AlUla HISTORY OF A CIVILIZATION (Saudi Arabia)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will start our journey with the visit of the famous Hegra (Madain Saleh). We will be exploring the first UNESCO World, heritage site of the Saudi Kingdom, the monolith of Mada’in Saleh, also known as “Southern Petra “, dating from the Nabateans period (100-500 BC. Here you’ll explore a few of the over a hundred remarkably well-preserved tombs set in a desert landscape, while learning about the ancient people and culture of AlUla. Evidence for human presence and use of the site dates back beyond the 1st millennium BCE, but it was the location of the Nabataean city from the end of the 1st millennium BCE into the 1st millennium CE. The city was at its peak from the late 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Lunch on your own. Then we get a glimpse into AlUla’s not-sodistant past on the AlUla Old Town Tour. We will go through AlUla Old Town, where pilgrims, travelers and permanent settlers congregated through the ages. Inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980s, AlUla Old Town offers researchers unique oral histories and living memory that the area’s other heritage sites cannot. We will finish this special day on top of the Harrat Al-Uwayrid for an amazing viewpoint of the oasis of Al-Ula. Return to hotel. Dinner & overnight in Al Ula.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we depart for Dedan/ Ikmah tour. AlUla is an ancient oasis that is inhabited for the last 7000 years as testify ancient carvings in and around the oasis. During the 1st millennium BCE the city of Dedan develops thanks to its strategic location on the frankincense trade road to become one of the oldest Arabian kingdoms that ruled over most of what is today Tabuk and Madinah provinces. Then will pass by the ancient city of Dedan that was an important oasis on the frankincense trade route between Southern Arabia and the Mediterranean World. Return to hotel. Lunch on your own. We depart to take a stroll under at the Al Ula Oasis Trail. Here you find towering date palms and smell the cool freshness of the earth. Stretching from the Heart of the oasis to the Alshaqary Trail, one of AlJadidah Trails, this beautiful, designated trail showcases the heritage of the AlUla Oasis. With picture-perfect locations dotting the way, the Heritage Oasis Trail is a must-visit while in AlUla. Before heading back to the hotel, we will visit Jebel Al-Fil (Elephant rock) for a relaxing time. Dinner & overnight in Al Ula.pm

Breakfast at the hotel. We depart towards the city of Tabuk. On our way, we will pass by the valley of Dissah (also known as Wadi Qaraqir) which is undoubtedly the most beautiful valley Saudi Arabia with its 500 meters high sandstone cliffs on both sides of the canyon and the small rivers that runs through all year long. Every inch through this canyon is an amazement unique in the world. Dissah hosts another ancient oasis where we will see remains attesting of the long occupation of this wonderful place. We will have lunch en route. Continue to Tabuk, check in upon arrival. Dinner & overnight in Tabuk

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit a place called Hisma, which is also known as the Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia because of its majestic grandiose formations similar to the ones found on the other side of the border with Jordan. 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. Our first stop will be at the Ship Rock. A sandstone rock formation that resembles a ship. It is situated along the most renowned routes in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula: The old incense trade road. Therefore, it serves as the largest and most significant repository of Thamudic, Nabataean, and Islamic rock writings. Next we will head into the Hisma desert where we will visit the “Secret Garden”. Uncover the secrets of the lovely Secret Garden as you continue your trip. Wander through this secluded sanctuary, where lush greenery survives against an arid environment. Allow the peace and beauty of this one-of-akind location to enchant your senses. Picnic lunch. Our last stop for the day will be the Arch Rock which is another greatest natural wonder! Return to hotel. Dinner & overnight in Tabuk.