Tour overview

This 15-day small-group tour crosses Saudi Arabia from the capital to the Red Sea and the green mountains of the south-west, a country that has only recently opened to tourism. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout and local guides at key sites. You travel by private vehicle, the Riyadh Metro, the Haramain high-speed train and 4WD in the mountains. Most nights are in centrally located hotels, with two nights in glamping tents with shared facilities among AlUla's palm groves and one night in a simple multi-share hostel in Tanomah. Breakfast is included daily, with nine lunches and four dinners.

Riyadh begins with the souq of the old Deera district, Al Murabba Palace and Diriyah, the mud-brick birthplace of the Saudi state and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a home-cooked meal with a local family. Heading north-west, you visit the restored village of Al Ghat, Buraydah's old market and Hail, once a stop for pilgrims crossing the desert, with a guided visit to the rock art of Jubbah and a traditional picnic dinner.

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AlUla is the highlight for many. You explore Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataeans and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, with more than 100 monumental tombs carved into sandstone, guided by a local storyteller. Elephant Rock, AlUla Old Town and a free morning for Jabal Ikmah or the mirrored Maraya building follow, before a journey through black lava fields to Madinah.

The high-speed train takes you to Jeddah on the Red Sea, where you choose your own fish at the market for lunch and explore the historic Al-Balad district. Some new travellers join here. The second week climbs into the Asir highlands: the rose farms of Taif, the misty forests of Al Namas, the mountain village of Tanomah, terraced Tabab and the colourful painted houses of Abha's Al Muftaha art district, before a coastal drive via Al Qunfudhah back to Jeddah.

The physical rating is low, with some long travel days. Modest dress is expected. This trip suits curious travellers who want to see a country few visitors have explored, with its history, desert landscapes and mountains.

Trip highlights

  • Diriyah, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of the Saudi state (Day 2)
  • Rock art at Jubbah and a picnic dinner in Hail (Day 4)
  • The Nabataean tombs of Hegra in AlUla (Day 6)
  • The Haramain high-speed train to Jeddah (Day 8)
  • Taif's rose farms and the misty forests of Al Namas (Days 10–11)
  • Abha's painted Al Muftaha art district (Day 13)

Your route

18 stops from Riyadh to Al Qunfudhah

15-day route: Riyadh – Hail – AlUla – Madinah – Jeddah – Taif – Abha – Jeddah
  1. Riyadh Days 1–2
  2. Diriyah Day 2
  3. Unayzah Day 3
  4. Buraydah Day 3
  5. Hail Day 4
  6. Jubbah Day 4
  7. AlUla Days 5–6
  8. Hegra Day 5
  9. Madinah Day 7
  10. Jeddah Days 8–9 & 14–15
  11. Taif Day 10
  12. Thee Ain Heritage Village Day 10
  13. Al Bahah Day 10
  14. Al Namas Day 11
  15. Tanomah Day 11
  16. Rijal Almaa Day 12
  17. Abha Days 12–13
  18. Al Qunfudhah Day 14

Why choose this tour

One of the first chances to explore Saudi Arabia in depth, with a leader and local guides. Desert heritage, the Red Sea and green mountains in a single journey.

Best suited to

  • Travellers looking for somewhere genuinely new
  • History lovers drawn to the Nabataeans and Petra's sister city
  • Return visitors to the Middle East
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
Sandstone cliffs and desert in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  1. Day 1 · Riyadh Arrive in Riyadh

    Arrive in Saudi Arabia's capital for a welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Deera, Al Murabba Palace, Diriyah Riyadh and Diriyah

    Walk through the Deera district and Souq Al-Zal, visit Al Murabba Palace and the UNESCO site of Diriyah, and share a home-cooked meal with a local family.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Al Ghat, Buraydah, Unayzah Al Ghat and Buraydah

    Explore the restored mud-brick village of Al Ghat and Buraydah's old market on the way to Unayzah.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Hail, Jubbah Hail and Jubbah

    Travel to Hail and visit the UNESCO-listed rock art of Umm Sinman at Jubbah, with a traditional picnic dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · AlUla, Elephant Rock To AlUla

    A long drive to AlUla's canyons and rock formations, including Elephant Rock.

    Hotel
    Glamping tent with shared facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Hegra, AlUla Old Town Hegra

    A guided visit to the Nabataean tombs of Hegra with a local storyteller, then AlUla Old Town.

    Hotel
    Glamping tent with shared facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · AlUla, Madinah To Madinah

    A free morning for Jabal Ikmah or Maraya, then cross volcanic landscapes to Madinah.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Jeddah High-speed train to Jeddah

    Ride the Haramain high-speed train to Jeddah and choose your own fish at the market for lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Jeddah Corniche, Al-Balad Jeddah

    A free day on the Corniche or in historic Al-Balad. Some new travellers join at a 6pm meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Taif, Al-Bahah Taif's roses

    Visit a family-run rose farm in Taif to see rose water being made, then continue to Al-Bahah.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  11. Day 11 · Al Namas, Al Maqar Museum, Tanomah Al Namas and Tanomah

    Drive through the misty forests of Al Namas to the Al Maqar Museum and the mountain village of Tanomah.

    Hotel
    Multi-share hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Tabab, Abha Tabab village to Abha

    Walk through the terraced farms of Tabab with a local guide and share a traditional lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13 · Al Muftaha, Abha Abha

    Explore Abha's Al Muftaha art district of painted houses, galleries and workshops.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  14. Day 14 · Al Qunfudhah, Jeddah Coast road to Jeddah

    Drive back to Jeddah along the Red Sea coast via the old port of Al Qunfudhah.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Jeddah Trip ends in Jeddah

    The trip ends after breakfast. Extra nights in Jeddah can be arranged.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A glamping terrace looking out over the AlUla desert

Where you stay

  • Riyadh (2 nights) Hotel
  • Unayzah (1 night) Hotel
  • Hail (1 night) Hotel
  • AlUla (2 nights) Glamping tent with shared facilities
  • Madinah (1 night) Hotel
  • Jeddah (2 nights) Hotel
  • Al-Bahah (1 night) Hotel
  • Tanomah (1 night) Multi-share hostel
  • Abha (2 nights) Hotel
  • Jeddah (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 nights in hotels, 2 nights glamping in AlUla and 1 night in a multi-share hostel
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Transport private vehicles, the Riyadh Metro, the Haramain high-speed train and 4WD in Asir
  • Guided visits Diriyah, Al Murabba Palace, Al Ghat, Jubbah's rock art, Hegra, AlUla Old Town, Jeddah's Al-Balad, a Taif rose farm, Al Maqar Museum and Tabab village
  • A home-cooked meal with a Riyadh family
  • Airport arrival transfer on Day 1
  • Leader throughout, with local guides

Not included

  • Flights to Riyadh and from Jeddah
  • Saudi tourist e-visa
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities in AlUla
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A historic street in Al-Balad, old Jeddah

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury every night — there is glamping with shared facilities and a hostel night
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
  • You prefer short travel days — some drives are long
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia
Traditional coral-stone houses with wooden balconies in Al-Balad, Jeddah

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £6,155 per person, twin share, tour only. 9 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

UK passport holders can apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online before travel. Check the latest FCDO advice.

What should I wear?

Modest, loose clothing covering shoulders and knees for everyone. Women are not required to wear an abaya or headscarf, except at some religious sites.

What is the glamping like?

Furnished tents in AlUla's palm groves, with shared bathroom facilities.

Can non-Muslims visit Madinah and Mecca?

Mecca is closed to non-Muslims. The trip passes through Madinah but does not enter the holy sanctuary area.

Can I join for part of the trip?

The group changes in Jeddah, so you can travel the northern or southern half on its own. Ask a specialist.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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