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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
SAUDI ARABIA ... THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM Itinerary
October 30 to 31 USA to SAUDI ARABIA
Depart New York for Europe, connecting to Jeddah. On arrival, after passing
formalities, transfer to the hotel for your overnight.
November 01 JEDDAH to ABHA
Head to the fish market, a hub of early morning activity before setting out to
see some of the historic sites of the city. Visit Nasif House built in the
1850’s by the Nasifs, an influential trade family. Converted into a museum in
1964, the house was constructed from coral and reinforced with wood so that
beams crisscross the interior walls. The wooden balconies are a special
feature of Jeddah’s style along with the elaborate casement windows and
intricately carved doors that decorate the facade of the house. Have lunch at
a local restaurant before continuing with your tour. Explore the unusual Abdul
Rauf Khalil Art Museum which houses an eclectic hodgepodge of more than 10,000
weird and wonderful artifacts. Continue to the corniche of Jeddah, a major
attraction for visitors and locals who make use of the promenade along the Red
Sea coast for the view and fresh air. Evening transfer to the airport for the
flight to Abha and upon arrival check-in to Abha Palace Hotel or similar for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 02 ABHA
Set out on an excursion to Asir National Park. Unlike the rest of Saudi
Arabia, Asir receives quite a bit of rain. This is most beneficial to the
region’s varied vegetation, from the juniper forests of the highlands to the
palm thickets of the coastal plain. Its highest mountain range runs from Taif
south to the Yemen border and records the highest level of rainfall. Mount
Souda offers magnificent views. From the highest point accessible by road take
the cable car to the Rijal Alma Museum. Leaving the park you head to the city
of Khamis Mushayt to explore its antique silver market. As you return to Abha
you will make stops in the traditional villages of Al Hamsan and Al Habala.
The later is named after an old village located on a steep 400m cliff. The
inhabitants lived high up in stone dwellings carved into the rock face. So
sheer was the Cliffside that the villagers -- men and women -- lowered
themselves down into the ravine on ropes and thus these rugged and fearless
people came to be known as the Rope People of Al Habala. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel. (B,L,D)
November 03 ABHA to NAJRAN
Morning visit to the Baskat Market, the Muftaha Village Art Gallery and the
Shaha Palace. Depart after lunch for the small city of Najran, in the Wadi
Najran oasis. Inhabited some 4000 years, it is located a few kilometres from
the Yemeni border and was a major stop on the frankincense route. In the 16th
century, it was allied with the Ottomans and in the mid 17th century with
Yemen. It became disputed terrority over the years and was ceded to Saudi
Arabia in 1934 when King Abdulaziz united the area. Check-in to the Holiday
Inn or similar upon arrival and then visit the museum, Al Akhdood, Al Aan
Palace, the mud houses, Emara Palace and Dagger Souq. Return to the hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 04 NAJRAN
Head to the desert in 4x4 vehicles to the ancient caravan site of Qaryat Al
Fau, which was part of the spice trade route between Saudi Arabia and Yemen
2000 years ago. Nowadays this desert oasis is famous for its rock carvings.
Drive over sand dunes as you continue to Bir Hima known for its rock carvings
comprised of human figures and animals dating back to around 5500 BC. (Note
that these visits are subject to government permission and cannot be
guaranteed until after your arrival in country.) Return to the hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 05 NAJRAN to MADINAH and AL ULA
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Madinah via Jeddah. Depart for Al
Ula. Check-in to the Madain Saleh Hotel or similar for dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
November 06 AL ULA
Wadi Al Ula, land of the Lihyanites, predecessors of the Nabateans (100 to 500
BC) is the gateway to the archaeological site of Madain Saleh. Known as “Al
Hijr” in ancient times, it served as a stopover on a very prosperous trade
route. Depart on an excursion to the site to see the Nabatean Well, Qasr Al
Bint, Diwan and Al Farid Palace. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
November 07 AL ULA to AL JOUF
Drive to Al Jouf stopping in Tayma to visit Bir Hadaj, Al Hamra Fort, and the
museum. Check-in to Al Nusl Hotel or similar for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 08 AL JOUF to HAIL
Begin with a visit to Zaa’bal Fortress situated on high ground overlooking
Sakaka. The fort is believed to have been built in the seventh century BC and
could only be reached from one route. Next is Al Rajajil, the site of a group
of standing stone pillars that date back to the Chalcolithic period. From here
head to the old city of Domat Al-Jandal where you will see the Omar Mosque
named after the second Muslim Calif Omer Ibn Al Khattab and the stone castle
of Marid built high on a hill overlooking the city over four thousand years
ago. Have lunch at the hotel and depart late afternoon for Hail via the Nafud
Desert. Upon arrival check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 09 HAIL to RIYADH
This morning view the Oraif and Qishla Forts from the outside before
continuing with a tour of the city. This afternoon’s excursion will take you
to Jubbah to see the magnificent rock carvings. Evening transfer to the
airport for the flight to Riyadh. Upon arrival check-in to a local hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 10 RIYADH
Explore the old city of Diriyyah (closed but should be open by November) ,
situated in the eastern part of the Najid in the valley known as Wadi Hanifa.
Diriyyah is important from an historical perspective as it is where the
ancestors of the Al-Saud family established their first rule and founded the
Saudi Dynasty. Return to Riyadh to tour Musmak Fort, built during the reign of
Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 AD as a military garrison. It is one of
the most important historic monuments in the city. Stop for lunch at a local
restaurant before heading to Thumama Desert for the Camel Market. Next visit
the Museum of National Heritage and Culture. It has eight galleries, each
relating a different era of Arabian history. Continue to Murraba Palace, built
in 1937 by King Abdulaziz in the traditional Najid style using only local
building material. Have dinner at local restaurant and return to the hotel for
overnight. (B,L,D)
November 11 RIYADH to DAMMAM
Fly to Dammam and transfer to Le Meridien Al Khober Hotel or similar. Have
lunch and then tour the Aramco Exhibition. Visit the Dammam Museum and the
area of the Corsnische. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 12 DAMMAM to BAHRAIN (OR RIYADH/USA)
Depart overland for Bahrain and check-in to your hotel. After lunch head to
the Tree of Life and the Umayyad Dynasty Khamis Mosque. Then visit the
traditional “Al-Jasra House” as well as Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House to get
acquainted with traditional architecture. Dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Return to hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)
November 13 BAHRAIN
See the Fateh Mosque from the outside. Tour the Bahrain National Museum and
Bab il Bahrain Souq before lunch. Afterwards visit Bahrain Fort, the
Mesopotamian-style Barbar Temple, Riffa Palace and the 3rd millennium BC
Burial Mounds. Attend a farewell dinner on your last night in country.
Overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
November 14 BAHRAIN/USA
Depart for the airport and your flight back to the US with connecting flights
through Europe to your hometown, arriving same day. (B)
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