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 Saudi Arabia has been closed to the average tourist during our entire lifetime. Very few Westerners have had the opportunity to explore this ultra-conservative society. It has now opened to tourism and will continue to evolve from its nomadic tribal roots. We will have its critics for merely offering this trip, but we feel one must visit even the most controversial destinations to properly form a personal, educated opinion that is not solely mass media driven.
Saudi Arabia, birthplace of Islam, remains the world’s most enigmatic countries. We will take you to the kingdom’s highlights from the capital city of Riyadh to the port-city of Jeddah on the Red Sea. A highlight will be the ancient Nabatean kingdom at Al ‘Ula, once a wealthy trading hub along the “Incense Route” and characterized by its narrow, winding streets. This journey offers a glimpse into one of the world’s least known countries. It will certainly appeal to those drawn to something out-of-the ordinary.
Day 0 - Friday, February 07, 2025
Depart the USA, Canada on any regularly scheduled flight to Riyadh, King Khalid International Airport (RUH).
Day 1 - Saturday, February 08, 2025
Arrive in Saudi Arabia's buzzing capital Riyadh to a warm welcome and transfer to your hotel. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Once a walled, mud-brick way station along desert trading routes, it is now a modern metropolis that is changing at a rapid rate. Evening at Leisure. Located in the heart of the city and setting new standards for luxury, Al Faisaliah Hotel (a Mandarin Oriental Hotel) is our home for the next two nights.
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh Hotel, Riyadh, 5*,
Superior Room
Day 2 - Sunday, February 09, 2025
Enjoy early morning breakfast before starting our tour. Start our tour with a visit to the National Museum and Continue the tour by visiting Musmak Fort, in Riyadh's old quarter, built during the second Saudi state in 1865 A.D. Afterwards, explore the Dirah Souq, a market famed for colorful textiles from silk to luxurious pashminas. This afternoon after enjoying your lunch at Najd Village restaurant (Authentic Saudi cuisine). After lunch visit the heritage listed Diriyyah, an historic site on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is said to be the birthplace of the first Saudi state and is today the current home of the royal family. The mud-brick walls once fortified a thriving desert city that was a powerhouse of culture and commerce. In 1745, the city was named. Later this day you will get a chance to explore Kingdom Tower with a visit to the Sky Bridge located on the top floor where you will see Riyadh with Bird’s eye view. Embark on a city tour visiting Boulevard City as well as the King Abdullah Financial District to see the skyscrapers lighting the night sky. Enjoy dinner at Italian Restaurant called Signor Sassi Restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh Hotel, Riyadh, 5*,
Superior Room
Day 3 - Monday, February 10, 2025
After breakfast this morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight northwest to Hail, located in the northern Arabian Peninsula. A historic crossroads of trade, especially during the hajj season when camel caravans passed through, Hail has played an intriguing role in the history of modern Saudi Arabia, and it is home to a buzzing souq and one of the last remaining proper flea markets in the country. Arrive Hail and transfer to Loft Restaurant for lunch. Transfer by road to heritage listed Jubbah, where magnificent rock carvings and petroglyphs adorn the surrounding sandstone outcrops depicting thousand-year-old illustrations of camels, lions, and other wildlife that called the region home. Visit the intriguing Ha'il Local Heritage Museum, the private museum of local resident Khalid Bin Hamoud Al Matrod, set in a traditional Najd house/farm. Peruse the eclectic collection which comprises of domestic items from kitchen paraphernalia to antique radios and get a glimpse of a bygone era. Be treated to some Saudi hospitality and learn about the importance of camels in Saudi culture as you sit down to taste Arabic coffee at a local farm. Afterwards, travel by road to your hotel in time to check in and enjoy dinner, included at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Millennium Hail Hotel, Ha'il, 5*, Deluxe Room
Day 4 - Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Early Departure this morning, to view Qeshla Palace, admiring the monumental structure from the outside before exploring the ancient A'arif Fort built on top of a rocky outcrop with outstanding views over the city. Visit the local Souq. After your explorations, drive to Al Ula (approx. 5hrs) and enjoy lunch with your fellow travellers. Arrive AlUla nestled in a large, spectacular valley, where palm groves run down the centre of a wadi and foreboding red-sandstone cliffs rise on either side. Al Ula was historically located on the Incense route and was an important trading hub for the ancient Lihyanites. It has a delightfully mysterious air about it and is the gateway to Saudi Arabia's very own 'Petra', Madain Saleh. Return to your resort for dinner. A trail-blazer in sustainability, the Habitas AlUla offers nature-inspired, luxury five-star villas nestled within an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Our Habitas AlUla Resort, AlUla, 5*, Canyon Villa
Day 5 - Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Breakfast at your hotel and start your tour by exploring the wonders of World Heritage listed Hegra. Southernmost settlement of the Nabatean kingdom, the city was known as 'Al Hijr or Hegra' during ancient times and was once a stopover on the very prosperous trade route. The site spreads over 2000 square metres, with an abundance of relics and rock-cut tombs. Discover the Nabatean Well, Qasr Al Bint, Diwan Tomb, and Al Farid Palace as well as the preserved railway station. Lunch at Pink Camel Restaurant After refuelling visit old town. One of the reasons it evokes such a deep sense of emotion is that it was inhabited in the not-so-distant past. AlUla Old Town is in the narrowest part of the AlUla Valley. Built on a slight elevation, the town is overlooked by the Musa bin Nusayr Castle, a citadel dating back approximately to the 10th century. After exploring old town, you will visit the iconic 'Elephant Rock' to enjoy drink in the sunset from this spectacular vantage point over a cupof Arabic coffee or tea, and delicious local dates.
Dinner at the Resort.
Optional: This evening you can experience star gazing in the desert depends on the weather. (Additional Cost).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Our Habitas AlUla Resort, AlUla, 5*, Canyon Villa
Day 6 - Thursday, February 13, 2025
After enjoying your delicious breakfast, this morning you will visit Dadan and Ikma mountain or Jabal Ikmah, a mountain near to the ancient city of Dadan, the capital of Dadanite and Lihyanite Kingdoms, has been described as a huge open-air library. We hope you're ready to be blown out by this beautiful journey as we will start with the most famous oases of the 1st millennium BCE the oasis of Dedan, where excavations on extensive archaeological sites have revealed the existence of large, fortified cities. These kingdoms developed their own culture including a specific language and alphabet, that resulted in a mix of Arabian traditions and strong influences from the surrounding empires. There is no such site that is more significant, than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of, and most varied inscriptions, in AlUla. Enjoy lunch Tawlat Fayza restaurant. Head out to see the iconic 'Elephant Rock' and nearby mudbrick village, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. The ‘trunk’ and ‘body’ of this monolithic red sandstone beast were shaped by natural forces over millions of years of wind & water erosion. Relax and watch the color of the rock change as the sun sets. Drink in the sunset from this spectacular vantage point over a cup of Arabic coffee or tea, and delicious local dates. Dinner At Nakheel Restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Our Habitas AlUla Resort, AlUla, 5*, Canyon Villa
Day 7 - Friday, February 14, 2025
After delicious breakfast early morning drive from AlUla to Madinah (approx. 3 hr 40 min - 330 km). Arrival Madinah and start our visit with the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization which is located right in the Holy Mosque where you can take pictures of it before we move to our next stop. Next we will go to Quba Street which connect two Mosques, the Holy Mosque and Quba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history in which the first was the house that prophet Mohammed lived and eventually it’s his grave visited by. 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 visit from the outside only In the same street which is a nice pedestrian street for walking, there are many traditional food shops and snacks where will stop for our lunch break. After the tour, transfer to High Speed Harmain Train Station and enjoy the journey at the speed of 300km/h. Arrival Jeddah and transfer to your Hotel in Jeddah. Check-in, and evening at leisure. The historic crossroads of pilgrims and traders, Jeddah is the most fascinating of Saudi Arabia's major cities, with a cosmopolitan and liberal air does not present anywhere else in the country. Admire the city's World Heritage Red Sea architecture, explore the bustling souq and laid-back coastline that's home to fantastic dive sites, and enjoy diverse, world-class cuisine. The evening is yours to explore this captivating city. Anchored on the new Jeddah Waterfront along the shores of the Red Sea, Shangri-La Jeddah sets a new standard for luxury in the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel invite the outdoors in, and the stylish interiors reflect the endless blue of the sea and sandy beaches right outside.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri-La Jeddah Hotel, Jeddah, 5*, Deluxe Room Sea View
Day 8 - Saturday, February 15, 2025
Early morning breakfast before departing on our tour in Jeddah. Begin with a visit to the local fish market. Continue and visit the remarkable Tayebat Museum, a privately owned haven spanning four floors. Immerse yourself in a collection that weaves through time, featuring pre-Islamic artifacts, exquisite Islamic manuscripts, ancient coins and weaponry, alongside breathtaking furniture, pottery, and traditional Saudi attire. Continue to Angawi House museum fo an exclusive visit. Located on a relatively generic street of white, high-walled villas, the Angawi House is built and designed in the traditional Hejaz style, a typical Arabian architectural style. We are invited by the owners to tour this spectacular home and learn the design styles of the Saudi people. Later this evening, we will dine at the home of a Saudi family. This immersive evening allows us to sit with a multi-generational family and interact. It is an experience with valuable insight into the local culture.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri-La Jeddah Hotel, Jeddah, 5*, Deluxe Room Sea View
Day 9 - Sunday, February 16, 2025
This morning after a delicious breakfast start your day with the open-air museum on the Corniche with its extraordinary array of modern sculpture ranging from traditional Arabic designs to the abstract and monumental. Afterwards, gaze upon the 'floating mosque' which appears to drift on the water's surface shimmering in the sun light. Pause to take in the spectacular views over the Red Sea. Next, discover King Fahd's Fountain, also known as Jeddah Fountain, which is the tallest of its type in the world, shooting saltwater from the Red Sea 300 metres up into the air, at speeds over 300 kilometres per hour. Lunch at seafood restaurant before visiting the old town (AlBalad) in Jeddah. Al Balad, the old town, to see Jeddah's traditional architecture. Visit some of the old hejazi houses, constructed from coral and reinforced with wooden beams, including Nasif House, one of the most beautiful which was built in the 1850's by the Nasif Family, one of the most influential trading families in the history of Jeddah. It was here that King Abdul Aziz spent his first night in Jeddah as the guest of Mohammed Nasif after leading his victorious army into the capital of the Western Province. Explore Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum which showcases the nearly 2,500-year-old history of the Jeddah area with exhibitions spanning pre-Islamic history, to pre-modern civilisations and the rich Islamic cultural heritage of the city. The complex also contains a mosque and the facade of an old castle. Gather for a Farewell Dinner this evening to celebrate our amazing trip.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Shangri-La Jeddah Hotel, Jeddah, 5*, Deluxe Room Sea View
Day 10 - Monday, February 17, 2025
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure flights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the cliffs at Jubbah, Hegra, and Jeddah City
• Unique Experiences like an incredible stargazing experience
• Experience the ancient and natural wonders and stunning landscape of desert canyons and cliffs.
• City Tours of Riyadh, Medina City, Taif, and Jeddah City
• Signature comprehensive sightseeing programs
• Signature deluxe accommodations
• Signature small group size
• Signature inclusive meal plan
• Nine nights’ accommodation at 4*+ and 5* hotels
• Our Representative, with minimum participation of 6
• 24 Meals:
- 9 Breakfasts,
- 8 Lunches,
- 7 Dinners
• Pre-departure assistance and Information Portfolio
• Private transportation and English-speaking local guides throughout the tour
• Taxes and service charges
• Sightseeing excursions and entry fees, as stated in the itinerary
• Passport and visa fees; a VISA is required for this tour
• Early or late arrival/departure surcharge or early check-in / late check-out
• Personal accommodations, meals, transfers, drinks, gifts, and expenses not outlined in the itinerary
• Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in itinerary
• Gratuity for local guides, drivers, staff, and group manager
• Individual arrival or departure transfers
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh Hotel, Riyadh
As one of Riyadh’s finest 5-star hotels, Al Faisaliah Hotel features 325 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, exclusive 24-hour butler service, contemporary meeting facilities, six international restaurants, a state-of-the-art health club and Al Faisaliah Spa, exclusively for the Ladies.
The richly appointed suites exude understated luxury, for the perfect retreat. Generously proportioned and residentially styled, arabesque architectural details gracefully combine with contemporary elegance and state-of-the-art technology for an overall refined and exquisite ambiance. All rooms at Al Faisaliah Hotel are featuring a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, touch-screen controls for lights, curtains and heating.
The Globe Restaurant is an Opulent destination in its own right, the visually stunning geodesic dome provides a striking setting for indulging in inventive modern European cuisine before unwinding at The Asir Lounge, the city’s only dedicated cigar lounge. La Brasserie restaurant is a multi-faceted, interactive theatre of food where guests can enjoy the action and engagement of being able to see our chefs at work, preparing authentic culinary dishes from an international cuisine pallet.
Al Faisaliah Hotel’s health club features a 20-metre indoor pool, a state-of-the-art gym with isotonic weight machines, and a relaxation area. Guests can enjoy the luxury shopping and entertainment areas of the adjoining Mode Mall.
Millennium Hail Hotel, Ha'il
Set in a convenient location opposite Hail economic city, Millennium Hail Hotel Saudi Arabia offers luxury accommodations and an extensive array of services and amenities. Each of our 166 luxurious rooms and 17 suites is spacious, beautifully designed and well-appointed. The hotel also features an on-site beauty salon, separate men’s and women’s spa and swimming pools, and a mini sports complex for your leisure entertainment during your stay.
Built with perfection, the 5-star Millennium Hail Hotel Saudi Arabia places you in the center of everything you need, with the Saudi Railway Station right next to the hotel and Hail Regional Airport only 20 minutes away. The hotel is near the University of Hail, Rally Hail Base Camp and Arab Open University, and just a short drive away from horse racing, Al Khatta Village, Jubba and Old City Centre.
To help you fully unwind, Millennium Hotel Hail has delectable dining options. Al Fairouz Restaurant offers all-day international dining menu with a fusion of local traditional food as well as a wide range of famous regional and international dishes with daily specials. You’ll find the best BBQ and seafood variety in the region offered in our seasonal menus, as well as a vegetarian a la carte options.
The Millennium Hail Hotel Saudi Arabia offers a luxurious stay for business and leisure travelers.
Our Habitas AlUla Resort, AlUla
Welcome to our sustainable home of wonder in AlUla, an immersive experience where nature inspires creative expression, human connection and the pursuit of adventure.
Our Habitas AlUla has a fitness centre, terrace, a restaurant and bar in AlUla. The hotel also features free WiFi as well as a paid airport shuttle service.
Our villas are sustainably designed to embrace the natural surroundings of the Ashar Valley. All of our villas offer scenic canyon views, private outdoor lounge decks, king-sized beds, indoor & outdoor showers, and scenic canyon views.
A vegetarian, vegan or halal breakfast is available each morning at the property. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and car hire is available at this 5-star hotel. Speaking Arabic, English, Spanish and French at the reception, staff are always at hand to help.
Shangri-La Jeddah Hotel, Jeddah
Located in Jeddah, 1.6 km from Red Sea Mall, Shangri-La Jeddah features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and private parking. Featuring an ATM, this property also provides guests with a children's playground. The accommodation provides a kids' club, room service and currency exchange for guests.
Guests at Shangri-La Jeddah can enjoy a buffet breakfast. At the hotel you will find a restaurant serving Caribbean, Chinese and Peruvian cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and halal options can also be requested.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. Shangri-La Jeddah offers certain rooms with city views, and the rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation each room comes with bed linen and towels.
Shangri-La Jeddah offers 5-star accommodation with a fitness centre, sauna and hot tub. Speaking Arabic and English, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical guidance on the area at the reception.
 
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