Country
Saudi Arabia
Duration
10 Days/9 Nights
Travel Type
Private Tour
 

Riyadh – Live the modern life to its fullest

In the ever-growing and flourishing city of Riyadh, you will discover the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with its historical treasures hidden in the old palaces that witnessed the founding of the kingdom. It is a destination for tourists from all over the globe who wish to discover a world of shopping, entertainment and business. The malls offer the most exciting shopping experience, and the sand dunes combined with the brightest stars in the sky present the most magical experience in nature. It is an environment full of a natural variety and unique characteristics that are intriguing for explorers. On the other side of the bustling city, you can enjoy a variety of experiences in luxurious restaurants that offer their special services, and their elaborate international dishes. Simultaneously, the local Riyadh restaurants will tempt you with their authentic flavors and blend of spices originating from Saudi culture. Everyone is happy in the city of Riyadh where the biggest cultural events are always celebrated. Endless entertainment destinations are always emerging, for the city’s visitors to have intriguing and renewing experiences.

Jeddah – A seaside city filled with beauty

When you visit Jeddah, you will have the opportunity to witness a rich heritage celebrated by UNESCO. From “Historical Jeddah” to the antique designs of balconies, stone walkways and ancient sidewalks, this destination unearths secrets that have inspired artists, writers and visitors alike for hundreds of years. Here, you will have a chance to see magnificent sunsets shimmering off the divine Red Sea shores as well as having magical diving experiences featuring colorful coral reefs. Whether on land or under the sea, you won’t soon forget Jeddah’s many year-round splendors.

AlUla – Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site

There are few places in the world where you can still feel like a true explorer charting the unknown. In many historic destinations, the illusion of discovery is promptly shattered by a jungle of selfie sticks. But in AlUla, which is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, deep in the desert in the northwestern region of the country, you might still be able to play out your fantasy of being an intrepid archaeologist for a day. Despite all the makings of a bucket list-topping global destination — ancient tombs that remain as the legacy of 7,000 years of human civilisation, stunning natural rock formations and canyons, a plethora of adventure sports options and cutting-edge art installations — AlUla remains largely off the global tourism radar, giving you plenty of space and time for reflection with the monumentality of its beautiful desert landscapes.

Al-Madinah – The first Islamic Capital

Historically known as Yathrib, Madinah was established in the 6th century BC and is the first Islamic Capital and one of the most important places of the revelation of the Prophet (PBUH). He immigrated to Yathrib in 622 AD and built Al Masjid an Nabawi – the 2nd holiest place on earth for Muslims – where his grave lies after he lived his last days there. Madinah is rich with Islamic heritage and includes the Quba Mosque which is the 1st mosque built in Islam, and tens of other historical mosques and eternal ruins. Yathrib gained its importance a long time ago because of its geographical location, as it lies on the road for Hajj and trade, and has a unique land, with mountains, plains, oases, and gold, silver and copper mines.
Madinah receives millions of Muslims longing to visit it from all around the world, as it is an important religious destination. The Prophet’s sanctuary is restricted for Muslims only, whereas the rest of Madinah welcomes Muslims and non-Muslims to explore its historical heritage and observe its culture and museums, and enjoy its gardens and entertainment destinations.

The city of Hail – Surrounded and full of history

Nestled between Mount Shammer to the north and Mount Salma to the south, the city of Hail was once the capital of all the Arabian Desert and home to legends like Hatim Al Tai, the Arabian poet whose altruism earned him spots in stories like “One Thousand and One Nights” (also known as “Arabian Nights”). Today it’s the capital of the north-central region of Saudi Arabia bearing the same name and a popular stop during the pilgrimage to Makkah. The city of Hail is also known for hosting international events, including a Desert Festival celebrating the area’s culture and the Hail International Rally, where rally cars, quads and motorcycles race through the Nafud Desert and through Hail, Baqaa, Al Ghazalah and the village of Umm Al Qulban. If you’re seeking a dose of history, culture and adventure, set your sights on Hail.

Inclusions

9-night accommodation in chosen category
15 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Arrival and departure transfers
Activities as per itinerary
Coordinator / local leader (from 8 pax and more)
Private transportation with English-speaking drivers
Local English-speaking private guides during the visits

Exclusions

International airfare – Gratuities to guides, drivers, and hotel staff – City tax and visa fees when applicable – Travel insurances – Optional excursions – Meals other than mentioned in the inclusions – Personal expenses – Beverages

Additional Information

Note

This tour is available with a minimum of 2 people traveling.

1

DAY 1 ARRIVAL TO RIYADH

Accommodation : Riyadh for 2 nights

2

DAY 2 RIYADH CITY TOUR

RIYADH CITY TOUR - AL MASMAK - NATIONAL MUSEUM
Outline of visits:
Driyia UNSECO
National Musuem
Lunch at Najd Village (included)
Musmak Fort
Zal Market
Kingdom Tower
(the order of visits are subject to change)

First visit is Diriyah, northwest of the city and the original capital of the first Saudi state is a must-see. Its Al Turaif quarter, a carefully restored mud-brick district that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, offers a glimpse into the country’s extraordinary heritage.
Next on tour we will visit the National museum you will be discovering Saudi Arabia’s rich past is an amazing journey that
would bring you along thousands of kilometers around the whole Kingdom. An easier way to have an insight of Saudi Arabia’s rich History is to visit the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh where artifacts from all periods are exhibited and with explanations about their historical significance.The Murabba Historical palace situated within the premises of the museum is built in the form of a square surrounded by walls, highlighting the nature of the local society that values the privacy of their homes. The palace has 32 rooms divided over 2 floors, receptions for the king’s guests, and administrative offices for the king’s aides and guards.
After our historical brief we will have our lunch and then continue to visit Al Masmak Fortress, surrounded by sand, this
squat fortification was built around 1865 and is like a scene out of the movies: a big fortress representing an empire. It was
the site of a daring 1902 raid by Ibn Saud, during which a spear was hurled at the main entrance door with such force that the head is still lodged in the doorway. Highlights among the exhibits include maps and fascinating photographs of Saudi
Arabia dating from 1912 to 1937, in galleries converted from diwans (living rooms). The roofs are covered with painted palm-tree, taramic and ethel wood and exude an old-world charm that evokes an Arabian painting. Inside, the information
panels and short, chest-thumping films on the storming of the fortress and the ‘reunification’ of Saudi Arabia are reverential
towards the Al Sauds but worth watching nonetheless.
In the same area and only in walking distance we will find our self in Souq Al-Zal which is one of the oldest traditional market. They sell traditional dresses, antiques, Oud “ Arabic perfume” and jewelry
Kingdom Tower and Skybridge
In the evening we will take a trip to Kingdom Centre, It was designed by the US-based architecture firm Ellerbe Becket in a joint venture with the Riyadh-based architecture and engineering firm Omrania and associates. At the top of the tower, an inverted arch is spanned by a glass skybridge housing a public observation deck, Its design was inspired by iconic structures from around the world, including the Gateway Arch in St.Louis, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Eiffel tower.

Meals : Breakfast

3

DAY 3 MUD TOWNS VISITS

Ushaiger
Outline :
9 am meet up at lobby
Drive for 2.5 hours to Ushaiger town and walk around
Lunch
Drive to Buraydah for 2 hours
Check in at the hotel and dinner at traditional restaurant (at your own expense)

Details
Today we will be driving to Buraydah, the capital of Al-Qassim Region in northcentral Saudi Arabia in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.
The road to Buraydah will be around 3 hours and a half however the plan is to make a stop on the way to see Ushaiger which is going to be on the way. Both towns, now small cities are a reflection of what old cities look like. We will will visit one of these towns, usually the smaller one Ushaiger which is hidden in the heart of the Najd, an oasis-dotted region 200km northwest of Riyadh, Ushaiger Heritage Village provides a glimpse of a slow-paced Saudi society of old.
During our visit we will wonder around the old town which preserved its old mud town houses where many families started from here before they moved to Riyadh. The narrow route in between the houses, the doors, and the ruins makes the place photogenetic and interesting to wonder around.
We will visit one of the house displaying the interior of the houses and how life used to be back then. A local museum where we can visit and have a break for tea.
Once we are done we will pass by a restaurant for lunch then we will drive to Buraydah City

BACKGROUND ON THE MUD TOWNS
Bedouins first settled here 1,500 years ago and Ushaiger quickly became a popular stopping point for pilgrims crossing to Makkah, thanks to its springs and low-brimmed olive and palm groves. But far from being a dusty, deserted museum piece, Ushaiger – which, in a naming quirk, means ‘little blonde’ to reflect the nearby red mountain that looms over the yellow mud houses – still has a small community of residents, making use of its schools, shops and mosques. To walk its narrow lanes is to enter a living museum, draped with traces of an ancient way of life.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Buraydah for 1 night

4

DAY 4 HAIL TOUR - CAMEL MARKET AND ART ROCK

Visit the camel market and Drive to Hail for Juba visit
8 am - Depart to visit the camel market
Drive for 3 hours to Hail
Lunch
Visit Juba site (UNESCO) which is 90 min drive each way.
Dinner on route
Check in hotel estimated 9 pm
**This day is long**
Details
Before we head to Hail, we will make a stop early morning around 8 am to the largest camel market where auction takes place, a very authentic experience to see how bargaining works in the camel market and how locals value camels and negotiate pricing. Camels remain valuable to own and trade in Saudi.
Next will drive for about 3 hours to Hail.
Once we arrive, we start our trip right away heading to Jubbah which is 1 hour 20 min from Hail.
We will be visiting Jubbah, this worldwide famous site contains some of the oldest and most outstanding carvings of the Arabian Peninsula. It was recognized in 2015 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Jubbah is host of the two most emblematic carvings in Saudi Arabia. The first one is a character dominating another smaller one. Locals say that it is the representation of an ancient king handing out justice.
The second one is a chariot pulled by two horses which was for decades the only known example but similar ones were later found in Hail and Tabuk Provinces.
As surprising as it sounds the people trading frankincense, spices, and other precious goods coming from southern Arabian Peninsula did cross regularly the 350 km of sand dunes between these two main trade cities. The numerous so-called Thamudic inscriptions (more than 5000) testify of this intense frequentation by travellers.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Hail for 1 night

5

DAY 5 FREE DAY IN ALULA

Drive to Al Ula
Depart at 8:30 (estimated arrival at 2 to 3 pm)
Today we will be driving from Hail to Al Ula, the road will take us over 4 hours and a half.
Once we arrive will visit our serviced camp base and settle.
Today is a free day in Al Ula where we can enjoy the landscape by hiking one of many trails, visiting the old town or going to one of the view points

Hail to Al Ula : 428 KM / 4 hr 43 min

With breaks on route we estimate the drive to be 6 hours. This is the longest drive so far. The road is flat with few stops for breaks but the facilities are not up to standard.

ELEPHANT ROCK
We will take you to the Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. Unlike the ornate, hand-carved facades of nearby Hegra’s Nabataean tombs, the “trunk” and “body” of this monolithic red sandstone beast were hewn by natural forces millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by its surroundings of a fine-sand sea studded with rocky outcrops, many of which are equally impressive in size and have interesting shapes and figures.
The area has very nice atmosphere with a cafe and restaurant, the seating area are build underground filled with magical lights that its just wonderful to witness the sunset.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : AlUla for 2 nights

6

DAY 6 DISSAH VALLEY DAY TRIP

Wadi Dissah with Lunch
The day trip starts from 9 am.
Driving is 2.5 to 3 hours depending on stops and group size.
Arrival between 12 pm to 1 pm
2 to 3 hours driving through, walking and photo stops including picnic lunch
Departing the site between 3 to 4 pm
Expected arrival 6 to 7: 30 pm
Dinner is included

Details :
Our trip is going to be to Wadi Al Dissa near Tabuk, our drive will be around 2 hours and a half to 3 hours. An SUV will
arrive at the camp to collect guests and start the day trip tour. As we reach the valley we will have our lunch there where our team will be preparing you traditional delicious food. We will take you on a walking tour inside this gorgeous valley and explore Wadi Dissah which is a 15 kilometer long canyon running through the Jebel Qaraqir, a sandstone massif lying about 80 kilometers south of the city of Tabuk. This natural wonder was for a long time a well-kept secret among explorers, before the road leading to the nearby city of Dissah was built and satellite images were available to the public, which made it quite difficult to find and reach. Let us tell you a little bit about this valley before we start our hike so you prepare yourself and to get astonished! The first striking feature of this wadi is its dimensions: at the eastern entrance of the canyon the side cliffs are already higher than 100 meters, but at the western entrance the gap between the bottom of the wadi and the tallest cliffs reaches as high as 500 meters! It is there, from the massive rocky peaks, standing on both sides of the canyon, that one can admire the most dramatic scenery of this magical place.
The second and most unexpected amazing feature of Wadi Qaraqir is a water stream that runs through the western part of the canyon towards the city of Dissah. While you are exploring Wadi Qaraqir from the eastern entrance, you will find abundant palm trees growing naturally along the wadi bed. But once half-way through the canyon underground water tops up all year long. As a result, lush vegetation made of 3 meters high grass, numerous palm trees and bushes, flourishes in between the majestic cliffs of the canyon! We head back to Tabuk but with a final stop on our way to have the last look on one of the beautiful view points and then continue to Tabuk.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

DAY 7 ALULA TOUR

MADAIN SALEH (HEGRA TOUR)
Hegra tour ( the tomb ) : timing is subject to the time slot assigned to this tour by Alula Authority. We will do our best to make it in the morning.
The importance of Madain Saleh is ostensibly displayed by its 111 monumental tombs, among which 94 were decorated with majestic facades on the sandstone massifs of the area, especially the Jibal Ithlib. The smallest tomb is barely 2,7 meters tall but the biggest reaches an impressive 21,5 meters! Madain Saleh was the second largest city of the Nabatean kingdom whose capital was Petra (in today’s Jordan) where the Nabatean people created more than 600 tombs. What most people dont know that there are many other fascinating archeological sites attest to the thousands of years of human occupation of the area thanks to the underground water available for millennia. Dont worry we are showing everything you need to see !
Please note that Hegra is guided tour by Bus and last from 2 to 3 hours max. These tours are done by AlUla Tourism Board which is a third party and as such sometimes the inclusions of these tours or and timeline changes by the operator. In such incidents we will do our best to inform you about these changes as much as we can during daily brief.
Check out, and drive to Madinah (estimated drive is 4 hours with no stops or 5 hours with some stops for breaks).

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Madinah for 1 night

8

DAY 8 MADINAH CITY TOUR AND OVERNIGHT IN JEDDAH

Madinah - City tour and Train to jeddah
Today we will visit the two famous holy Mosques, the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque which both have significant
importance in Islamic history. The first was the house that prophet Mohammed lived in and eventually became his grave. The second was the first Mosque ever built. You will have a general overview how the city was built and shaped throughout the 1400 years. (Both mosques will be visited from the outside only).
In the same street, which is a nice pedestrian street, there are many traditional food shops and snacks wherewe will stop for our lunch break. After lunch (not included) we will visit Hejaz Railway Museum. The museum is located at the Hejaz Railway Station in Madinah.It includes halls containing many artifacts, visual galleries and old photos, in addition to the Hejaz Railway Museum, which contains artifacts belonging to the Ottoman train, including wagons and engines. The project of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II to link Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Caliphate, to Madinah at the time, with a railway passing through the Levant. The first train arrived in Madinah in 1326 AH / 1908 AD.Dar Al Madinah Museum
The Dar Al Madinah museum is located in the Knowledge Economic City. It is a purpose built museum that showcases the history of The Blessed City of Madinah. It has many exhibits that show how the city expanded from the time of our Beloved Prophet Muhammed to the current time. It also contains rare manuscripts and a variety of model representations. It is definitely worth a visit if you are looking to be inspired about the amazing history of the city of Madinah.
Train from Madinah to Jeddah
the trip is in bullet train ( 1 hr and 50 min )
Luggage must be 25 Kg or less

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Madinah for 1 night

9

DAY 9 DRIVE TO JEDDAH – BRIEF CITY TOUR - AL BALAD TOUR (JEDDAH HISTORICAL CITY)

Al Balad Tour (Jeddah Historical City)
Outline:
Cornish visit 9.30 am
Tybbat Musuem
Lunch
House of Islamic Art
Old town + 30 min free time for shopping
King Fahad Fountain - 20 min stop
Dinner
** This day is long usually ends at 9.30 pm **

Details
Today we will start our tour in the morning with a short stop at Jeddah Corniche and Jeddah water front before we go to
our next stop at Tayebat Museum. We will head now to The Tayebat Museum for a fascinating look into Jeddah’s long and cosmopolitan past, take an informative tour indeed the Tayebat Museum for a superbly curated representation of the city’s 2,500-year history. Located in the Al Faisaliyah district, the museum is housed in a multiroom complex that re-creates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden lattice work and ornate coral masonry. With several floors of in-depth exhibits, the museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage. After our visit we will go to The house of Islamic arts, a museum specialized in Islamic arts. From the far countries of China and India to the farthest countries of the Maghreb and Andalusia of various arts, where the museum contains more than a thousand pieces of art representing 15 centuries of the history of Islamic art from all countries of the Islamic world.
Before we move to the next tour we will have lunch we will suggest one of the local nice restaurants here in Jeddah that
serves the famous traditional dishes in Jeddah.
Al Balad Tour - Jeddah Historical City
In the evening we will start our tour in Al Balad as local call it which means “ the town” as reference to the base of Jeddah. Al-Balad was founded in the 7th century and historically served as the centre of Jeddah. Our tour will go through the history of these building including going inside one of the buildings to see the interior designs, furniture Al Balad is registered as a world heritage UNESCO site and since then the old buildings with its unique window designs and doors are being preserved along with its unique buildings which some have been built using sea shells and stones ! We will also explain the historical importance of some sites and locations while we wonder around the narrow streets to explain how merchants used to sell their goods and how pilgrims used to get their supplies of cloth and food before they head to Makkah through the Makkah Gate in Al Balad. The old Mosques is another tourist attraction where some were founded over 300 years ago and still functional as a mosque.
King Fahd’s Fountain
To wrap up the day we’ll take you to the King Fahd’s Fountain, located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, the fountain jets water to a maximum height of 260 metres (853 ft). King Fahd’s Fountain is listed in Guinness World Records as the highest water fountain in the world. The fountain is visible throughout the vicinity of Jeddah. The water ejected can reach a speed of 375 km/h (233 mph) and its airborne mass can exceed 16 tonnes (18 short tons).The fountain uses saltwater taken from the Red Sea instead of freshwater. Over 500 LED spotlights illuminate the fountain at night.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Jeddah for 1 night

10

DAY 10 DEPARTURE

Today, we say goodbye to beautiful Saudi. We will be dropping you off at the airport according to your flight schedule.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

3* package

Riyadh: Gloria Inn 3*
Buraydah: Best Western Plus Buraidah 4*
Hail: Raoum Inn 3*
Madinah: Gacine Hotel 3*
Jeddah: Ibis 3*
AlUla: Flowers Furnished apartments, or Madain Saleh Furnished apartments, or Abraj AlSobhi Furnished apartments

4* Package

Riyadh: Warwick Riyadh 4*
Buraydah: Radisson Blu 4*
Hail: Golden Tulip Hail 4*
Madinah: Madinah Season Star 4*
Jeddah: Hyatt House 4*
AlUla: Sahari Resort

Riyadh: Hyatt Regency 5*
Buraydah: Movenpick Burayadh 5*
Hail: Millennium Hotel 5*
Madinah: Le Meridien Madinah 5*
Jeddah: Shirvan Hotel City Yard 5*
AlUla: Habitas AlUla

Riyadh: Hyatt Regency 5*
Buraydah: Movenpick Burayadh 5*
Hail: Millennium Hotel 5*
Madinah: Le Meridien Madinah 5*
Jeddah: Shirvan Hotel City Yard 5*
AlUla: Habitas AlUla

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from 

Land Package

Daily departures until December 20th, 2024 3* package 4* package 5* package
2 pax 8899 9365 11199
4 pax 6239 6589 8435
Single occupation supplement (with minimum 2 pax traveling) +769 +1150 +2950

This tour is available with a minimum of 2 people traveling.

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

The Heritage Route – Detailed itinerary
The Heritage Route – Detailed itinerary

The Heritage Route – Promotional flyer
The Heritage Route – Promotional flyer