Secrets of Saudi Arabia
Secrets of Saudi Arabia
Secrets of Saudi Arabia
9 Days
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2413
Physical rating:
Level1
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$6938
$6559 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$379
Tour Overview
The winds of change are blowing through Saudi Arabia, which only recently opened to non-pilgrims. Discover ancient fortresses, camel markets and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in its vast deserts, then experience the cosmopolitan comforts of its cities and high-speed bullet trains. On the final night of your 9-day tour, enjoy a farewell dinner with a Saudi businesswoman and her family, and reflect on how this intriguing country is looking ahead to a new vision of the future.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly To Riyadh
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's dynamic capital city. Transfer to the hotel ahead of this evening's welcome dinner.
Day 2: Diriyah & Riyadh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head to the outskirts of Riyadh to visit Diriyah, the original capital of the Saudi dynasty. Uncover the secrets of its UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district, known for its mesmerising maze of traditional Najdi mudbrick architecture. The citadel here was the centre of power for the House of Saud in the 18th and early 19th centuries; this emirate was the first unifying power in the Arabian Peninsula.
Pay a visit to the National Museum to learn more about the rich tapestry of Saudi history before exploring the nineteenth-century Masmak Fort. Finally, explore the alleyways of the Souq Al-Zal, one of Riyadh's oldest traditional markets.
Day 3: Ushaiger Heritage Village - Buraidah
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Riyadh and drive north to the captivating Ushaiger Heritage Village, a labyrinth of charming side streets, palm groves and historic Najdi buildings that evoke the essence of old-world Saudi Arabia. Visitors may enter any house with an open doorway.
Continue to Buraidah and check in at your hotel.
Day 4: Buraidah Camel Market & Ha'il
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head to Buraidah to experience the hustle and bustle of the world's largest camel market – a truly immersive experience, where prized Arabian camels command astounding prices at auction.
Continue to Ha'il, stopping en route to see the archaeological remains of the oasis city of Fayd, once an important stop on the Hajj route from Baghdad to Mecca. Admire Hutaymah Crater before checking in at your hotel in Ha'il.
Day 5: Ha'il & Jubbah
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the historical treasures of Ha'il. Stop for a photo at the formidable Qishlah Fortress before driving through the red sands of the Great Nefud Desert to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jubbah. Discover its rich variety of rock art dating back some ten thousand years, with petroglyphs depicting camels, archers, chariots, kings and more.
Continue to your accommodation in AlUla, home for the next two nights.
Day 6: Alula & Hegra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the wonders of AlUla, once a crossroads of ancient civilisations. The region offered rest for merchants on the caravan routes between Egypt and Arabia. Begin with an exploration of AlUla's atmospheric Old Town, and feel the vivid history of a once-thriving settlement.
Later, join a a two-hour 'hop-on' coach tour of Hegra, Saudi's answer to Petra in Jordan. Founded by the Nabatean Arabs in the first century AD, Hegra was built to protect the Nabateans' long-distance caravans, which brought precious goods from southern Arabia to Petra in Jordan. Marvel at the grandeur of the site’s rock-hewn tombs, dating back two thousand years. Dozens of well-preserved tombs stand amid the stunning desert landscape, carved into its dramatic cliffs and rock formations.
This evening, stop to enjoy sunset at Elephant Rock, a monolithic sandstone formation standing 52 metres high. As the sun sets, the sandstone turns a beautiful shade of red.
Day 7: Medina & Bullet Train To Jeddah
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning driving through a landscape of desert and mountains to reach Medina, the second holiest city in Islam. While non-Muslims cannot enter the mosques, visitors can now explore some of the previously forbidden central area for the first time. See the battlefield site of Jabal Uhud and admire the façade of the Prophet's Mosque. Visit Medina's attractive Ottoman railway station and see the Hijaz Railway memorabilia.
Finally, experience the sleek Haramain Railway. Board the bullet train from Medina to the vibrant city of Jeddah on the shores of the Red Sea. This modern, air-conditioned train travels at 186 mph, covering the 260 miles to Jeddah in less than two hours.
Day 8: Jeddah City Tour & Dinner With A Local Businesswoman
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Known as 'the Bride of the Red Sea', the coastal city of Jeddah has been the port for Mecca for centuries. Begin at the House of Islamic Art, housing a vast collection of beautiful artistic items. Later, take a drive along the spectacular Corniche and admire the gleaming façade of the Floating Mosque, built on stilts over the waves of the Red Sea.
This afternoon, discover Jeddah's UNESCO-listed Old Quarter, Al Balad, home to ornate houses built of coral stone. Look out for the beautiful roshan-style bay windows, overlaid with intricate wooden latticework.
Finally, settle down to a farewell dinner with a local host and her family and enjoy an insight into modern family dynamics in Jeddah. Your host, a female entrepreneur, will be pleased to talk about her life as a Saudi businesswoman after dinner.
Day 9: Departure
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport in accordance with the time of your onward flight. Should you wish, this tour can usually be combined with a departure of our popular Journey through Jordan tour - please ask your reservations consultant for details.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Friday - Saturday
Nov 08, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024Friday - Saturday
Feb 07, 2025 - Feb 15, 2025Friday - Saturday
Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025Friday - Saturday
Feb 21, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025Friday - Saturday
Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025Friday - Saturday
Oct 24, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025Friday - Saturday
Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025Friday - Saturday
Nov 07, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025Friday - Saturday
Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.