SAUDI ARABIA the Forbidden Kingdom October 23 - November 05, 2022
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SAUDI ARABIA The Forbidden Kingdom October 23 - November 05, 2022 Led by Archaeologist Dr. Barbara Porter Can be combined with Afghanistan tour (October 12 - 23, 2022) and Pakistan tour (September 26 - Oct 12, 2022) As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia has been shielding itself from the eyes of the west for a long time, but time has come now that the Kingdom is moving in huge steps towards modernization and openness. However, this is also a land with a vibrant cultural pedigree, aside from its glitzy oilrich modern cities. Amongst the rock-hewn splendors of Madain Saleh and Madain Shoeb, you will explore Nabatean heritage equal to what Petra offers. Most of the great empires of the ancient world traded with the Arabian Kingdoms that commanded the important spice trade routes in the peninsula. Colorful markets, desert landscapes, coral reefs, rock engravings, ancient monuments, traditional mud-brick cities, and imposing fortresses are abundant in a country that has so much to offer to those who choose to venture in it &explore its enigmatic and intriguing side. Ihab Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel Sunday, October 23 at the top of Mount Souda, located in the Hejaz Mountains. The Arrive in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) location of the first cable car in Asir, is named after an old village located on a steep 400-meter cliff made famous by the people Upon arrival in Jeddah (depending on your arrival time), you will of Al Habala. The inhabitants lived in stone dwelling clinging to be met, assisted and transferred to the Hotel for check-in and the cliff-face for the security and safety found in the rock walls. overnight. (D) So sheer was the Cliffside that the villagers --men and women-- lowered themselves down into ravine on ropes. We’ll continue to Dinner will be provided, only if you arrive to Jeddah prior to 8:00 PM Rejal Alma, and then back to Abha to visit Khamis Mushayt, an industrial city about 25 km east of Abha. The city’s antique silver Monday, October 24 market is its chief tourist draw. Afterwards we’ll stop at Bin Ham- Jeddah san Traditional Village on the outskirts of town, an imaginative development consisting of a stone tower and buildings; includ- We’ll begin our morning with a visit to some of the old Ottoman ing a museum that is replica of an Asir home two decades ago, houses, mostly constructed from coral and reinforced with wood an auditorium, a traditional restaurant and a gift shop. We’ll enjoy so that beams crisscross the interior walls. The most beautiful & lunch at a local restaurant in Bin Himsan Al Habala. Return to the well known is the Nasif House, which was built during the 1850s hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) by the well-known Nasif Family, one of the most influential trading families in the history of Jeddah. In the 19th and early 20th centu- Thursday, October 27 ries, the house was one of the most important buildings in Jeddah. Abha - Al Ula It was here that King Abdul Aziz spent his first night in Jeddah, as the guest of Mohammed Nasif, after he led his victorious army into Enjoy breakfast, then you’ll be transferred to the airport for your the capital of the Western Province. We’ll also have the chance to flight to Al Ula via Jeddah or Riyadh; arrive and connect to your visit Shafei Mosque and Other Famous houses from Outside. En- next flight to Al Ula. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the Hotel or joy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to visit the corniche Camp for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, head to visit the old of Jeddah (sea-side promenade), a major attraction that acts as an houses, Hijaz Railway Station and the magnificent iconicElephant open air museum displaying an array of modern sculptures and Rock then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) gathering social place for locals. Head to visit Altaybat Int’l City for Sciences and Knowledge, and also known as Abdul Rauf Khalil Friday, October 28 Art Museum, which is a very beautiful museum that houses end- Al Ula - Madain Saleh - Al Ula less collections of arts, ethnography and archaeology artifacts. Re- turn to the Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) We’ll begin our day by visiting the archaeological site of Madain Saleh, known as “Al Hijr” in the ancient times & served as a stop- Tuesday, October 25 over on a very prosperous trade route. The cities flourished over a Jeddah - Abha vast area that is now quite isolated and it encompasses 2000 square meters of relics and tombs. We’ll also visit the Nabatean Well, Qasr We’ll head in the morning to visit the colorful Fish Market, and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Abha. Upon arrival, Al Bint, Diwan and Al Farid Palace, and then we’ll continue to Wadi you’ll be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in and freshen Al Ula, gateway to Madain Saleh, which is known for its Lion of the up. We’ll head to visit the traditional baskets’ market and Muftaha Lihyanites -predecessors of the Natateans (100 to 500 BC). Return to Village Art Gallery. This evening, visit a typical Saudi home for per- the hotel or camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) sonal interaction with local people. Return to your hotel for dinner Saturday, October 29 and overnight. (B,L,D) Al Ula - Al Jouf Wednesday, October 26 We’ll begin the day with a morning drive to Al Jouf via Tima, were Abha we’ll see the Haddaj Water Well, Al Hamra Palace and Radham Asir, with its capital at Abha, is mainly a highland province and in- Fort. We’ll continue the drive to visit Dowmat Al Jandal. This an- cludes the entire area of southwest Saudi Arabia until the Yemen cient stone fortress is also known as Marid Castle, and is 2,000 Feet border. We’ll begin the full day excursion with a visit to Mount high and was built with stones on a hill that majestically overlooks Souda, to enjoy riding the cable car and visit Rejal Alma, a located the old city. In the city, we’ll head to visit Omar’s mosque, named 45 km away from Abha. Anciently, the village used to be a natu- after the second Moslem Caliph: Omar Ibn Al Khatab. Upon arrival ral passage that linked between Yemen, Makkah, Madinah and in Al Jouf, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for check-in, dinner Levant. Thus, it was a regional trade center then if time permits, and overnight. (B,L,D) we’ll visit Khamis Mushayt, and Bin Hamsan Village. We first stop Sunday, October 30 Thursday, November 03 Al Jouf - Hail Riyadh - Al Hafuf We begin our day with a visit to Sakaka Fort, situated on high We’ll depart in the early morning to Al Ahsa/Al Hafuf, considered ground overlooking the town of Sakaka from the northwest; it is the largest oasis in the world. We’ll visit Qara caves, consisting of the center of many legends, but it’s widely believed that this for- calcareous sandstone, and sedimentary rock of clay and lime. Jabal Al-Qarah rises about 738 feet above sea level and has a complex set tress was built in the 7th century B.C. Mud construction was add- of passageways. The site has iron railings and smooth walkways to ed to it in the 3rd century AD. It is known as Zaa’bal Fortress or allow visitors to safely navigate small portions of the intricate caves. Zaa’bal Palace. Then continue to Al-Rajajil - the site of a group of We’ll continue to the Ottoman Turkish Fort (from Outside) from standing stone pillars that date back to the Chalcolithic period. the 17th Century AD and the mosque it houses within its walls was Also visit the Camel Rock Art, 2,000.00-year-old life size camel art built in 1571 A.D. we’ll visit the traditional Qysaryyah Souq, the found in the Heart of Saudi Arabian Desert. Continue to Hail via most popular market, where the local people shop and do their Nafud Desert, visiting en-route Jubbah to see the magnificent auctions. Return to the hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) rock carvings and petroglyphs showing camels, lions, and other wildlife that existed in these region millennia ago. Upon arrival, Friday, November 04 transfer to your hotel for check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) Al Hafuf - Dammam Monday, October 31 We’ll drive in the morning to Dammam, and upon arrival we’ll head to visit King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture “Ithra”, and a local Hail – Qassim museum of Dammam or one of the private museums then transfer We’ll view the Oraif and Qishla Forts in the morning “from outside” to the hotel for check-in and overnight. (B,L,D) (as some of the historical Forts might be under renovation), then we’ll drive to Qassim and head to visit Uyoon Al Jawa or Water Saturday, November 05 sources, Shenana Tower and Musawgef Souq. Transfer to the ho- Dammam - USA tel for check-in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) OR onward to your next adventure Tuesday, November 01 Transfer in the early morning to the airport for your flight back home, Qassim - Riyadh arriving USA the same day OR onward to your next adventure.