Saudi Arabia Desert Explorer

Arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, which has grown from an oasis settlement into the nation’s political and administrative centre. Check in is available from mid afternoon, and there are no activities planned today, so you can relax and settle in at your own pace. If you would like extra time in the city, you can arrange pre tour hotel nights with your sales representative.

Around 8.30am, we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to get acquainted and hear about the journey ahead.We explore Riyadh’s contrasts – from timeworn markets to gleaming high rises – beginning at Masmak Fortress in the old city, where the modern Kingdom took shape. We browse a traditional souq, such as Souq al Zel or Souq Bisht, then continue to Murabba Palace and the excellent National Museum for an introduction to Saudi history. We pass the striking King Abdullah Financial District and see the Grand Mosque, before turning to the restored mud brick lanes of Ad Diriyah, birthplace of the first Saudi state and now an impressive World Heritage site where we learn about architecture and building techniques. This evening, you can choose from several nearby restaurants for dinner.

We start early and drive to Buraydah in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, pausing at Ushaiger, one of the region’s oldest settlements, where the largely abandoned mud village showcases beautiful Najdi architecture.Near Buraydah, we visit Al Bassam Heritage House in Unaizah, built in 1955 using traditional Najdi methods to manage light and ventilation. Its 30 rooms across two floors display crafts, foods, folk tales, poetry and family heritage. We then arrive in Buraydah, capital of Al Qassim province, where agriculture remains central – think date palms, lemons, oranges and other fruits thriving in an otherwise desert climate of hot summers, cool winters and low humidity.

Before dawn, we visit Buraydah Camel Market – reputed to be one of the largest anywhere – where thousands of camels, goats and sheep change hands alongside saddles and other kit. We also stop at another market and what is probably the largest date market in the world, sampling the region’s famously succulent dates – quantities vary with the season, but it is fascinating year round.We leave Al Qassim and board the high speed train to Hail, a swift two hours. In this ancient Arab capital, we climb to hilltop A’arif Fort to appreciate the city’s historic importance, then view the imposing red mud walls of the Al Qishlah compound.

We set out for Jubbah in the Al Nafud desert to see sandstone outcrops covered in Neolithic petroglyphs and inscriptions – some of the finest in the Arab world – including depictions of aurochs, cheetahs and lions from a time when the climate was far wetter.We then drive across Nefud Al Kabir towards AlUla, stopping for a picnic lunch, and aim to reach Jabal Al Fil – Elephant Rock – for sunset, where locals and visitors gather to watch the day fade. We continue to our farm stay base for the next two nights.

AlUla is an ancient oasis with seven millennia of human presence, renowned for dramatic rock formations, canyons, extensive pre Arabic rock art and exceptionally preserved Nabataean tombs.We begin at Hegra – Madain Saleh – the southernmost major city of the Nabataean Kingdom, whose wealth flowed from caravan trade from the second century BCE until the Roman conquest in 106 CE. With more than 130 decorated monumental tombs, it showcases some of the most vivid and best preserved Nabataean craftsmanship, which we explore in depth through its inscriptions, structures and stories.We then visit the exterior of Maraya, the mirrored arts venue in secluded Ashar Valley, before moving to AlUla Oasis for coffee amid the date farms. We follow the shaded Oasis Heritage Trail where orange groves and birdsong reveal how travellers once found water and refuge, emerging at Al Jadeeda – Art City – with its colourful street exhibits.We continue into AlUla’s historic city, the Old Town, a charismatic maze that once sat on the Silk Road and the Incense Route. Renovations have created a magical blend of ancient alleys, stylish restaurants and refined souvenir shops, while remains of stone and mudbrick houses hint at its former 900 homes and five squares.Please note – the order of visits today and tomorrow may vary depending on ticket availability at key sights, and we may divide into two groups for the Old Town tour.

Subject to access, we visit the Khaybar oasis – a volcanic landscape of black lava stone, mountain vistas and deep history. Before the rise of Islam, Arabian Jewish tribes lived here, and in 628 CE the city was taken during the Battle of Khaybar. We wander the remains of the mud city set in a steep wadi, with fortresses looking over vast palm groves.We then continue by road to Medina, the second holiest city in Islam. The heart of the city is Al Masjid an Nabawi – the Prophet’s Mosque – a 10 minaret giant that can accommodate around one million worshippers. Non Muslims may enjoy views from the edge of the square but cannot pass through the gates. We time our visit to take in sunset from Mount Uhud, a major pilgrimage site with sweeping views over the Holy City.Tonight’s hotel is close to Medina airport due to restrictions on where non Muslim visitors can stay.

We broaden our view of Medina with a visit to the terminus of the Hijaz – Ottoman – railway, which once brought pilgrims from as far as Damascus. We have browsing time at the central market, where stalls showcase beloved Saudi sweets such as ma’amoul, luqaimat and kunafa.After lunch overlooking the Prophet’s Mosque, we board another high speed train for the less than two hour ride to the coastal city of Jeddah. On arrival, we head to the corniche for drinks seated on takwa carpets Saudi style, as the evening call to prayer sounds and King Fahd’s Fountain – the tallest in the world – surges into life.

We begin with Tayebat Museum – also known as the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum – which presents local and Arabian heritage through full scale building styles, everyday tools and art, plus insights into Mecca and Medina.At Jeddah fish market, we see the local catch. You can buy your own fish and have it cooked at a simple market restaurant, or you can opt for a nearby seafood restaurant instead.In the afternoon, we walk Al Balad, the World Heritage old quarter, where multi level merchant houses and delicate roshan – wooden window screens – create welcome shade and a wonderfully atmospheric streetscape.

We set off early, driving south along the Red Sea coast through quiet stretches of rocky and sandy vistas – occasionally punctuated by camel herds and a Bedouin tent – before turning east into the foothills of the Sarawat range.Our first stop is Thee Ain, a village of around 400 years that witnessed struggles with Ottoman forces. We picnic beneath the trees, wander the steep lanes and step into a house or two – a small torch can be useful for dim corners.From Thee Ain, we climb a spectacular mountain road as the air cools towards Al Bahah, a city at about 2,200 metres above sea level, ringed by more than 40 forests including Raghdan, Al Zareeb and Baidan. The views are superb, with some of the best from Raghdan park over a deep wadi.

We drive south through the mountains towards Abha and Yemen, pausing at Al Malad Castle – twin fortresses raised by two brothers about four centuries ago that once served military needs and stored provisions.After a lunch break, we take a gentle 3 kilometre hike through a valley of agricultural terraces to reach a historic village of stone houses. A highlight here is the crescent shaped settlement in the Al Shaaf area, perched on the edge of a cliff. The community works hard to preserve their dramatic home – over cups of sugary mint tea we hear their stories.Unlike the desert, where tents or mudbrick are common, this mountainous region is rich in stone, so houses, mosques and defences are all built from it, often trimmed with white marble. Interiors are painted in bright combinations of white, red, yellow and green. We step inside one such home and are welcomed by the family for our homestay, with meals taken seated on the floor. If time allows, you can stroll around the village for views, goat herds and perhaps a monkey or two. At sunset, clouds often roll in from the valley – once temperatures even out, the mist lifts and a starry sky awaits. For more on the homestay, see the accommodation section.

The call to prayer may sound before sunrise. After a local breakfast, we begin our journey back to Jeddah.We pause in Baljurashi, known for its Saturday historic market – some departures coincide with market day – and on all departures we explore Baljurashi Heritage Village and a small museum. We continue to Taif, the City of Roses, also noted for grapes, figs, pomegranates and honey.The final stretch skirts close to Mecca – entry is not permitted – before we reach Jeddah. This evening, you can head out for a final taste of Saudi cuisine before we say hay maa al salama – goodbye – until next time.

Our adventure ends in Jeddah this morning. If you would like more time to explore, you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.