11-Day Secrets of Saudi Arabia
Trip Highlights
☑️ Najd Village authentic Saudi feast – tomato-laden stews, warm tawa bread, yogurt sauce
☑️ Al-Zal Souk traditional marketplace
☑️ Pottery workshop with Ghada Al Malki – Riyadh’s artist-psychologist
☑️ Mudbrick homes where locals still live in the 1,500-year-old village of Ushaiqer
☑️ Date tasting at Musawkaf Market – managed by local women
☑️ Local camel market experience
☑️ Jabal Umm Sinman rock inscriptions – UNESCO listed
☑️ Elephant Rock – colossal formation shaped over millions of years
☑️ Ancient necropolis Madain Saleh – 111 tombs carved into desert cliffs
☑️ Local Al Joud family farm feast – Al Ula
☑️ Madinah – Islam’s second holiest city
☑️ Madinah Art Centre, local women crafting heritage-inspired pieces
☑️ Women’s nonprofit association visit, inside look into modern Saudi women’s lives
☑️ Jeddah – sobia drink and balilah snack tasting
☑️ Tayebat Museum – Hijazi architecture wooden carvings and latticework
☑️ Hejaz cooking class with female chef
☑️ Red Sea exclusive women’s-only beach
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
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$2,188 AUD
Private Supplement: +$424
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$2,188 AUD
Private Supplement: +$424
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Chaining Dates:
Some of the departures of this trip are chaining with other Patch Adventures trips
Oman (10 January 2027) >> Saudi Arabia (24 January 2027)
Saudi Arabia (1 November 2027) >> Oman (14 November 2027)
Details
- 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: max 6 spots
Trip length
11 days, 10 nights
Meeting point
Riyadh Dara Qurtubah Hotel, Riyadh
Ending point
Shada Al Shatie, Jeddah
Group size
Maximum 14
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Arrival and departure transfer
- Meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 10 dinners
- Private vehicle transportation
- Bullet Train ticket from Al Madinah to Jeddah
- 10 nights boutique and premium accommodation
- A local home lunch visit in Riyadh
- Pottery coloring Workshop in Riyadh
- Lunch at a Local farm in Al Ula
- Guided Hegra tour in Al Ula
- Chef Market in Al Madinah
- Cooking class with Saudi female cook in Jeddah
- Private females only beach visit in Jeddah
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Visa fee
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more details)
Click the tabs to find out more
Day 1: Welcome to Saudi Arabia!
Any slight nerves you might have will be brushed aside as you’re given a heartfelt welcome by our local team on your arrival into Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
You’ll grab your first views of this enticing city on the drive to your hotel and again as you meet with your fellow Patchies for a traditional Saudi dinner at Nadj Village, a local restaurant.
Here you’ll tuck into richly-flavoured stews, yummy khobz al tawa flatbreads and cooling khyar bi laban yogurt dip while getting to know the women you’ll be spending the next 10 days with.
Accommodation: Riyadh Dara Qurtubah Hotel (or similar), Riyadh
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Riyadh
You saw it from the window of your car yesterday, today you’ll get under the skin of a city mixing the traditional and the contemporary.You’ll start at The National Museum for a lowdown on Saudi Arabia’s history through a collection featuring both everyday utensils, like ancient mortars and pestles and golden funerary masks.
Your local guide will show you around the Al Masmak Fortress, constructed from mudbricks in the mid-1800s and playing a key role in the creation of Saudi Arabia as the site of a raid by Ibn Saud, the first king.
This afternoon is a special one. You’ll connect with local women as they invite you into their Riyadh home to share in a home-cooked meal as you chat about their lives and families.
You then get to show off your artistic side at a pottery making workshop where you’ll get an eyeful of the Nadji and Aseeri painting styles popular in Riyadh and the Saudi south.
Accommodation: Riyadh Dara Qurtubah Hotel (or similar), Riyadh
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 3: Buraydah
Start the day like the locals with a breakfast of ful medames (baked beans) or our favourite maqshush (small cakes dripping with sugar syrup). Then hit the country’s perfect roads for the 2.5-hour journey to Ushaiger Heritage Village.
Settled by desert-dwelling Bedouin around 1,500 years ago, its narrow alleyways and Nadji mud and wood structures are still lived in today, ensuring the soul of Ushaiger remains alive and well.
You’ll next continue to Buraydah, home to the world’s largest date market. You’ll wander between stalls heaped high with the fruit, and no doubt pick up a few samples from stallholders, before heading to Al Musawkaf Souq.
Here you’ll stop by an abaya boutique to admire the form of dress worn by most women in Saudi Arabia.
Accommodation: Al Malfa Resort (or similar), Buraydah
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Breakout: Saudi Fashion & What to Wear
The most common items of clothing you’ll see Saudi Arabian women sporting out on the town are abayas and niqabs. An abaya is a long, flowing dress that covers the arms and legs, often paired with a veil called a hijab. The niqab goes one step further, being a full-body covering that leaves only a small slit for the eyes.
Laws around what Saudi women can wear publicly were relaxed in 2018, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto ruler, adopting a more modern approach. While there’s still a long road ahead for women’s rights across the board, progress is happening, and it’s reflected in locals’ clothing.
As a visitor, you aren’t expected to adopt a Saudi wardrobe, though modest dressing is a must. Cover your knees, elbows, shoulders and chest, and you’re good to go. Remember to pack light, breezy fabrics – respectful doesn’t have to mean sweltering!
Day 4: Hail
It’s time for a beauty contest – of sorts – with a difference. Diving into the shouts, deals and cacophony of Buraydah’s camel market, you’ll find that looks are everything when it comes to getting top dollar for your animals.
You’ll then depart Buraydah for Hail – but don’t worry, you’ll tackle the two-hour, 40-minute journey in air-conditioned comfort, rather than on the back of a camel!
Surrounded by sweeping desert sands, you’ll take in Hail from the heights of A’arif Fort, situated on a hilltop and one of the region’s oldest surviving buildings.
Its 150 years can’t possibly compete with the age of the rock art of Umm Senman Mountain in the Nafud Desert however.
Dated to 10,000 years ago, the ancient artworks depict over 1,300 camels (some things never change), 260 human figures and more than 5,400 pieces of writing in the local Thamudic script, creating a canvas that must be seen to be believed.
Accommodation: Suknai Royal Hotel (or similar), Hail
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5: Al Ula
Speaking of having to be seen to be believed, Day 5 is taken up with the journey from Hail to Al Ula, a bucket list attraction that was off-limits to all but a handful of locals until a few years ago.
You’ll save the main event – exploring the Petra of Saudi Arabia – for tomorrow, but you and your Patchie tribe will arrive in time to enjoy the amazing colours of sunset in the desert at Jabal Al Fil, or Elephant Rock.This outcrop was shaped by the wind over thousands of years into the shape of the best-loved big-eared animal.
Accommodation: Sahary AlUla Resort (or similar), Al Ula
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: Madain Saleh
You’ve heard the buzz, but even so, nothing can quite prepare you for the rock-cut tombs of Al Ula’s Madain Saleh. Constructed by the same people as the much better-known Petra in Jordan – the Nabateans – the 111 tombs sat on an important trading route called the Incense Trail.
A mesmerising site, you’ll have to drag yourself away to take in another – more modern – wonder, but we’re keeping our lips sealed for now!
At a nearby farm, the women of the Al Joud family will serve up a stunning array of fruits and vegetables grown in the fields you see around you. There will be plenty of time to take a walk around the property too.
The day ends on another high – one that we’re keeping as a surprise!
Accommodation: Sahary AlUla Resort (or similar), Al Ula
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Al Ula
In need of a lazy morning? Relax to your heart’s content, whether in your room or by the hotel pool, with this day free of planned activities.
Should you feel the allure of the region still calling, we’ve got you covered with an optional guided walk with lunch in the lush Wadi al Disah Canyon located in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve in Tabuk.
Having tucked into a picnic lunch of flatbreads, dips, salads and fruits, you’ll walk through the verdant valley, where tooth-like cliffs soar from one hundred to five hundred metres in height and the steady supply of water creates a very different landscape to the desert that encases it.
Accommodation: Sahary AlUla Resort (or similar), Al Ula
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8: Madinah
Together with Mecca (which remains off limits to non-Muslims), Madinah (or Medina) lies at the heart of what it means to be Saudi, given the pride with which the nation cares for Islam’s two holiest cities.
Following the morning drive from Al Ula, you’ll visit Souq Al Tabakha, the Chef’s Market. An authentic marketplace home to small eateries serving up grilled fish, kebabs and other popular local bites, it’s the obvious place to stop for lunch.
You’ll next visit the Prophet’s Mosque Expansion Exhibition, a museum detailing the 1,400 year history of the mosque – once the home of the Prophet Mohammed and his final resting place.
You’ll also see the exterior of the Qiba Mosque, the first ever built, before stopping by Hejaz Railway Station, a possible UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose elegant structure now contains a railway museum.
Accommodation: Gacine Hotel (or similar), Madinah
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 9: Jeddah
Experience the future of rail travel as you zip the 400 kilometres between Madinah and Jeddah in under two hours on the Haramain bullet train.
Arriving on the Red Sea coast, you’ll immediately notice the change in vibe from Riyadh and Madinah, with Jeddah being the most cosmopolitan and outward looking of any Saudi city, absorbing influences from right around the world.
Your first port of call will be a nonprofit women’s association, whose members will be on hand to provide insight into the lives of women in the city today. Then feel the salt on your skin as you cruise around the Jeddah Waterfront to the Floating Mosque before diving headlong into the historic Al Balad neighbourhood.
Jeddah’s Old Town, Al Balad is known for its beautiful architecture, with streets edged by buildings of coral stone with enclosed wooden balconies designed to keep the heat out.
Accommodation: Shada Hotel Shatea (or similar), Jeddah
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10: Jeddah
Kick off your last full day in Saudi Arabia at the Tayebat Museum, where you’ll cross the threshold into a traditional Hijazi building filled with intricately carved lattice work while learning more about the city’s 2,500 years as a port.
You’ll next turn to the kitchen for a cooking class with a famous local chef who will give you her tricks to creating authentic Hejazi dishes such as ruz al Bukhari (aromatic rice with chicken or lamb) and saleeg (rice cooked to a porridge consistency and served with roasted meats).
You’re free to spend the rest of the day on a private, female-only beach, enjoying the shade of an umbrella with a book or perhaps choosing to join the optional yoga session.
Accommodation: Shada Hotel Shatea (or similar), Jeddah
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Farewell Friends!
Eleven days. A blur of camels, tombs, sunsets and Saudi snacks – and now it’s the sad time to say goodbye. Swap numbers, grab hugs and promise to reunite someday (maybe on another Patch adventure)! As the plane climbs and the desert fades beneath you, the memories hit hard: the laughter, the chaos, the “did we really do that?” moments. This was a full-on Saudi adventure you’ll be bragging about for years. Until next time!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
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:0.67 USD.
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure 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 at least 120 days before trip departure.)
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.
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.
For travelers from Australia and New Zealand visiting Saudi Arabia, a visa is required. Tourists can apply for an e-visa online through the official Saudi government portal, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage website, or obtain a visa on arrival at select
entry points, including major airports such as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
The tourist e-visa costs approximately USD 117 (including medical insurance) and is valid for one year, allowing multiple entries with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. The e-visa application process is straightforward, requiring a valid passport, personal details, and payment of the visa fee online. It is advisable to apply for the e-visa well in advance of yourtrip to avoid any delays upon arrival.
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.
This trip begins in Riyadh, and ends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We recommend that you fly into Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, as that is where your hotel transfer will be waiting for you. The most convenient departure airport is Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport. Both transfers – on arrival and on departure are included in your price.
Several 1-stop flights are available from Australia and New Zealand to Riyadh, typically connecting through major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Similar routes are available for return flights from Jeddah.
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.
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.
The opportunity to do laundry during your trip is possible and best left for stays that are for more than one night. Your guide will be able to assist with recommendations during your trip.
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.
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!
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!
No, Saudi Arabia is a dry country. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, giving you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic local culture.
