10 Nov 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,689pp
Single from £6,854
£6,939pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £8,104
Escorted tour
Saudi Arabia Explorer: Riyadh, AlUla, Medina & Jeddah – 13 Days
Najdi mud villages, Hegra's Nabataean tombs, Medina, Jeddah's Al-Balad and a mountain homestay, with two high-speed train journeys.
13 days
From £5,689
Tour overview
This 13-day small-group journey crosses Saudi Arabia from the desert heartland of Najd to the Red Sea and the green mountains of the south. Groups have between 6 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with an expert tour leader throughout. You travel by air-conditioned minibus or bus and on two high-speed train journeys, and stay 12 nights: nine in hotels, two in palm-shaded cabins on a boutique farm in AlUla and one in a traditional homestay. All breakfasts are included, with three lunches and one dinner.
In Riyadh you start at Masmak Fortress, the clay and mud-brick citadel that saw the birth of the kingdom, and browse the old souqs. You visit Ushaiger, one of the oldest settlements in the region, with its traditional Najdi architecture, and a heritage house in Unaizah. Buraydah's vast camel market, said to be the largest in the world, and an enormous date market come next, before a high-speed train to Hail.
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At Jubbah, UNESCO-listed petroglyphs show cheetahs, lions and aurochs from a time when Arabia was green. You cross the great dunes of the Nefud to AlUla, an oasis inhabited for 7,000 years, to explore Hegra, the Nabataean city of more than 100 carved tombs and Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage Site, along with the mirrored Maraya building and AlUla's old town. The Khaybar oasis, a volcanic landscape of palms and fortresses, leads to Medina, where you see the old Hijaz railway station and the central market before the train to Jeddah.
In Jeddah you visit the Tayebat Museum, the fish market and the historic coral-stone houses of Al-Balad. You then drive south into the Sarawat mountains to the 400-year-old village of Thee Ain and on to Al Shaaf for a night with a local family, after an afternoon hike through terraced valleys. Baljurashi's heritage village and Taif, the City of Roses, lead back to Jeddah.
The physical rating is low, with long drives and short walks. This trip suits curious travellers who want to see far beyond Saudi Arabia's cities, with a knowledgeable leader. Tourism in Saudi Arabia is still new, so you often have heritage sites to yourself.
Trip highlights
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Masmak Fortress and the souqs of Riyadh (Day 2)
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Buraydah camel market (Day 4)
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The rock art of Jubbah (Day 5)
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Hegra and AlUla (Day 6)
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Jeddah's Al-Balad (Day 9)
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A homestay in the mountain village of Al Shaaf (Day 11)
Your route
16 stops from Riyadh to Jeddah
- Riyadh Days 1–2
- Ushaiger Heritage Village Day 3
- Unaizah Day 3
- Buraydah Day 3
- Hail Day 4
- Jubbah Day 5
- AlUla Days 5–6
- Khaybar Day 7
- Medina Day 7
- Jeddah Days 8–9
- Thee Ain Day 10
- Al Bahah Day 10
- Abha (homestay) Day 11
- Baljurashi Day 12
- Taif Day 12
- Jeddah Days 12–13
Why choose this tour
Saudi Arabia from coast to mountains, with heritage villages most visitors never see. A night with a local family and two high-speed train journeys.
Best suited to
- Curious travellers looking for somewhere new
- Travellers interested in archaeology and history
- Return visitors to the Middle East
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
13 days from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Day 1 · Riyadh Arrive in Riyadh
Arrive in the capital and settle in.
- Hotel
- Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
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Day 2 · Masmak Fortress, Riyadh Riyadh
Meet the group and explore Masmak Fortress and the old souqs.
- Hotel
- Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Ushaiger, Unaizah, Buraydah Ushaiger to Buraydah
Visit the mud village of Ushaiger and a heritage house in Unaizah.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Buraydah, Hail Camel market and train to Hail
Visit the camel and date markets, then take the train to Hail.
- Hotel
- Holiday Villa Hail or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Jubbah, AlUla Jubbah to AlUla
See the rock art of Jubbah, then cross the Nefud to AlUla.
- Hotel
- Mazham Boutique Farm cabins or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 6 · Hegra, Maraya, AlUla Old Town Hegra and AlUla
Explore Hegra's Nabataean tombs, Maraya and the old town.
- Hotel
- Mazham Boutique Farm cabins or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Khaybar, Medina Khaybar to Medina
Visit the Khaybar oasis, then continue to Medina.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Medina, Jeddah Medina and train to Jeddah
See the Hijaz railway station and market, then take the train to Jeddah.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 9 · Tayebat Museum, Al-Balad Jeddah
Visit the Tayebat Museum, the fish market and Al-Balad.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Thee Ain, Al Bahah Thee Ain to Al Bahah
Drive south to the old village of Thee Ain and into the mountains.
- Hotel
- Swiss Spirit Cloud City or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 11 · Al Malad Castle, Al Shaaf Al Shaaf homestay
Visit Al Malad Castle and hike through terraced valleys to a homestay.
- Hotel
- Traditional homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 12 · Baljurashi, Taif, Jeddah Baljurashi and Taif
Visit Baljurashi's heritage village and Taif on the way back to Jeddah.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Jeddah Trip ends in Jeddah
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Riyadh (2 nights) Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
- Buraydah (1 night) Ewaa Express or similar
- Hail (1 night) Holiday Villa Hail or similar
- AlUla (2 nights) Mazham Boutique Farm cabins or similar
- Medina (1 night) Millennium Hotel or similar
- Jeddah (2 nights) Ewaa Express or similar
- Al Bahah (1 night) Swiss Spirit Cloud City or similar
- Al Shaaf (1 night) Traditional homestay
- Jeddah (1 night) Ewaa Express or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in hotels, 2 in farm cabins and 1 in a homestay
- Meals 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner
- Air-conditioned transport and two high-speed train journeys
- Masmak Fortress, Ushaiger and Unaizah
- Jubbah rock art, Hegra, Maraya and AlUla Old Town
- Khaybar, Medina, Jeddah's Al-Balad and Tayebat Museum
- Thee Ain, Al Malad Castle, Baljurashi and Taif
- Expert tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Riyadh and from Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia eVisa
- Meals not listed
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a single room every night — not available at the homestay
- You dislike long drives — distances are large
- You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,689 per person, twin share, tour only. With flights from £6,939 per person. 10 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
22 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,689pp
Single from £6,854
£7,039pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £8,204
19 Jan 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,789pp
Single from £7,014
Not available with flights on this date
16 Mar 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,789pp
Single from £7,014
Not available with flights on this date
30 Mar 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,789pp
Single from £7,014
Not available with flights on this date
28 Sep 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,789pp
Single from £7,014
Not available with flights on this date
19 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,939pp
Single from £7,164
Not available with flights on this date
09 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,939pp
Single from £7,164
Not available with flights on this date
23 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,939pp
Single from £7,164
Not available with flights on this date
20 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
£5,939pp
Single from £7,164
Not available with flights on this date
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?
UK visitors can apply for a Saudi eVisa online before travel.
What is the homestay like?
A traditional home in a historic stone village. Single rooms are not available, and groups may be split across nearby homes.
Can non-Muslims visit Medina?
Yes. The tour visits the city, its market and the Hijaz railway station, but not the holy core around the Prophet's Mosque.
What should I wear?
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is recommended. Your leader will advise.
How much walking is there?
Mostly short walks, plus a 3km hike to the homestay.
How many people travel together?
Between 6 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.
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