Itinerary
- Day 1
Riyadh
You'll arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, with check-in available from mid-afternoon. This evening there's a welcome briefing where you'll meet everyone in the group for the first time.
- Day 2
Riyadh
Today you'll see Riyadh's contrasts starting with the historic Masmak Fortress in the old city, where Saudi Arabia's kingdom began. After wandering through traditional souq markets, you'll head to modern landmarks like Murabba Palace, the National Museum, King Abdullah Financial District and the Grand Mosque. By evening you'll reach Ad Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of the first Saudi state, where dinner happens at local restaurants.
Included Activities
- Visit Masmak Fortress
- Explore souq markets (such as Souq al Zel or Souq Bisht)
- Visit Murabba Palace
- Tour National Museum of Saudi Arabia
- Visit Ad Diriyah World Heritage Site
Landmarks Masmak Fortress Murabba Palace National Museum of Saudi Arabia Ad Diriyah Grand Mosque - Day 3
Riyadh to Buraydah
An early start takes you by road to Buraydah in the Arabian Peninsula's heart, about 250 miles (400km) away. Along the way you'll stop at Ushaiger, one of the oldest settlements with traditional Najdi architecture, and Al Bassam Heritage House in Unaizah, a 30-room complex showing ancient crafts and local heritage through traditional construction techniques.
Included Activities
- Visit Ushaiger ancient settlement
- Visit Al Bassam Heritage House in Unaizah
Landmarks Ushaiger Al Bassam Heritage House - Day 4
Buraydah to Hail
You'll start early at Buraydah Camel Market, reportedly the world's largest with thousands of camels, goats and sheep traded daily. Another market visit includes what's probably the world's largest date market where you can sample the region's famous dates. Later, a high-speed train carries you for two hours to Hail, an ancient Arab capital. There you'll explore the hilltop A'arif Fort and the red mud Al Qishlah compound showing the city's historic importance.
Included Activities
- Visit Buraydah Camel Market
- Visit date market and sample local dates
- Visit A'arif Fort in Hail
- Visit Al Qishlah compound
Landmarks Buraydah Camel Market A'arif Fort Al Qishlah 
- Day 5
Hail to AlUla
You're heading to Jubbah in the Al Nafud desert to see UNESCO-listed neolithic petroglyphs and inscriptions on sandstone outcrops, depicting animals like aurochs, cheetahs and lions from when the region had a wetter climate. From there, you'll drive through Nefud Al Kabir's great expanse of dunes to AlUla, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. By sunset you'll reach Jabel Al Fil (Elephant Rock) before settling into your farm stay for the next two nights. Today covers approximately 390 miles (625km).
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Jubbah petroglyphs and inscriptions
- Sunset viewing at Jabel Al Fil (Elephant Rock)
Landmarks Jubbah Jabel Al Fil (Elephant Rock) - Day 6
AlUla
You'll explore AlUla, an ancient oasis inhabited for 7,000 years. The World Heritage site of Hegra (Madain Saleh) comes first, the southernmost major Nabatean city with over 130 decorated funeral monuments. You'll see Maraya, the world's largest mirrored building, then stroll through AlUla Oasis among date farms and orange groves along the Heritage Trail. After exploring Art City (Al Jadeeda) with colorful street exhibits, you'll wander through the historic Old Town with its ancient alleys, restaurants and shops that once sat on the Silk Road and Incense Route.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Simple regional specialties including foul galaba (Yemeni foul), kebda, omelettes with fresh bread, served with coffee and tea)
Included Activities
- Visit Hegra (Madain Saleh) World Heritage site
- Visit Maraya (exterior only)
- Explore AlUla Oasis and Heritage Trail
- Visit Art City (Al Jadeeda)
- Explore AlUla Old Town
Landmarks Hegra (Madain Saleh) Maraya AlUla Oasis AlUla Old Town - Day 7
AlUla to Medina
Your plans depend on your departure date. If traveling through April 2025, you'll visit Dadan with its 2,000-year-old tombs carved into red-rock cliffs and Jabal Ikmah with inscriptions and petroglyphs in a desert canyon. For later departures, you'll visit Khaybar oasis if open, a volcanic area with black lava stone and historic significance. Either way, you'll drive about 250 miles (400km) to Medina. There you'll view Al Masjid an Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) from the square and watch sunset from Mount Uhud, a major pilgrimage site overlooking the Holy City.
Included Activities
- Visit Dadan (for departures up to April 2025)
- Visit Jabal Ikmah (for departures up to April 2025)
- Visit Khaybar oasis (for departures after April 2025 if open)
- View Al Masjid an Nabawi (exterior views only)
- Visit Mount Uhud at sunset
Landmarks Dadan Jabal Ikmah Khaybar Al Masjid an Nabawi Mount Uhud 
- Day 8
Medina to Jeddah
You'll explore more of Medina beyond its primary holy site, visiting the historic terminus station of the Hijaz railway that once brought pilgrims from Damascus. Browse the central market for traditional treats like ma'amoul butter cookies, luqaimat honey dumplings and kunafa sweet cheese pie. After lunch overlooking the Prophet's Mosque, you'll board a high-speed train for a two-hour journey covering 250 miles (400km) to coastal Jeddah. Upon arrival, head to the corniche for drinks Saudi style on takwa carpets, watching the call to prayer and King Fahd's Fountain come to life in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch overlooking the Prophet's Mosque)
Included Activities
- Visit Hijaz (Ottoman) railway terminus station
- Browse central market
- Visit Jeddah corniche
Optional Activities
- Sample traditional Saudi sweets at market stalls
Landmarks Hijaz Railway Terminal King Fahd's Fountain - Day 9
Jeddah
You'll start at Tayebat Museum, showcasing local and Arabian heritage with life-size examples of Saudi building styles and everyday tools. Next comes Jeddah fish market to see the local catch and choose whether to have your fish cooked simply there or dine in style at a nearby seafood restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Al-Balad, the historic old city and UNESCO World Heritage site, exploring traditional multi-level buildings and merchant houses with distinctive wooden roshan window covers.
Included Activities
- Visit Tayebat Museum (Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum)
- Visit Jeddah fish market
- Explore Al-Balad (old city)
Optional Activities
- Have fish cooked in market restaurant
- Dine at nearby seafood restaurant
Landmarks Tayebat Museum Jeddah Fish Market Al-Balad 
- Day 10
Jeddah to Al Bahah
An early start takes you south along the Red Sea coast through empty rocky and sandy terrain broken by camel herds and occasional Bedouin tents. You'll stop at Thee Ain, a 400-year-old village with Ottoman-Turkish battle history, wandering steep alleyways and exploring traditional houses with narrow staircases and rooftop views. Then comes a climb up the spectacular mountain road to Al Bahah, a pleasant city at 7,220 feet (2,200m) elevation, surrounded by more than 40 forests. You'll enjoy views from Raghdan park overlooking a deep wadi gorge. Today covers approximately 270 miles (430km).
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Thee Ain village
- Explore Raghdan park
Landmarks Thee Ain Raghdan Park - Day 11
Al Bahah to Al Shaaf
You'll drive south through mountains toward Abha and Yemen, stopping at Al Malad Castle, a dual fortress on a hill built four centuries ago by two brothers. After lunch, you'll do an afternoon hike covering 2 miles (3km) through a valley with rare agricultural terraces to reach a historic stone village in the Al Shaaf area. This crescent-shaped settlement sits dramatically at a cliff edge with houses featuring bright white marble exteriors and interiors painted in vibrant combinations of white, red, yellow and green. You'll stay with a local family, having meals served traditionally on the floor and cups of sugary mint tea, with time to explore the village and see goat herds. Starry nights await after sunset mist clears. Today covers approximately 155 miles (250km).
- Meals
- Breakfast (Home-cooked Asir meal served traditionally on the floor), Dinner (Home-cooked Asir meal served traditionally on the floor)
Included Activities
- Visit Al Malad Castle
- Afternoon hike through valley with agricultural terraces
- Homestay with local family
- Explore Al Shaaf village
Landmarks Al Malad Castle Al Shaaf - Day 12
Al Shaaf to Jeddah
You may be awakened by the call to prayer before sunrise. After a local breakfast, you'll begin your journey back to Jeddah. You'll stop in Baljurashi, known for its unique Saturday historic market (depending on your departure date), exploring Baljurashi Heritage Village and a small museum. Later you'll reach Taif, known as the City of Roses with abundant natural beauty and cultivation of grapes, figs, pomegranates and honey. The final leg passes close to Mecca (entry not possible for non-Muslims), just under 62 miles (100km) from Jeddah, the route millions of pilgrims travel for the Hajj. Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes of driving today, returning to Jeddah for a final taste of Saudi cuisine before saying goodbye.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Local breakfast)
Included Activities
- Explore Baljurashi Heritage Village
- Visit museum in Baljurashi
Optional Activities
- Visit Baljurashi Saturday historic market (availability depends on departure date)
Landmarks Baljurashi Taif - Day 13
Jeddah
Your Saudi Arabian adventure concludes this morning in Jeddah. If you'd like additional time to explore, you can speak with your sales representative about extending your stay.
