Tuesday March 24th – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Arrive at your convenience to the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh!
• You will be transferred to the hotel at the time of your flight. Here you can check in and rest.

Afternoon

• We will have a pre tour meeting at 2:00pm and begin our tour!
• Our first stop will be visiting Al Masmak Fortress – Surrounded by sand, this clay and mud-brick fort is one of the most iconic landmarks of Saudi. Built in 1865, this massive fortress represents the empire. It was the site of a daring 1902 raid by Ibn Saud – during which a spear was hurled towards the main gate with such force that the head of the spear is still lodged inside. While it is under renovations, it is one of the most iconic monuments in Riyadh to visit.
• We’re in walking distance to Al Zal Souq – located in the old part of the city, this market has a plethora of little shops arranged in rows along narrow streets selling carpets, gold, silver, souvenirs, antiques, traditional clothes, accessories and even furniture. Most of the shop owners here speak English and welcome good hagglers.
• On the way we’ll pass by Deera Square – most commonly known as Chop Chop Square by foreigners. This’ll be explained to you on the site.
• After our first exploration of Riyadh, we will cool off in the evening by visiting Saharaa Horse Riding Centre just outside the city. The complex is a women’s only area and is a place where women can let their hair down and learn the art of equestrian horse riding. Many women visit the centre to practise horse riding or just to chill at the cafe and enjoy the serenity. You will have the opportunity to partake in a 45 minute horse ride led by our female professionals!
• For dinner, we will head to a local eatery for our first taste of Gulf cuisine!
• Overnight in Riyadh

Wednesday March 25th – Riyadh – Edge of the World – Riyadh

• We will begin our day by visiting Diriyah, a UNESCO world Heritage site! Head northwest of the city to the At-Turaif district located in Al-Dir’iyah – the former capital city of the Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. It was also the original home of the Saudi royal family.
• After a thorough exploration of the UNESCO site, we will enjoy a pottery workshop led by a female artist. Pottery has always been an important art form for centuries in Arabia. Still to this day, some women in Saudi Arabia continue the tradition.
• Lunch at a traditional restaurant for a scrumptious Saudi feast! 
• After lunch, we’ll drive out to the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn). This unique spot earned its name as it offers stunning viewpoints from the top of the 300-metre high cliffs overlooking the surrounding plains. These cliffs were forged as a result of the tectonic movement of the Arabian plate due to the spread of the Red Sea rift located 1000 kilometers to the west.
• We’ll have a traditional dinner in the desert, under the stars!
• Overnight in Riyadh

Thursday March 26th – Riyadh – Hail – Jubbah – Hail

Morning

• After breakfast, we will go straight to the airport and board our domestic flight to Hail! Hail is a small city located in the heart of the Arabian desert and is known predominantly for having some of the friendliest people (in this already very friendly city!).
• We will continue driving to Jubbah – another UNESCO World Heritage site completely surrounded by the vast Nefud Desert.

Afternoon

• In Jubbah, the ancestors of today’s Arab populations have left traces of their passages in numerous petroglyphs and rock carvings. They show numerous representations of human and animal figures, from gazelles and lions to soldiers and kings, covering 10,000 years of history.
• We’ll drive back to Hail – where the dream landscapes of a thousand and one night were inspired. There, we’ll explore A’arif Fort, originally built in order to guard the city against enemies. During the Saudi rule, the Fort was mostly used for the sighting of the moon and firing the Iftar cannon during Ramadan.
• Hail rarely sees tourists, so you’ll be the star of the day as you walk through the souq, enjoying the local street food. At the souq, we will visit one of the many female owned abaya stored to try on abayas Saudi-style! These come in handy for our journey to Medinah and the ladies will also show you how to properly wear the abaya and style the hijab.
• Overnight in Hail

Friday March 27th – Hail – AlUla

Morning

• After breakfast, we will begin our journey north-west towards AlUla! AlUla has become one of the most important cities for archaeological exploration in Saudi Arabia with some of the most stunning ancient tombs.
• The drive itself is around 430km through scenic Saudi landscape

Afternoon

• On our arrival in Al Ula we’ll have lunch in town
• We will explore Old Market Street in AlUla Old Town and shop a variety of retail stores featuring local artisans, entrepreneurs, cafes and more. The area boasts Cultural activations, handicraft stores, local speciality foods to name a few, are featured for guests to discover and learn more about the wonders of AlUla. 
• Explore Elephant Rock at sunset– also known as Jabal Al Fil. The “trunk” and “body” of this monolithic red sandstone beast were carved by natural forces, namely millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by its surroundings of fine-sand sea studded with rocky outcrops, many of which are equally impressive in size and shapes.
• We stay overnight at a nearby farm in tents (glamping), with shared facilities.

Saturday March 28th – AlUla

Morning

• After breakfast, Visit Dedan, Ikma Mountain. Located in a beautiful desert landscape, it is the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia. It sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. It was an important way station and mercantile center on the incense trade route linking to Babylon, Petra and Syria. Excavations on the archeological sites here have revealed the existence of large fortified cities. These kingdoms developed their own culture including a specific language and alphabet, that resulted in a mix of Arabian traditions and strong influences from the surrounding empires.

Afternoon

• Today you will enjoy a home cooked meal and have a taste of what the locals usually eat. Besides enjoying delicious traditional dishes you will be supporting the local community and helping the sustainability of this farm. 
• Once we finish our lunch, we will be giving you a tour of the farm to learn more about what is the famous local produce of AlUla. 
• Stroll through the Al Jadidah Arts District where you’ll find colorful murals, boutique shops, cozy cafés, and galleries showcasing contemporary and traditional art. It’s a welcoming space to enjoy local crafts, join creative workshops (often led by women), or simply relax over coffee while soaking in the artistic vibe. With its walkable streets and stylish atmosphere, Al Jadidah offers an inspiring and safe setting for women to explore, connect, and unwind. 
• AlUla is blessed with numerous lookout points that offer an elevated view of the epic landscape. Scale the black lava stone terrain of Harrat Uwayrid, and you’ll be rewarded with views over Dadan, Ula oldtown, AlUla Fort and the AlUla Oasis.
• Stand at what feels like the edge of the world, meditate, and reconnect with nature. Arrive before sundown to soak up the sights and sounds of the golden hour, when the sky’s orange glow adds a magical touch to everything you see. Stay for sunset and watch the sky slowly fill with thousands of dancing stars.
• Dinner in town
• Overnight in AlUla

Sunday March 29th– AlUla – Medina

• In the morning, we’ll begin making our 3 and a half hour journey to Medina. Also known as the “enlightened city”, it is the second holiest city in Islam. It very recently opened to non-Muslim, so now is the time to visit!

Afternoon

• Upon arrival to Medina we will have a local lunch
• Next we will make our way to the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, conveniently located in the area of the Holy Mosque which is a fantastic opportunity for photos.
• Walk down Qiba Street. This street connects the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history. The first houses Prophet Mohammed’s grave. The second was the first Mosque ever built.
• Walk down Medina’s walking street lined with traditional shops selling everything from dried fruit and nuts to prayer mats. Here, it is very common to be offered water, dates and other items by total strangers.
• In the evening we will go to Uhud Mountain and the mosque. Uhud mountain is special because it is the place where a great battle took place during Prophet Muhammed’s time. This battle was fierce and led to the death of his uncle Hamza.
• We will enjoy a restaurant dinner and soak in Medina at night, which never sleeps!
• Overnight in Medina

Monday March 30th– Medina – Jeddah

• In the morning, we will head to Medina Railway Station to board the high-speed railway to Jeddah. Construction began back in 2008 and it was inaugurated in 2018. This 453 kilometer long railway connects the two holy cities making travel time just under 2 hours traveling at 300km/h
• We will check into our hotel and freshen up before beginning our tour of Jeddah

Afternoon

• Arrive in Jeddah and begin our tour by visiting Al Balad, which means “the town”. Founded in the 7th century, it historically served as the centre of Jeddah. The city’s defensive walls were torn down during the 1940s. Some homes have been built using only sand and seashells. Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its traditional architecture and also for its countless delicious food vendors. Here you’ll sample a local drink made of bread called “Sobia”. We’ll also drop by a well-known old bakery and try a local snack that consists of beans and pickles called “Balilah”.
• Stop for a coffee break at a chilled café – you can also try a local tea mixed with milk and herbs.
• Stop by the first hotel built in Jeddah, heavily influenced by Italian architecture
• Pass the first school built in Saudi Arabia
• Visit an art house and museum offering its unique local art collection and antiques.
• To relax and unwind after a long week, we will head to a women’s only beach club at the Red Sea. Local women often visit women’s only beach clubs for privacy and to hang out and socialize with friends. Here we will mingle with locals, enjoy some fresh juice and enjoy the beautiful Red Sea!

Tuesday March 31st – Jeddah (departure)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• The tour concludes with an airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange advice for flights. 
• Jeddah is known to have one of the best coral reefs around the world. YPT can arrange your extension to spend a day on a boat cruising around the waters participating in either snorkeling or diving. We also recommend having a look at the fish market and to visit the Tayebat Museum which re-creates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city.

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