AlUla Uncovered

Day 1 AlUla                    
Welcome to Saudi Arabia! You will be met on arrival in AlUla airport by one of our representatives who will be holding a Trailfinders sign at the exit of the arrivals hall after you have passed through customs and baggage reclaim.

Start on a high, by visiting the Harrat Viewpoint, where your guide will help you get the lay of the land before moving on to your hotel for check-in. After dropping off your bags, head to a true modern marvel and the world’s largest mirrored building, the Maraya. This multi-purpose arts centre hosts all kinds of events and concerts, but the mirrors themselves become a contemporary canvas, reflecting the remarkable desert scenery and makes for some surrealistic photo opportunities.

As sunset approaches you will head deeper into the desert to discover the famous Elephant Rock, known locally as Jabal Alfil, it is not difficult to understand how it got its name, but it is one of AlUla’s most impressive geological marvels all the same.                   
                   
Day 2 AlUla              
Today you will visit the most important archaeological site in AlUla and arguably all of Saudi Arabia. When you arrive at Hegra, the largest preserved site of the Nabataean civilisation south of Petra in Jordan, you will board a shared sightseeing bus (max 25 people) to explore Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This windswept desert expanse is home to more than 100 tombs carved into the natural rock formations. As you marvel at this archaeological wonder, you will learn about the culture, traditions and history of its people. The bus will stop at 4 key points around Hegra where you will disembark and join a local ‘rawee’ (storyteller) on a short guided group tour. Key stops include Jabal Ithlib - a dramatic outcrop accessed via the Siq, a natural, narrow passageway through the mountains, the monolithic Tomb of Lihyan - Hegra’s largest tomb, standing 25 metres tall and the famous Hijaz Railway - now abandoned but once used to transport pilgrims from Damascus to Mecca.

Next, after a stop for lunch at a local restaurant, is an informative stroll amid the date palm farms in the oasis of AlUla. Join a private tour of the shaded Oasis Heritage Trail, walking through orange groves and past former farmhouses, learning about the surprising fertility of this desert region that has around 2.7 million date palm trees and produces 200,000 tonnes of dates per year!

Later continue to the ‘Old Town’ of AlUla, a charismatic place that once sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the incense trade routes, which is now a lovely place to have a leisurely stroll, engage with locals and explore the recently renovated shop fronts and converted restaurants.                    

Day 3 AlUla          
This morning board a shared sightseeing bus (max 15 people) to tour the extensive site between Dadan and Jabal Ikmah. Join the local rawee at each site for a guided group walking tour.  

Dadan is one of the most significant discoveries in AlUla, built completely from stone and strategically constructed on either side of the valley’s oasis. One of its fabulous treasures is the display of tombs carved 50 metres above the ground into the red rock face, some of which have seated lions beside them. Lions traditionally represent power and it is thought these tombs belonged to elite members of society, perhaps even royalty.

Featuring hundreds of pre-Arabic inscriptions and carvings etched into the cliff walls and rock faces, Jabal Ikmah is often referred to as an ‘open library’. Gazing at its rock art of people, musical instruments and animals, you will feel you are looking at the lives of the people who passed through in antiquity.

Stop for a spot of lunch at one of the local restaurants near AlUla Old Town.

This afternoon venture into the desert, to embark on a light trek into AlUla’s hidden desert trails, but don’t worry, the shade of the canyon walls will keep you cool and away from the glare of the sun. There is no real trail but you will follow your guide along the old waterways carved through the red sandstone and over the two hour expedition the occasional scramble over rocks will be necessary. You will see a surprising amount of trees and plants, along with ancient inscriptions in the stone and more recently laid animal prints of hares, desert foxes and even wolves! At the end relax on a Bedouin carpet and enjoy fresh coffee or tea with a majestic view before returning to your hotel for the evening.                   

Day 4 AlUla            
Your morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

In the afternoon however you are in for an adventure, as no trip to Saudi is complete without a 4WD excursion deeper into the desert! This private safari will get you up close and personal to more of AlUla’s incredible scenery on an approx. 4 hr journey.

From here you continue straight onto a group excursion as the sun begins to set to the dark sky area of Gharameel, over an hour’s drive from AlUla. The benefit of travelling away from the light pollution will be clear to see when they turn off all the lights illuminating the surrounding rocks and your eyes adjust to the milky way above! Your stargazing guide will begin to regale you with the same stories of the stars that Bedouin have shared under these same skies for centuries. A delicious traditional Bedouin dinner will be served in the desert camp before driving back to your hotel.

The desert can get chilly in the evening and it is therefore advisable to take a light jacket or warm sweater.

Day 5 AlUla
Enjoy the morning at leisure at your hotel before your transfer to AlUla airport for your onward flight. Please note standard check-out time is 12:00.