Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Best of Saudi Arabia Ancient Cities, Desert Plains and the Red Sea
Al-Ula - Hejaz Desert - Red Sea
On this nine-day trip, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the best of Saudi Arabia. After a whirlwind night in Jeddah, your holiday truly begins in AlUla, a historic city that was once a crucial stop on the ancient incense trade route. Once you’ve explored the ancient city, it’s time to head to the desert plains of Hejaz, where you can admire mesmerising rock formations and hike through powdery sand dunes.
Finish your holiday with a relaxing stay on a private island in the Ummahat Archipelago on the Red Sea. These islands boast pristine coral reefs and a wealth of marine life, so spend your time here snorkelling and sunbathing, before reluctantly heading home.
Itinerary
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 the one-hour-and-15-minute flight to AlUla. When you arrive in this ancient city, pick up your trusty hire car and drive to your next hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
This afternoon, head out to explore AlUla'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 the 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 AlUla, 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 AlUla and drive four hours south to the sandy desert plains of Hejaz, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
You’ll likely be tired after your drive, so check in, drop your bags and relax in the impressive spa this afternoon. If you’re still raring to go, opt to stretch your legs with a walk through the dunes for your first proper dose of the desert.
Enjoy a tasty dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening, where you’ll be able to watch the sun set over the desert dunes. Then, 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 rocks to lush date palm groves.
Today, say goodbye to the desert and hello to the 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 final leg of your Saudi Arabian adventure.
Set south of Tabuk, just off the Saudi Arabian coastline, the Ummahat Archipelago is often compared (quite rightly) to the Maldives for its idyllic beaches, pristine sand and clear waters.
Today 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, untouched 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 return boat transfer 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 14 hours in total, via a connecting airport, so you’ll touch down in the UK the next day, ready to regale your friends and family with stories of your Saudi Arabian adventure.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
HEGRA AFTER DARK
Fancy experiencing this ancient city after dark? Head to Hegra in the middle of the night for a truly spectacular live show featuring traditional performances in Nabataean costumes. Illuminated by nearly 3,000 glowing candles, this experience allows you to appreciate Nabataean history in an entirely different light (literally).HIKING IN HEJAZ
Alongside an experienced guide, head out on one of the many hiking trails within Hejaz’s desert plains. Along the way, you’ll wind through impressive landscapes, including golden dunes, dramatic rock formations and lush date palm groves.SNORKELLING IN THE RED SEA
The Red Sea is one of our favourite diving destinations, so why not try your hand at snorkelling in its crystalline Saudi Arabian waters? Equipped with a mask and snorkel, explore the shallow waters of the Outer Reef with a private guide, keeping your eyes peeled for colourful parrotfish, angelfish and reef sharks. If you’re lucky, you might even spot stingrays, barracudas and sea turtles – do underwater adventures come any better than this?WITH A FEW MORE DAYS...
VISIT JEDDAHSet on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s ‘second city’. As early as the seventh century, it established itself as an important trading port on the spice route and an essential stopover for pilgrims en route to Mecca. This flourishing trade shaped the city and its architecture, which features coral stone tower houses adorned with wooden balconies, and it remains a buzzing city hub to this day (perfect for curious travellers).
VISIT DOHA
Don’t fancy Jeddah? Across the border, Qatar's capital, Doha, is the perfect alternative. Once a modest fishing village, Doha is a rapidly growing city, boasting futuristic buildings by renowned architects. The city blends modern touches with traces of its past, from the Qatar National Museum (designed by Jean Nouvel) to the Souq Waqif, where you’ll find traditional spices and local crafts.
Why visit Saudi Arabia with Original Travel ?
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.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Saudi Arabia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
