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Riyadh, AlUla's Hegra, The Cliffs at Jubbah, Medina, Jeddah
Saudi Arabia has been closed to the average tourist during our entire lifetime. Very few Westerners have had the opportunity to explore this ultra-conservative society. It has now opened to tourism and will continue to evolve from its nomadic tribal roots. Coda Tours will have its critics for merely offering this trip, but we feel one must visit even the most controversial destinations to properly form a personal, educated opinion that is not solely mass media driven. Saudi Arabia, birthplace of Islam, remains the world’s most enigmatic countries. We will take you to the kingdom’s highlights from the capital city of Riyadh to the port-city of Jeddah on the Red Sea. A highlight will be the ancient Nabatean kingdom at Al ‘Ula, once a wealthy trading hub along the “Incense Route” and characterized by its narrow, winding streets. This journey offers a glimpse into one of the world’s least known countries. It will certainly appeal to those drawn to something out-of-the ordinary.
Countries Visited:
Saudi Arabia
Starts/Ends:
Riyadh (RUH) / Jeddah (JED)
Duration:
11 days (10 nights)
Activity Level:
Easy
Accommodation:
Deluxe (5★) & First Class (5★)
International Air Route:
USA - Riyadh (RUH)...Jeddah (JED) - USA
Group Size:
Min 6, Max 12
Experiences:
Culture, History, Food
Coda Tours signature small group size
Coda Tours signature comprehensive sightseeing programs
Coda Tours signature inclusive meal plan
Coda Tours signature deluxe accommodations
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the cliffs at Jubbah, Hegra, and Jeddah City
City Tours of Riyadh, Medina City, Taif, and Jeddah City
Unique Experiences like an incredible stargazing experience
Miyajima and the sacred Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima Extension)
Experience the ancient and natural wonders and stunning landscape of desert canyons and cliffs.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
February 7, 2025
February 17, 2025
$10,395
$13,595
Included
Our rates are based on a minimum of 11 paying guests. A $500 per person small group surcharge will be assessed if the group is fewer than 11 paying travelers. A deposit of $750 is required to hold a reservation. This may be charged to a credit card. Final payment is due 60 days prior to Start Date of the tour. Final payment may be made by personal check or wire transfer. Credit card payments are assessed a 4% fee. Note: Single occupancy rates can be avoided if matched with another single traveler. If no share is available, the single rate will apply. Rates are based on current rates of exchange at the time of publishing and is subject to change until final payment has been made. Rates are also based on a minimum participation which, if minimum participation is not met, may need to be revised.
• Single Occupancy rates can be avoided if you wish to be matched with another single traveler who also wishes to share. If no share is available, the single rate will apply.
• Rates are based on current rates and currency exchange rates at the time of publishing the tour online.
• Rates are subject to change until final payment has been made. Rates are based on a minimum participation and if the minimum participation is not met rates may need to be revised.
CODA can help design a tailor made tour to suit you!
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Seoul, the world’s fourth largest urban economy.
Arrive in Saudi Arabia's buzzing capital Riyadh to a warm welcome and transfer to your hotel. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Once a walled, mud-brick way station along desert trading routes, it is now a modern metropolis that is changing at a rapid rate. Evening at Leisure. Located in the heart of the city and setting new standards for luxury, Al Faisaliah Hotel (a Mandarin Oriental Hotel) is our home for the next two nights.
Accommodations: Al Faisaliah Riyadh ★★★★★
Room: Superior
Enjoy early morning breakfast before starting our tour. Start our tour with a visit to the National Museum and Continue the tour by visiting Musmak Fort, in Riyadh's old quarter, built during the second Saudi state in 1865 A.D. Afterwards, explore the Dirah Souq, a market famed for colorful textiles from silk to luxurious pashminas.This afternoon after enjoying your lunch at Najd Village restaurant (Authentic Saudi cuisine). After lunch visit the heritage listed Diriyyah, an historic site on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is said to be the birthplace of the first Saudi state and is today the current home of the royal family. The mud-brick walls once fortified a thriving desert city that was a powerhouse of culture and commerce. In 1745, the city was named. Later this day you will get a chance to explore Kingdom Tower with a visit to the Sky Bridge located on the top floor where you will see Riyadh with Bird’s eye view. Embark on a city tour visiting Boulevard City as well as the King Abdullah Financial District to see the skyscrapers lighting the night sky. Enjoy dinner at Italian Restaurant called Signor Sassi Restaurant.
Accommodations: Al Faisaliah Riyadh ★★★★★
Room: Superior
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight (additional cost) northwest to Hail, located in the northern Arabian Peninsula. A historic crossroads of trade, especially during the hajj season when camel caravans passed through, Hail has played an intriguing role in the history of modern Saudi Arabia, and it is home to a buzzing souq and one of the last remaining proper flea markets in the country. Arrive Hail and transfer to Loft Restaurant for lunch. Transfer by road to heritage listed Jubbah, where magnificent rock carvings and petroglyphs adorn the surrounding sandstone outcrops depicting thousand-year-old illustrations of camels, lions, and other wildlife that called the region home. Visit the intriguing Ha'il Local Heritage Museum, the private museum of local resident Khalid Bin Hamoud Al Matrod, set in a traditional Najd house/farm. Peruse the eclectic collection which comprises of domestic items from kitchen paraphernalia to antique radios and get a glimpse of a bygone era. Be treated to some Saudi hospitality and learn about the importance of camels in Saudi culture as you sit down to taste Arabic coffee at a local farm. Afterwards, travel by road to your hotel in time to check in and enjoy dinner, included at the hotel.
Accommodations: Millennium Ha'il ★★★★
Room: Deluxe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early Departure this morning, to view Qeshla Palace, admiring the monumental structure from the outside before exploring the ancient A'arif Fort built on top of a rocky outcrop with outstanding views over the city. Visit the local Souq. After your explorations, drive to Al Ula (approx. 5hrs) and enjoy lunch with your fellow travellers. Arrive AlUla nestled in a large, enjoy lunch at AlUla. Spectacular valley, where palm groves run down the centre of a wadi and foreboding red-sandstone cliffs rise on either side, Al Ula was historically located on the Incense route and was an important trading hub for the ancient Lihyanites. It has a delightfully mysterious air about it and is the gateway to Saudi Arabia's very own 'Petra', Madain Saleh. Return to your resort for dinner. A trail-blazer in sustainability, the Habitas AlUla offers nature-inspired, luxury five-star villas nestled within an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley..
Hotel: Habitas Resort - AlUla ★★★★
Room: Canyon Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel and start your tour by exploring the wonders of World Heritage listed Hegra. Southernmost settlement of the Nabatean kingdom, the city was known as 'Al Hijr or Hegra' during ancient times and was once a stopover on the very prosperous trade route. The site spreads over 2000 square metres, with an abundance of relics and rock-cut tombs. Discover the Nabatean Well, Qasr Al Bint, Diwan Tomb, and Al Farid Palace as well as the preserved railway station. Lunch at Pink Camel RestaurantAfter refuelling visit old town. One of the reasons it evokes such a deep sense of emotion is that it was inhabited in the not-so-distant past. AlUla Old Town is in the narrowest part of the AlUla Valley. Built on a slight elevation, the town is overlooked by the Musa bin Nusayr Castle, a citadel dating back approximately to the 10th century. After exploring old town, you will visit the iconic 'Elephant Rock' to enjoy drink in the sunset from this spectacular vantage point over a cupof Arabic coffee or tea, and delicious local dates.
Optional: This evening you can experience star gazing in the desert depends on the weather. (Additional Cost). Dinner at the Resort.
Accommodations: Havitas Resort ★★★★★
Room: Canyon Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After enjoying your delicious breakfast. This morning you will visit Dadan and Ikma mountain or Jabal Ikmah, a mountain near to the ancient city of Dadan, the capital of Dadanite and Lihyanite Kingdoms, has been described as a huge open-air library. We hope you're ready to be blown out by this beautiful journey as we will start with the most famous oases of the 1st millennium BCE the oasis of Dedan, where excavations on extensive archaeological sites have revealed the existence of large, fortified cities. These kingdoms developed their own culture including a specific language and alphabet, that resulted in a mix of Arabian traditions and strong influences from the surrounding empires. There is no such site that is more significant, than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of, and most varied inscriptions, in AlUla. Enjoy lunch Tawlat Fayza restaurant. Head out to see the iconic 'Elephant Rock' and nearby mudbrick village, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. The ‘trunk’ and ‘body’ of this monolithic red sandstone beast were shaped by natural forces over millions of years of wind & water erosion. Relax and watch the color of the rock change as the sun sets. Drink in the sunset from this spectacular vantage point over a cup of Arabic coffee or tea, and delicious local dates. Dinner At Nakheel Restaurant.
Accommodations: Havitas Resort ★★★★
Room: Canyon Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After delicious breakfast early morning drive from AlUla to Madinah (almost 3 hr 34 min - 330 km) Arrival Madinah and start our visit with the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization which is located right in the Holy Mosque where you can take pictures of it before we move to our next stop. Next we will go to Quba Street which connect two Mosques, the Holy Mosque and Quba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history in which the first was the house that prophet Mohammed lived and eventually it’s his grave visited by. The second was the first Mosque ever built. you will have a general overview how the city was built and shaped throughout the 1400 years. Both mosques will be visit from the outside only In the same street which is a nice pedestrian street for walking, there are many traditional food shops and snacks where will stop for our lunch break. After the tour, transfer to High Speed Harmain Train Station and enjoy the journey at the speed of 300km/h. Arrival Jeddah and transfer to your Hotel in Jeddah, Check-in, and evening at leisure. The historic crossroads of pilgrims and traders, Jeddah is the most fascinating of Saudi Arabia's major cities, with a cosmopolitan and liberal air does not present anywhere else in the country. Admire the city's World Heritage Red Sea architecture, explore the bustling souq and laid-back coastline that's home to fantastic dive sites, and enjoy diverse, world-class cuisine. The evening is yours to explore this captivating city. Anchored on the new Jeddah Waterfront along the shores of the Red Sea, Shangri-La Jeddah sets a new standard for luxury in the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel invite the outdoors in, and the stylish interiors reflect the endless blue of the sea and sandy beaches right outside. Along Saudi Arabia’s western coast overlooking the Red Sea, The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah carries on the tradition of this former palace by welcoming guests with attentive service and luxurious.
Hotel: Shangri-La Hotel ★★★★
Room: Deluxe Room Sea View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Early morning breakfast before departing on our tour in Jeddah. Begin with a visit to the fish local fish market. Continue and visit the remarkable Tayebat Museum, a privately owned haven spanning four floors. Immerse yourself in a collection that weaves through time, featuring pre-Islamic artifacts, exquisite Islamic manuscripts, ancient coins and weaponry, alongside breathtaking furniture, pottery, and traditional Saudi attire. Continue to Angawi House museum fo an exclusive visit. Located on a relatively generic street of white, high-walled villas, the Angawi House is built and designed in the traditional Hejaz style, a typical Arabian architectural style. We are invited by the owners to tour this spectacular home and learn the design styles of the Saudi people. Later this evening, we will dine at the home of a Saudi family. This immersive evening allows us to sit with a multi-generational family and interact. It is an experience with valuable insight into the local culture.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Hotel ★★★★★
Room: Deluxe Room Sea View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
his morning after a delicious breakfast start your day with the open-air museum on the Corniche with its extraordinary array of modern sculpture ranging from traditional Arabic designs to the abstract and monumental. Afterwards, gaze upon the 'floating mosque' which appears to drift on the water's surface shimmering in the sun light. Pause to take in the spectacular views over the Red Sea. Next, discover King Fahd's Fountain, also known as Jeddah Fountain, which is the tallest of its type in the world, shooting saltwater from the Red Sea 300 metres up into the air, at speeds over 300 kilometres per hour. Lunch at seafood restaurant before visiting the old town (AlBalad) in Jeddah. Al Balad, the old town, to see Jeddah's traditional architecture. Visit some of the old hejazi houses, constructed from coral and reinforced with wooden beams, including Nasif House, one of the most beautiful which was built in the 1850's by the Nasif Family, one of the most influential trading families in the history of Jeddah. It was here that King Abdul Aziz spent his first night in Jeddah as the guest of Mohammed Nasif after leading his victorious army into the capital of the Western Province. Explore Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum which showcases the nearly 2,500-year-old history of the Jeddah area with exhibitions spanning pre-Islamic history, to pre-modern civilisations and the rich Islamic cultural heritage of the city. The complex also contains a mosque and the facade of an old castle. Gather for a Farewell Dinner this evening to celebrate our amazing trip.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Hotel ★★★★★
Room: Deluxe Room Sea View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for departure flights to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast
Nine nights’ accommodation at 4★ and 5★ hotels
Coda Tour Representative, with minimum participation of 6
24 Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, and 7 Dinners
Pre-departure assistance and Information Portfolio from Coda Tours
Private transportation and English-speaking local guides throughout the tour
Taxes and service charges
Sightseeing excursions and entry fees, as stated in the itinerary
Passport and visa fees; a VISA is required for this tour
Early or late arrival/departure surcharge or early check-in / late check-out
Personal accommodations, meals, transfers, drinks, gifts, and expenses not outlined in the itinerary
Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in itinerary
Gratuity for local guides, drivers, staff, and Coda Tour Manager
Individual arrival or departure transfers
Flights to King Khaled Airport (RUH) from New York (EWR and JFK) are hosted by a variety of airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Royal Jordanian. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to use Frequent Flyer Miles. Please request a quote if you would like Coda Tours to assist with international airfare bookings. We often can offer favorable rates for Business or Economy class at a standard fee of $35 per ticket.
1 internal flight is taken. It is included in the rates. Riyadh (RUH) > Hail (HAS) Coda tours will issue this ticket.
A visa is required for entry to Saudi Arabia. You obtain the E-visa online at https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ The cost is SAR535 (approx. $143).
All travelers must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and have proof of vaccination that is verified by a medical professional. No other immunizations are required for travel on this tour; however, the Center for Disease Control suggests that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines, including Varicella (Chickenpox), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP), Influenza (Flu), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles. It is particularly important to be up to date on your Hepatitis A and B vaccines.
The weather on this tour will be warm (73-91°), during the day but the temperature will drop at night (50°-71°). It is advisable to pack layered clothing, warm clothing, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a mask.
Riyadh ( Low Temperature - 59) | (High Temperature - 82)
Hail City ( Low Temperature - 50) | (High Temperature - 73)
AlUla ( Low Temperature - 54) | (High Temperature - 81)
Jeddah City ( Low Temperature - 71) | (High Temperature - 91)
All departures and rates are guaranteed on a minimum number of participants. A Coda Tour Manager will accompany a tour also based on a minimum number of participants. This tour can be operated as a Private Tour or customized and repriced based on a final itinerary.
A portfolio of pre-departure information will be mailed approximately three weeks prior to departure.
Flights to King Khaled Airport (RUH) from New York (EWR and JFK) are hosted by a variety of airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Royal Jordanian. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to use Frequent Flyer Miles. Please request a quote if you would like Coda Tours to assist with international airfare bookings. We often can offer favorable rates for Business or Economy class at a standard fee of $35 per ticket.
