Saudi Arabia... The Forbidden Kingdom
March 05 to 18, 2022
Led by Iman R. Abdulfattah, Islamic Art Historian
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. But this is also a land with a vibrant cultural pedigree, aside from its glitzy oil-rich 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.
Can be combined with our Lebanon tour (March 18 to 26, 2022) AND
our Gulf and Oman tour (Feb 19 to March 05, 2022) OR
our Oman tour (February 23 to March 06, 2022)
Tour cost (Land Only): $7,995.00
per person based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $995.00
Price based on a group size minimum of 6 participants and maximum of 14 participants
Trip Grade: II Lodging Level: ***-****
Tour Includes
All transfers with assistance and luggage porterage.
Transportation within country using A/C motor coach.
All mentioned accommodations in 5* hotels (or best available in smaller towns 3-4* in some places).
All meals as listed (B: breakfast, L: lunch and D: dinner).
All entrance fees to visited sites (mentioned in the itinerary).
Service of professional English speaking tour guide along some local guides at various cities and sites.
Bottled water on bus during touring days.
Assistance in obtaining visa approval letter.
All gratuities to guide, porters, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff etc.
Tour Does Not Include
International air from New York-JFK/Jeddah and Riyadh/New York-JFK, Roundtrip coach class. (Approx. $1,000.00)
Saudi Arabia Visa - $117.00 at time of printing plus handling fees. Passport should not include any Israeli stamps.
Beverages with meals and meals not noted.
Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum participants.
Items of a personal nature, i.e. souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, emails, etc.
Dayroom or extra hotel nights necessitated by airline flight schedule changes.
Transfers if arriving or departing on flights that are at different times than the group.
Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum participants
Travel protection insurance.
Trip Grade
II Active – Some hikes, slightly more demanding walks at or to some ancient sites; few elevations, comfortable but busy schedule and some long rides and extensive drives.
LODGING Level
*** -****Superior: In large cities 5 stars’ hotels and in some smaller towns, lodges and hotels with limited amenities, average service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (3 or 4 stars)
Special Trip Remarks:
Saudi Arabia is a dry country. Alcohol is absolutely forbidden (as are narcotics and pornographic materials). Dress is modest and women do not need to cover their heads. The wearing of abayas for ladies has been recently easing up and is not mandatory any longer. Be advised that you will be fingerprinted and undergo a retinal scan upon arrival in the country. Also be aware that most places in the Kingdom shut down between noon and 3 pm every day as well as several other times during prayers and often the group will be returned to the hotel for some free time during these periods. In addition, sometimes sites can be closed for no foreseen reasons or authorities can also deny visit of certain places without prior notice and we (STS) are not responsible for any such events/acts. Some of the drives can be long and monotonous crossing vast expanses of desert with nothing much to observe along the way but it’s needed to cover a large territory like that; we shall use sometimes internal flights to reduce some of this dreary driving if available.
