Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Al-Ula - Hejaz Desert - Red Sea
100% customisable for you
Pack your bags, grab your passports and head to the airport, because your tour of Saudi Arabia’s hotspots begins today. After speeding through security and enjoying some lunch in the lounge, board your six-hour direct flight to Jeddah.
Once you’ve touched down, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel. It’ll be evening by the time you arrive, so flop into bed, ready for the true excitement to begin tomorrow.
The heart of your trip begins today, so make your way back to the airport this morning for your one-hour-and-15-minute flight to Al-Ula. On arrival in this ancient city, pick up your trusty hire car and drive to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
This afternoon, head out to explore Al-Ula's historic Old Town. Overlooked by Musa Bin Nusayr Castle, the Old Town is home to over 900 mud-brick houses set among a maze of narrow streets, once trodden by ancient pilgrims and traders. As you wander along, stop into small shops selling local crafts and spices before enjoying a tasty dinner at one of many buzzing restaurants.
If you’d rather a more relaxing evening, make your way to Jebel Al Fil to watch the sunset. Settle in front of aptly named ‘Elephant Rock’, a 171ft sandstone monolith shaped by years of wind and water erosion, to watch the sun paint the sky in beautiful amber hues.
There’s a lot to see in Al-Ula, so wake up bright and early for a jam-packed day of exploring. After a hearty hotel breakfast, you’ll be picked up by your driver guide for a tour of Sharaan Nature Reserve in a comfortable 4x4. As you drive through the reserve’s desert expanses, you'll be treated to views of reddish canyons, wind-shaped arches and steep-sided ravines. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, including wolves, ostriches and gazelles.
The exploring doesn’t stop there, because this afternoon we’ve arranged for you to visit the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Petra of Saudi Arabia’ due to its towering sandstone tombs, Hegra was a buzzing trade hub up until the Roman conquest in 106 AD. Alongside your guide, discover the city’s 111 miraculously preserved monumental tombs, many of which feature intricate facades carved into the rock, and learn about the rich history of this ancient civilisation.
Swap city for sand today as you leave Al-Ula and drive four hours south to the sandy desert plains of Hejaz, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
You’ll be tired after your long drive, so check in, drop your bags and enjoy a tasty dinner in the hotel restaurant. If you’ve still got some energy, watch the sun set over the desert dunes – but if not (and we don’t blame you), flop into bed for a good night’s sleep, ready for more exploration tomorrow.
Set around 125 miles from the Red Sea, Hejaz’s desert plains boast dramatically steep canyons, towering rock formations and sprawling sandy stretches.
Today is yours for the taking, but we’d recommend heading out on a hike through the desert. After choosing from a variety of hiking trails, depending on whether you’d like an easier or more challenging route, a knowledgeable guide will lead you from your hotel into the sandy dunes. Along the way, you’ll wind through impressive and contrasting landscapes, from dramatic rock to lush date palm groves.
Today, say goodbye to sand and hello to sea as you drive an hour to the coastal town of Turtle Bay. From here, you’ll be privately transferred by boat to your final hotel, set on a pristine private island in the Ummahat archipelago.
You’ll be spending the next two nights here, so drop your bags off and spend the rest of the day soaking in the sun on the pristine beach. Once evening comes, enjoy a tasty meal in the hotel restaurant, toasting to the ‘sea’ leg of your Saudi Arabian adventure.
Set south of Tabuk, just off the Saudi Arabian coastline, the Ummahat archipelago is often compared to the Maldives for its idyllic beaches, pristine sand and clear waters.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. Fancy a bit of underwater action? The Red Sea’s crystalline waters are perfect for a day of snorkelling, so mask up, dive down and explore the beautiful coral reef alongside an expert guide. If you’d rather keep your feet well and truly planted on dry land, no worries – simply spend the day relaxing on the sand (good book and tasty cocktail optional).
It’s time to say goodbye to Saudi Arabia, so pack your bags and board your private boat transfer back to Turtle Bay. Once you’re back on the mainland, drive two-and-a-half hours south to Yanbu Airport, where you can return your hire car and relax in the lounge before your flight.
The journey will take fourteen hours in total, going via a connecting airport, and you’ll touch down in the UK the next day, ready to regale your friends and family with stories of your Saudi Arabian adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
