09-Days Group Tour - Essence of Saudi Arabia with Jeddah, Madinah, Al Ula, Hail and Riyadh

Highlights

Itinerary

•   Day 1

  (SUNDAY) Arrival Jeddah

  Arrive in Jeddah. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After checking in, time at leisure to experience the facilities of the hotel.

•   Day 2

  (Monday) Jeddah -City Tour & Al Balad (B, D)

  09:00 Hrs - After breakfast Visit to Al Tayebat Museum. This will be a memorable experience as the Tayebat Museum has a superbly curated portrayal of the city’s 2,500‐year history. Located in the Al Faisaliyah district, the museum is housed in a multi‐room complex that recreates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden latticework and ornate coral masonry.  With three floors of in‐depth exhibits, the museum is an excellent way to learn about the history and foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage.

  13:30 Hrs - Lunch own arrangements. (Options will be provided)

  15:00 Hrs - Visit the Open-Air Museum and then move along to the New Corniche, which stretches almost 30 km of the coastal resort area of the city of Jeddah. Located along the  Red Sea, the Corniche features a coastal road, recreation areas, pavilions and large‐scale civic sculptures to create the concept of an open-air museum. Also located here is the Al Rahmah Masjid (formerly known as the Fatimah Mosque and locally knows as the Floating Mosque), visit only from outside.

  16:00 Hrs - Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Jeddah (Jeddah Al‐Tarikhiyah) downtown to experience the historical sights, old buildings with their intricate architecture, mosques, and shops. We start your experience by taking you back to the old era of Saudi Arabia, all your senses will be in action. You will hear and learn amazing stories about the inhabitants and merchants of the areas and walk-through secret passages and doors to take you into the homes of some of the oldest city families. This history tour of Old Town will take you along all the less known must‐see local spots: Beit Nassif, Makkah Gate, and the Historical Jeddah North Gate. We can stop to take photos at the locations of your choice for a memorable souvenir. The glimpses into the historical homes provide a rare opportunity for you to experience the blend of traditional architecture with modernity the Old Market hidden gems

  19:00 Hrs - Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel - Overnight

•   Day 3

  (Tuesday) Jeddah - Madinah by Haramain Train (B,D) Distance - 439 Kms

  08:30 Hrs - After breakfast, transfer to the train station to take the train to Medinah - Arrival 11: 05 - After arrival in Madina, visit the Uhud Mountain. A major pilgrimage site, Mount Uhud is the place where Muslim forces led by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) battled troops from Makkah. The mountain rises about 3,500 feet (1,077 meters), and it can be climbed to better observe the battlefield. Nearby is the Uhud Martyrs Cemetery, where 85 of the fallen Muslim soldiers are buried. Mount Uhud is northeast of Medina’s city center.

  13:30 Hrs - Lunch own arrangements. (Options will be provided). You will continue by visiting the famous Othman Bin Affan Well. After 1,400 years, water still flows in Uthman ibn Affan well in Madina. The city of Madina in Saudi Arabia is known for housing several water wells that are connected to the Prophet's journeys. Among them is the Uthman ibn Affan well, known as the well of Rummat, which flows with water for the past 1,400 years. Next, you will go to Diyar Al-Ansar (Bani Salma) before learning more about the Battle of the Trench at Selaa Mountain.

  18:30 Hrs - You will be transferred to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

•   Day 4

  (Wednesday) Madinah - AlUla (B, D) - 3,1/2 Hrs Approx

  08:00 Hrs - Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Alula, AlUla, The World's Masterpiece, is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site. A land rich in historical, geological and geographical significance, this ancient city, once at the crossroads of The Silk Road and The Incense Route, has only recently been re-discovered by the world.

  15:00 Hrs - Visit the AlUla Old Town. This experience is almost 2 hours. In the 12th century, AlUla Old Town became an essential settlement along the pilgrimage route from Damascus to Makkah. The city gradually replaced Qurh, to the south of AlUla, and is favorably mentioned by travelers from the 12th to the 20th centuries, when modern AlUla was constructed nearby. The houses were designed to be attached to one another, providing fortification, which hints to defense being a priority for the city's early inhabitants. At one point, the city was accessed by 14 gates, which were opened in the morning to welcome travelers, pilgrims and other visitors, and closed each evening. Time to visit and explore Alula Old town, after drive to the hotel, check in, dinner and overnight

•   Day 5

  (Thursday) AlUla - Hegra, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, and the famous elephant rock (B, D)

  08:00 Hrs - Breakfast at the hotel

  09:00 Hrs - Visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest conserved site of the Nabataean civilization south of Petra. Home to more than 100 tombs carved from giant rock formations, this ancient site is open for visitors to explore and learn about the culture, traditions, and history of its people.

  11:00 Hrs - Back to Winter Park ‐ return to the hotel or a restaurant for lunch (lunch own arrangements)

  14:00 Hrs - You will tour the extensive site between Dadan and Jabal Ikmah in an air‐conditioned coach which is included in your ticket price. The Dadan and Jabal Ikmah Tour starting point is at Winter Park where you will board the coach to the Dadan Welcome Centre.

  16:00 Hrs - Transfer to Elephant Rock Set in golden desert and climbing three story into the Saudi Arabian sky is the awe-inspiring elephant rock, also known as Jabal Alfil, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels.

  18:30 Hrs - Return to the hotel - Dinner and overnight

•   Day 6

  (Friday) Alula - Hail (B,D) Distance - 580 Kms

  08:00 Hrs - After breakfast we drive to Hail through Jubbah which is located 90 km north of city if Hail. Jubbah is famous for rock art site, the carvings that can be found on Jibal Umm Sinman cover a wide range of representations as well as large period of time with some carving possibly bein 10,000 years old. Interestingly human representations are found along with cattle, ibexes, oryxes, horses, lions, and Ostriches. We reach Hail by late evening.

  Check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

•   Day 7

  (Saturday) Hail- Riyadh by Train (B,D) Distance 654 Kms

  08:00 Hrs - After breakfast Hail city tour, we will visit A’Arif Fort, built with mud and clay, the rectangular-shaped citadel is 40 meters long and 11 meters wide and is occupying an area of about 440 sq. meters. It had openings and watchtowers to be used by soldiers to sight any approaching hostile elements. It also had prayer places, toilets, warehouses, and other facilities that enabled citizens to stay for long periods. The first construction of the fortress was made during the reign of the Al-Ali family at the end of the 11th Hijra century (17th century AD) and the additions and annexes were made to it during the rule of the Al-Rasheed family.

  During the Saudi rule, the fortress was used for the sighting of the Ramadan moon and for firing of the Iftar gun. Built on a mountain peak, the fortress could be seen from anywhere in Hail.

  Castle of Al-Qishlah, built in the 1940s during the principality of prince Abdul-Aziz bin Musa'ad Al Saud of Ha'il province. It is a two-floor mud palace, with long walls that stretch over 140 meters and are 8.5m tall, and it has eight watch-towers along in the walls with two main gates, east and west.

  After we visit Hail Regional Museum recently has opened its gates to visitors. A grand project in the making for quite some time, the museum presents the history of the region through beautiful art pieces, unique historical objects and exciting artefacts.

  You can look forward to a day of fun and culture for the whole family. We will also visit Hail Souk directly in the center of town, the Hail Souq sells fruits, vegetables and the kingdom’s favorite — dates — as well as handmade crafts such as clay pots and woven mats.  

  Transfer to the train station to take the train to Riyadh, departure 15:35, arrival 20:14 hrs.

  On arrival in Riyadh transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight

•   Day 8

  SUNDAY - City Tour of Riyadh (B,D)

  09:00 Hrs - After breakfast, you will visit National Museum and King Abdulaziz historical center. It is the state‐of‐the‐art museum is one of the finest in the Middle East. Encased within modernist architecture, its two floors contain eight well‐designed and informative galleries covering Arabian prehistory, history, culture and art. The galleries beautifully display evocative rock carvings, engaging models and even a full‐scale reconstruction of a Nabataean tomb from Madain Saleh. Films in English shown on 180‐degree screens complement the exhibits, as do virtual visits to historical sites and other excellent interactive displays.

  12:00 Hrs - Visit the Masmak Palace

  14:00 Hrs - Lunch own arrangements. (Options will be provided)

  15:00 Hrs - Visit Ad Diriyah, this place is famous for its traditional mud‐brick architecture, Ad Diriyah is home to revitalized Al Bujairi, a pedestrianized maze of winding  alleyways with cafes and craft shops. Cultural sites include Diriyah Museum, a former palace with exhibits on Saudi history, and the restored Al‐Zawihra Mosque. A river lined with date palms runs through Wadi Hanifah valley, a popular spot for waterside picnics, strolling, and cycling.

  16:00 Hrs - Experience the Sky Bridge at Kingdom Tower. Take the high‐speed lift to the 99th floor of the iconic Kingdom Center for access to Riyadh’s best urban panorama. Suspended 300 meters above the city, the tower’s curved Sky Bridge offers spectacular views across the Riyadh skyline and beyond and is a must‐do experience for visitors passing through the capital.

  19:00 Hrs ‐ Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel  and overnight

•   Day 9

  (Monday) Riyadh - Departure (B)

  Your departure transfer will be arranged for your as per your flight timing from Riyadh International airport