September 18 to 26, 2023      Keys to the Kingdom, Mysterious Saud

Land Price $3595 plus internal domestic flights Jeddah – AlUla – Riyadh  $220. ($80 added for pre-paid gratuities) = $3895

Deposit $500

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 A proper itinerary with photos can be found on our website   This is here for your convenience.

18 September  –  Depart USA to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Air details to come in trip tips later.

19 September – Welcome to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA Kingdom of Saudi !  (Land portion officially begins)

Welcome to Jeddah, the largest city in Saudi Arabia. A major port, a historical Red Sea trading point, and a gateway for the thousands of yearly pilgrims heading to Mecca or Medina, the city has a bustling atmosphere with enticing entertainment venues.

On arrival, airport transfer to our hotel. Most flights land late at night or way early in the morning. If you come in early, enjoy your free time to explore the city.  The Islamic Museum is one of our options, a veritable showcase of Arab history and tradition. Later you may wish to go for a walk along the beautiful Corniche, which is a key spot for locals to socialize, stroll and enjoy the sea breeze.

Overnight at Hyatt House, Jeddah  (2 nights)  3023 Sari Street West, Al Salamah District, Jeddah

20 September  – Exploring Jeddah Tour

After breakfast we’ll explore Jeddah today, beginning with a visit to the enormous fish market. Seafood is essential to the economy of Jeddah, and a visit to this thriving fish market puts this into perspective. We’ll also explore Jeddah’s Corniche, which extends many miles along the Red Sea coast – this long sea front incorporates parks, mosques and playgrounds, and is lined with sculptures that culminate at the small open-air sculpture ‘museum’ in the north of the city. We’ll walk a section of it, aiming to see the amazing ‘Floating Mosque’ along the way.

After lunch, we had to the UNESCO-listed old town of Al Balad this afternoon. A quirk of Saudi culture is that many places only come alive after 4pm, with souks, shops and cafes opening late into the night. This is no different in Al Balad. Founded in the 7th Century, Al Balad was once the city center of Jeddah and an essential Red Sea port. This wonder of architecture is famous for its wooden and coral carved ‘roshans’ (intricately carved facades), or Ottoman townhouses which provide fascinating photos. During our guided tour of Al Balad we’ll enter some of the houses for a perspective on how people lived and worked in old Arabia. See the 300 year old mosque still active and vendors selling traditional delicacies of fresh bread, Arabian coffees and smoothies.  We’ll also have some free time to explore the maze of narrow streets that lead into the Souk Al Alawi section of Balad – in the late afternoon this area is transformed into a busy network of shops selling rugs, art, herbs, silver and perfume, as well as a lively street market with everything from okra and rice to meat and chili peppers.

Our Welcome Dinner this evening will give us the opportunity to sample what Jeddah is really known for – fish! We will go to one of the cities popular fish restaurants for the catch of the day. Normally the menu includes a creamy fish together with hummus, vine leaves, rice and trimmings. It’s a fitting start to our Saudi Arabian journey.

Overnight at Hyatt House, Jeddah.     B, D

21 September –  Fly to Al Ula for full day Tour

After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight into another world of glorious Al Ula. On arrival at 1PM, we check into our stunningly located desert resort which will be our base for the next two nights. During our time in Alula we will certainly discover why this area is becoming a must-visit location for anyone interested in the scenery and rich cultural heritage of Arabia.

Al Ula is located in the Wadi Al-Qura, a valley oriented north-south between the lava fields of the Harrat ‘Uwayrid, and the sandstone massif of the Jibal Ath-Thumayid. Its’ underground water resources and its’ strategic location along the frankincense road meant this valley played a major role in the history of the Arabian Peninsula.

The birthplace of two ancient Arabian kingdoms: During the 1st millennium BCE, Al-Ula saw the rise of the ancient city of Dedan that became the capital of two successive kingdoms, Dedan and Lihyan, that ruled over the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula. At the end of the 1st millennium BCE a new power coming from the north, the Nabateans, installed their southernmost outpost and second most important city 20 kilometers to the north of Al-Ula, in Madain Saleh. North of this is the Nabateans city of Petra.

This afternoon, we will explore various archaeological sites and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra (aka Mada’in Saleh). Second, only in size to Petra (in neighboring Jordan), this strategically sited Nabatean city has over one hundred ornately decorated royal tombs, including the striking Qasr Farid, dating back to the 1st century CE.

At sunset, we board our 4 x 4 Jeeps again to head for a visit to the iconic Elephant Rock. Set in golden desert sands and climbing at a height of 52 meters into the Saudi Arabian sky, the awe-inspiring Elephant rock is one of Al Ula’s many geological marvels.  Unlike the ornate, hand-carved facades of nearby Hegra’s Nabataean tombs, the “trunk” and “body” of this monolithic red sandstone beast were shaped by natural forces over millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by a landscape of golden sands and studded with rocky outcrops of interesting shapes and figures. Time for refreshments at the café here and for photographs as magical lights make this site dramatically impressive.

(Please note that many of the activities in and around AlUla are controlled by the Royal Commission for AlUla which includes the times and durations allowed for visiting the sites. Google Condé Nast Traveler magazine, October 2022 for a great historical story featured on Alula.)

Overnight at Shaden Resort, Al ula (2 nights)             B/D

22 September  .  Al Ula Mountains & Tombs

After breakfast, morning to relax by the beautiful swimming pool or hike the surrounding canyons.

Later we visit by Jeep the Lion Tombs of Dadan. In the ancient oasis Dadan, close to today’s city of Al-Ula in Madinah Province, a kingdom flourished from at least the 6th century until the 2nd century BCE. There, the kings of Dadan and later Lihyan reigned over a territory that spread from the city of Iathrib (today’s Madinah) to the Levant. In their capital Dadan, remains of these brilliant kingdoms have been excavated, including an impressive necropolis whose tombs were dug into the side of Jebel Dadan that overlooks the city on the east. These tombs are square-shaped holes, cut at different heights out of the side of the mountain, their cavities being about two meters deep. They are approximately dated to the 5th century BCE, the probable period of the Lihyanite takeover of the region. About 1 kilometer south of the main excavation site of Dadan are two exceptional tombs located some 50 meters above the wadi where the ancient oasis was centered. Those are the only tombs that are decorated with two carved lions each, showing the importance of their owners, being governors or influential people. These sculptures of lions are an outstanding example of the Mesopotamian influence and are the proud iconic figures of this ancient oasis.

Don your sneakers, for a wonderful canyon hike as we continue to Jabal Ikmah (mountain). In a beautiful desert landscape, the world’s largest “Open Library” is tucked away in a remote canyon.  Dadan was a caravan way station for many peoples, and one of the clues that Al Ula was truly a crossroads of civilizations is Jabal Ikmah. It was visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through Al Ula. It’s like a giant message board for pilgrims to communicate.  Records kept here are in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings lining the cliff faces and rocks and ensuring that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages. The inscriptions are thought to date as far back as the 1st millennium BCE. Gazing at its rock art of humans, musical instruments and animals, you can discover what was important in the daily lives of people in the “Dadanite,” “Lihyanite” and other civilizations of Al Ula. Long after Al Ula’s ancient people walked this site, researchers and historians visited Jabal Ikmah to study its centuries-old imprints. You will feel the historic power of this magnificent site.

Farm visit – Enjoy a unique lunch at a local farm.  I love this special farm with miles of date and fruit trees. Ali and his dogs greet us with juice and coffee before we walk the orchards that supply produce from here around the world.  Pick what you like and then we head to his Bedouin camp.  His mother prepares us a feast of delicious local dishes.  Our visit here supports the local community with jobs and sustainability of this huge plantation.

Harra View Point at sunset – embarking on a 4WD ride scaling the black lava stone terrain of Harrat Uwayrid, to be rewarded with views over Dadan, Ula oldtown, AlUla Fort and the AlUla Oasis.

Our day ends with a stroll through the outdoor Old Town Market featuring local artisans, entrepreneurs, handicraft stores, local specialty foods, cafes and more. AlUla Old Town is still being renovated for tourism.  T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) lived here in 1916.  Travelers stayed here for the 12th to 20th centuries.  Learn more at  www.experiencealula.com

Overnight at Shaden Resort, Al ula  (2 nights) B/D

23 September   Caravans at Habitas!  https://www.ourhabitas.com/caravan-alula/

Today we will check in to Caravan Habitas.  So much buzz on this place for upscale hipsters seeking a wilderness adventure like no other.   Caravan by Habitas is a one-of-a-kind glamping experience set among the majestic sandstone cliffs in AlUla designed to set free the inner child in all of us!… 22 silver Airstreams, infinity pool, 4 food trucks, huge community tented area, scattered art installations and unique adult play stations for fun, like swings to trampolines.

The Mirage-  Optional visit by jeeps to the famous new Maraya.  See the enormous cubed-shaped sculpture of mirrors that is an award-winning, state-of-the-art structure.   Time to get your best Instagram photos ever!

Later in the evening, enjoy s’mores by the fire and popcorn with movies set against a mountain wall.

Overnight at  Caravan by Habitas  (1 night) B

https://www.ourhabitas.com/caravan-alula/

24 September   Flight to Riyadh, Desert Journey to Edge of the World. 

Early morning yoga session at Caravan Resort.  Wellness is woven into the fabric of everything here.

Later transfer to airport for flight to Riyadh 11:40AM-1:15PM and head straight to our hotel to check in.  The capital of Riyadh is a sprawling city, where ancient palaces and palm trees are found just a few traffic-laden streets away from bright, modern architecture. We’ll get a feeling of both the old and new today.

In the late afternoon, we drive in 4WD vehicles into the Tuwalq Mountains and Jebel Fihrayn, also known as the Edge of the World! This dramatic set of cliffs, just one hour outside of Riyadh, rises vertically from the desert floor. Walk the towering clear cut rock riffs formed 150 million years ago by the Red Sea in this part of the Arabian Peninsula.  Like Jurassic Park, keep an eye out for fossils.  The horizon dances before us yet is somehow unobtainable – this visual illusion gives the wonder its name. We aim to be there for sunset, before driving back to the city.

Overnight at Warwick Hotel Riyadh B

Riyadh Must See – The Diplomatic Quarter offers natural and cultural attractions within a self-contained recreational landscape. You can walk or cycle to the beautiful Wadi Hanifa, take a stroll around manicured parks and gardens and shop or dine in upmarket international plazas.

What’s New – Riyadh’s modern skyline is the perfect showcase for an architectural marvel. New skyscrapers are rising as the city continues to grow. While staying true to its rich cultural heritage, Riyadh continues to adopt a more contemporary feel attracting millions of travel enthusiasts travelers with city-wide events and entertainment festiv

als throughout the year.

Must Do – Riyadh is a shopper’s paradise. From luxury brands in the modern Sahara, Hayat and Al Qasr malls, to the traditional souks of Deira and Al Owais, you can find all the latest designer goods and negotiate over truly unique and antique local artifacts.  For adventure explore the desert. You can race across the dunes of the Thumama in a quad bike or find endless calm in its sublimely desolate vastness. Hike the rust-red Sha’ib Luha valley, where the sweetly fragrant acacia trees bow above glass-green pools.

25 September   Exploring Riyadh – Historic City Tour & Dune Bashing

Before the 1930s, Riyadh was a small, walled oasis town in what was then known as the Second Saudi State. After Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud conquered the state in the late 1920s he retook his family’s ancient seat and brought together most of the Arabian Peninsula in what he went on to name ‘Saudi Arabia’. We’ll learn some of this history on a trip to the National Museum this morning – the museum is enormous so we will pick and choose some of the key exhibits. If you are staying longer in Riyadh it’s well worth spending more time here.

Saudi Arabia’s capital and main financial hub is on a desert plateau in the country’s center. Landmarks include the 302m-high Kingdom Centre, with a sky bridge connecting 2 towers, and 267m-high Al Faisaliah Centre, with a glass-globe summit. In the historical Deira district, Masmak Fort marks the site of the 1902 raid that gave the Al Sauds control of Riyadh.  We continue to visit Masmak Fortress, the most prominent remnant of the old walled oasis town of Riyadh. From here, we will visit the modern part of the city, taking the lift up the Kingdom Tower skyscraper for impressive views.

Red sand dunes –  Later we’ll continue to an adventure in the Red Sand Dunes!   Located in northeastern Riyadh, Red Sand is an area of red desert dunes where you can enjoy numerous thrilling activities including sand-boarding, dune-bashing and buggy-riding.

Overnight at Warwick Hotel Riyadh  (2 nights)           B

26 September   Riyadh onwards flight back to USA

Today here we say goodbye to beautiful and memorable Saudi, with flights back to the U.S.   B

Just a quick note to let you know that you can always check out the itinerary on our website for the most up-to-date information. We want to make it super easy for you! Don't worry, we'll also be sending all the important details to each person and updating the itinerary on our website at www.afstravelers.com.

Your fearless GTL (Gracious Trip Leader, not a guide but liaison between our guides and group to ensure things run smoothly.). Deanna Purdie.  You’ll love her.  She’s amazing!sed in Atlanta, making her way around the globe with over 60 countries visited…mostly solo until finding out about AFS in 2017.  With degrees in Photography and Graphic Design from SCAD, she enjoys helping others capture and create interesting posts for Social Media that your friends are sure to envy. Also, with a background in IT/Communications, she is able to help solve any tech issues you may have with your devices or apps.  She enjoys a healthy active lifestyle of working out, skiing, snorkeling and hiking.  Always researching and learning…she has been studying and speaking French for the past 8+ years and will be sure to have at least 2-3 new Travel Hacks and tips for you each trip!

Deanna is a great asset to AFS, not just because of her capable skills in leadership and her wisdom, but her joyous enthusiasm in guiding others in exploration!

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Trip Prep:

• Read the revised Heading Abroad with AFS, especially if you are new to AFS.
• Ensure your passport is valid 6 months after return date with two blank pages.  We recommend renewing your passport well ahead of any planned international travel. Take a photo of your passport to store in the cloud or bring a copy. If you lose your passport, US embassies now except a digital copy from your email.  Also good to scan any docs, Covid test, trip tips, etc.
• To speed through US Customs download Mobile Passport.  Look in your App Store for details.
• Notify bank and cc company of travel dates so they don’t block charges.
• Vaccines – Bring your vaccine card.  Don’t laminate vaccine card as some countries won’t accept it.  You can take photo of both sides and store on phone.
• All airline rules differ.  It is imperative to read your airline rules on their website to ensure a smooth departure!  Airlines are in the process of making routing and scheduling changes now. Always check your flight before departure.
• VISA – you need a visa. Do nothing until we advise you a month out. Easy evisa online just dropped to 35SAR or $9 with approval in an hour! (Visa on airport arrival is $127.) Use only the link visit saudi.com.

Fitness level – Easy with no trouble walking.

Saudi Notes – “Marhabtain!” means welcome. SA is on the path toward rapid change, but it’s still a conservative place deeply rooted in centuries of cultural traditions. It feels like flying back in time with old world beliefs blended with uber modern conveniences. At times it may feel challenging, like “what planet am I on?”. But there lies the draw. Let the foreign role off you and embrace the privilege of being here!

Luxury is everywhere with incredible opulence from hotels to malls.

Food is taken seriously here and dining is amazing with the purest fresh cuisines – all sans booze. (Alcohol is forbidden, but with the potential to change. With extensive drink lists, they take mocktails to an art form.)

Gender segregation is real, but still evolving. This is the biggest thing you will notice – separate entrances, security lines, Spa’s, pools, and more between men and women.

Five calls to prayer daily. Festivals always on.

Ladies – SA has its share of controversies, such as how they treat women. This is changing at warp speed. Women are highly respected. Most choose to wear the abaya and prefer black. Abaya is a long robe. You’ll see some in stunning colors with bling. (I bought three on Amazon to wear with jeans and it cut my packing in half. I wanted comfort and to feel like a local in another universe.) These are not required for female tourists! The simple dress code for you is modesty. This means being covered to elbows and to knees. No head scarf required, but bring one for some sites. Our guides will advise you of all you want to know on arrival.

Rules – It’s very important to abide by Code of Conduct here. No alcohol or CBD products. Keep meds in prescribed bottles that are labeled. No photos of any person unless permission. See all rules at visitsaudia.com but most are pretty lax now.

General Air –  Many route changes now on domestic flights to get to your international flights. If any flight problems, airlines are now required to protect you.  Always download and use your airlines app! Use app to track your booking, delays, bags, to show boarding pass and to contact them. If you have a flight problem go to the airline’s website “contact us” page or reach them by text, social media, Skype or call their international number.  Also, premium credit cards often offer many air perks, assistance, insurance, lounge passes, global entry and more. Read more at www.tpg.com for best cards.

No Group Air as not enough people wanted it.

For those arriving early on September 18th, you will need to arrange a hotel night and transfer on your own. This applies for any arrival before check-in time of 3pm on September 19th.
So if you arrive on September 19th at 1am you will need to book your own pre-night room for the 18th as per hotel policy so your room is available when you check in in the early AM.
The Hyatt House is around $110-130/night and 7 miles from Jeddah Airport. Easily accessible by taxi.  Book directly with the hotel on their website or Hotels.com etc.

Doing Own Air– You can start looking now. Air dates are September 17-26. This is into Jeddah and out of Riyadh. Prices are good now averaging $900-$1300 from JFK.  This provides you better flexibility to go early or extend at trip end.   (We recommend you now book flexible air tickets that can be refunded or changed.   We like Google Flights, Kayak or Momondo.  3rd-party booking engines like Expedia, make it near impossible to handle air problems.  Buy direct from airline or pay a travel agent to ticket you.)

Airlines include; Turkish, Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Royal Jordanian. Most direct route is on Saudia, a totally different experience. Land begins on September 19. You may want to go in a day early or even at a stopover en route home.

For all classes of tickets, email flights@diversedestination.com your exact air dates, destination, passport name and details with birthdate.

Airport Transfers–  Since we do not have enough want group air, we will not have common airport arrival pick up times.   With travelers arriving and departing on different days and times, it is insurmountable to manage.  Without group air, there can no longer be any pick-up or drop-offs.  Unfortunately now like other tour companies, transfers are your responsibility. (We’ve spent weeks each trip making spreadsheets of each persons air to send to the supplier and then flights change. We then hire a guide, driver and pay parking fees. 2022 groups, only half showed up as guides waited hours looking for others. Sometimes no AFSers showed up without informing us.) Transfers are not expensive. First google your arrival airport website to see transfer tab. Suggestions to appear like airport bus, taxi details, Uber and more. Then connect on group Facebook page to set up sharing transfer cost if you like.  If you go early and check-in AFS hotel before group arrives, it’s your responsibility to change rooms with your roommate if necessary day one when trip begins.

Meet Up With Group– On Sep 19 Hyatt lobby…time TBD.

Click here for More Tips like transfers, packing, money, shopping and more

Hi all-

Tourists are flocking to Saudi Arabia now. Everything is perfect with our trip until our internal domestic flights changed. Long story short, Saudi Airlines literally raised the price after we signed a contract and deposited. No other airline flies internally to Alula.  We seriously fought this to no avail. As wrong as it is, airlines have the right to do such. See emails below. We even filed a complaint with Saudi government.

Our itinerary tours and dates cannot be rearranged due to Habitats Caravans.  I had to pay them a year ago to hold our Airstreams. The airfare increased around $148 higher. We cannot absorb all but came up with a fair solution. We found a better price at the Warwick hotel in Riyadh to save some cost. (It’s actually nicer than the Crowne Plaza. Stunning new international hotel in the heart of the city with a spa, bigger rooms, free Wi-Fi, rooftop pool, on metro line to Riyadh National Museum, Zoo, Skybridge at Kingdom Towers and more.) We must add $48 to your final invoice as we absorb the rest. This AFS trip is still value priced above all other similar tours that I perused so I hope it’s OK. Things like this can often happen in traveling to parts of the world not like America. The Kingdom is totally new to tourism. They are still learning as they go. We expect no more changes. Just please secure your international air seats now if you have not got your air. More updates to come.

Sincerely,

Suzy

Below are notes received from our supplier regarding this subject.

Dear Suzy and Terry,

Good morning !

With reference to our discussion while in Australia, as advised Saudi airline after taking the 25% deposit to confirm seats, they invalidated the flight fare and gave a very high revised airfare . Being the only airline on these sectors, they have monopoly and left us with no choice but to accept the revision under protest. As you are aware they gave us 24 hours to accept the revised fare and pay the balance difference or take back the money paid and release the seats.

As per our discussion, we agreed to pay this extortion amount with no other choice being possible.    Considering the huge variation in cost, may we suggest to change the hotel in Riyadh from Hotel crown Plaza to Hotel Warwick, which has better pricing and both are classified 4 star and similarly located (city centre).

If we amend to Hotel Warwick instead of Crown, the revised difference in airfare shall be USD 48 per person after absorbing the maximum that we could. Please consider accordingly .

May we request you to please advice if we go ahead with Hotel Warwick in Riyadh ?

Best regards, Smita