The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a "new" antique land in that it only recently opened its borders to tourists, and it's welcoming them with gusto. With vestiges of human civilization stretching back 7,000 years and beyond, this place is truly anything but new. The country boasts an impressive six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning natural beauty, a fascinating history, the bustling, cutting-edge city of Riyadh, and the coastal jewel that is Jeddah. The Kingdom is an ecotourist's dream with its ochre deserts, monumental canyons, and verdant palm groves. As the heart of Arabia, culture vultures will delight in experiencing its rich traditions and history firsthand. Be one of the first to discover this amazing antique land teeming with pleasant surprises at every turn.
❊ - indicates a UNESCO World Heritage Site
DAY 1 - Arrive at King Khalid International Airport
-Our representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
-Rest of the day free to rest and acclimate.
DAY 2 - Riyadh
Note: Every morning your guide and driver will meet you after breakfast.
-Begin your day with a guided tour of Saudi Arabia's National Museum which takes visitors on a magical journey through the region's history.
-Next you'll explore the 19th century adobe Masmak Fortress before making cultural and shopping discoveries in the city's old Dira Souq, famed for its gold market.
-End your day at the impressive ruins of ancient Diriya*, a beautiful example of a traditional Arabian town and the original seat of power for the al-Saud family.
DAY 3 -Riyadh - Tabuk
-This morning you'll fly to the northwestern city of Tabuk, renowned for its fascinating desert valleys and plateaus.
-This afternoon you'll experience the unique beauty of Hisma which offers variedy of scenery and enjoys a rich traditional heritage. Its mountains extend all the way to Wadi Rum in Jordan, and its most famous mountains are Bajdah, Al-Zeitah, Alqan and Al-Lowz. The eye-catching desert, which was once inhabited by the Nabataeans, lies along a former route for caravans of pilgrims and merchants. Majestic natural rock formations in this charming desert will leave you mesmerized.
DAY 4 - Tabuk - AlUla
-Start your day visiting Tabuk Fortress which was originally constructed in 1559 by the Ottomans and later guarded the water station on the Syria-Hijaz railroad. Today it's a museum hosting a wide range of Ottoman-era artifacts.
-Next, you'll marvel at the soaring cliffs and mountain walls located in Wadi al-Disah, where lush vegetation competes with amber canyons for you to behold and admire.
-This evening you'll be transported by private van to the region of AlUla.
DAY 5 - AlUla
-Billed as "The World's Masterpiece," AlUla covers the size of New Jersey, and it's brimming with ancient sites, world-class desert landscapes, an historic city centre, peaceful oases, and outdoor activities galore.
-You'll begin your day of discovery with a tour of Dadan, once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms which derived their wealth from the caravan trade from the 9th - 2nd centuries BCE. You'll then visit the mind-boggling linguistic rock carvings at Jabal Ikmah. Known as the Kingdom's largest "open-air library," the site boasts thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic, and Nabataean.
-Next, you'll visit the Masterpiece's Masterpiece, the tombs at Hegra*. Constructed by the Nabateans over 2,000 years ago, the site's rock-hewn mausolea rival that of its neighbor in Petra, Jordan. This may well be the favorite place you'll visit during your Arabian sojourn.
-End your day with a visit to Elephant Rock, a pachyderm-shaped rock outcrop which is one of AlUla's most iconic natural sites.
DAY 6 - AlUla
-Today you'll take in one of AlUla's other iconic natural sites, the Rainbow Bridge, spanning the desert in impressive fashion.
-You'll then explore the mud-brick warrens and alleyways of AlUla's Old Town. Dating back 700+ years, the town was continuously inhabited until the 1980s. Now an open-air museum, the site lends insight into traditional Arabian village life and, like so much of AlUla, provides some excellent opportunities for stunning photography.
DAY 7 - AlUla - Medina
-Travel from AlUla to the historic city of Medina by private van. Afternoon free to rest and reflect.
DAY 8 - Medina - Jeddah
-Today you'll enjoy a full-day tour of one of the holiest cities in Islam, Medina. Your local expert guide and driver will take you to the beautiful and sacred Masjid al-Nabawi, founded by the Prophet Muhammad. It is the second most revered mosque in Islam and the second largest in the world after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
-You'll next visit Jannat al-Baqī, the oldest and first Islamic gravesite in the world where a great number of Muhammad's companions were laid to rest.
-Following this, you'll explore Uhud Mountain north of Medina, the site of the second battle between Muslim and Meccan forces in Islam's early years.
-You'll wrap up your tour by visiting Sab'a Masajid, a complex of seven small historic and often-visited mosques in the city.
-This evening you'll enjoy a ride on a high-speed train from Medina to the city of Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea.
DAY 9 -Jeddah
-As in Medina, today you'll have a full day of sightseeing in beautiful and historic Jeddah.
-First you'll take a stroll on the city's new Corniche where you'll admire city's famous blue waters. You'll also have an opportunity to photograph the Fatimah Mosque, also known as the "Floating Mosque" as it was built on island in the Red Sea.
-Next, you'll take in the art in Jeddah's open-air Sculpture Museum hosting the city's most renowned statuary in one location.
-Round out your day with a tour of the city's bustling Fish Market before making wonderful discoveries in the Old City*, offering a glimpse into traditional urban Arabian architecture replete with beautifully-carved wooden window screens.
-Enjoy a farewell dinner on the last night of your trip.
DAY 10 - Depart for Home
-We will transfer you to King Abdulaziz International Airport for your flight home.
Bon Voyage!
INCLUDED WITH ANTIQUE LANDS' CUSTOM JOURNEYS: