Saudi Arabia Revealed: from Hegra to the Cliffs of the End of the World
Ten extreme days through Saudi Arabia, newly open to tourism: UNESCO-listed historic Jeddah, the Nabataean tombs of Hegra in AlUla, climbing the Edge of the World and the hanging villages of Asir.
Description
Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourism in 2019 and has been revealing a country of landscapes and archaeological riches that very few travelers have ever set foot in. This extreme 10-day itinerary explores the kingdom's treasures with an adventurous focus. It starts in Jeddah, gateway to Mecca, with its UNESCO-listed Al-Balad quarter of 7th-century coral houses. A domestic flight takes you to AlUla, the desert holding the Nabataean tombs of Hegra — the Saudi Petra — next to the iconic Elephant Rock. From there the trip moves to Riyadh for the demanding hike along the cliffs of Edge of the World — a 300-meter escarpment plunging into an ocean of desert. The route culminates in the Asir mountains, where hanging villages like Rijal Almaa defy gravity on stone terraces amid mist. This is a journey for pioneers with a taste for adventure: special permits, emerging tourist infrastructure and the most intense hospitality in the Arab world.
Health & safety
- Extreme heat from May to October: travel only in winter
- Edge of the World has no protections or handrails: real risk of falling
- Carry medical insurance covering evacuation in remote areas
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Jeddah and Al-Balad
Jeddah
Arrival in Jeddah and Al-Balad
Flight to Jeddah. Afternoon in the historic Al-Balad quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kabsa dinner.
Tour of Al-Balad
Culture3hVisit to Beit Nassif
Culture1hCorniche and flight to AlUla
AlUla
Corniche and flight to AlUla
Morning on Jeddah's Corniche with the King Fahd Fountain. Flight to the desert of AlUla.
Jeddah Corniche
Nature2hFlight Jeddah-AlUla
Sports1hHegra: the Saudi Petra
AlUla
Hegra: the Saudi Petra
Full day at Hegra — the Nabataean UNESCO-listed tombs cut into the rock. Elephant Rock at sunset.
Exploring the tombs of Hegra
Culture5hSunset at Elephant Rock
Nature2hDadan and AlUla Old Town
AlUla
Dadan and AlUla Old Town
Exploration of the ancient city of Dadan — capital of the kingdoms of Dedan and Lihyan. Trekking through the oasis.
Visit to Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
Culture3hTrekking through the AlUla oasis
Sports3hFlight to Riyadh
Riyadh
Flight to Riyadh
Flight to the capital. Visit to the National Museum and the historic Masmak Fort.
Saudi National Museum
Culture3hTour of the Diriyah district
Culture2hEdge of the World: the ascent
Edge of the World
Edge of the World: the ascent
Expedition to the Edge of the World escarpment. Hike along the 300-meter escarpment over a sea of desert.
Ascent to the Edge of the World
Sports5hOvernight in a desert camp
Rest1hRiyadh and flight to Abha
Abha
Riyadh and flight to Abha
Return to Riyadh. Morning at the Al-Zal souk. Flight to the Asir mountains in the south.
Al-Zal antiques souk
Culture2hFlight Riyadh-Abha
Sports1hThe hanging village of Rijal Almaa
Rijal Almaa
The hanging village of Rijal Almaa
Excursion to the hanging village of Rijal Almaa, a historic stone town between mist and mountain.
Exploring Rijal Almaa
Culture4hHiking the Asir terraces
Sports3hAsir National Park
Asir
Asir National Park
Trekking through Asir National Park — juniper woods and baboons. Tribal villages.
Trekking in Asir National Park
Sports5hMeeting the Qahtan tribe
Culture2hFarewell in Abha
Abha
Farewell in Abha
Morning at Abha's souk. Crafts of the Asir tribes and mountain honey. Flight home.
Abha handicraft souk
Culture2hNew destinations and itineraries, by email
Subscribe to receive newly published destinations and itineraries, plus seasonal travel ideas. One email, only when there is news.