GD-The Heritage Route

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Riyadh city tour - Al Masmak - National museum - Diriyah site First visit is Diriyah , northwest of the city and the original capital of the first Saudi state is a must-see. Its Al Turaif quarter, a carefully restored mud-brick district that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, offers a glimpse into the country’s extraordinary heritage. Next on tour we will visit the National museum you will be discovering Saudi Arabia's rich past is an amazing journey that would bring you along thousands of kilometers around the whole Kingdom. An easier way to have an insight of Saudi Arabia's rich History is to visit the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh where artifacts from all periods are exhibited and with explanations about their historical significance. After our historical brief we will have our lunch and then continue to visit Al Masmak Fortress ,surrounded by sand, this squat fortification was built around 1865 and is like a scene out of the movies: a big fortress representing an empire. It was the site of a daring 1902 raid by Ibn Saud, during which a spear was hurled at the main entrance door with such force that the head is still lodged in the doorway. Highlights among the exhibits include maps and fascinating photographs of Saudi Arabia dating from 1912 to 1937, in galleries converted from diwans (living rooms). The roofs are covered with painted palm-tree, taramic and ethel wood and exude an old-world charm that evokes an Arabian painting. Inside, the information panels and short, chest-thumping films on the storming of the fortress and the ‘reunification’ of Saudi Arabia are reverential towards the Al Sauds but worth watching nonetheless. In the same area and only in walking distance we will find our self in Souq Al-Zal which is one of the oldest traditional market. They sell traditional dresses, antiques, Oud " Arabic perfume" and jewelry

Fly to Tabuk - Morning flight Hismah mountains - Bajda Today we will be doing a desert tour in the beautiful mountains of Bajda Mountains area, narrow passages, red dunes, sunset and historical inscriptions. It's a day where we get to experience and live the desert life as we will be enjoying this journey by sand duning, hiking and jumping from a location to another catching hills and looking for inscriptions. Our tour usually includes visiting the below :

• The Ship rock which contains old inscriptions that dates back to more than 1300 years.
• Jubb Canyon a spectacular place to enjoy a walk between sand rocks in the middle of the desert.
• The great Arch
• After our tour today we will be heading to Tabuk and check in in our hotel and get rest.

Maraya Maraya is a stunning piece of art set in the desert canyon of Ashar Valley. Designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, it rises from the sand like a mirage. The state-of-the-art structure is covered in 9,740 mirrored panels reflecting AlUla's beauty, making it the largest mirrored building in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Maraya, meaning mirror or reflection in Arabic, celebrates AlUla's significant role in history as a crossroads of cultures for centuries. Old town tour In the 12th century, AlUla Old Town became an essential settlement along the pilgrimage route from Damascus to Makkah. The city gradually replaced Qurh, to the south of AlUla, and is favourably mentioned by travellers from the 12th to the 20th centuries, when modern AlUla was constructed nearby. The houses were designed to be attached to one another, providing fortification, which hints to defence being a priority for the city's early inhabitants. At one point, the city was accessed by 14 gates, which were opened in the morning to welcome travellers, pilgrims and other visitors, and closed each evening. The ancient city’s recent occupation has enabled researchers to begin to gather oral histories, painting a picture of what life was like inside its walls. These stories will one day be available to visitors who can look forward to tapping into AlUla Old Town’s living memory. Elephant Rock The Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. Unlike the ornate, hand-carved facades of nearby Hegra’s Nabataean tombs, the "trunk" and "body" of this monolithic red sandstone beast were hewn by natural forces — millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by its surroundings of a fine-sand sea studded with rocky outcrops, many of which are equally impressive in size and have interesting shapes and figures. The area has very nice atmosphere with a cafe and restaurant, the seating area are build underground filled with magical lights that its just wonderful to witness the sunset.    

Hegra tour - Madain Saleh Today we are starting with the Madain Saleh or Hegra , which is a remarkable archaeological site in Saudi Arabia that combines natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural heritage, making it a truly beautiful and mesmerizing destination to explore. Here's why : Stunning Architecture - Hegra boasts impressive rock-cut tombs and facades that showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of the Nabateans. The intricate details and intricate designs on the facades are awe-inspiring. Scenic Landscape -The site is set amidst a captivating desert landscape with sandstone cliffs, rocky outcrops, and serene surroundings. The combination of ancient architecture and the natural beauty of the desert makes it a unique and breathtaking place. Cultural Heritage - Hegra holds significant cultural and historical importance, serving as a testament to the ancient Nabatean civilization and their trade networks. It provides a glimpse into the past and allows visitors to connect with the rich history of the region. Unique Heritage Site - Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra is recognized and protected for its outstanding universal value, ensuring its preservation for future generations to enjoy. Serenity and Tranquility - Visiting Hegra can offer a sense of peace and tranquility as you wander through the ancient\ ruins and marvel at the beauty of the surroundings. Connection to Ancient Trade Routes - Hegra was a key stop along the ancient trade routes, and its architecture reflects a blend of various cultural influences from the region. AlUla to Madinah 3 hr 37 min (331 km) Local home visit in Madinah -Dinner It's time to get access to one of the local houses where they will give you the chance to experience the Saudi hospitality. We will go for lunch/dinner inside one of the local residence houses and enjoy a home cooked traditional meal. Also an opportunity to ask about the culture and family oriented culture where house were actually designed to meet the family gathering needs, hosting and relaying on big spaces since average family has 4 to 5 children . In this great 3 hours experience , you will have a great insight about the Saudi family lifestyle and what they value.  

AlUla to Madinah 3 hr 37 min (331 km) Madinah tour The first place visited is The Prophet mosque expansion exhibition which is located right in the area of the Holy Mosque where you can take pictures of it before we move to our next stop. Next we will go to Qiba Street which connect two Mosques , the Holy Mosque and Qiba Mosque which both have significant importance in Islamic history in which the first was the house that prophet Mohammed lived and eventually it’s his grave visited by . The second was the first Mosque ever built. you will have a general overview how the city was built and shaped throughout the 1400 years. (Both mosques will be visit from the outside only) In the same street which is a nice pedestrian street for walking , there are many traditional food shops and snacks. Train and Luggage luggage should not exceed 25KG inside train. otherwise we need to ship them by Bus which its arrival are expected to be 4 to 6 hours after the train. Cost per luggage is USD 25 Train from Madinah to Jeddah the trip is in bullet train ( 1 hr and 50 min ) Luggage must be 25 Kg or less

Jeddah - City tour Today we will start our tour in the morning with a short stop at Jeddah Corniche and Jeddah water front before we go to our next stop at Tayebat Museum. We will head now to The Tayebat Museum for a fascinating look into Jeddah’s long and cosmopolitan past, take an informative tour indeed the Tayebat Museum for a superbly curated representation of the city’s 2,500-year history. Located in the Al Faisaliyah district, the museum is housed in a multiroom complex that re-creates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden lattice work and ornate coral masonry. With several floors of in-depth exhibits, the museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage. After our visit we will go to The house of Islamic arts, a museum specialized in Islamic arts. From the far countries of China and India to the farthest countries of the Maghreb and Andalusia of various arts, where the museum contains more than a thousand pieces of art representing 15 centuries of the history of Islamic art from all countries of the Islamic world Before we move to the next tour we will have lunch we will suggest one of the local nice restaurants here in Jeddah that serves the famous traditional dishes in Jeddah. Tayebat Museum Closed on Fridays. Al Balad Tour - Jeddah Historical City In the evening we will start our tour in Al Balad as local call it which means “ the town” as reference to the base of Jeddah. Al-Balad was founded in the 7th century and historically served as the centre of Jeddah. Our tour will go through the history of these building including going inside one of the buildings to see the interior designs , furniture Al Balad is registered as a world heritage UNESCO site and since then the old buildings with its unique window designs and doors are being preserved along with its unique buildings which some have been built using sea shells and stones !. We will also explain the historical importance of some sites and locations while we wonder around the narrow streets to explain how merchants used to sell their goods and how pilgrims used to get their supplies of cloth and food before they head to Makkah through the Makkah Gate in Al Balad. The old Mosques is another tourist attraction where some were founded over 300 years ago and still functional as a mosque.

No Plans For This Day