Asir & Al Bahah: Abode of the Clouds

Step back in time and discover the World Heritage Site of Diriyah where the story of modern Saudi Arabia began. Within Diriyah’s historic At Turaif district you’ll see stunning examples of traditional Najdi mudbrick architecture and get a sense of the way of life in the first Saudi capital some two hundred years ago. Your journey continues this afternoon to the National Museum for a crash course in Saudi history. The day concludes with an orientation tour of downtown Riyadh where you will have a magnificent panorama over the Saudi capital from the Kingdom Tower’s Sky Bridge observation deck.

Fly south to Bisha and drive through the desert to view the dramatically sited ‘hanging village’ of Habala that was once only accessible by ropes. Nearby is the small mountain village of Tamniah, where you’ll see several fine examples of square fort-like Asiri buildings with their rings of slate. One house has been turned into a museum with traditional colourful interiors and distinctive Al-Qatt Al-Asiri geometric designs. Your visit complete, drive on to Abha – the regional capital.

Today, you’ll discover more of Asir’s beautiful mountains and unique architecture. Sightseeing will start at Abha’s colourful Muftaha Village, a cultural centre surrounded by galleries, then continues through mountainous Jabal Soudah to Rijal Almaa – one of the finest historic villages in Arabia. On arrival, you’ll behold the breathtaking sight of 60 or so multi-storey houses climbing up the hillside like an impenetrable phalanx of stone towers. Later, drive on to Mohayl where you’ll visit the honey, date and basket souqs before returning to Abha.

Travel north along the spine of the green Sarawat mountains on an incredibly scenic journey towards the verdant beauty spot of Al Namas where you’ll visit the dramatically sited Al Maqar museum. Then, proceed to the popular summer resort of Baljurashi where Saudis flock to enjoy the cool climate, forests and scenery that is reminiscent of the mountains of Greece. A far cry from the stereotypical arid deserts for which the Kingdom is known!

Descend from your mountain eyrie into the hot fertile coastal Tihama plain 2,000 metres below and visit the lively open-air market (Tue) at Al Mkhawat where Saudis buy and sell as they have for centuries. Then, drive to Shada mountain, where troglodytes have lived since earliest times amongst an amazing granite landscape that is believed to be one of the oldest geological formations on Earth. After viewing the remarkable cave dwellings and rock art continue to the stunning fortified stone village of Zee Ain, which sits on a pedestal of marble and is surrounded by a lush oasis.

Drive to Al Raghadan Park outside the city of Al Bahah city to enjoy another most unexpected Saudi Arabian vista: an extensive green forested mountainside. The journey continues north through the mountains via Bin Raqoosh castle to Al Hada in the mountains above Mecca where you’ll see the famous baboons. Next, tour a rosewater factory and visit the summer resort of Taif where you will view the landmark Shubra Palace, discover the eclectic ethnographic collection at the Al Shareef Museum and wander through the lively local souq.

One of Saudi Arabia’s great natural wonders, the two-kilometre-wide lunar-like Al Wahbah Crater, will be your destination this morning. Located on the edge of the volcanic Harrat Kishb, this vast maar crater was once thought to have been the result of a meteorite impact, but it is now generally accepted to have been formed by an enormous volcanic eruption. A steep 60-minute hike will bring you to the crater floor which is covered in white sodium phosphate crystals. On returning to your vehicle, drive to Jeddah on the Red Sea coast.

Jeddah, known as the ‘Bride of the Red Sea’, has been the port for nearby Mecca for centuries. Start your sightseeing at the Tayebat Museum – a fine example of traditional Hijazi architecture – then drive along the beautiful manicured modern seafront Corniche to the ‘floating Mosque’. This afternoon the new city is juxtaposed with the old as you walk through Mecca Gate and enter Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al Balad district. The lively souqs and multi-story houses built of coral stone with their distinctive ‘roshan’ wooden windows provide a fascinating insight into an age-old way of life in Saudi Arabia.

Private transfer to Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport and check in for your onward flight.