With the Vision 2030 program launched in Saudi Arabia, the rights of women have changed significantly in the coming years. Now balancing traditional life, culture with increased Western policies and ideas, Saudi Arabia is at a very interesting precipice in time – also a very delicate point.
Our women’s only tour to Saudi Arabia is set to provide you with an interesting insight into Saudi Arabia – led completely by women. Not only will you see the main sights including the Edge of the World, AlUla, Jeddah and the capital Riyadh, but you will also engage with female business owners, archeologists, niqabis and women without veils to learn about Saudi customs, traditions and what women think of the changes. Below are the top reasons why this tour exists and why you should join it!
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Saudi Arabia Is Changing… Rapidly
Saudi Arabia is quickly modernising at a rate unprecedented in the fields of social restrictions, economic and industrial fields. The Saudi Arabia that you see today is different from the Saudi Arabia 5 years ago and is on track to be completely different to the Saudi Arabia you will see in 5 years. While large scale industrial projects are commencing, changing the skyline of cities, entertainment is being permitted to include international concerts and festivals, and social rights are changing dramatically, the forecast of tourists coming to Saudi Arabia is expected to grow drastically. By 2030, it is the Kingdom’s goal to grow tourism, unrelated to religious pilgrimages to 30%.
Therefore, visiting Saudi Arabia should be a priority now, before the crowds increase!
How Saudi Arabia Is Changing For Women
Saudi Arabia is implementing changes after changes extremely rapidly. In 2018, Saudi women were allowed to drive in the kingdom for the first time in history. In 2019, women the age of 21 and over were permitted to apply for a passport and leave the kingdom without the permission of a male guardian. Since 2021, women have been permitted to go to Mecca to perform Hajj without a male relative.
Among these changes, the minimum age at which women can marry at 18. Husbands are limited in their ease to divorce. Beforehand men were able to use the talaq to divorce women (saying ‘I divorce you’ three times) – however now the process is more complicated. Upon a divorce, women are now considered to be the de facto primary carer, mothers can apply for passports for their children without male guardian consent, and children are no longer removed from the mothers custody upon remarriage.
The literacy rate for Saudi women is one of the highest in the world, with women aged 15-24 literacy rate being close to 100%. Saudi women make up 50% of those at universities. Today, Saudi Arabia boasts the second highest number of female entrepreneurs globally, with women owning a remarkable 49.7% of its hotels and restaurants.
Women no longer need a Mahrem (male guardian such as a husband, father, brother, uncle, etc) to go out in public spaces. Women were mandated to wear black abaya and hijab in the past or they would face issues with the morality police. However the Crown Prince has repeatedly emphasised that the abaya and head coverings are no longer mandatory and citizens are instead expected to wear ‘decent and respectful’ clothing. This is exemplified in laws that mandate ankles and elbows are covered in 2019.
To this day, on our women’s only tour to Saudi Arabia you will see many – if not most – of Saudi women continuing to wear the hijab and abaya, many also wearing the niqab (covering the face). This is no longer mandated, but a choice by women to remain covered and modest.
Combat Racial and Religious Stereotypes
There are many stereotypes about Saudi Arabian women – for example that women are forced to wear veilings. This is a unique opportunity to break down harmful stereotypes and learn more about how Saudi women actually live, from Saudi women. The image of Saudi Arabia pre 2018 is vastly different from the Saudi Arabia today.
Support Local Women
Our tour visits many women-owned and women-only venues to support women. For example, in Riyadh we will visit a Women’s Only horse riding center. 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 practice horse riding or just to chill at the cafe and enjoy the serenity. We will also visit a pottery workshop and learn from a female artist about pottery creation and tradition in Saudi Arabia.
We will continue to Hail and AlUla where we will visit a female owned and operated abaya store to learn how to properly wear an abaya and hijab Saudi style! In AlUla we will visit a family owned citrus farm for lunch and have a meal cooked for us. We will visit the Qiba mosque, in the female section and marvel at the Prophets mosque from the outside. We will end the tour in Jeddah where we will have a relaxing afternoon at a women’s only beach club on the stunning Red Sea!
Be With A Like-Minded Group Of Women
Saudi Arabia is not on everyone’s list of places to visit. However at YPT our groups connect from all areas on earth for the purpose of understanding the misunderstood and visiting places off the beaten track. Our Women’s Only Tour to Saudi Arabia is an excellent opportunity to meet people – Saudis and other international travelers interested in understanding the world.
Women’s Only Tour to Saudi Arabia – Dates and Information
Our Women’s Only Tour to Saudi Arabia Women’s Tour is confirmed for March 24th – 31st 2026 – perfect for your Spring Break Plans! The tour is 8 days and 7 nights, stopping at all the classic highlights our regular tours do, with added women-focused activities along the way!
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