Arabia 360: Art, Skyscrapers & Deserts

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, begin your journey to Jubbah that lies on an ancient lake. Before the wildlife that thrived became extinct, their presence in Jubbah was preserved thanks to carvings, petroglyph panels and rich inscriptions of aurochs, cheetahs and lions. The drawings, still visible today, can be found on several sandstone outcrops now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Some of the most impressive deserts in the world can be found in the region between Ha’il and Al-Ula Pass through the famous desert of Nefud Al Kabir on route to the renowned Al-Ula area. Arrive in the early evening at the beautifully located hotel, your base for the night. Dinner and overnight in Al-Ula.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, an exciting day awaits! Begin visiting two ancient carving sites in Al-Ula, an ancient oasis inhabited during the last 7000 years that was an important location on the frankincense trade road and one of the oldest Arabian kingdoms.

Next, pass by the ancient city of Dedan. During the 1st century BCE the Nabatean people coming from Petra settled 30 kilometers north of Dedan in Al-Hijr where they built monumental tombs similar to the ones they dug in Petra.

Finally, visit the ancient sites of Ekma, where the people of the oasis wrote texts in ancient scripts that your local guide will decipher for you. End your tour in Jebel Al-Fil where you can relax next to the “Elephant rock”. Dinner & overnight stay in Al-Ula.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your day with a visit to Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia. Your local guide will lead you through this fascinating site of 94 decorated tombs, ancient inscriptions and stone structures, including some of the most vibrant and well conserved architectural prowess of the Nabateans builders.

In the afternoon, continue to the Old City of Al-Ula, which became an important staging post along the pilgrimage route to Mecca at the beginning of the Islamic era. On route to the city of Medina, pass by the old Hejaz railway. Dinner & overnight stay in Medina.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit the holy city of Medina. In the city center, the vast Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) is an Islamic pilgrimage site of great importance. Its striking Green Dome rises above the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic leaders.

The Masjid al-Qiblatain (Qiblatain Mosque) is known as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the direction of prayer to Mecca. Visit the outskirts of the city, except the holy pilgrimage areas, and conclude the day with a brief walk near Mount Uhud. Visit the Dar Al Madinah Museum that will relate the story of Islam and the prophet’s biography.

Finally, depart towards Jeddah, arrive and check in to your hotel. Once you’re settled, visit the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum that illustrates local and Arabian heritage in a unique way. Dinner & overnight stay in Jeddah.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today it’s time to explore Old Jeddah. Enjoy a walking tour round Al-Balad, the old part of the city. During this walking tour you’ll encounter hidden gems only known by locals: The old market, the hidden galleries of Old Jeddah, local eateries… You’ll pass by Beit Nassif, one of the most prominent buildings in the old city dating back to the 1800's.

Pass by the Floating Mosque (Al Rahmah Mosque), a single domed architectural marvel that sits on the Red Sea. End the tour at the coastal resort, Jeddah Corniche. Adorned with recreation areas, pavilions and large-scale civic sculptures as well as King Fahd's Fountain, the highest fountain in the world. Finally, head to a traditional Saudi restaurant to enjoy our dinner. Overnight stay in Jeddah.