Introduction
Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as both a tourist and a traveller! Immerse yourself in the largest souq in the country and see a different side to the regime in laidback Jeddah. Discover the bohemian nature of the Saudis in Abha, and explore the beautiful Aseer National Park with its famous hanging villages. Take a trip to the spectacular Farasan Islands, before crossing into the ominously named "Abode of Silence": the largest sand desert in the world, the Rub' al-Khali. Your trip ends with a contrast in one of the richest cities in all the world, Riyadh.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
- Visit to Rea Sea's
- Visit Al Muftaha village
- Visit to Aseer National Park
- Visit to Farasan Islands
Day 1-2: JEDDAH
Welcome to Saudi Arabia. Your first day is a free day for you to arrive, check in to your hotel and introduce yourself to the local area. You can meet your Tour Leader and your group this evening when they arrive in the city. On Day 2, you will have your Pre-Departure Meeting in the morning, after which you have a free day to explore Jeddah, one of the more cosmopolitan and relatively liberal cities in the Kingdom. The city's architecture takes inspiration from the Rea Sea's spectacular underwater coral, and you can spend your time here exploring a more laid-back Saudi, the maze-like markets, or perhaps you might fancy some scuba diving - use your free time as you choose!
Day 3-6: JEDDAH TO ABHA
Our next stop is Taif, where we head up into the hills and the cooler climate. Keep a lookout for the wild baboons that populate the roadsides; visit the largest souq in Saudi Arabia and sample the fresh fruits the region is famous for. We climb higher still as we travel to Abha, our base for a few nights. Described as being the country's most bohemian town, it's a world away from the Saudi we've experienced so far. You can visit Al Muftaha village, a cultural gem famous for its calligraphy graffiti, and head out to explore the hanging villages of Aseer National Park. You might like to use your other free day to head South to the stunning Farasan Islands, visiting pearl merchants on land or the incredible marine life under the sea.
Day 7-10: ABHA TO RIYADH
It's a long drive inland to Saudi Arabia's capital, so we'll break up the journey with a camp in the desert - a chance to break out those sleeping bags again!. From a mud-brick walled oasis town along desert trading routes, Riyadh - which means "garden" in Arabic - is now one of the richest cities in the world. You can explore the world-class museums, travel up the sky bridge or enjoy the many great cafes and restaurants. From here, we take a 4 x 4 desert safari trip into the Empty Quarter, where you can gaze at the awe-inspiring dunes and strain your eyes for the elusive Arabian leopard. A harsh yet romantic landscape, it's like nowhere else on earth. We'll have a final night in Riyadh before we continue our journey.
Day 11: RIYADH
Your trip ends after breakfast.
