10 Days Trip to Saudi Arabia

Arrive in Saudi Arabia's buzzing capital Riyadh to a warm Memphis Tours welcome and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Riyadh.

Overnight: Riyadh.

Start your day by visiting heritage listed Diriyyah, an historic site on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is said to be the birthplace of the first Saudi state and is today the current home of the royal family. The mud-brick walls once fortified a thriving desert city that was a powerhouse of culture and commerce. In 1745, the city was named the country's capital, laying the foundations for what would later become a unified Saudi Arabia.

Take a walk through the old town to admire its many ancient ruins including the once-splendid palace, houses and marketplace. Continue to Masmak Fort, in Riyadh's old quarter, built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in 1895 A.D. Afterwards, explore the Dirah Souq, a market famed for colourful textiles from silk to luxurious pashminas, before stopping for lunch.

This afternoon, be guided through the National Museum, a national treasure and World Heritage Site, composed of eight galleries that tell the complete story of Arabian history - from the creation of the universe to the modern era.

Continue to Murabba Palace, built by King Abdul Aziz in 1937. A family dwelling, it was constructed from local materials and is composed of several smaller palaces, service buildings, and the Royal Diwan. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Overnight: Riyadh.
Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch.
Visits: Masmak Fort, Dirah Souq, The National Museum, Murabba Palace.

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight northwest to Al-Ula. Spend your afternoon exploring the wonders of World Heritage liste Madain Saleh. Southernmost settlement of the Nabatean kingdom, the city was known as 'Al Hegra' during ancient times and was once a stopover on the very prosperous trade route. The site spreads over 2000 square metres, with an abundance of relics and rock-cut tombs. Discover the Nabatean Well, Qasr Al Bint, Diwan Tomb, and Al Farid Palace as well as the preserved railway station.

Lunch during the tour at local restaurant. Proceed to Harrat Uairedh, if there is time, the town's highest point with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Drink in the sunset from this spectacular vantage point over a cup of Arabic coffee or tea, and delicious dates. Return to the hotel for overnight in Al Ula.

Overnight: Al Ula.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Visits: Nabatean Well, Qasr Al Bint, Diwan Tomb, Al Farid Palace, Harrat Uairedh.

Meet your Guide in the hotel lobby to commence your full day touring in Al Ula. Spend the day exploring the wonders of World Heritage listed, Dadan and Jabal Ikmah. Jabal Ikmah has been described as a huge open-air library, home to the highest concentration of, and most varied inscriptions, in Al Ula. Dadan is the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms. This stone-built city features magnificent history that dates between 9th and 8th century BCE. The city also features over ten tombs which are carved into red-rock cliffs. The most famous is the ‘Lion Tombs’, which are seated lion sculptures that mark the burial site of elite society members.

After your mountain explorations, visit the Old town to discover the history of Al-Ula and take a stroll through the Oasis & local farms. Meet a local family and have a tea with them. After refuelling it's off to the iconic 'Elephant Rock'. Return to the hotel for overnight stay in Al Ula.

Overnight: Al Ula.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Visits: Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, The Lion Tombs, Elephant Rock.

Check-out and meet your Guide in the hotel lobby to start your road trip and adventure to Tabuk (360km drive plus 30-minute stop). Arrive Tabuk for check-in and have a quick lunch.

Embark on an afternoon trip to Deise Valley also known as Wadi Deise. Wadi Deise is a mountainous region and one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Saudi Arabia. The valley lies 400 metres above sea level. The name Al Disah translates to “The Valley of Palm Trees” because the valley floor is surrounded by huge sandstone cliffs that are perfect for explorations. You will experience river crossings with a high density of vegetation. You may also see camels roaming and as well as the local farmer herding his goats from one spot to another. Return to hotel and overnight in Tabuk.

Overnight: Tabuk.
Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch.
Visits: Deise Valley.

After breakfast, Tour to the Hisma desert in Tabuk about an hour and half, offers a wide variety of scenery and enjoys a rich traditional heritage. Its mountains extend to the Wadi Rum in Jordan. Its most famous mountains are Bajdah, Al-Zeitah, Alqan and Al-Lowz. The eye-catching Hisma desert, which was once inhabited by the Nabataeans, constituted a route for caravans of pilgrims and merchants.

Then visit Jabal Al Lawz which means “Almond Mountain” in Arabic. Measuring 2,549 meters, it’s the tallest mountain in the Tabuk Province and the only place in Saudi where it snows almost every year — making it perfect for a winter hike. According to many scholars, historians, and Jabal al Lawz documentary, the mountain is of utmost religious significance. Prophet Moses had his legendary experience with God on the holy Mount Sinai. The potential location and the physical features of the Mount al Lawz resembles that of Mount Sinai.

Overnight: Tabuk.
Meals: Breakfast, and lunch.
Visits: Hisma Desert, Jabal Al Lawz.

Transfer from your hotel in Tabuk for flight to Jeddah. Arrive at Jeddah airport by evening time, transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight stay.

Overnight: Jeddah.
Meals: Breakfast.

Morning pickup from your hotel to Jeddah train station, to board the High-Speed seating train to Madinah. (trip takes around 2 hrs – with max. speed of 300 KM/H).

Arrive Madinah train station, where you will be met by your private guide who will escort you for a day tour to visit: International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, Qiba Street which connect two Mosques, the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque including Souq Taiba.

Lunch including during the tour at one of the 5* hotels overlooking Prophet Mohamed Mosque. Access to the Mosques is not allowed for Non-Muslims but they can see it from outside.

Board the train for the trip back to Jeddah. Arrive Jeddah train station with private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay In Jeddah.

Overnight: Jeddah.
Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch.
Visits: International Fair, Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, the Holy Mosque, Qiba Mosque, Prophet Mohamed Mosque.

This morning, start with Tayebat Museum, this privately owned four-floor collection has displays ranging from pre-Islamic artefacts, exquisite Islamic manuscripts, old coins and weaponry to stunning furniture, pottery and traditional Saudi dress.
Then enjoy Jeddah Open Museum which is one of the largest collections of models, set in a very picturesque area on the new corniche and full of picnic options.

Also, you will see 'floating mosque' which appears to drift on the water's surface shimmering in the sun light. Pause to take in the spectacular views over the Red Sea. Next, discover King Fahd's Fountain, also known as Jeddah Fountain, which is the tallest of its type in the world, shooting saltwater from the Red Sea 300 metres up into the air, at speeds over 300 kilometres per hour.

Then you will be led to Jeddah's traditional architecture in Al-Balad (Old Town) to visit some of the old Ottoman houses, constructed from coral and reinforced with wooden beams, including Nasif House, one of the most beautiful which was built in the 1850's by the Nasif Family, one of the most influential trading families in the history of Jeddah. Return to the hotel for overnight in Jeddah.

Overnight: Jeddah.
Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch.
Visits: Tayebat Museum, Jeddah Open Museum, Floating Mosque, King Fahd's Fountain.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast.