Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
There are few places in the world that could be described as outside the reaches of tourism, and Saudi Arabia may be one of them. Images of desert adventures or busy souks are only one side of this eclectic country, known as the birthplace of Islam. This trip will introduce a Saudi Arabia of high mountains, chaotic camel markets, diverse food and a history th...
19%
$7,540
From$6,130
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Discover the hidden treasures and natural beauties of Saudi Arabia
    • Spend two full days in the middle of the desert in the ancient Nabatean city of AlUla
    • Experience the seaside by the Red Sea before travelling to the mountainous side of Saudi

What's this trip about?

    There are few places in the world that could be described as outside the reaches of tourism, and Saudi Arabia may be one of them. Images of desert adventures or busy souks are only one side of this eclectic country, known as the birthplace of Islam. This trip will introduce a Saudi Arabia of high mountains, chaotic camel markets, diverse food and a history that spans prehistoric rock art, the ancient spice trade and Lawrence's Arabian deserts. AlUla - Discover this ancient Nabatean city, second in size only to Petra, in the middle of the desert Al Bahah - Experience the mountainous side of Saudi in this region of cave-dwellings, hidden villages and hairpin roads Red Sea - Explore the atmospheric alleyways of the UNESCO-listed old town of Jeddah, and enjoy a boat trip along the coast of Yanbu

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityRiyadh
End CityJeddah

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Jordan

Attractions

  • Medina
  • Petra

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Riyadh

Arrive in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Once a desert trading post on the caravan route, this skyscraper-filled city is fighting a battle between the old and the new. Riyadh has a more traditional atmosphere than its red sea sister, Jeddah, and its historical s...

Day 2 Discover the old and new faces of Riyadh; walking tour with a Saudi lady

Riyadh is a chaotic, sprawling city, where ancient palaces and palm trees are found just a few traffic-laden streets away from bright, modern architecture. We'll get a feeling of both the old and new today. Before the 1930s, Riyadh was a small, walled oasis town in...

Day 3 Visit the Ushaiqer Heritage Village; drive to Buraidah

Leaving Riyadh this morning, we'll drive north-west to the Ushaiqer Heritage Village, a winding maze of alleyways and mud-brick houses. Nearby springs and palm groves made this a convenient stopping point for ancient pilgrims to Mecca. The village is a glimpse into an...

Day 4 Experience the Buraidah camel market; drive to Ha'il

Rise early this morning to drive to the dusty outskirts of Buraidah, where we find the Kingdom's famous camel market. A chaotic melee of people, sounds and smells, the daily market sees hundreds of camels, as well as sheep and goats, being bought and sold by local Sau...

Day 5 Discover the UNESCO-listed rock carvings at Jubbah; drive to AlUla and our desert accommodation

The oasis of Jubbah was once a huge inland lake, rich in wildlife and plant life and on the edge of the windswept Nafud Desert. On a set of sandstone rocks, which pop out of the sandy floor at the western edge of this oasis town, we'll find some of the Middle East's m...

Day 6 Visit the Nabatean city of Hegra and the Lion Tombs of Dadan

A short drive this morning brings us to the Lion Tombs of Dadan. Pre-dating the Nabatean Empire, the kings of Dadan, later named Lihyan, ruled from the 6th to the 2nd Century BC. At their capital, Dadan, the remains of ancient tombs have been found hewn into the rockf...

Day 7 Discover AlUla Old Town; Optional Stargazing

In the morning the tour leader will guide you through AlUla's Old Town. A maze of tightly packed streets, hundreds of mudbrick buildings, and an impressive watchtower fort, Old Town was inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980s. In the afterno...

Day 8 Drive through the desert, and past the Sarawat Mountains, to Medina

Driving south to Medina, the desert extends before us, with the Sarawat Mountains flanking us to the left. En route, we will stop at Khaybar, a sister oasis of AlUla. It is considered one of the natural wonders of northwest Arabia and its landscape was shaped by lava ...

Day 9 Yanbu, antique port city on the Red Sea

After many days inland surrounded by the beautiful red sand of the desert, today we head to the coast for a change of scenery and for a load of Vitamin Sea. Yanbu is an ancient Red Sea port town whose history date back approximately 2,500 years. As expected of virtual...

Day 10 To the mountains at Al Bahah via Ta'if

We set off early in the morning leaving the Red Sea behind us. Today will be a day of long drives with key stops for rest and refreshments along the way. We aim to reach Ta'if for a quick lunch and a wander. Ta'if is surrounded by lush wadis and mountains that bloo...

Day 11 Visit the unexpected mountain village of Thee Ain

Spend a day of adventure exploring everything that this wonderful area has to offer. We set out from our hotel onto the 25 tunnels road - a deeply dramatic road of tight hairpin bends that descends hundreds of metres in a short time. We'll visit the 600 year-old marbl...

Day 12 Drive to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's second largest city on the Red Sea

We meet the Red Sea again today, as we journey back northwards towards the coastal city of Jeddah. It's a long day of driving, but we'll make stops en route. Jeddah is the largest commercial city in Saudi Arabia. A major port, an historical Red Sea trading point, and ...

Day 13 Walking tour of the UNESCO-listed old town; traditional evening meal

We'll explore Jeddah today, beginning with a visit to the enormous fish market. Seafood is essential to the economy of Jeddah, and a visit to this thriving fish market puts this into perspective. We'll also explore Jeddah's corniche, which extends many miles along the...

Day 14 Trip ends in Jeddah

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Jeddah. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Jeddah at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,130
Price per day$438
Last Updated: 4/25/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
16 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024
$6,320
$1,680
11 spots left
30 Oct 2024
12 Nov 2024
$6,130
$1,680
5 spots left
06 Nov 2024
19 Nov 2024
$6,130
$1,680
14 spots left
13 Nov 2024
26 Nov 2024
$6,130
$1,680
11 spots left
20 Dec 2024
02 Jan 2025
$6,130
$1,680
5 spots left
08 Jan 2025
21 Jan 2025
$6,320
$1,740
15 spots left
19 Jan 2025
01 Feb 2025
$6,320
$1,740
16 spots left
29 Jan 2025
11 Feb 2025
$6,320
$1,740
16 spots left
02 Feb 2025
15 Feb 2025
$6,320
$1,740
16 spots left
12 Feb 2025
25 Feb 2025
$6,320
$1,740
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

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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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,528
Great
2,169
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
53
A

Alan

Feb 2024

Written on

Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Riyadh. Desert stay. Mountain visit.

S

Sanna

Jan 2024

Written on

Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Despite being 95% desert, the itinerary covered a wide range of topographies including the Shada Mountains, the volcanic crater at Wahbah, the rock carvings at AlUla...

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, 4WD,

Transportation & flights

Bus, 4WD
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
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
Saudi Arabia: British passport holders can apply for an e-visa on line at the following portal - https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports. Explore recommends obtaining an e-visa online. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All Visit Visas: The fee for the visa is SAR 535 (approx £113). This includes the base fee and health insurance. However, additional charges apply for VAT and payment processing. The validity of the visa depends on its type. A single entry visa allows you to stay for a total length of one month, while the multiple entry visa allows you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to three months. A multiple entry visa is valid for a maximum of three months, regardless of whether you leave and re-enter the country during that period of time. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Dinner : 5
  • Lunch : 2
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-KSA

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