Grand Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, AlUla, Jeddah & the Asir Mountains

Today you explore the capital Riyadh and the birthplace of the kingdom. You visit Diriyah, the UNESCO World Heritage birthplace of the Saudi state, exploring the beautifully restored mudbrick palaces and quarters of At-Turaif, the historic Masmak Fort, and the excellent National Museum. You explore the old souks and ascend the Kingdom Centre skybridge for sweeping views over the gleaming modern city, taking in Riyadh's blend of heritage and dynamic modernity. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored Riyadh's heritage and skyline. This evening, savour Saudi cuisine, perhaps at the Bujairi Terrace overlooking Diriyah. Rest well, for tomorrow you venture to the spectacular Edge of the World.

Today you venture into the desert to the spectacular Edge of the World. You journey by 4x4 across the desert north-west of Riyadh to Jebel Fihrayn, the 'Edge of the World', one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Arabia, where the dramatic cliffs of the Tuwaiq escarpment plunge hundreds of metres to a vast, endless plain stretching to the horizon. You stand atop the cliffs, taking in the awe-inspiring views and profound silence, and perhaps enjoy a picnic amid the spectacular scenery. The scale and drama are breathtaking. As the day ends, you return to Riyadh, awed by the Edge of the World. This evening, savour a dinner in Riyadh. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to extraordinary AlUla and its Nabatean wonders.

Today you fly to AlUla, one of the most extraordinary places on earth. You take a domestic flight to AlUla and transfer to your hotel amid the spectacular desert oasis valley of dramatic cliffs, canyons and rock formations. In the afternoon, you begin exploring, visiting the atmospheric mudbrick AlUla Old Town beside the oasis, and the iconic, towering Elephant Rock, especially magical at sunset. The beauty and atmosphere of AlUla are magical. As the sun sets over the dramatic landscape, you settle into your hotel. This evening, savour the desert setting beneath the brilliant stars, with stargazing. Rest well, ready to explore the magnificent Hegra tomorrow.

Today you explore the magnificent Nabatean tombs of Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a local rawi guide, you explore Hegra, where over a hundred monumental tombs are carved into golden sandstone outcrops rising from the desert, standing in profound silence, marvelling at iconic tombs such as Qasr al-Farid and exploring the dramatic Jabal Ithlib canyon. The scale, artistry and beauty are overwhelming. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, awed by Hegra. This evening, savour a desert dinner beneath the brilliant stars. Rest well, ready to explore more of AlUla's ancient wonders tomorrow.

Today you explore more of AlUla's ancient heritage and spectacular landscapes. You visit Dadan, capital of the ancient Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, with its cliff tombs, and the extraordinary Jabal Ikmah 'open library' of inscriptions. You explore the lush AlUla oasis and the striking mirrored Maraya, and take in the spectacular desert on a 4x4 drive among the dramatic rock formations. The ancient heritage and beauty are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored the wonders of AlUla. This evening, savour a final AlUla evening beneath the brilliant stars. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to Jeddah and the Red Sea.

Today you fly to Jeddah, the historic Red Sea gateway. You take a domestic flight to Jeddah and transfer to your hotel in this vibrant coastal city. In the afternoon, you explore Al-Balad, the UNESCO World Heritage old town, a labyrinth of centuries-old coral-stone houses with beautiful carved balconies, bustling souks and historic mosques, and take in the beautiful Jeddah Corniche with its striking sculptures and the world's tallest fountain. The heritage and coastal atmosphere are captivating. As the day ends, you settle in, having explored old Jeddah. This evening, savour Jeddah's excellent seafood and cosmopolitan dining. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the pristine Red Sea reefs.

Today you explore the pristine coral reefs of the Red Sea. You take a boat trip out to the beautiful reefs off Jeddah, among the finest and least-crowded in the world, snorkelling or diving over pristine coral gardens teeming with clouds of colourful fish, turtles and vibrant coral, in warm, clear water, often with the reef almost to yourself, and relaxing on the boat between swims. The beautiful reefs are wonderful. As the day ends, you return to Jeddah, exhilarated by the underwater world. This evening, savour fresh seafood in Jeddah. Rest well, for tomorrow you take a day trip to the cool mountains of Taif.

Today you take a day trip to the cool mountains and rose gardens of Taif. You ascend the dramatic mountain road to Taif, high above Jeddah, taking in beautiful mountain scenery and cooler air, visiting the famous rose gardens and farms where precious rosewater is distilled, exploring the atmospheric souks and old quarters, and perhaps riding the cable car. The mountain scenery, roses and cooler air are beautiful. As the day ends, you descend to Jeddah, having enjoyed the beautiful mountains. This evening, savour a dinner in Jeddah. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to the cool, green Asir mountains and Abha.

Today you fly to Abha, the mountain capital of the cool, green Asir region. You take a domestic flight to Abha, high in the green mountains, a world away from the deserts, and transfer to your hotel amid the cool air and greenery. You explore the beautiful mountain city, its heritage, art village with colourful Asiri art, and souks, riding cable cars over dramatic valleys with sweeping views, and taking in beautiful viewpoints and the cool, fresh mountain air. The beauty and cool air are refreshing. As the day ends, you settle in, having explored beautiful Abha. This evening, savour the distinctive cuisine and cool mountain atmosphere of Asir. Rest well, for tomorrow you discover the colourful village of Rijal Almaa and the dramatic peaks of Al Soudah.

Today you discover the extraordinary colourful village of Rijal Almaa and the dramatic peaks of Al Soudah. You journey through the beautiful green, terraced mountains to Rijal Almaa, one of the most extraordinary heritage villages in Arabia, a cluster of towering multi-storey stone houses with vividly colourful painted interiors, now a wonderful museum, learning the distinctive Asiri culture, including the famous 'flower men'. You journey to Al Soudah, the highest peak in the kingdom, cloaked in ancient juniper forests and often wreathed in mist, with breathtaking views, walking amid the forests and taking in the spectacular viewpoints. The colourful village and dramatic peaks are captivating. As the day ends, you return to Abha, having explored the wonders of Asir. This evening, savour a final dinner in the cool mountains, reflecting on the extraordinary grand journey you have made across Saudi Arabia. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in the cool mountains of Abha, perhaps a last look over the dramatic scenery, you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey (via a domestic flight from Abha). You leave having experienced Saudi Arabia in full, the capital Riyadh and the Edge of the World, the magnificent Nabatean tombs of Hegra and the wonders of AlUla, the old town and Red Sea of Jeddah, the rose gardens of Taif, and the cool, green Asir mountains with colourful Rijal Almaa and dramatic Al Soudah, all warmed by genuine Saudi hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the mudbrick palaces of Diriyah, the Edge of the World, the tombs of Hegra, the pristine Red Sea reefs, and the colourful houses and misty peaks of Asir. Saudi Arabia offers extraordinary variety, ancient wonders and pioneering discovery in abundance, and having experienced it in full, you depart with the definitive experience of this remarkable, long-hidden land, already dreaming of a return.