The Nabatean Kingdom was a prosperous ancient Arab kingdom that thrived from around the 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE. Known for their advanced water management systems and their control over key trade routes, the Nabateans established a wealthy and culturally rich civilization with its capital at Hegra (modern-day Mada'in Saleh.) In contrast, the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, while not associated with a specific "Nadj Kingdom," has historically been home to various tribes and emirates, including the First Saudi State, which played a significant role in the establishment of modern Saudi Arabia. The Najd region's central location has made it a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange, contributing to its historical importance in the Arabian Peninsula.
Day 1: Madinah, Al-Ula [205 miles]
Start your day with a long drive to the jewel city of Al-Ula. After a drive of about 4 hours reach your hotel for lunch. Relax in your resort. Dinner and overnight in Al-Ula. [L/D]
Day 2: Al-Ula, Dedan, Jabal Ikmah, Hegra, Harrat Al-Uwayrid, Elephant Rock
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we depart for Dedan/Ikmah tour. Al-Ula is an ancient oasis that is inhabited for the last 7000 years as testify ancient carvings in and around the oasis. During the 1st millennium BCE the city of Dedan develops thanks to its strategic location on the frankincense trade road to become one of the oldest Arabian kingdoms that ruled over most of what is today Tabuk and Madinah provinces. Then will pass by the ancient city of Dedan that was an important oasis on the frankincense trade route between Southern Arabia and the Mediterranean World. Lunch in the city. After lunch, we get a glimpse into Al Ula’s not-so-distant past on the Al Ula Old Town Tour. We will go through Al Ula Old Town, where pilgrims, travelers and permanent settlers congregated through the ages. Inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980s, Al-Ula Old Town offers researchers unique oral histories and living memory that the area’s other heritage sites cannot. Before heading back to the hotel, we will visit Jebel Al-Fil (Elephant Rock) for a relaxing time. Check in. Dinner and overnight in Al-Ula. [B/L/D]
Day 3: Al-Ula, Riyadh
Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will start our journey with the visit of the famous Hegra (Madain Saleh) which is the first site of Saudi Arabia that was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Madain Saleh, whose original name was Al-Hijr or Hegra in Greek, is the southernmost important city of the Nabatean Kingdom that flourished thanks to the caravan trade between the 2nd century BCE until the Roman conquest in 106 CE. It 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. We will lead you through this fascinating site and reveal to you the secrets of its tombs, ancient inscriptions, stone structures, and many others. Lunch in the city. Then we head to the top of the Harrat Al-Uwayrid for an amazing viewpoint of the oasis of Al-Ula. At the end of the day, drive to the airport to catch your flight to Riyadh. Arrival at Riyadh International airport, our representative will meet and escort the guests to their A/C vehicle for their transfer to the hotel. Dinner & overnight in Riyadh. [B/L/D]
Day 4: Riyadh [31 miles]
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start our tour of mystic Riyadh by visiting the National museum which is the primary custodian of the Saudi national heritage and culture. The Museum is a place of learning and discovery, it offers an overview to the history of Arabian civilization from Prehistory to our modern era. We continue thereafter to the nearby Murabba Palace that is one of the historic buildings of the city. The palace was named after its square with the form of 400 by 400 meters. We will stop then for lunch in a typical local Saudi restaurant. In the afternoon, we will continue our tour of mystic Riyadh by visiting the Masmak Fort and its museum that depicts the history of the history of the conquest of Arabia by the Al-Saud family. The palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of the nation today, captured the fort in 1902 making of this fort the birthplace of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. We will then visit the Dira Souq famous for buying antique carpets and other useful Saudi heritage antiques, while walking we will always smell sandal wood fragrance. Dinner & overnight in Riyadh. [B/L/D]
Day 5: Riyadh, Diriyah, Edge of the World) [50 miles]
Breakfast at your hotel. And departure for the old city of Diriyah that used to be in the 19th century CE the capital of the high plateau of central Arabia called the Najd. Diriyah, which is located today in the outskirts of Riyadh, was built in the 15th century CE on the banks of Wadi Hanifa, a valley located in the eastern part of the Najd. It is one of the most important historical sites of Saudi Arabia as it is there that begins the history of the conquest of the Arabian Peninsula by the Al Saud family whose ancestors, known as the Bani Hanifa, settled there some five centuries ago. Lunch in the city. In the afternoon, we will start our trip to an exciting day to drive to the most famous natural of Riyadh Province: Edge of The World. It is in fact a spot located along the 1000km long Tuwaiq escarpment where the viewpoints from the top of the 300-meter-high cliffs are particularly dramatic. Once at Edge of the World we will hike along the majestic cliffs in order to enjoy the breathtaking viewpoints it offers. A traditional meal under a tent will be prepared for us by local Bedouins who will share with us the secrets of their culture around coffee and tea. Back at the hotel late evening. Overnight in Riyadh. [B/L/D]
Day 6: Riyadh (Departure)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on our flight departure time, transfer to Riyadh International Airport for departure. Standard check out time is 12:00 pm. [B]
[B] = Breakfast | [L/D] = Lunch & Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
