Wendy Wu Secrets of Saudi Arabia

• Discover cosmopolitan Riyadh and bustling Jeddah
• See the once-forbidden holy city of Medina
• Explore the rock-cut tombs of Hegra
• Watch the sunset at Elephant Rock
• View Jubbah’s UNESCO-listed rock art
• Take a bullet train from Medina to Jeddah
• Have dinner with a businesswoman and her family in Jeddah

Day 1: Fly to Riyadh

Fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s dynamic capital city. Transfer to the hotel ahead of this evening’s welcome dinner.
(Dinner)

Day 2: Diriyah & Riyadh

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. 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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 3: Ushaiger Heritage Village – Buraidah

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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Buraidah Camel Market & Ha’ill

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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Ha’ill & Jubbah

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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: AlUla & Hegra

Explore the wonders of AlUla, once a crossroads of ancient civilisations. Begin with an exploration of AlUla’s atmospheric Old Town, and feel the vivid history of a once-thriving settlement. Later, join a two-hour ‘hop-on’ coach tour of Hegra, Saudi’s answer 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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Medina & Bullet Train to Jeddah

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. Board the bullet train from Medina to the vibrant city of Jeddah on the shores of the Red Sea.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Jeddah City Tour & 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. 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.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport in accordance with the time of your onward flight.
(Breakfast)

Spend 8nts in 3+/4* accommodation

• Return international flights
• Domestic transportation
• 8nts accommodation
• All Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners

Classic

See the classic sights in the company of expert guides so you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On classic tours, everything is taken care of, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. The tours are fully inclusive with all meals and a comprehensive touring programme.

This tour has a maximum group size of 24 people

This tour has a physical rating of 1. A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks.