11-Day Saudi Arabia Women & Culture
Women Only
Max Group 12
Lifetime Deposit
Solo traveller friendly
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
SEE PETRA'S SISTER CITY
Hegra may be a little known ruin compared to Petra, but standing before this Nabataean Kingdom’s mammoth rock monument, as it towers over you from out of the Arabian Desert sand, will leave you awestruck.
VISIT THE ‘JEWEL OF SAUDI ARABIA’
The mud walls of Diriyah were the founding home of the Saudi Kingdom and as you wander along the labyrinth of linked paths between them, you’ll be struck by the cultural significance that was born there, some four hundred years ago.
EXPERIENCE THE BEATING HEART OF ISLAM
Not only is Saudi Arabia the birthplace of Islam, it’s home to two of Islam’s holiest cities, but you don’t need to visit them to feel that devotion - it’s everywhere you travel - from the stall holders in local markets, to the brokers at the camel sales.
DO MORE THAN DIP YOUR TOE
Find out what life for women in Saudi Arabia is really like when your time in Jeddah is spent meeting women from a local non-profit, taking a cooking class with a female chef and diving into the Red Sea at a women’s only beach!
BE A PIONEER
Saudi Arabia has never been so open to female travellers and you and just eleven other adventurous women will be led by your guide into a world of discovery. Come peel back the layers that have shrouded this unique culture in mystery for decades.
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
|---|---|
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Price
$8,906 AUD (twin share)
- $1,900 deposit.
- 2-week cooling off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available: $1,677 AUD, max 4 spots
Trip length
11 days, 10 nights
Meeting point
Boudle Hotel, Riyadh
Ending point
Shada Al Shatie, Jeddah
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 10 dinners
- private vehicle transportation, train
- 10 nights boutique and premium accommodation
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- At the time of publishing Australians are able to arrange a eVisa to enter Saudi Arabia, for an estimated cost of 128 USD.
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (165 USD equivalent to 245 AUD)
Click the tabs to find out more
Day 1: Welcome to Saudi Arabia!
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Saudi Arabia! A private driver will whisk you off to your hotel for the next few nights. Here in the ever-evolving capital, old-world charm meets soaring skyscrapers, and you’ll soon be exploring it all.
Jump straight into Saudi culture and cuisine tonight at one of our favourite local gems, Najd Village. What better way to meet your fellow Patchies than over a family-style meal of bright, punchy flavours and tomatoey stews, freshly baked tawa bread and yoghurt sauce? This is just a taste of what you can expect from the next 11 days! Dreams of adventures in the desert will be dancing in your head tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel Boudl, Riyadh
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Riyadh
Bedazzled palaces, forts and museums are waiting for you in Riyadh today. Your first stop is a trial by fire, getting lost deep inside the zig-zag alleys of the Al-Zal Souk. In the shadow of the centuries-old Masmak fortress, you’ll find solace from the heat, but not from the hustle of everyday life. With glittering piles of antiques, trinkets and clothing to explore, we won’t blame you if you’re suddenly up to your elbows in shopping bags!
Sit down to a homemade lunch with a local family later, with heaping helpings of warm hospitality. With full bellies, you’ll head off to get your hands dirty next.
Meet with local pottery artist and psychologist, Ghada Al Malki, who helps locals – and visitors – heal through art.
Dinner will be in the Riyadh old town.
Accommodation: Hotel Boudl, Riyadh
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 3: Buraydah
Grab a typical breakfast this morning, whether it be ful medames, stewed fava beans, or maqshush, the country’s national dessert, you won’t be able to resist letting out a “Yum!” or two. You’ve explored the capital and now it’s time to head three hours by car to a city known for its dates – Buryadh.
Along the way, you’ll pit stop in Ushaiqer to see its heritage village, inhabited for over 1,500 years. Oases like this are scattered across the Najd Highlands and you’ll get to walk between the mudbrick homes, where locals still live. Check in to your hotel this afternoon before hitting the town on a visit to the Musawkaf Market. Managed by local women, this is one of the oldest in the Qassim region. One thing’s for sure, you’ll get the opportunity to sample a locally grown date – or two.
Accommodation: Hotel Al Malfa Resort, Unaizah
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Hail
The sun is up and so are you this morning because you’re headed for the camel market! It can be a bit intense, but you’re in Arabia and we’re going to show you all of it. That’s just the Patch way!
The camel theme continues this afternoon at the Jabal Umm Sinman inscriptions – a UNESCO site somewhere between 7,000 and 9,000 years old. If this morning wasn’t proof of how important camels are to the Saudi people, you’ll have a whole new appreciation after witnessing dozens of intricate camel carvings. Continue on to Hail later, where you’ll be grabbing dinner.
Accommodation: Suknai Royal Hotel, Hail
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5: Al Ula
After a short and sweet stay in Hail, it’s on to Al Ula. Many locals once considered this area to be cursed and few people ventured here until archaeologists revealed Petra’s sister-city. We won’t sugarcoat it – this drive does take six hours – but it’s well worth the trek. Watch as the arid scenery and camels lazily stroll in the distance, knowing that with every mile you’re closer to seeing Saudi Arabia’s deep desert gems. Once you arrive, check-in and chill out for a bit.
Elephant Rock, known as Jabal AlFil by locals, is on the docket this afternoon. This megalithic marvel was created by millions of years of wind and water erosion, looking even more dramatic surrounded by the barren landscape. Your immersion into Saudi culture comes full circle this evening on a stop to purchase your abaya. Time for a fashion show! You’ll need these elegant coverings where you’re headed soon.
Accommodation: Sahary Resort, Al Ula
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Breakout: Saudi Fashion & What to Wear
Laws around what women can wear publically in Saudi Arabia have relaxed since 2018. The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken a more modern approach and while the country does still have quite a ways to go in terms of women’s rights, things are starting to progress in the right direction.
The most common clothing you’ll see Saudi Arabian women sporting out on the town are abayas and niqabs. Abayas are long-sleeved coverings that reach to the floor, commonly paired with a hijab head covering, while niqab are full body and head coverings that leave only a slit around the eyes uncovered.
Although women are no longer legally required to wear abayas and niqabs, visitors should dress respectfully. That means covering knees, elbows, shoulders and chest.
Day 6: Madain Saleh
It’s day six and we’re fairly convinced that this is the highlight of the trip! Chances are you’ve seen a picture of the Madain Saleh before, but standing in its presence is an almost spiritual experience. This is just one of 111 tombs scattered around the area, a necropolis complex that its subterranean kings would be most pleased with.
One of the largest Nabatean kingdoms in the world, only second to Petra, all that remains are these archaeological ruins. This city received visitors from thousands of miles away and an intricate system of wells that supported life despite its location in the desert. After a truly magnificent morning, enjoy lunch at a local farm in Al Ula. Surrounded by the Al Joud family women, this is yet another taste of Saudi Arabia’s magical hospitality that is so often overlooked in media headlines. Tonight you’re in for a breathtaking surprise!
Accommodation: Sahary Resort, Al Ula
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 7: Free Day!
After a week of moving at the speed of a magic carpet, you’ll want to have a slower day. Which is why on Day 7, there are zero appointments or places to be. What luxury! Lounge at the pool, sleep away the day, or, if you just can’t sit still, sign up for lunch in Wadi Dissa. This leafy canyon with cliffs that seem to touch the clouds, spikey palm fronds and swaying reeds, is the first oasis you’ve seen in days of dusty desert and the perfect spot to soak your toes in cool water while munching on some yummy Saudi treats.
Accommodation: Sahary Resort, Al Ula
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8: Madinah City
You can’t make a trip to Saudi Arabia without visiting its religious beating heart. Madinah was the Prophet Mohammed’s home and the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca. While non-Muslims are not allowed into the centre, you can still admire the Prophet’s Mosque and its minarets from afar.
Look past its immense religious significance, Madinah has so much to offer culturally too! Uncover more of this side of the city at the Madinah Art Center. The building itself is a work of art with contemporary lines and modern silhouettes – a contrast to the traditional artwork being created here by local women.
Accommodation: Gacine Hotel, Madinah
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 9: Jeddah
We bet you didn’t expect to be riding a bullet train through the desert today! It’s all aboard the glamorous Haramain High-Speed Railway, making your way to the Red Sea resort town of Jeddah. Step off the platform to the salty sea breeze and head straight to a local, nonprofit women’s association for a glimpse at what it’s like to live as a woman in modern Saudi Arabia.
In the afternoon it’s time to get to know the ancient city of Jeddah, yet another collision of old and new. Set to be the home of the world’s tallest building, you’ll also find yourself wandering through narrow side streets, past hundred-year-old mosques, including one that appears to float on water. But the best part? There are plenty of snack stops along the way too! Sip on sobia, a local drink made from barley, bread and fruit, and munch on balilah, a combination of pickles and beans that you’ll not soon forget.
Accommodation: Shada Al Shatie, Jeddah
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10: Jeddah
It’s the last day of the trip. Time to kick into overdrive! Fuel up with one last breakfast and then it’s time to unravel more of this city’s 2,500 years of history. There’s no better place to start than at the Tayebat Museum. Housed in a masterpiece of Hijazi architecture, complete with intricately carved wooden features and latticework, you’ll learn more about Jeddah’s past and its rich Islamic history.
If you’ve been wondering how you’re going to recreate the fabulous food you’ve been eating, you’ll learn the ropes today from a female chef. Dive into Hejaz cuisine, cooking recipes that have been handed down for generations, before enjoying it all elbow to elbow. You’ll finally get to experience the Red Sea at a women’s-only beach later on, soaking up some of that Jeddah sun. It’s just as exclusive as it sounds.
Accommodation: Shada Al Shatie, Jeddah
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 11: Farewell Friends!
Can you believe it’s already been 11 days of travelling around Saudi Arabia and its mind-bogglingly big landscapes? Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s time to swap info and grab hugs from your new Patchie besties. Nothing bonds quite like travel after all and especially such unique travels as you’ve done. Wave goodbye as the desert fades into clouds. You’ll be dreaming of this trip for years to come.
Trip Map
The Essential Info
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Traditional food in Saudi Arabia includes basic ingredients such as meat, milk, spices, rice, dates, and fruits. With evolving times Saudi Arabian cuisine has found a modern twist, but its authenticity is still preserved by the locals.
Food holds deep cultural significance in Saudi Arabian society. It not only nourishes the body but also brings people together, symbolizing hospitality, generosity, and unity. From the communal sharing of dishes to the traditional customs surrounding tea and dates, food plays a central role in social gatherings, celebrations, and daily life.
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love to travel but don’t like being herded around B-grade attractions… just the mere idea of joining a ‘big bus’ tour makes you want to run for the hills.
You also know, however, that some places are worth the wait.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also love the idea of living a day fully, and then returning to unique, interesting accommodation!
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that could involve trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
If that sounds like you, you’d make a great Patchie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:0.66 USD.
A deposit of $1,900 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing:
Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
TBA
Airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
TBA
Embrace the local customs with modest attire. Women can leave their headscarves and Abayas at home, except for visits to the Holy City of Madinah. Think comfortable, respectful clothing that keeps you cool and stylish as you explore!
Get ready for a seamless arrival experience! You’ll undergo a quick fingerprinting process and a retinal scan. It’s just a part of the unique journey that awaits you in this fascinating country.
In Saudi Arabia, you’ll find that most places close between noon and 3 pm daily, as well as during prayer times. These moments offer you a delightful break to unwind at your hotel or explore alternative sites. Occasionally, some attractions might close unexpectedly or have restricted access—consider it part of the adventure! Also, most museums take a rest on Fridays, giving you a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Prepare to soak in the rich culture, history, and hospitality that make Saudi Arabia so special!
No, Saudi Arabia is a dry country. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, giving you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic local culture.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
We ask that your contribution to the tip kitty for your Saudi adventure be:
- $125 USD to be given to your trip leader on Day 1. The kitty will be managed by your leader who will use it to cover tips for your drivers and regional guides along the way.
What is not covered is a customary tip at the end of the trip for your leader. If they’ve ensured that your trip is memorable, we recommend the following:
- $110 USD per person at the end of the trip.
Will we be picked up at the airport?
Yes! One of our friendly team will be waiting for you in the public arrivals area of the airport. You’ll transfer directly to the hotel. The transfer is free and in a private and air-conditioned vehicle, which you will only share if there is anyone else on your flight joining the tour.
When should we arrive?
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
So long as you have a general level of health and fitness, you’ll be fine. There is no specific exercise planned for this trip, but there will be days where you’ll be walking and spending a lot of time on your feet – sometimes on uneven ground and unpaved tracks. Daily activities may include morning walks and getting on and off various forms of transport. Art classes may include getting up from ground level or low-lying seats.
You’ll need to be capable of occasionally using a squat toilet. We do our best to accommodate sit-down toilets (all the hotels have them) but when you’re out for the day, and nature calls, sometimes they can’t be avoided.
All activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
