Saudi Arabia’s Incense Route

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 to enjoy another most unexpected Saudi Arabian vista: an extensive green forested mountainside. The journey continues north through the mountains to Al Hada 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, before continuing the journey to Jeddah on the Red Sea coast.

Jeddah is known as the ‘Bride of the Red Sea’ and for centuries, has been the port for nearby Mecca. Late this morning, meet your guide and drive along Jeddah’s beautiful manicured modern seafront Corniche to the ‘floating Mosque’. In the afternoon, the new city is juxtaposed with the old as you walk through Mecca Gate and enter Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed old district of Al Balad. On arrival, you will discover the lively souqs and multi-story houses built of coral stone with their distinctive ‘roshan’ wooden windows that comprise one of the finest old towns in the Middle East.

Board a High-Speed train and travel through the desert to Medina for an orientation tour of Islam’s second-most holy city. Anciently known as Yathrib, the city was renamed Medina by the Prophet Mohammad after he and his followers were welcomed following their flight from Mecca – an event known as the ‘Hijrah’. Pilgrims recreate this journey every year as part of the Hajj. On completion of your tour, you’ll be driven through the desert to AlUla – a magical oasis located at the meeting point of the Incense Route and the Silk Road.

AlUla’s stunning natural beauty as well as its fascinating past will be revealed on today’s tour. Your first stop will be the Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building. A private tour in a vintage-style Land Rover with a local ‘Rawi’ (storyteller) will then take you to the 2000-year-old city of Dadan (noted for its Lion Tombs) and to Jabal Ikmah’s to see the centuries-old rock art. Then, stroll along AlUla’s shaded Heritage Oasis Trail and enjoy the sight of tens of thousands of palm trees. Set off this afternoon on a 4WD adventure in search of the enigmatic ‘mustatil’ structures, desert canyons, and weathered terracotta-hued mountains that lie just outside AlUla. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to Elephant Rock.

Continue your AlUla sightseeing with a guided tour (shared) of Old AlUla where you will climb up to the fort and walk through a maze of crumbling mudbrick ruins that were once surrounded by 14 gates. Then, travel off-road to explore the canyon of Wadi Abu Aoud and admire the impressive rock art at that includes several ‘magic carpets’. This afternoon discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra on a private tour in a vintage-style Land Rover with a local ‘Rawi’ (storyteller). The fabulously situated tombs of the ‘second Petra’ are considered Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural attraction. Built by the Nabataean Arabs between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, Hegra had been ‘lost’ to the world until its ‘rediscovery’ in 1876. The day’s sightseeing will conclude with a drive up to the Harrat Unwayrid to see a fine panorama over the oasis of AlUla and the desert beyond.

Private transfer to AlUla Prince Abdul Majeed International Airport and check in for your onward flight.