01 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,998pp
Escorted tour
Saudi Arabia Women’s Expedition: Riyadh to Jeddah via AlUla – 12 Days
Riyadh, heritage villages, AlUla's Hegra and Jeddah with a local female leader, in a group of up to 12 women.
12 days
From £3,762
Tour overview
This 12-day women-only trip crosses Saudi Arabia from the capital Riyadh to the Red Sea port of Jeddah, travelling through heritage villages, desert landscapes and ancient Nabataean tombs, and meeting Saudi women along the way. Groups have up to 12 women aged 15 and over, led by a local female leader. You stay eleven nights: five in hotels, a night at a heritage property on a working farm among date palms, three nights at an atmospheric desert lodge in AlUla and two in a boutique hotel in Jeddah. Breakfast is included every day, with several lunches and dinners, including meals at the desert lodge.
In Riyadh, the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia, you ride the world's longest driverless metro and explore the old and new faces of the city, including the restored mud-brick district of Diriyah, the original home of the Saudi royal family. Heading north-west, you stop at the heritage village of Ushaiger, with its winding lanes and palm groves, and stay at a heritage farm in Unayzah.
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In Buraydah you visit the world's largest camel market before continuing to Hail and the Jubbah rock art site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of petroglyphs carved over 10,000 years. A long travel day brings you to AlUla, deep in the desert, for three nights at a desert lodge. You tour Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, with more than a hundred monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone, and explore the dramatic canyon of Wadi Al Disah.
Travelling along an ancient pilgrimage route through desert and mountains, you reach Madinah, then take the Haramain high-speed train to Jeddah. Here you explore the UNESCO-listed old town of Al-Balad and spend a day on a private boat on the Red Sea, swimming and snorkelling before the trip ends.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and walking in the heat. This trip suits women who want to discover a fast-changing country in a supportive group, with insights into the lives of Saudi women. Departures run in the cooler months for the most comfortable weather. Pack modest, loose clothing and a hat.
Trip highlights
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Riyadh and Diriyah (Day 2)
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A heritage farm stay in Unayzah (Day 3)
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Buraydah's camel market (Day 4)
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Jubbah's rock art (Day 5)
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The tombs of Hegra in AlUla (Day 7)
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A boat day on the Red Sea (Day 11)
Your route
12 stops from Riyadh to Jeddah
- Riyadh Days 1–2
- Diriyah Day 2
- Ushaiger Day 3
- Unayzah Day 3
- Buraydah Day 4
- Hail Days 4–5
- Jubbah Day 5
- AlUla Days 6–8
- Hegra Day 7
- Wadi Al Disah Day 8
- Madinah Day 9
- Jeddah Days 10–12
Why choose this tour
A women-only group led by a local woman, meeting Saudi women along the way. AlUla's Hegra and three nights at a desert lodge.
Best suited to
- Women travelling solo or with friends
- Culture and history lovers
- Return travellers looking for somewhere new
- Curious, open-minded travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
12 days from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Day 1 · Riyadh Arrive in Riyadh
A welcome dinner in the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Riyadh, Diriyah Riyadh
The metro and the old heritage district.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 · Ushaiger, Unayzah Ushaiger to Unayzah
A heritage village and a farm stay.
- Hotel
- Heritage hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 4 · Buraydah, Hail Buraydah to Hail
The world's largest camel market.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Jubbah Jubbah
Ancient rock art with a local guide.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · AlUla AlUla
A long drive to the desert.
- Hotel
- Desert lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Hegra Hegra
The Nabataean tombs.
- Hotel
- Desert lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · AlUla, Wadi Al Disah Wadi Al Disah
A free morning and a desert canyon.
- Hotel
- Desert lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Madinah Madinah
An ancient pilgrimage route.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 10 · Jeddah, Al-Balad Jeddah
A high-speed train to the coast.
- Hotel
- Boutique hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Red Sea Red Sea
A day on a private boat.
- Hotel
- Boutique hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Jeddah Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Riyadh (2 nights) Hotel
- Unayzah (1 night) Heritage hotel on a working farm
- Hail (2 nights) Hotel
- AlUla (3 nights) Desert lodge
- Madinah (1 night) Hotel
- Jeddah (2 nights) Boutique 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, a heritage farm and a desert lodge
- Meals 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
- Private transport, Riyadh metro and the Haramain high-speed train
- Riyadh and Diriyah tour
- Ushaiger heritage village and Buraydah camel market
- Jubbah rock art and a guided tour of Hegra
- Private boat day on the Red Sea
- Local female leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Saudi Arabia e-visa
- Meals not included 5 lunches and 7 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a mixed group
- You dislike long travel days
- You want a beach holiday
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–12 · Lunch: Days 2–3, 6–7 and 9 · Dinner: Days 1 and 6–8
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,762 per person, twin share, tour only. 23 upcoming departures.
08 Nov 2026
Twin share
£4,264pp
15 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,762pp
06 Dec 2026
Twin share
£5,565pp
14 Mar 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
11 Apr 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
10 Oct 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
24 Oct 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
07 Nov 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
21 Nov 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
05 Dec 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
26 Dec 2027
Twin share
£5,130pp
09 Jan 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
23 Jan 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
12 Mar 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
26 Mar 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
09 Apr 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
08 Oct 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
22 Oct 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
05 Nov 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
19 Nov 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
03 Dec 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
24 Dec 2028
Twin share
£5,370pp
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.
Is this trip for women only?
Yes, the group and the leader are all women.
What should I wear?
Modest, loose-fitting clothing covering shoulders and knees. An abaya is no longer required for visitors.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need an e-visa for Saudi Arabia, applied for online.
Can I visit Madinah's mosque?
The Prophet's Mosque is open to Muslims. Non-Muslims can explore other parts of the city.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 women, with a local female 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