Page 54 - Middle East

Expert Saudi Arabia
10 days
Riyadh, Ha’il, Jubbah, Al Ula,
Mada’in Saleh, Tabuk, Neom, Hisma (Neom Desert), Jeddah
SAUDI ARABIA Downtown Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
the last 7,000 years as testified by existing ancient carvings. We will start our exciting day with the visit of two ancient carving sites in Al-Ula, then in the ancient city of Dedan that was an important oasis on the frankincense trade route between Southern Arabia and the Mediterranean world. Lunch en route before visiting the ancient sites of Ekma and Abu ‘Aoud where the people of the oasis wrote texts in ancient scripts. We finish this special day on top of the Harrat Al-Uwayrid for an amazing viewpoint of Al-Ula oasis o. At the end of the afternoon, drive to the hotel for dinner and accom- modation . [B/L/D]
Day 6 – Wed: Al Ula, Mada’in Saleh, Tabuk
We’ll start our journey with a visit to the famous Hegra (Madain Saleh) which is the first Saudi Arabia’s site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Madain Saleh, whose original name was Al-Hijr or Hegra in Greek, is the southernmost important city of the Nabatean Kingdom that flourished between the 2nd century BCE and the Roman conquest in 106 CE. It is the second richest Nabatean city in terms of monumental tombs
with 94 decorated funeral monuments including some of the most vibrant and well conserved architectural prowesses of the Nabateans builders. After lunch we head towards Jibal Al-Rukkab & Leopard Trail to visit Jebel Al-Fil for a relaxing time next to the “Elephant rock”. Later we’ll drive back to Tabuk.for check-in, dinner and overnight iat the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 7 – Thu: Tabuk (Neom)
Today, discover the ancient land of Madyan where Moses sought refuge after fleeing Egypt. Our visit starts with the archeological site of Al-Bada’, an ancient Nabatean city as attested by the monumental tombs that overlook the ruins of the ancient oasis city. Then
we’ll drive to the coastal city of Maqna where are found the wells of Moses. Lunch en route. Few miles north along the shore we will explore the majestic Wadi Tayeb Ism also called the valley of Moses. After this fascinating exploration of the ancient land of Madyan we head back to Tabuk for dinner & overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 8 – Fri: Tabuk, Hisma (4x4), Jeddah
Today we visit Hisma, in the Neom Desert, also known as the Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia. Hisma is home to hundreds of ancient rock art and ancient inscriptions, some in pre- Islamic scripts dating back to the caravan trade, and some in old Arabic dating back to the first decades of Islam. Enjoy a picnic during the excursion. In the afternoon drive up
54 For prices and other details visit www.holidayswithdowntown.com