AlUla to Petra: the Nabataean civilization

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Riyadh

  Welcome at the airport by our team and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Riyadh.

• day 2

  Riyadh

  Welcome to Riyadh – "the garden", capital of Saudi Arabia. The discovery of this vast country will begin with Darya and its historic center Al-Turaif, birthplace of the Al Saud dynasty and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through the alleys of this small town with its traditional Najdi architectural and ornamental style, made of raw clay brick, a former stop on the route of merchants and pilgrims from Africa, Europe, and Asia. Lunch during the visit. Not far away is the Al Murabba Palace, the last residence of the founder of Saudi Arabia, Abdelaziz Al-Aziz. At the end of the day, panoramic view of the city from the Al Mamlaka Tower, with a height of 302 meters. Dinner and overnight in Riyadh.

• day 3

  Riyadh, AlUla

  Visit to Al Masmak Fort, dating from the late 19th century. Located in the heart of the old city, this adobe fortress, whose color and curves recall those of the desert dunes, is composed of four watchtowers, as well as a mosque and a water well. The fort now houses the National Museum, whose collections trace the country's history from before its creation up to the early 20th century. Lunch at the restaurant. Free time, then transfer to the airport and flight to AlUla. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in AlUla.

• day 4

  The old town of AlUla, Jabal Al-Fil and the Maraya center.

  In the morning, walk through the alleys of the old town of AlUla, abandoned since the beginning of the 20th century. Built of mud bricks, the lower part was once used as a warehouse and the upper floor as a dwelling. Enjoy a remarkable panoramic view from the Musa Ibn Nusayr fort. Then stop at Jabal Al-Fil, the "elephant rock" carved by erosion, 50 meters high. Lunch in an oasis. In the afternoon, discover the Maraya cultural space. "Mirror" in Arabic, the 5,000 m² building covered with reflective panels stands alongside several millennia of history inscribed in the rock. This gigantic square blends perfectly into its natural environment and reflects it according to the weather. Dinner and overnight in AlUla.

• day 5

  Mada'in Salih (Hegra), Dadan and Jabal Hikmah

  The morning will be dedicated to the visit of Mada'in Salih (Hegra). The first Saudi site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its "outstanding universal value," the ancient Hegra is a major city of the Nabataean civilization, in continuity with Petra in Jordan, and extends over about twenty kilometers. The site, remarkably well preserved, houses an exceptional funerary heritage carved into the rock, whose architecture recalls the Hellenistic, Roman, or even Oriental style. Then, visit of Dadan (Al-Khuraybah), capital of the kingdom of Lihyan (2nd century BC), built at the foot of a cliff carved with square-shaped tombs, another stop on the caravan route, mentioned in the Bible. Lunch during the visit. In the afternoon, visit of Jabal Hikmah, an open-air library where inscriptions in different languages (Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, and Nabataean) are visible. Dinner and overnight in AlUla.

• day 6

  AlUla, Tabuk, Aqaba

  In the morning, drive to Aqaba. Lunch break in Tabuk. Continue on the road, cross the Saudi Arabia / Jordan border to reach Aqaba. Dinner and overnight in Aqaba. Distance: 625 km

• day 7

  Aqaba, Petra

  

  In the morning, drive to Petra. Upon arrival, discovery of Wadi Farasa. In the morning, we visit the Lion Fountain, then various styles of tombs, including those of the Garden, the Roman Soldier, and the Triclinium. Next, we head to the Lower City. Lunch during the visit. We spend the afternoon on the site, then at the end of the day, we return to the hotel. This free time will be the perfect opportunity to take time to contemplate the beautiful facades. Dinner and overnight in Petra. Distance: 130 km

• day 8

  Day dedicated to the visit of Petra.

  

  Day dedicated to Petra, the Rose City. To get there, we will have to cross the Siq, a kilometer-long narrow gorge bordered by cliffs 80 m high! The dazzling colors and formations of the rocks will lead us to the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh), carved into the sandstone. The site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is immense and contains hundreds of rock-cut tombs, a Roman amphitheater, temples, a sacrificial altar, and a colonnaded street. Lunch at the restaurant on the site. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

• day 9

  The King's Highway, Kerak, Madaba, Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea.

  

  Departure for the Dead Sea by taking part of the King's Highway connecting Aqaba to Amman. On the way, visit of Kerak, a large fortress built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Stop at Madaba, a biblical site with 14 Byzantine churches. Visit of Saint George's Church, famous for its 6th-century mosaic representing the oldest map of Palestine and Jerusalem. Continue to Mount Nebo to enjoy the panorama over the Jordan Valley and the Memorial of Moses, with its Byzantine frescoes. Lunch during the visit. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea. Distance: 330 km

• day 10

  Free morning at the Dead Sea, Jerash, Amman.

  

  Free morning at the Dead Sea with the possibility of swimming. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, drive to Jerash. The city experienced its golden age under Roman rule, then called Gerasa. Today, this site is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. Hidden under the sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over 70 years, Jerash is a prime example of Roman municipal planning, vast and formal, throughout the Middle East. It is adorned with colonnaded paved streets, immense temples on the hilltops, charming theaters, spacious public squares, baths, fountains, and walls pierced by towers and gates. Upon arrival in Amman, panoramic night city tour. Dinner and overnight in Amman. Distance: 145 km

• day 11

  Departure

  

  Transfer to the airport with assistance for departure formalities.