Saudi Arabia Eclipse Explorer

Arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital – a metropolis that has grown from an oasis settlement into the country’s political and administrative centre.At around 6pm we meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and an outline of the journey ahead.Your tour leader then arranges a group dinner – our first chance to share food, conversation and get to know one another.If you would like more time in Riyadh, you can arrange pre‑tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

With our Saudi tour leader, we explore the city starting at Masmak Fortress in historic Riyadh, a clay and mud‑brick stronghold linked to the formation of the modern Kingdom. We then dip into a traditional souq – such as Souq Al Zel or Souq Bisht – where older commercial life continues amid the city’s rapid development.We continue to Murabba Palace and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia for a clear, well‑curated introduction to the country’s history, then pass through the King Abdullah Financial District to see the sharply contemporary business centre and the Grand Mosque.From present‑day Riyadh, we step back in time at Ad Diriyah – the birthplace of the first Saudi state – a World Heritage site whose restored mud‑brick architecture illuminates a pivotal chapter in the Kingdom’s story. Several well‑regarded restaurants sit just outside Ad Diriyah, where you have options for dinner.

We rise early and travel by road to Buraydah in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. En route, we stop at Ushaiger, one of the region’s oldest settlements, now largely abandoned. Its tightly packed Najdi mud‑brick houses illustrate how shade and ventilation were woven into traditional design.About 25 minutes from Buraydah, we visit Al Bassam Heritage House in Unaizah, built in 1955 using Najdi techniques for airflow and light. With 30 rooms over two floors – including former bedrooms, guest rooms and stores – it introduces local crafts, traditional foods, folk tales and poetry, offering insight into everyday life.We continue to Buraydah, capital of Al‑Qassim province, where agriculture remains central despite the desert setting – supported by underground water and low humidity – with date palms and citrus among the key crops.

Early this morning we explore Buraydah Camel Market, often described as the largest of its kind, where camels – alongside goats and sheep – are traded, and stalls sell saddles and other equipment.We also visit another local market and the region’s major date market, where we can sample Al‑Qassim’s celebrated dates. Volumes change with the seasons, yet the market remains active year‑round.We then leave Al‑Qassim and take the high‑speed train to Hail – around two hours and far quicker than travelling by road. In this historic regional centre, we visit hilltop A’arif Fort, which reflects the city’s former strategic role, before continuing to the Al Qishlah compound, built from the same red mud as A’arif, whose high defensive walls signal the authority once held by local rulers.

We travel to Jubbah on the edge of the Al Nafud desert to see large sandstone outcrops carved with Neolithic petroglyphs and inscriptions – among the most significant rock art sites in the Arab world.These UNESCO‑listed carvings depict animals including aurochs, cheetahs and lions, evidence of a time when a wetter climate supported savannah landscapes. We then continue by road to AlUla, crossing Nefud Al Kabir – the ‘great extent of dunes’ – and enjoy a picnic lunch en route.We aim to reach AlUla in time for sunset at Jabal Al Fil (Elephant Rock), a striking sandstone formation popular in the early evening, before travelling to our base for the next two nights – a farm stay.

AlUla is an ancient oasis with around 7,000 years of human history, known for sculpted sandstone landscapes, extensive pre‑Arabic rock art and exceptionally well‑preserved Nabataean tombs.We begin at the World Heritage site of Hegra (Madain Saleh), the southernmost major city of the Nabataean Kingdom, second only to Petra for the scale and richness of its funerary architecture. We explore tombs, inscriptions and stone structures to gain insight into Nabataean society and beliefs.We then stop at Maraya – the world’s largest mirrored building – to see its façade reflect the cliffs and desert, before continuing to AlUla Oasis for coffee among the date farms. Walking the shaded Oasis Heritage Trail, we pass palm groves and citrus trees and see how this fertile corridor provided water, food and shelter for travellers and nomadic groups over centuries, exiting at Al Jadidah (Art City), where contemporary installations line the streets.We continue to AlUla’s historic city, often called the Old Town, once on key trade routes. Recent restoration has stabilised its lanes and structures, with stone and mud‑brick houses and former squares still visible.Back at the farm stay, the day ends with a stargazing session led by a specialist – minimal light pollution makes the skies exceptionally clear. Drawing on traditional Bedouin navigation, our guide explains how the stars were read for travel and storytelling.Please note – the order of visits today and tomorrow may vary depending on ticket availability at the main sights, and we may be divided into two groups for the Old Town tour.

We visit the Khaybar oasis – a volcanic landscape of black lava stone and mountain vistas with a rich history. Before the rise of Islam in the seventh century, Arabian Jewish tribes lived in the region; in 628 CE, Muslims under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad took the city during the Battle of Khaybar. We explore the remains of the mud city in a steep wadi, where several fortresses overlook thousands of palms.We then continue by road to Medina, the second holiest city in Islam. While Mecca is off‑limits to tourists, many parts of Medina are accessible.The city is centred on Al Masjid an Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), a 10‑minaret complex able to accommodate around one million people. We join the throngs of pilgrims at the heart of the city – non‑Muslims are welcome to enjoy exterior views from the edge of the square but cannot pass through the gates or enter. Sunset is a fine time to visit Mount Uhud for a viewpoint across the Holy City.Our hotel is close to Medina airport due to restrictions on where non‑Muslim visitors can stay within the city.

There is more to Medina than its principal holy site. We visit the former terminus of the Hijaz (Ottoman) Railway, which once carried pilgrims from as far as Damascus, then browse the central market with its strong tradition of sweets – including ma’amoul, luqaimat and kunafa.After lunch with views towards the Prophet’s Mosque, we board a high‑speed train to Jeddah, covering roughly 400km in under two hours. On arrival, we head to the corniche for drinks, seated on traditional takwa carpets. As evening falls, the call to prayer drifts across the city and King Fahd’s Fountain is illuminated against the night sky.

We begin at the Tayebat Museum (Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum), which presents the heritage of Jeddah and the wider Arabian Peninsula through life‑size reconstructions, everyday tools, household items, artworks and exhibits relating to the two Holy Cities.We then visit Jeddah fish market to see the day’s catch being landed and traded. You can choose to buy fresh fish and have it cooked at a simple restaurant within the market, or dine at a nearby seafood restaurant.In the afternoon, we walk through Al‑Balad, Jeddah’s World Heritage historic district, where multi‑level merchant houses built from coral stone are adorned with intricately carved wooden roshan that provide shade and airflow in the hot, humid climate.

Today we travel to Al Bahah to witness a total solar eclipse – a rare celestial event with an unusually long period of totality along this corridor. The coastal stretch between Jeddah and Abha lies within the path of totality, offering strong land‑based viewing.At a carefully selected viewing location, we meet an astronomy specialist who introduces the science behind the eclipse and guides us through the experience. The partial phase is expected to begin at approximately 12.23pm, with totality shortly after 1.22pm and lasting up to six minutes in this area – the exact viewing point and transfer timings will be confirmed closer to departure to maximise weather conditions and visibility, most likely at a site south of Jeddah.After the eclipse, we enjoy a boxed lunch and continue south across open landscapes of rocky plateaus and sandy stretches. We then turn east into the foothills as the terrain begins to rise.Our first stop is Thee Ain, one of the region’s best‑preserved villages. After a short visit to the information centre, we explore steep lanes, narrow staircases and traditional houses, with rooftop viewpoints over the valley – a torch can be useful in darker interiors. At the base of the hill, a small stream provides a shaded spot for a refreshment.We continue along the Sarawat range on mountain roads through dramatic terrain to Al Bahah – set at around 2,200m and known for a cooler climate and forested setting, with protected woodland areas including Raghdan, Al‑Zareeb and Baidan.

We drive south through the mountains towards Abha and the Yemeni border, stopping en route at Al Malad Castle – twin fortresses on a hill overlooking an old commercial route into Asir. Built around four centuries ago by two brothers, they served defensive purposes and as stores for provisions.After continuing the drive and breaking for lunch, we set out on an afternoon hike of around 3km along a valley lined with agricultural terraces – an uncommon landscape in much of Saudi Arabia. We arrive at a historic stone‑built village, where a crescent‑shaped settlement in the Al Shaaf area sits dramatically on a cliff edge. Local residents actively maintain the village and share stories with us over cups of sweet mint tea.Here, the abundance of stone has shaped local architecture – houses, mosques and defensive structures are built from rock, often decorated with white marble, while interiors and doors are painted in bold combinations of white, red, yellow and green. We are welcomed into one of these homes for a homestay, with meals taken seated on the floor. If time allows, you can stroll around the village to take in the views, watch goat herds and, on occasion, spot monkeys. As evening falls, clouds sometimes rise from the valley before clearing to reveal a star‑studded sky.Please see the accommodation section for more detail on the homestay experience.

The call to prayer may sound before sunrise – you are welcome to rest a little longer. After a local breakfast, we drive to Abha. As we head further south, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged, culminating at Jabal Sawda, the highest summit in Saudi Arabia.Before reaching Abha, we pass through areas known for traditional Asir houses and stop at the village of Olayan, where an impressive mosque and far‑reaching views set the tone for the region. In the town of Namas, we visit a former ruler’s residence – fortress‑like and now a museum. We enjoy a picnic lunch in a park overlooking the deep valley outside town.We end the day in Abha, stretching our legs along Art Street – known for public artworks and jacaranda trees – then browse the local farmers’ market, rich with regional produce and everyday bustle, before settling in for the night.

Abha and the wider Asir region reward deeper exploration. We set out on our final road journey through these striking mountains, passing Jabal Sawda before descending a dramatic hairpin road to Rijal Almaa – a World Heritage site of around 60 multi‑level stone houses clinging to the mountainside. Built vertically to regulate temperature, these fortress‑like homes reflect centuries of adaptation to the environment.Climbing back into the highlands, we visit a carefully restored fortress in Tabab village – its thick mud‑and‑stone walls overlook cultivated fields and the valley below. After lunch in the village, we return to Abha and deepen our understanding of regional traditions at the Fatima Museum of Aseeri Women, where exhibits explain Asir design, interior decoration and natural painting techniques passed down through generations.

You have witnessed a total solar eclipse, explored rock art and Nabataean tombs, crossed deserts and mountains, and spent time with local communities – now it is time to begin your journey home.If you would like to extend your stay to explore Abha and the Asir Mountains further, you can speak to your sales representative about extension options.