Itinerary
- Day 1
Jeddah
You'll arrive in Jeddah and settle into your accommodation before heading to the corniche at sunset. The waterfront gives you views of the King Fahd Fountain, and you'll watch how locals gather as the call to prayer echoes across the city. Dinner wraps up your first evening with food reflecting Jeddah's modern dining scene.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner in modern style)
Included Activities
- Sunset drinks on the corniche
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks Jeddah Corniche King Fahd's Fountain 
- Day 2
Jeddah
A private cruise takes you out on the Red Sea where you'll snorkel and see hawksbill turtles, lionfish, eels, and reef sharks around coral formations. Water temperatures sit around 70°C/21°C, and the high salt content is good for your skin. Your skipper prepares a seafood barbecue for lunch. After that, you'll walk through Al Balad, the old town, checking out traditional buildings, merchant houses, and the intricate wooden window covers called roshan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Seafood barbecue prepared by skipper)
Included Activities
- Private Red Sea cruise
- Snorkeling with guide
- Seafood barbecue lunch
- Al Balad old town exploration
Landmarks Red Sea Al Balad - Day 3
Jeddah to Taif
Head inland from Jeddah toward Mecca, which you'll see from a distance as the road climbs through the Sarawat Mountains. The drive takes you along dramatic hairpin bends with roadside monkeys keeping you company and views that stretch for miles. After navigating the winding roads, you'll arrive in Taif, known as the 'City of Roses' because of its cool mountain climate and the fragrant flowers that grow here. The elevation change from the coast gives the air a completely different feel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Drive past Mecca from a distance
- Scenic journey through Sarawat Mountains
Landmarks Mecca Sarawat Mountains - Day 4
Taif to Al Bahah
This day follows the spine of the Sarawat Mountains from Taif to Al Bahah, and the scenery shifts from cultivated terraces to rugged escarpments dotted with ruined watchtowers. Along the way you'll pass through quiet mountain settlements before reaching Al Bahah at 2,200 metres elevation, which sits surrounded by over 40 forests. From there, head to the village of Thee Ain to see its preserved stone houses and visit the local visitors' centre where you can learn about the region's heritage and architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Sarawat Mountains
- Stop to explore mountain settlements and tableaus
- Visit Raghdan Park
- Explore village of Thee Ain
- Visit Thee Ain visitors' centre
Landmarks Raghdan Park Thee Ain 
- Day 5
Al Bahah to Beni Sabr
The mountain drive continues south toward Abha and the Yemen border, spread across two days. The first part features gentler terrain with watchtowers and heritage villages dotting the landscape. You'll stop at a crescent-shaped cliffside settlement where locals offer mint tea and conversation. After that, head to Beni Sabr, a simple roadside town where you can try freshly baked khops bread and drink mikato coffee. By evening, experience the call to sunset prayer echoing through the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit heritage villages
- Explore crescent-shaped cliffside settlement
- Mint tea with local residents
- Experience sunset prayer at local mosque
Optional Activities
- Tour of local stone houses
- Day 6
Beni Sabr to Abha
Head further south as the mountains turn more rugged and you approach Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia's highest peak. Traditional Asiri houses appear along the route before you reach the impressive village of Olayyan, set on a hillside with its notable mosque. Next, check out the fort-like ruler's house museum in Namas, then stop for a picnic lunch in a park with views down the valleys. By late afternoon, you'll reach Abha, surrounded by tall mountains that dominate the skyline.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in an airy park with a view into the deep valley outside Namas)
Included Activities
- Visit village of Olayyan
- Explore local museum in Olayyan
- Visit Namas ruler's house museum
- Picnic lunch in park outside Nanas
- Explore Abha city
Landmarks Jabal Sawda Olayyan Namas - Day 7
Abha
This day focuses on the culture and heritage of the Asir region. You'll visit Rijal Alma with its mud houses protected by ingenious boulder systems, then grab a drink at the village café. Habala is next, the dramatic cliff village reachable by sporadic cable car with incredible views. The Fatima Museum of Aseeri Women shows traditional design and natural painting methods. The highlight includes driving past Jabal Sawda then down a hairpin road to see around 60 multi-storey stone houses clinging to the mountain slopes.
Included Activities
- Rijal Alma visit
- Village café experience
- Habala hanging village cable car ride and exploration
- Fatima Museum of Aseeri Women visit
- Jabal Sawda scenic drive
- Traditional stone houses exploration
Landmarks Rijal Alma Habala Fatima Museum of Aseeri Women Jabal Sawda - Day 8
Abha Departure
Spend your final morning in Abha walking along Art Street, a tree-lined promenade where purple jacarandas bloom and outdoor art installations catch your eye. There are local cafés along the route for a coffee or tea. Take time to look at Abha's traditional multi-level homes, designed specifically to work with the mountain climate and steep terrain. After that, head to the airport for your onward journey, having covered the full span of the mountain range over the previous days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stroll along Art Street
- View public artworks and installations
- Explore traditional Abha architecture
Optional Activities
- Visit local cafés and restaurants on Art Street
Landmarks Art Street
