Surprising Saudi

Ramadan: 10 March - 08 April 2024 and 28 February -31 March 2025 Hajj Season: 09 May 2024 - 20 July 2024 Rates on application Private Holiday 10 Days ex Riyadh Daily Departures

As it is so unfamiliar to tourists, Saudi Arabia is often misperceived. Casual observers often class it as a hyper-conservative destination with laws as harsh and unforgiving as its desert landscapes. But the vast Kingdom is far more nuanced than it is generally given credit for.

This revelatory adventure unlocks the door to multi-faceted cities, remarkable culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

Highlights:

- Experience Riyadh’s contemporary culture: a mix of the ancient and the modern, a showcase for today’s Saudi Arabia
- Stargaze when camping in the "Valley of the Palms": Experience the silence and observe the night sky above Wadi Disah - one of Saudi Arabia's most beautiful natural highlights
- Discover ancient desert civilizations in AlUla and explore remarkable rock formations with giant tombs from the Nabatean era carved into the cliff faces
- Discover the Holy City of Medina, one of Islam's holiest pilgrimage sites
- Explore the vibrant city of Jeddah: Saudi’s oldest and most liberal city

- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Important Information Day 1: Riyadh

Welcome to Saudi Arabia. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local operator and transferred to your reserved hotel for a two-night stay.

One of the wealthiest cities in the world, Riyadh is a showcase for modern Saudi Arabia. Once a walled, mud-brick way station along desert trading routes, the capital is now a hyper-contemporary metropolis with the best hotels and restaurants in the country. Its organized grid layout is lined with more than 4,000 mosques, numerous busy shopping centres and traditional souks, public parks, and a diverse set of communities and neighbourhoods.

On this first day in the Kingdom, you will check the pulse of the city by taking the high-speed lift to the 99th floor of the iconic Kingdom Center for access to Riyadh’s best urban panorama. Suspended 300 meters above the city, the tower’s curved Sky Bridge offers spectacular views across the Riyadh skyline and beyond. Optional afternoon excursion (supplement applies): Half day by 4x4 to the stunning Edge of the World
Leave the city center and head out to Jebel Fihrayn, more famously known as “The Edge of the World". It got its nickname from the uninterrupted view of the horizon it offers atop its 300-meter-high cliffs, which overlook the plain below. Go for a stroll along the edge before you get cozy on your carpet and takwa, the Saudi picnic seat, for a prime view of the sky as it seems to melt into the barren earth. Experience freshly brewed Arabic coffee and tea, the flames of the fire and picnic-style snacks before returning to your hotel in Riyadh. Day 2: Riyadh (BLD)

Discover the captivating contrasts of Riyadh's rich heritage and modernity in a day filled with historical landmarks and futuristic marvels. Begin your journey in the heart of the old town, exploring Al Masmak Fortress, a 150-year-old citadel witnessing the birth of the Kingdom. Stroll through traditional marketplaces like Souq al Zel and Souq Bisht, immersing yourself in the city's charismatic past and perhaps purchase an Abaya for use during your travels.

Transition into Saudi Arabia's history at the Murabba palace and the National Museum, blending ancient splendours with modern exhibits. Across town and pointing high into the sky as a symbol for power is KAFD, or King Abdullah Financial District, the strikingly modern heart of business in the Kingdom and increasingly the wider Gulf area. Have a look at the mosque in an equally bold design before travelling further into the future visiting The Line Experience, offering insights into the futuristic city of NEOM and how life inside will be for its 9-million inhabitants.

Conclude your day with a journey into the past at Ad Diriyah, birthplace of the first Saudi state, At-Turaif. Uncover the UNESCO World Heritage site's restored glory, delving into its architecture and heritage. Learn about the construction of mud-brick houses and the lifestyle of a bygone era. End the day with a delightful dinner at Bujairi Terrace, savouring the flavours of Riyadh before an overnight stay in this enchanting city. Day 3: Riyadh - Tabuk (BL)

This morning you leave the capital by air for Tabuk, the gateway to Saudi Arabia’s northwest, and for centuries a resting point for Jordanian and Egyptian pilgrims on their way to Mecca and Medina.

Life moves slowly here as you will feel wandering along the main street, checking out the ‘smach’ shops (Saudi headwear for men) and the all-purpose stores selling anything a Bedouin needs in the desert. The small