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Overview
Travel to the birthplace of Islam on one of our Saudi Arabia group tour. This undiscovered gem encompasses a vast expanse of arid desert and mountains. The second largest country in the Arab world (after Algeria), it covers some 2,150,000 square kilometres and is the only nation with coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Home to Mecca and Medina, the Kingdom is the spiritual caretaker of the two holiest shrines in the Islamic world, a role it takes very seriously. Staunchly ...
Travel to the birthplace of Islam on one of our Saudi Arabia group tour. This undiscovered gem encompasses a vast expanse of arid desert and mountains. The second largest country in the Arab world (after Algeria), it covers some 2,150,000 square kilometres and is the only nation with coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Home to Mecca and Medina, the Kingdom is the spiritual caretaker of the two holiest shrines in the Islamic world, a role it takes very seriously. Staunchly traditional, the country’s citizens are required by law to be Muslims and it is one of the few places on earth that has a ‘religious’ police force.
But this is also a land with a vibrant cultural pedigree. Away from the glamour and glitter of its oil-rich modern cities, the country is strewn with World Heritage sites and remote mountain villages. Amongst the rock-hewn splendours of Madain Saleh you can find Nabatean treasures on a par with those at Petra, while the mud-brick ruins of Diriyah provide a fascinating insight into the origins of the Saud Dynasty. The mountains of the south-west are home to a surprising collection of traditional villages that still evoke echoes of the past, whilst the haunting ruins of Al Ula provide a chance to explore one of the most impressive ghost towns anywhere in the Middle East.
Enigmatic and intriguing, Saudi Arabia by its very nature is one of the last great adventures left to discover. Be one of the first to discover it on a Wild Frontiers small group tour to Saudi Arabia.
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Group tours
Travel to Saudi Arabia with like-minded people on one of our Saudi Arabia group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAUDI ARABIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Visit the rock-cut city of Hegra
Discover the Nabatean city of Hegra, with its rock-carved buildings, built in the same style as Jordan's Petra.
The souqs of Riyadh
Go for a spot of shopping and explore a colourful labyrinth of stalls and walkways making up the many souqs and bazaars of Riyadh.
Visit a volcanic crater
Visit the spectacular Al Waba Crater, a dramatic volcano formation with a salt field at its centre. Here there is the option to circumnavigate part of the crater or you may opt for the more challenging steep climb down to the basin and then back up again.
Stand on the edge of the world
Embark on a journey through dusty tracks and rocky plains to Jebel Fihrayn, otherwise known as "The Edge of the World." As you ascend by 4x4, you come to a cliff edge that is 300 metres high and 800 kilometres long.
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WHEN TO GO
Given the extreme summer heat of the desert, October to March is definitely the optimum time for visiting Saudi Arabia. At these times of year typically you can expect daytime temperatures to reach 20 - 30oC with night times being surprisingly cool, often in the single digits. Rain is rare although not unheard of!
Meet the expert, Dan
Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Daniel by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map of countries that criminalise LGBTQIA+ people, which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Saudi Arabia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Saudi Arabia the official unit of currency is the Saudi Riyal, which is subdivided into 100 halala.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Saudi society is going through some major changes at the moment so please bear in mind that any considerations raised here may alter at any time. Ultimately the Kingdom remains a deeply conservative country and is likely to be different from any other destination to which you may have travelled.
Tourism (other than for religious purposes) is a new concept for the Kingdom so come expecting enthusiastic but inexperienced levels of service. Encouragingly, in contrast to previous edicts, there are no current restrictions placed on adult women travelling solo and while it is expected that foreign visitors will dress conservatively, women will not have to wear an abaya (the long black dress covering the body from shoulders to feet) and they will not have to cover their hair.
Alcohol however is still currently forbidden and should not be brought into the country; you should also not arrive into Saudi Arabia under the influence of alcohol.
Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend.
Public displays of affection are not considered as being consistent with local culture and traditions.
Both men and women are asked to dress modestly in public, avoiding tight fitting clothing or clothes with profane language or images. Women should cover shoulders and knees in public.
The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal including wearing religious jewellery for example a crucifix. So please be mindful of anything that may be interpreted as religious iconography.
Language & Religion
In Saudi Arabia, the major language is Arabic, although English is commonly spoken in larger cities. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced and the public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal.
Time
Saudi Arabia is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Food in Saudi Arabia is full of flavour and packed with spices, dishes are often rice-based with flat breads and meats such as lamb, goat, chicken and beef.
Food can vary from region to region, but Kabsah is considered by many to be national dish. Kabsah compromises of rice, meat, vegetables and a mixture of spices. The spices can differ depending on location but cloves, cardamom, saffron and nutmeg are often used. Some varieties may be enhanced with nuts such as peanuts, almonds, pine nuts etc.
Lunch is considered the main meal of the day. Traditional dishes are preferred but in larger towns a full range of international cuisine is available. Pork and alcohol are forbidden under Islamic law.
There is a traditional and unique “coffee culture” in the Kingdom. Offering guests coffee is a display of hospitality and generosity which is very much entrenched in the culture so expect to be served Arabic coffee with nearly all your meals.
It is customary for Saudi coffee to be served from a dallah (coffee pot) in a ritualistic manner. The flavour is very distinctive due to the addition of other elements such as cardamom, cloves or saffron.
Travelling Solo In Saudi Arabia
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.