process for an additional fee.
    Travel Insurance is highly recommended. It can cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and other unforeseen events.

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