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Saudi Arabia, 18 Days · Tailor-made by car
Route from Jeddah to Riyadh with Tabuk, Neom and Hisma Valley
A journey beyond expectations
If you are one of those looking for unique and unexplored destinations, join us on this fascinating adventure and discover the secret jewel of the Middle East - Saudi Arabia. With this complete route by car, explore, at your own pace and leisure, the country's ancient heritage and its diverse culture. From south to north, go through the multicultural Jeddah, Al Bahah and its green forests, the religious places of Madinah, the ancient oasis of Al-Ula, Tabuk, the futuristic city of Neom, Tayma, Jubbah and its impressive archaeological sites, Haʼil, the conservative Buraydah, Riyadh, the country's capital... And, on top of that, marvel at the surprising beauty of Mada'in Salih and the Hisma Valley, comparable to the very famous city of Petra and the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.
Come on, you can't miss it!
Departure date
Departures from December 2024 till November 2025
From
Dublin, Knock, Galway, Donegal, Cork, Kerry county...
Travel details
City of origin - Jeddah
Departure with destination Jeddah. Arrival and collection of the rental car at the Budget offices at the airport. Along with the keys, a road book will also be delivered. Rest of the day free. Overnight stay.
Jeddah
Breakfast. Today you will tour the lively city of Jeddah, taking this opportunity to discover one of the most interesting cities in the country. Following the road book, you can visit the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum, which displays local and Arab heritage. Afterwards, you can enjoy a wonderful walking tour of Al-Balad, the old part of the city, going through the lesser-known corners that you cannot miss - the hidden galleries, the secret gems of the old market, local food establishments exclusively frequented by locals... During the tour of Al-Balad, you will also be able to see Beit Nassif, one of the prominent renovated structures of the old city dating from the mid-19th century. This five-story building offers the unique opportunity to experience the mix between traditional and modern architecture. It is also recommended to visit the Baghdadi house, the old gold market in Gabel street, and the Ukash Mosque. In the afternoon, you can visit the Al Rahmah Mosque and the Floating Mosque, a unique domed architectural wonder that stands literally on the sea and symbolizes the bold storm of Jeddah in the modern era. Sitting on an enviable location, the mosque’s courtyard offers unencumbered views of the Red Sea. It is recommended to finish the tour with the Jeddah Corniche, which is the city's 30 km coastal tourist zone with recreation areas, pavilions and large-scale civic sculptures, as well as King Fahd's Fountain, the highest fountain in the world. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Jeddah - Al Bahah (386 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to the mountainous city of Al Bahah to discover its highlands, located more than 2000 meters above sea level. Here you can visit some typical stone houses of the mountains of South Arabia and some incredible viewpoints from the dizzying cliffs of the Al-Sarawat mountain range and the nearby city of Baljureshi. In the afternoon, following the road book, you can drive down the cliff to reach Dhee Ayn, also known as the marble village and considered one of the most iconic sights in the country. Dating back around 400 years, take the opportunity to wander through its ancient streets and admire its elegant houses. From here you can also enjoy incredible views of the valley, highlighting the lush oasis that surrounds the bottom of the hill thanks to a nearby natural spring. Overnight stay.
Al Bahah
Breakfast. You will spend this day again in Al Bahah, capital of the homonymous region and one of the main tourist attractions of the Kingdom thanks to its pleasant climate and its more than forty forests. Take advantage of the day to learn more about the history and social life of the city by visiting the Baljurashi Historical Market (only open on Saturday mornings), an old popular market where locals come to buy and sell heritage items, birds and other goods. Afterwards, you can head to Raghadan Forest Park, a natural wild forest with recreational areas and plenty of space for the whole family to enjoy. Finally, it is recommended to visit the village of Al Mud, in the mountains of Al-Surat; and the Khairah Forest Park. Overnight stay.
Al Bahah - Al Hada - Taif (219 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to the city of Taif, located on the mountains of Al Hada in Mecca and on the eastern slopes of Al-Sarawat. Arrival in Taif, whose green nature, cool summer and beautiful landscapes are some of its main attractions. Take this opportunity to enjoy the majestic panoramic views of Al Hada and discover a rose factory. It is also recommended to visit the Sharif Museum. Overnight stay.
Taif - Madinah (480 km)
Breakfast. Early in the morning, drive through the desert to the spectacular Al Waba crater, an amazing volcanic formation with a salt field in its center. You will have to choose between circumnavigating part of the crater or going down a steep descent to the basin and then going back up again (2.5 hours approx). Departure to the holy city of Madinah. In the city center, you can find the vast Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque), a major Islamic pilgrimage site whose striking green dome rises above the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. 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. Except for the holy pilgrimage areas, the road book will only lead you through the outskirts of the city, ending the day with a short hike up Mount Uhud to enjoy the sunset. Overnight stay.
Madinah - Al-Ula (330 km)
Breakfast. This morning you will head to the ancient city of Al-Ula, which was an important staging post on the frankincense trade route to Oman and Egypt. You will follow the same route as the historic Hijaz Railway, stopping at the abandoned Buwayr and Muduraj train stations to appreciate the eerie reminder of its turbulent and bloody past during the revolts of Lawrence of Arabia and his allies against the Ottoman Empire. Next, it is recommended to visit the ancient city of Khaybar, probably the best-preserved ancient oasis in the country. Arrival in Al-Ula in the late afternoon. Overnight stay.
Al-Ula
Breakfast. Take advantage of this day to visit two ancient carving sites in Al-Ula, an ancient oasis that has been inhabited for the last 7,000 years. Following the road book, you will reach the Old city of Al-Ula before leaving for Dedan which, during the 1st millennium BC, developed thanks to its strategic location on the frankincense trade route, ruling over most of what is today Tabuk and Madinah provinces. Next, it is recommended to visit the ancient sites of Ekma and Abu ‘Aoud before reaching Harrat 'Uwayrid for incredible views. Overnight stay.
Al-Ula - Mada'in Salih - Al-Ula
Breakfast. Today will be dedicated to visiting the famous city of Mada'in Salih (or Hegra in Greek), the first site in Saudi Arabia to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Also known as the "Southern Petra", Mada'in Salih is the second richest Nabatean city in terms of monumental tombs with 94 decorated funeral monuments, including some of the most vibrant and well conserved architectural prowess of the Nabateans builders. You can also visit Jebel Al-Fil for a relaxing time next to the “Elephant rock”. Overnight stay.
Al-Ula - Dissah - Tabuk (300 km)
Breakfast. This morning will start with a drive through the rugged landscapes of Harrat Al-'Uwayrid towards Wadi Qaraqir and the ancient city of Dissah. Wadi Qaraqir is undoubtedly the most beautiful valley in Saudi Arabia, with 500-meter-high sandstone cliffs on both sides of the canyon and small rivers running through it all year long. On the other side of the valley, you will find the oasis of Dissah, where you can see the remains that testify to the long occupation of this wonderful place. Finally, continuation of the route to Tabuk, capital of the province that bears the same name. Overnight stay.
Tabuk - Neom - Tabuk (450 km)
Breakfast. Today you will tour the west coast of Tabuk province, where the construction area of the futuristic city of Neom is located. Neom stands for "New Future" ("Neo" for "New" and "Mustaqbal" which means "Future" in Arabic). Following the road book, you can visit the archaeological site of Madyan, an ancient city that was occupied, among many others, by the Nabataeans, building some monumental tombs known by locals as the "caves of the prophet Shuwayb" (Mughayr Shuwayb ). Follow in the footsteps of Prophet Moses, who according to the Bible and Quran lived in Madyan for 10 years, and take the opportunity to visit the Wells of Moses and the impressive Valley of Moses (also known as Tayeb Ism), which offers a wonderful view on the Sinai mountain, on the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba. Overnight stay.
Tabuk - Hisma Valley - Tabuk (440 km)
Breakfast. Departure to visit the Hisma Valley, also known as the Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia for its grandiose formations, very similar to those of Jordan. Hisma is home to hundreds of ancient rock inscriptions, some in pre-Islamic scripts dating back to the caravan trade and some others in old Arabic from the first decades of Islam. In the afternoon, following the road book, you can drive up one of the highest mountains in the country, Jebel Al Lawz, where it is believed that Moses received the Tablets of the Law. Overnight stay.
Note: Only possible by 4x4 and with proper guiding as off road.
Tabuk - Tayma (260 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to Tayma, the oldest human settlement in Saudi Arabia located on the western edge of the great desert of Nefud Al Kabir. This city lies in a natural depression where a lake once formed when the climate was more humid. Today, after almost 8,000 years of desertification processes, Tayma still benefits from natural wells that have been maintained for millennia. Furthermore, thanks to its location between the desert and the Al-Sarawat mountains, the city of Tayma also became a major stopover for caravans trading frankincense and other valuable items from Yemen. This importance has been reflected in many ancient texts. Overnight stay.
Tayma - Jubbah - Haʼil (420 km)
Breakfast. Departure by road to Jubbah, which lies on an ancient lake surrounded by several archaeological sites of human settlements from the Middle Paleolithic. Jubbah is surrounded by large sandstone outcrops that are filled with ancient inscriptions and petroglyphs, including the carvings done by the locals of aurochs, cheetahs, lions, etc. that used to live in this desertic area during the last humid period that took place millenniums ago. These drawings are still visible today on several sandstone outcrops like the Jebel Umm Sanman, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Next, you will pass through the Nefud Al Kabir desert on your way to Haʼil. The name of this desert literally means “great extent of sand dunes” - it is 290 kilometers long and 225 kilometers wide, with an area of 103.600 square kilometers. Arrival in Haʼil, home of poets and writers. Overnight stay.
Haʼil - Fayd - Buraydah (280 km)
Breakfast. Today will start with the city of Haʼil, where you can visit the A'Arif Fort and the nearby Heritage Museum. It is also recommended to walk through the traditional market and visit the Ha'il Regional Museum to admire its collections. In the afternoon, departure to Buraydah, the most conservative city in Saudi Arabia. En route, you will pass through the imposing Shammar mountain range, having the possibility of making a brief stop at Fayd, the most important pilgrimage town that prospered during Baghdad's Golden Age as it is halfway between Baghdad and Mecca. Here you can visit a small museum and a restored archaeological site. Arrival in Buraydah. Overnight stay.
Buraydah - Ushaiqer - Riyadh (360 km)
Breakfast. Today we recommend starting the day early and taking the opportunity to have an authentic Saudi experience in the Buraydah camel market, the largest in the world where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded every day. Back in the city, you can stroll through the delicious date market and buy some local delicacies before leaving for Riyadh. En route, you will pass through the villages of Al Mithnab, Al Ghat and Ushaiqer, the latter being one of the oldest settlements in the region with impressive traditional Najdi architecture. Arrival in Riyadh. Overnight stay.
Riyadh
Breakfast. Today you will spend the day at the mystical Riyadh. Following the road book, it is recommended to visit the National Museum, which is the primary custodian of the Saudi heritage and culture that offers an overview to the Arabian civilization from Prehistory to our modern era. Next, you can visit the Murabba Palace, which is one of the historic buildings of the city. In the afternoon, take the opportunity to discover other landmarks of Riyadh such as the famous tower of the Kingdom, the Faisaliah hotel; the Masmak Fort, one of the most important monuments in the country that marks the beginning of the modern history of Saudi Arabia; and the Dira souk, famous for its rugs and other antiques. Overnight stay.
Riyadh - City of origin
Breakfast. Arrival at the airport with enough time to drop off your rental car. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
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Assistant at destination throughout the trip.
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Road book.
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Local taxes.
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Diet: 17 breakfasts.
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Car rental for 18 days, type Toyota Corolla or similar, with mileage limited to 300 kms/day and CDW insurance.
Your trip doesn't include
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Gas and tolls fees.
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Visits and entrance tickets.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
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Insolvency protection.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Category A
Rove Jeddah Hotel
Prince Mohamed Bin Abdul Aziz Road, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Blue Diamond Hotel Jeddah
Al Bahar Al Arabi Al Hamra, Jeddah
Important remarks
- You may be denied entry in Saudi Arabia by the authorities if your passport contains an entry or exit stamp from Israel.
- Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and the month of Ramadan is of major significance to its residents. During Ramadan, entertainment and alcohol will be restricted in most of the country. The sale of alcohol will be restricted in many places, although some establishments will offer alcohol for sale to tourists. During this period, local businesses may also have shorter opening hours.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- To pick up your rental car, you will need: a valid driver's license with more than one year old, passport and a credit card (not debit) in the name of the person who made the booking, who must also be the named driver of the vehicle.
- The minimum age of the driver must be 21 years.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.