Saudi Arabia: Culture and Contrasts

DAY 1: Riyadh
Arrival at Riyadh airport (King Rkalid International Airport), reception by the local representative and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.

The country's capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is the country's political, economic, and cultural center. A city with more than 7 million inhabitants, located in the middle of the desert that is constantly growing, with luxurious hotels and shopping centers filled with boutiques and renowned restaurants.


DAY 2: Riyadh
After breakfast at the hotel, private full-day tour with English-speaking guide.

Visit Al-Diriyah, home to the At-Turaif site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a preserved mud-brick city that was the cradle of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the original residence of the Al Saud family.

Continuation of the tour to the National Museum, the main central guardian of Saudi heritage and culture, highlighting the rich Arab heritage and reverence for Islam. Composed of eight galleries, the museum covers the complete history of Arab History, from the creation of the universe to the modern day, essential for understanding the evolution of the region.

Free time for lunch (not included) and a visit to the outdoor area of Masmak Fort and Souk Al Zal, considered the largest and oldest market in the city, specializing in the carpet trade. Opportunity to connect with Saudi artisans and understand their traditions and techniques.


DAY 3: Riyadh - Tabuk
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Private transfer to Riyadh airport for boarding a flight (not included) to Tabuk.

Arrival in Tabuk, check-in at the hotel and private half-day tour with an English-speaking guide.

After lunch (without drinks) at a local restaurant, visit the Hejaz Railway Line. The site has 13 recently restored buildings, spread over an area of 80,000 m², including a workshop, a craft center, and a building that houses a locomotive, a freight car, and several Ottoman relics.

Then, visit the Ottoman Castle of Tabuk, built in 1559 and currently transformed into a museum. The castle structure includes a mosque on the ground floor, an open courtyard, and a staircase leading to the second-floor mosque and observation towers. Outside, there are cisterns that collected water from a spring where, according to reports, the Prophet Mohammed had drunk.

Return to the hotel. Accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.


DAY 4: TABUK - WADI AL DISAH - TABUK
Breakfast at the hotel and a trip of about 3 hours to Wadi Al Disah for a private full-day tour with an English-speaking guide.

Picnic-style arrival and lunch, with a traditional meal.

Then, hike through the valley to explore Wadi Al Disah, a 15-kilometer-long canyon that crosses the Jebel Qaraqir sandstone massif, located about 80 kilometers south of the city of Tabuk.

For a long time, Wadi Al Disah was a secret among explorers, due to the difficult access before the road to Dissah was built. The canyon is impressive for its dimensions, with cliffs that reach 500 meters high at the west entrance. In addition to the landscape, a watercourse flows through the western part, creating an unexpected oasis. As one progresses, the vegetation stands out, with palm trees and grasses growing among the rocks. The combination of formations and nature makes this valley a unique setting.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 5: TABUK - HEGRA - ALULA Breakfast and
check-out at the hotel.

Ground transfer of approximately 3 hours to Hegra, a strategic point on old commercial routes, with architecture influenced by various cultures in the region.

Visit to the archaeological site, which brings together natural elements, historical importance and cultural heritage. The site is in a desert area, with sandstone cliffs and rock formations. The ancient architecture integrates with the environment, evidencing the region's past.

Arrival at AlUla and accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.

At a time to be confirmed, regular tour with a driver-guide in English to Maraya, a unique structure in the desert canyon of the Ashar Valley. Designed to integrate with the landscape, it is covered by 9,740 mirrored panels that reflect the AlUla landscape, making it the largest mirrored building in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

Visit the Ancient City of AlUla and visit the Elephant Rock (Jebel Al-Fil), a 52-meter-high formation and one of the most photographed landmarks in the country.


DAY 6: AlUla - Medina
Breakfast at the hotel and free time for independent activities. After check-out, drive approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to Medina.

Private tour of the city, with an English-speaking guide. Visit to the exhibition of the expansion of the Prophet's Mosque, located in the area of the Holy Mosque. Then, walk along Qiba Street, which connects two mosques of great importance in Islamic history: the Holy Mosque, where the prophet Mohammed lived and is buried, and the Qiba Mosque, the first mosque built. Finally, walk along Rua Qiba, a pedestrian street, which has several stores with traditional foods.


DAY 7: Medina - Jeddah (Jeddah)
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to Medina train station to board the high-speed train, on a 2-hour journey to the city of Jeddah (Jeddah).

Arrival, reception and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.

Historic Jeddah is situated on the east coast of the Red Sea. Starting in the 7th century, it was established as an important port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims arriving in Mecca by sea. The city has transformed into a thriving multicultural center characterized by a distinctive architectural tradition, including the towers built in the late 19th century by the city's mercantile elites, which combine coral-building traditions from the Red Sea coast with influences and craftsmanship from the trade routes.

In the evening, private tour with an English-speaking guide through the historic area of downtown Jeddah (Al-Balad), known as the “Old City”, where many of the oldest families used to live and work. This region stands out for its old buildings, a traditional souq and several restaurants. Opportunity to walk through the old streets and experience the traditional landscape.


DAY 8: Jeddah (Jeddah)
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel in Jeddah. Private airport transfer.