24 Jul 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £6,324
Escorted tour
Saudi Arabia Total Eclipse Tour: Riyadh to Abha – 14 Days
The 2027 total solar eclipse in the Asir mountains, plus AlUla, Medina and Jeddah, in a group of 6 to 16.
14 days
From £5,400
Tour overview
This 14-day small-group tour crosses Saudi Arabia from Riyadh to the southern mountains, timed so you can witness the total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027, often called the Eclipse of the Century for its unusually long period of totality. Groups have between 6 and 16 travellers, with a Saudi tour leader and an astronomy specialist on eclipse day. You stay thirteen nights: nine in hotels, two in bell tents at Al Mazham Farm among the palms near Sharaan Nature Reserve, one at a homestay in a mountain village and one more in Abha. All breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners are included, with two journeys by high-speed train.
Riyadh, the capital, is explored with your Saudi leader, from the Masmak Fortress to the restored district of Diriyah. You rise early for the Ushaiger heritage village and the bustling Buraydah camel market, then take the train to Hail and travel to Jubbah to see rock art more than 10,000 years old.
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At AlUla you stay in bell tents on a farm, explore the Nabataean tombs of Hegra, marvel at the mirrored Maraya building and stargaze with an expert in the clear desert sky. Passing the volcanic Khaybar oasis and its mud city ruins, you reach the holy city of Medina and take the Haramain high-speed train to Jeddah to explore the UNESCO-listed old town of Al-Balad.
On eclipse day you travel into the mountains at Al Bahah to watch the total eclipse with an astronomy specialist, as day briefly turns to night. You then drive south towards the Yemeni border, visiting Al Malad Castle and spending a night with a family in Al Shaaf, before reaching Abha, capital of the green Asir region, known for its painted houses, terraced hills and cool climate.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and summer heat in the lowlands. This tour suits travellers who want to experience a rare astronomical event and discover Saudi Arabia's heritage and landscapes in one journey. There is just one departure, timed for the eclipse. Pack light, loose clothing and a hat for the heat.
Trip highlights
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Buraydah's camel market (Day 4)
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Rock art at Jubbah (Day 5)
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Hegra and stargazing in AlUla (Day 6)
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Jeddah's Al-Balad (Day 9)
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The total solar eclipse (Day 10)
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A mountain homestay in Al Shaaf (Day 11)
Your route
15 stops from Riyadh to Abha
- Riyadh Days 1–2
- Ad Diriyah Day 2
- Ushaiger Day 3
- Unaizah Day 3
- Buraydah Day 3
- Hail Day 4
- Jubbah Day 5
- AlUla Days 5–6
- Hegra Day 6
- Khaybar Day 7
- Medina Day 7
- Jeddah Days 8–9
- Al Bahah Day 10
- Al Shaaf homestay Day 11
- Abha Days 12–13
Why choose this tour
A rare chance to see the 2027 total solar eclipse with an expert. AlUla, Jeddah and the Asir mountains on the same journey.
Best suited to
- Eclipse chasers and stargazers
- Curious, open-minded travellers
- History and archaeology lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
14 days from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Abha, Saudi Arabia
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Day 1 · Riyadh Arrive in Riyadh
A welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Riyadh, Diriyah Riyadh
Explore the capital's contrasts.
- Hotel
- Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Ushaiger, Buraydah Buraydah
A heritage village on the way.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express Buraydah or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Buraydah camel market, Hail Hail
The camel market, then a train.
- Hotel
- Holiday Villa Hail or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Jubbah, AlUla AlUla
Ancient rock art, then the desert.
- Hotel
- Mazham Boutique Farm bell tents or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Hegra, Maraya Hegra
Tombs, mirrors and stargazing.
- Hotel
- Mazham Boutique Farm bell tents or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Khaybar, Medina Medina
A volcanic oasis on the way.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Medina, Jeddah Jeddah
A high-speed train to the coast.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express Jeddah or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 9 · Al-Balad Jeddah
Museums and the old town.
- Hotel
- Ewaa Express Jeddah or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Al Bahah Eclipse day
Watch the total eclipse with an expert.
- Hotel
- Swiss Spirit Cloud City or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 11 · Al Malad Castle, Al Shaaf Al Shaaf
A castle and a mountain homestay.
- Hotel
- Homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 12 · Abha Abha
Travel to the Asir capital.
- Hotel
- Ewa Express Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Asir Asir
Painted houses and terraced hills.
- Hotel
- Ewa Express Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 14 · Abha Tour ends
The tour ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Riyadh (2 nights) Joudyan Hotel by Elaf or similar
- Buraydah (1 night) Ewaa Express Buraydah or similar
- Hail (1 night) Holiday Villa Hail or similar
- AlUla (2 nights) Mazham Boutique Farm bell tents or similar
- Medina (1 night) Millennium Hotel or similar
- Jeddah (2 nights) Ewaa Express Jeddah or similar
- Al Bahah (1 night) Swiss Spirit Cloud City or similar
- Al Shaaf (1 night) Homestay
- Abha (2 nights) Ewa Express Hotel or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights in hotels, 2 in bell tents and 1 in a homestay
- Meals 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Air-conditioned minibus and two high-speed train journeys
- Riyadh tour, Ushaiger and Buraydah camel market
- Jubbah rock art, Hegra and Maraya
- Stargazing with an expert in AlUla
- Eclipse viewing with an astronomy specialist
- Saudi tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Saudi Arabia e-visa
- Meals not included 9 lunches and 11 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike summer heat
- You dislike long travel days
- You want luxury
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–14 · Lunch: Days 5, 8 and 10 · Dinner: Days 1 and 11
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,400 per person, twin share, tour only. 1 upcoming departure. Single travellers from £6,323 (single supplement from £924).
Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.
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.
When is the eclipse?
The total solar eclipse takes place on 2 August 2027, and this single departure is timed for it.
Are eclipse glasses provided?
An astronomy specialist joins you on eclipse day with guidance on safe viewing.
Will it be hot?
Yes, August is very hot in the lowlands, though the Asir mountains are cooler.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need an e-visa for Saudi Arabia, applied for online.
Does the tour need a minimum number?
Yes, the departure needs at least 6 travellers to run.
How many people travel together?
Between 6 and 16 travellers, with a Saudi 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