Day one
Riyadh
Arrive in Riyadh
the desert capitalInto Riyadh, a modern capital rising from the heart of the Arabian desert. After the flight we keep it easy, a first kabsa, the skyline from the Sky Bridge, an early night.
Saudi Arabia · Middle East
Saudi Arabia: AlUla, Riyadh & Jeddah
A Nabataean city carved from sandstone and barely visited, a modern desert capital, and a Red Sea old town of coral and carved balconies, Saudi Arabia, a giant unlocking its doors for the first time.
Nights8
Best monthsOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
RouteRiyadh → AlUla → Jeddah · 8 nights
OffbeatNature & wildlife
Why this one
- Hegra, the Nabataean wonder of AlUla
- Historic Diriyah and the Edge of the World
- Al Balad, old Jeddah
- The pristine Red Sea reefs
The days, as we would run them
Day two
Riyadh
Riyadh & Diriyah
mud brick beginningsThe birthplace of the kingdom at Diriyah, the restored mud brick city of At Turaif (a UNESCO site), the National Museum and the old Masmak fortress where the modern story began, and, at sunset, the dizzying cliff of the Edge of the World.
Day three
AlUla
Fly to AlUla
the open air wonderSouth west to AlUla, a vast valley of oases, palm groves and wind carved sandstone, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Arabia. The old mud brick town, the towering Elephant Rock, a first sunset among the glowing canyons.
Day four
AlUla
Hegra
petras quiet twinHegra (Madain Salih), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Nabataean city of monumental tombs carved into the rock, the southern sister of Petra, and almost entirely to yourself. The lion tombs, the inscriptions, the silence of the desert.
Day five
AlUla
AlUla, deeper
mirrors and starsThe mirrored Maraya concert hall reflecting the canyon, the ancient oasis and the Dadan and Jabal Ikmah inscriptions, a vintage car or a hot air balloon drift over the valley, and a stargazing dinner in the desert dark. (overnight AlUla)
Day six
Jeddah
Fly to Jeddah
the red sea gateWest to Jeddah, the cosmopolitan Red Sea port and the historic gateway to Mecca. The UNESCO old town of Al Balad, its coral stone houses and carved wooden rawasheen balconies leaning over the lanes, and the Corniche with the world's tallest fountain.
Day seven
Jeddah
Jeddah & the reefs
art and coralThe open air sculpture of the Corniche, the floating mosque, the souks and the new gallery scene, and a day on the Red Sea, whose reefs are among the most pristine on earth, by snorkel or dive. A grilled fish lunch by the water.
Day eight
Jeddah
Jeddah, slowly
the kingdom opensA last wander through Al Balad, the gold souk and the cafes, a final Red Sea sunset. Saudi Arabia is opening to travellers for the very first time, and you have seen it before the crowds arrive. (overnight Jeddah)
Day nine
Jeddah → home
Homeward
ma'a as salamaA last breakfast before your transfer to the airport. The kingdom that was closed for a lifetime is suddenly open, wild, ancient and astonishing, and you got there first.
Where you sleep
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Riyadh · 2 nights
Comfort Voco Riyadh 4★
Premium The Ritz Carlton, Riyadh 5★
Luxe Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh 5★
AlUla · 3 nights
Comfort Sahary AlUla Resort 4★
Premium Our Habitas AlUla 5★
Luxe Banyan Tree AlUla 5★
Jeddah · 3 nights
Comfort Mövenpick Hotel City Star Jeddah 4★
Premium Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina, Club & Spa 5★
Luxe The Ritz Carlton, Jeddah 5★
What it costs
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
Plan this trip on WhatsApp → Send to the group chatHow it works
1 · Say helloWhatsApp us your dates and who is coming.
2 · Talk it throughA short call with the person who designs it.
3 · Your proposalA priced, day by day plan within 48 hours.
4 · We run itA deposit holds it. We book, and stay on call throughout.
Designed and run personally by Nakul, founder of Travalong Journeys.he replies fast, usually mid ferry ✎
