8 DAYS AROUND SAUDI ARABIA
Embark on a whirlwind 8-day journey through the heart of Saudi Arabia, where ancient history meets modern allure. This immersive program unveils the cultural tapestry of Riyadh, the historic charm of Jeddah, and the mesmerizing landscapes of the Empty Quarter. Dive into the enchanting blend of tradition and innovation as you traverse the country’s diverse regions, creating memories that span from bustling cityscapes to serene oases.
- Arrive Riyadh and transfer to your hotel (According to choice & budget, variety of hotels available).
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Morning visit historical city of Diriyah, Masmak Fort and Deerah Souq.
- Afternoon visit National Museum followed by visit to Kingdom Tower Bridge for a panoramic view of Riyadh.
- Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
Diriyah
The old city of Diriyah is located about 20km from the main city center of Riyadh. It is one of the most important archaeological sites from where the history of Saudi Dynasty begins. It is situated in the eastern part of the so-called Najd area in the valley known as Wadi Hanifa. The meaning of Najid is the high plateau, which forms the central part of Saudi Arabia. It is recorded by the chronicles that one of the person known as Ibn Dir, who was also the chief of al-Dir clan of Duru, which was belonging to Bani Hanifa tribe, was ruling this area. He had a vast fertile land in the valley, which he was not able to utilize completely due to lack of thin population of his clan. Therefore, he invited another clan of the same Banu Hanifa tribe to settle down on the fertile area of the Hanifa valley. Therefore, the clan named Murdah comes under the leadership of Mani al-Muraydi in 1446 A.D in Wadi Hanifa. Ibn Dir gave land for the cultivation to the clan in the Wadi Hanifa and the clan settled down. They were the ancestors of the Al-Saud family who established their first rule at Diriyah.
Masmak Fort
The Masmak Fort is one of the most important monuments in Saudi Arabia from where the modern Saudi History begins. It is an important historic landmark in the city of Riyadh. This palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. The reason for building this historic palace was to serve as military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army who was operating under a Governor in Riyadh from the Hail. His Majesty King Abdulaziz captured the fort on 15th January 1902.
Deerah Souq
Deerah Souq is famous for its variety of old copper and brass objects including silver daggers, silver Bedouins Jewelry and dresses. While entering from main access, one always smells sandal wood fragrance. Deerah Souq is worth buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hail.
- Arrive Hail and transfer to hotel (According to choice & budget, variety of choices available).
- Afternoon proceed for visit to Jubbah rock carvings following by visit to Qishla Palace and A’arif Fort.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Jubbah
Jubbah is one of the most interesting places of Saudi Arabia. It is believed that camel figures carved at Jubbah are the oldest in the Arabian Peninsula. These rock carvings date back to approx. 4000 years.
Hail
Hail is located in the Shammar Mountain region which is in west of the Al Odairie Valley. Hail is an urban centre where people resettle due to its development. The population of this city is over 100,000.
Qishla
Qishla Palace was constructed during 1940s when Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Musa’ad Al Saudi had office in Hail Province. This is a double story mud Palace. This has two main gates with 8 watch towers.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Al Ula.
- Arrive Al Ula and transfer to camp (According to choice & budget, variety of choices available).
- Afternoon enjoy visit to old city and highest point (Harrat Viewpoint).
- Dinner and overnight at camp.
Wadi Al Ula, gateway to Madain Saleh
Wadi Al Ula, gateway to Madain Saleh is known for its Lion of the Lihyanites-predecessors of the Nabateans (100 to 500 BC). Madain Saleh is the prime tourist attraction of the Kingdom. It was known as “Al Hijr” in the ancient times and served as a stopover on a very prosperous trade route. The cities lie on 9 square Km in an area of isolation about 845 Km from Jeddah in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia between Tabouk and Madinah.
- Breakfast at camp.
- Full day excursion to magnificent Nabatean sites of Madain Saleh which includes Qasr Bint, Diwan, Qasr Farid as well as underground city, Lihyan, and more.
- Dinner and overnight camp.
Al-Ula and Madain Saleh
Al-Ula and Madain Saleh are two of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent historical and archaeological sites. Al-Ula, located in the northwestern region of the country, has been inhabited for thousands of years and is home to several significant cultural and historical landmarks. The site is known for its ancient architecture, rock formations, and well-preserved archaeological sites.
Madain Saleh
Madain Saleh, located just north of Al-Ula, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Middle East. It was the second lar
- Today drive from Al Ula to Al Jouf.
- En route visit Dumat al Jandal, Omar Mosque etc.
- Arrive Al Jouf and transfer to Raoum Inn (3* Plus)
- Overnight at the hotel.
Dumat al-Jundal
Dumat al-Jundal is an ancient city of ruins located North Western Saudi Arabia in the Al Jauf Province. It is located 40 km before Sakaka. The name Dumat al-Jandal means literally “Dumah of the Stone”, since this was the territory of Dumah, one of the twelve sons of Ishmael.
The Omar Mosque
The Omar Mosque is situated in the town of Dumat al-Jandal, a major intersection of ancient trade routes linking Mesopotamia, Syria and the Arabian Peninsula. The mosque itself was built in 634-644.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Proceed for sightseeing tour of Al Jouf visiting Za’abal Fortress, Ar Rajajil Standing Stones.
- Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Jeddah.
- Arrive Jeddah and transfer to Prime Al Hamra Hotel (4*) or similar.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Situated on high ground overlooking Sakaka from the northwest, it is the center of many legends, it’s widely believed that this fortress was built in the seventh century B.C. Mud construction were added to it in the third century. The fortress could only be reached from one directly. It is known as Zaa’bal Fortress and Zaa’bal Palace.
Al-Rajajil
The Rajajil Columns is an archaeological site of pillars carved from sandstone thought to be 6,000 years old dating back to the Chalcolithic period.
- Morning visit old houses, Nasif House, Fish Market etc.
- Afternoon visit Abdul Rauf Khalil Art Museum, Corniche area, Al Rahma Mosque etc.
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Houses were constructed from coral and reinforced with wood so that beams crisscross the interior walls. Wooden balconies and casement windows are a special feature of Jeddah’s style, with elaborate casements decorating the facades of the old houses, normally there is a small balcony fronting every window. Doors and windows shutters are intricately carved. Some are painted and some remain simply wood with varnish.
Nasif House
The Nasif House was built during the 1850s by the well-known Nasif Family, one of the most influential trading families in the long history of Jeddah. In the 19th and early 20th centuries the house was one of the most important building in Jeddah. It was here that King Abdul Aziz spent his first night in Jeddah, as the guest of Mohammed Nasif, after he lead his victorious army into the capital of the Western Province. The Municipality of Jeddah recognized the architectural and historic value of the house and in 1964 it was converted into a museum and put under Government care.
Abdul Rauf Khalil Art Museum
Abdul Rauf Khalil Art Museum is one of the most unusual museums. Its four buildings comprise an electric hodge-podge of more than 10,000 weird and wonderful artefacts. One of its main buildings burnt out during 2002.
Corniche
The Corniche of Jeddah is one of the most important achievements of the city and is a major attraction for visitors to Jeddah. As Jeddah’s Red Sea coast extends for more than 80 km, the Municipality has made use of this long expanse of waterfront and turned it into place of fresh air for the city.