Saudi Arabia Spring Tour

Saturday 8th February – Riyadh

• Arrive at your convenience into Riyadh – the capital city of Saudi Arabia with flights from the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
• For those arriving from our Kuwait tour we recommend booking the Jazeera Airways flight J9221 departing Kuwait City at 12:10pm and arriving 1:35pm into Riyadh.
• Airport transfers only available for tour group members arriving this day to our centrally located hotel.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and Pioneer Adventure Travel guide.
• Dinner and overnight in Riyadh

Sunday 9th February – Riyadh: Edge of the World

Morning

• After breakfast at hotel, we’ll begin the day by exploring the old town of Riyadh, starting at the Al Masmak Fortress. This clay and mud-brick fort is one of the most iconic landmarks of Saudi. Built in 1865, this massive fortress represents the empire. It was the site of a daring 1902 raid by Ibn Saud – during which a spear was hurled towards the main gate with such force that the head of the spear is still lodged inside.
• We’re in walking distance to Al Zal Souq – located in the old part of the city, this market has a plethora of little shops arranged in rows along narrow streets selling carpets, gold, silver, souvenirs, antiques, traditional clothes, accessories and even furniture. Most of the shop owners here speak English and welcome good hagglers.
• On the way we’ll pass by Deera Square – most commonly known as Chop Chop Square by foreigners. This’ll be explained to you on the site.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a traditional restaurant for a scrumptious Saudi feast including, for those who want, camel meat!
• After lunch, we’ll drive out to the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn). This unique spot earnt its name as it offers stunning viewpoints from the top of the 300-metre high cliffs overlooking the surrounding plains. These cliffs were forged as a result of the tectonic movement of the Arabian plate due to the spread of the Red Sea rift located 1000 kilometres to the west.
• We’ll have a traditional dinner in the desert, under the stars!
• Overnight in Riyadh

Monday 10th February – Riyadh – Ushaiger – Buraidah

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and visit of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. First opened in 1999, the design of this museum was inspired by the form and colours of the sand dunes of the “Red Sands” located outside Riyadh. The museum showcases 14 pre-Islamic Arabian kingdoms that had existed in the Arabian Peninsula from 5 BC till 700 AD.  It also includes a unification hall which shows the establishment of modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud after he captured Riyadh. A hand written Quran is also in display.
• Make our way up all the way to the Kingdom Tower – a 99-story (302.3 meters) skyscraper overlooking Riyadh. It is the world’s third tallest building with a hole after the Shanghai World Financial Center. You can visit the observation bridge (extra fee) for a stunning view of the city. Below is one of the most popular malls in the country where we’ll have lunch.

Afternoon

• Head northwest of the city to the At-Turaif district located in Al-Dir’iyah – the former capital city of the Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. It was also the original home of the Saudi royal family.
• Begin our 3-and-a-half-hour journey to Buraidah – the capital of Al-Qassim region located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.
• On the way we’ll stop at Ushaiger village. Hidden within an oasis, this village provides a glimpse of a much slower paced Saudi society. The springs and low-brimmed olive and palm groves encouraged Bedouins to settle here over 1500 years ago, quickly transforming Ushaiger into a popular stopping point for pilgrims making their way to Mecca.
• Walk through the labyrinth of winding alleyways, shaded pathways and timber-framed walkways, crossing between hundreds of mud houses of stunning examples of Najdi architecture with its distinctive triangular windows and ornately carved wooden doors. Some still bear the names of the families who lived there many moons ago.
• We arrive in Buraidah to check into our hotel
• Dinner in a local restaurant, where the food is as good as it is cheap! We’ll then have a walk to the juice bar before heading back to our hotel. Overnight in Buraidah.

Tuesday 11th February – Buraidah – Hail

Morning

• We’ll begin today’s day early at 6:30am and head to Al Qassim Camel Market – the largest camel market in the world where tens of thousands of camels are bought and sold, along with saddles and other accessories. This is also one of the most chaotic scenes in the country and giving you a truly unique Saudi experience.
• Explore the largest date market in the world – where you’ll get the chance to taste a variety of Saudi Arabia’s prized dates
• We’ll continue heading 4 hours northwest to Jubbah – another UNESCO World Heritage site completely surrounded by the vast Nefud Desert.

Afternoon

• In Jubbah, the ancestors of today’s Arab populations have left traces of their passages in numerous petroglyphs and rock carvings. They show numerous representations of human and animal figures, from gazelles and lions to soldiers and kings, covering 10,000 years of history.
• We’ll drive back to Hail – where the dream landscapes of a thousand and one night were inspired. There, we’ll explore A’arif Fort, originally built in order to guard the city against enemies. During the Saudi rule, the Fort was mostly used for the sighting of the moon and firing the Iftar cannon during Ramadan.
• Hail rarely sees tourists, so you’ll be the star of the day as you walk through the souq, enjoying the local street food.
• Overnight in Hail

Wednesday 12th February – Hail – Al Ula (Dedan – Ikma Mountain & Elephant Rock)

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll begin our epic 4-hour drive west to Al Ula stopping for breaks and photos along the way.

Afternoon

• On our arrival in Al Ula we’ll have lunch in town
• Visit Dedan, Ikma Mountain. Located in a beautiful desert landscape, it is the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia. It sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. It was an important way station and mercantile center on the incense trade route linking to Babylon, Petra and Syria. Excavations on the archeological sites here have revealed the existence of large fortified cities. These kingdoms developed their own culture including a specific language and alphabet, that resulted in a mix of Arabian traditions and strong influences from the surrounding empires.
• Discover two exceptional tombs located 50 meters above the wadi where the ancient oasis was centered. Those are the only tombs that are decorated with two carved lions each, showing the importance of their owners, being governors or influential people.
• Tour highlight: Explore Elephant Rock – also known as Jabal Al Fil. The “trunk” and “body” of this monolithic red sandstone beast were carved by natural forces, namely millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by its surroundings of fine-sand sea studded with rocky outcrops, many of which are equally impressive in size and shapes.
• We’ll be seated at our exclusive and reserved spot at a café & restaurant nearby to watch the stunning sunset.
• We stay overnight at a nearby farm in tents (glamping), with shared facilities.

Thursday 13th February – Al Ula – Madain Saleh (Hegra) – Medina

Morning

• Breakfast at our hotel and head down the road to visit Madain Saleh, known as Hegra by the Nabataean people who carved its stunning tombs into the golden Quweira sandstone. This site includes 111 tomb façades which reflect the great skills of the masons of their time. It’s said that the natural setting here must have reminded the Nabataeans of their capital, Petra, which is why they chose this location to build their second city which thrived 2000 years ago.
• For lunch, we’ll head to a very special place: the Maraya Concert Hall. This architectural feat is the largest mirrored building in the world and reflects the surrounding desert, creating incredible optical illusions and being the perfect backdrop for some cool photos!

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll begin making our 3 and a half hour journey to Medina. Also known as the “enlightened city”, it is the second holiest city in Islam. It very recently opened to non-Muslim, so now is the time to visit!
• We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant, before checking the surrounding of the Prophet’s Mosque at night. It is one of the seven mosques in the city that are opened 24/7. Even late at night, you’ll see crowds of pilgrims from all around the world gathering here.
• Overnight in Medina

Friday 14th February – Medina

Morning

• Breakfast and make our way to the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, conveniently located in the area of the Holy Mosque which is a fantastic opportunity for photos.
• Walk down Qiba Street. This street connects the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history. The first houses the prophet Mohammed’s grave. The second was the first Mosque ever built.
• Walk down Medina’s walking street lined with traditional shops where incredibly delicious street food is sold. We’ll have our lunch break here.

Afternoon

• Head to Medina Railway Station to board the high-speed railway to Jeddah. Construction began back in 2008 and  itwas inaugurated in 2018. This 453 kilometre long railway connects the two holy cities making travel time just under 2 hours travelling at 300km/h
• Arrive in Jeddah and begin our tour by visiting Al Balad, which means “the town”. Founded in the 7th century, it historically served as the centre of Jeddah. The city’s defensive walls were torn down during the 1940s. Some homes have been built using only sand and seashells. Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its traditional architecture and also for its countless delicious food vendors. Here you’ll sample a local drink made of bread called “Sobia”. We’ll also drop by a well-known old bakery and try a local snack that consists of beans and pickles called “Balilah”.
• Stop for a coffee break at a chilled café – you can also try a local tea mixed with milk and herbs.
• Stop by the first hotel built in Jeddah, heavily influenced by Italian architecture
• Pass the first school built in Saudi Arabia
• Visit an art house and museum offering its unique local art collection and antiques.
• Check into our hotel, freshen up and have a feast in town. A farewell dinner for those who are departing the following day.
• Overnight in hotel

Saturday 15th February – Jeddah

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – Pioneer Adventure Travel is also able to arrange advice for flights. For those wanting to tick off another country join us on our Lebanon Spring tour and onwards to Syria!
• Jeddah is known to have one of the best coral reefs around the world. Pioneer Adventure Travel can arrange your extension to spend a day on a boat cruising around the waters participating in either snorkelling or diving. We also recommend to have a look at the fish market and to visit the Tayebat Museum which, re-creates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city.