Saudi Arabia Explorer

13 days
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Small Group Tour
Muslims have made pilgrimage here for centuries, yet the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has only recently begun to open to outsiders. Discover it with an expert Saudi leader, visiting several World Heritage sites as we travel through desert, mountains and to the Red Sea. Along the way, we explore modern cities, stay in a village home, visit the largest camel market ...
26%
$9,315
From$6,900
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Discover Hegra - the UNESCO-listed Nabatean ruins and ancient rock art at Jubbah
    • Explore the highlights of a kingdom only just opening to the world
    • Experience local life with a night in a homestay in Aseer
    • Witness the largest camel market in the world
    • See Medina, the second holiest Islamic city
    • Delve into the historic Al Balad district of Jeddah
    • Visit Thee Ain Marble Village and the mountains of the south

What's this trip about?

    Muslims have made pilgrimage here for centuries, yet the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has only recently begun to open to outsiders. Discover it with an expert Saudi leader, visiting several World Heritage sites as we travel through desert, mountains and to the Red Sea. Along the way, we explore modern cities, stay in a village home, visit the largest camel market in the world, and explore Medina, Islam’s second holiest city. Visiting now, we see a country beginning to open to the world and undergoing a period of considerable change.Discover ancient treasures in the birthplace of Islam

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityRiyadh
End CityJeddah

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Attractions

  • Medina

Activities

  • Culture
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start in Riyadh

The adventure begins in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Check-in is available from mid-afternoon and we have a welcome briefing this evening, our first chance to meet as a group. Accommodation: Joudyan Hotel by Elaf (or similar)

Day 2 Discover Riyadh

Riyadh is a city of contrasts, from local marketplaces to gleaming high-rise buildings. We begin our day at Masmak Fortress in the old part of the city. This large clay and mud-brick citadel bore witness to the birth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While much of Riyad...

Day 3 Ushaiger heritage village; drive to Buraydah

Start early today and begin our journey by road to Buraydah, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. Along the way, we visit Ushaiger, one of the oldest settlements in the region. Though mostly abandoned  now, this ancient mud village displays stunning traditional Najd...

Day 4 Buraydah Camel Market; train to Hail

Early this morning, we visit Buraydah Camel Market – said be the largest in the world! Thousands of camels, goats and sheep are bought and sold, along with saddles and other accessories. Some days there is more to see than on others, but there are always camels. We al...

Day 5 UNESCO rock art at Jubbah; drive to AlUla

Head to Jubbah in the Al Nafud desert, where large sandstone outcrops are covered by neolithic petroglyphs and inscriptions, some of the finest in the Arab World. These UNESCO-listed artworks depict animals such as aurochs, cheetahs and lions, which were present when ...

Day 6 Hegra, Maraya and AlUla Old Town

AlUla is an ancient oasis that has been inhabited for the last 7,000 years. The main draws are remarkable natural rock formations and canyons, extensive and varied pre-Arabic rock art, and immaculately preserved tombs built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans....

Day 7 Khaybar oasis; drive to Medina

Today’s journey takes us through the desert and mountains to Medina along an ancient pilgrimage route passing the oasis of Khaybar. This is a volcanic area with black lava stone, mountain vistas and a rich history. Before the rise of Islam in the seventh century, the ...

Day 8 Medina; train to Jeddah

There’s much more to Medina than its primary holy site. We get the chance to visit the terminus station of the Hijaz or Ottoman railway, which once brought pilgrims to Medina from as far away as Damascus in Syria. We have  browsing time at the central market. Saudis a...

Day 9 Jeddah, including Al-Balad World Heritage site

Start our tour with a visit to Tayebat Museum (Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum), which presents local and Arabian heritage. The museum consists of life-size examples of Saudi (especially Jeddahwi) building styles, everyday tools and utensils, art and details about the two H...

Day 10 Thee Ain village; drive to Al Bahah

Start early and drive south along the Red Sea coast through an empty land of rocky and sometimes sandy views. The silence is broken by camel herds and the occasional Bedouin tent. Roadside towns and some cities flank the road, until it is time to branch east, and into...

Day 11 To Al Shaaf homestay

We drive south through the mountains in the direction of Abha and Yemen. Stop at Al Malad Castle on the way, a dual fortress perched on a hill along the commercial road to Asir. Constructed by two brothers four centuries ago, it served military functions and housed pr...

Day 12 To Jeddah via Baljurashi and Taif

The call to prayer may wake us before sunrise today. After a local breakfast, we begin our journey back to Jeddah. We stop in the town of Baljurashi, known for its unique Saturday historic market (some of our departures coincide with market days, but not all). On all...

Day 13 End in Jeddah

Our adventure ends in Jeddah this morning. If you'd like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,900
Price per day$531
Last Updated: 6/10/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Supplement
Single Supplement
Availability
25 Oct 2024
06 Nov 2024
$7,200
$8,475
26 Nov 2024
08 Dec 2024
$7,200
$8,475
20 Dec 2024
01 Jan 2025
$7,200
$8,475
14 Jan 2025
26 Jan 2025
$7,350
$8,700
31 Jan 2025
12 Feb 2025
$7,350
$8,700
14 Feb 2025
26 Feb 2025
$7,350
$8,700
08 Apr 2025
20 Apr 2025
$6,900
$8,250
19 Sep 2025
01 Oct 2025
$7,350
$8,700
07 Oct 2025
19 Oct 2025
$7,350
$8,700
28 Oct 2025
09 Nov 2025
$7,350
$8,700

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Exodus Travels.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
What they’re known for
Global trips to both classic and exotic destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and discovery of local culture.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

,On this cultural adventure in Saudi Arabia, we spend nine nights in hotels, two nights in cabins on a farm and one night in a homestay. The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip. AlUla: Al Mazham Farm (nights 5-6) Spend two nights on a working farm of palm trees, dates and oranges, which sits against the rocky backdrop of Sharaan Nature Reserve. We stay in comfortable cabins among the palms, with twin or double beds; during the orange season, you can see the fruits right outside your door. Breakfast is simple but tasty, featuring regional specialties such as foul galaba (Yemeni foul) and kebda, plus omelettes with fresh bread, served with coffee and tea. Feel free to stroll around the farm, learning about the agricultural practices of Saudi Arabia from the English-speaking owner or staff (if available). Al Shaaf: Homestay (night 11) Enjoy traditional Saudi hospitality with a night in a family home. We arrive on foot, walking through a picturesque valley, while exploring the village and its agricultural landscape. The host greets you with traditional tea and stays with you until dinner to discuss the local culture and daily life. You’re also welcome to explore the village, visit a small cultural museum nearby, or enjoy the sunset from a cliff near the house. Dinner and breakfast feature home-cooked Asir meals served in the traditional manner on the floor. Worth knowing It is not possible to arrange a private room and single supplements for the homestay on night 11. Depending on numbers, the group may be distributed across more than one homestay, all are within a short walk of each other.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Saudi food often features rice and meat. Lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day. Kabsa is considered the national dish, it consists of richly spiced rice with chicken, meat or fish and is often accompanied by a salsa or salad. Meat stews are a common lunch or dinner. Breakfasts in Saudi Arabia are often quite simple and usually feature coffee and dates. Fresh juices such as mango, orange and hibiscus are popular, as are juice-based cocktails, qahwa (a green coffee bean and cardamon-based drink often served with dates) and tea are common too. Alcohol and pork are strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia, do not bring either into the country. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Nine nights in hotels and two nights farm stay, one night home stay
  • Travel by air-conditioned minibus or bus, plus two journeys by high-speed train
  • Group normally up to 16 plus Saudi Arabian leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip ID
exodus-AXY

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