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Visit Saudi With FlySaudi

Umrah Packages

The most beautiful places in saudi arabia, book your customised package.

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Unforgettable Experiences

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you’ve really explored.

Expert local guides

Chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small groups & private trips

Group tours average just 12 people & various private trip options are available too.

We do the right thing

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

Testimonials

Imran Sheerzad

Everything was good Alhamdulillah. We loved the gifts from this travel agency. The hotels were 5 Stars. Double tree Hilton was myfavorite.

Ayesha Sheerzad

I really had good experience over all.Especially the hotel in Makkah and Madina was outstanding. The hotel was very near to the Haram which I loved.

Thank you So much for your Support may Allah Reward you. You guided us in a patient way and you (Faisal) was very kind and supportive towards the team. (feb group)

ZuhalSheerzad

This was my first visit to Jeddah. Mr Faisal was very kind with us in the airport, he was waiting for us in the airport as soon as he saw us, he came to us and gifts with full of respect, support which was very kind of him. I am really thankful for that. May Allah SWT give him the reward forthis.

FawadSheerzad

I have find this travel agency very honest and supportive. We had everything Outstanding from this agency the way that we were promised.

Ehsan Sheerzad

Over all everything was outstanding. I loved when brother Faisal and his wife welcomed us in a such a beautiful and honored way. Appreciated!

Booked my travels with FlySaudi and it was a good experience. Would definitely recommend!

HabibaAbdelbaky

I came across this travel agency while searching for Umrah packages online. I would say it was a pretty decent experience and was definitely worth the money. 9/10

My overall experience of the trip was good. Just slightly disappointed with the service at Cairo but otherwise it was a pleasant experience. Would definitely travel again. 7.5/10

Tahira Hussain

This is one of the best travel agencies I’ve travelled with. I would definitely travel with them in the future! Everything was great except for the Hotel in Madinah was not up to the mark as there were only two small rooms. However, I would rate the trip 9/10.

Shaina Hakim

I travelled with FlySaudi for Umrah in Dec ’22 and it was a great experience! The quality of the services were remarkable and I would rate them 8/10. Will be booking my travel with FlySaudi in the future too!

ZainaShaheen

I booked the tickets for December’s Umrah through a travel agent. The quality of the accommodation and services surrounding the trip were marvelous! The booking process was fast and efficient. They provided me food upon arrival in coach and that was a very warm gesture. Definitely booking my travel in the future too. 10/10!

Yasmin Abdelbaky

I found this travel agency online and preferred it over the other agencies because the hotels were of good quality and were situated near to the places we wanted to travel. My overall experience was 10/10! Highly recommended.

Faizan Ali Khan

My company chose this travel agency for us and it was a delightful experience. The accommodation in Madinah could have been better but the accommodation in Makkah was amazing. Would love to travel with FlySaudi in the future. 8/10

The quality of my overall trip was exceptionally good! Honestly, from accommodations to the travel services, everything was professional and great! I have already recommended to travel with FlySaudi to my family and friends. 10/10

Do UK citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

How long does a saudi e-visa take, can i find a hotel in my hajj or umrah package that offers triple-sharing rooms, do i need a visa for saudi arabia.

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A land of arid desert and scorched mountains, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conjures up all the romance and adventure of the golden age of discovery. The only country on the Arabian Peninsula with a foot in both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the birthplace of Islam remains arguably one of the most enigmatic countries on earth to visit. Including historic Jeddah with its beautiful Ottoman houses, this astonishing journey takes us deep into the heart of its ancient landscapes, visiting ...

A land of arid desert and scorched mountains, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conjures up all the romance and adventure of the golden age of discovery. The only country on the Arabian Peninsula with a foot in both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the birthplace of Islam remains arguably one of the most enigmatic countries on earth to visit. Including historic Jeddah with its beautiful Ottoman houses, this astonishing journey takes us deep into the heart of its ancient landscapes, visiting sites that few travellers from beyond the Arab world have ever seen. Blessed with a remarkable cultural heritage, we will visit several of its spectacular World Heritage sites including Nabatean Hegra (aka Mada’in Saleh ) at AlUla, traverse some of the world’s finest desert scenery, marvel at the UNESCO site of Ad Diriyah the birthplace of the first Saudi state, and have the chance to explore on foot the natural wonder of the striking Hutaymah volcanic crater. This is a tour like no other, offering a glimpse into one of the world’s most misunderstood and least known countries that is certain to appeal to those who are drawn to destinations with a difference.

At a glance

Minibuses, coaches, 4WDs and a train. No domestic flights

EXPERT TEAM

Accommodation, entrance fees, fitness rating, wild miles club.

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Positive Impact of this Trip

Map & itinerary.

Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below

Day 1 Tour starts in Jeddah

The tour begins at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s commercial capital and the main gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. Its historic centre, Al-Balad (The Town), once served as a major trading port along the Indian Ocean trade routes and today its distinctive architecture has seen it inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Characterised by imposing tower houses and coral stone buildings, the old centre of the city encapsulates the rich mix of influences and traditions that once flourished along these trade routes and reflects a style and tradition essentially lost now outside Saudi Arabia. Please note that the suggested group tour flights currently arrive late this evening.

Day 2 Jeddah: Full Day Exploring

This morning we will start our discovery of The Kingdom by exploring the port city of Jeddah. The local motto in Arabic is Jeddah Ghair meaning “Jeddah is different” and today we find out why. The city boasts the largest seaport on the Red Sea, including the Central Fish Market where we will enjoy lunch today. Jeddah hides many a unique historic treasure inside its contemporary walls. Today we manoeuvre through the streets taking in the modern elements such as the artsy Corniche waterfront and the contrasting old city, souqs and traditional bazaars of UNESCO Al Balad .

Day 3 Jeddah – Medina: Prophet’s Mosque & Historic Sites

Leaving Jeddah behind, schedules permitting we plan to take the high-speed Haramain train northwards to the holy city of Medina. Home to the Prophet’s Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world, Medina was once a predominantly Jewish settlement called Yathrib and it was to here that Mohammed fled in 622AD, in what is known as the hegira, marking Year 0 for Islam. Until late 2021, the centre of the city was off-limits to non-Muslims but this is slowly changing and we should be able to view some of the key historic sites of the city.

Day 4 Medina - AlUla: A Cultural Highlight of Arabia

Leaving Medina, we effectively pick up the same route of the famous Hejaz Railway. Long since abandoned, the railway was a flagship project of the Ottomans intended to link Damascus with Mecca but which ultimately was brought to a halt by frequent sabotage under the instigation of rebel Arab tribes, some in conjunction with T.E. Lawrence during WWI. Later we'll arrive to the strategically located town of AlUla, continually inhabited for millennia and rightly considered to be one Arabia’s cultural highlights. Time permitting, we aim to stretch our legs with a short desert oasis walk on arrival before checking into our stunningly located desert resort which will be our base for the next two nights.

Day 5 AlUla: Elephant Rock, Old Town, Hegra

Exact timings over the next two days will be kept flexible but during our time in AlUla we will certainly discover why this area is becoming a must-visit location for anyone interested in the scenery and rich cultural heritage of Arabia. During our time here we plan to visit the iconic Elephant Rock, have lunch on a date-farm, embark on a 4WD ride through the narrow overarching canyons of the Madahkil Mountain range as well as taking a walk along the Oasis Trail from Dadan south to the ruins of AlUla’s Old Town, which was for centuries a significant stop for Muslims heading south to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Of course, we will also have time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra (aka Mada’in Saleh) . Second only in size to Petra (in neighbouring Jordan), this strategically sited Nabatean city has over one hundred ornately decorated royal tombs, including the striking Qasr Farid , dating back to the 1st century CE.  Please note that many of the activities in and around AlUla are controlled by the Royal Commission for AlUla which includes the times and durations allowed for visiting the sites.

Day 6 AlUla - Ha'il: Sunrise in AlUla and Onward Journey

After a final chance to take in sunrise over the desert landscapes of AlUla we continue our journey with a drive north-eastwards to Ha’il, once an important stop on the camel caravan route to Mecca.

Day 7 Ha'il - Jubbah - Ha'il: Rock-Art, Forts & Markets

A short distance north-west of Ha’il we find the UNESCO World Heritage site, Jubbah. This world-famous site features some of the best rock-art in Saudi Arabia. Strewn across the scorched rocks of Jabal Umm Sinman are thousands of intricate rock carvings, some of which are thought to be over 10,000 years old. Subjects etched into the sandstone include man, cattle, ibex, horse, ostrich and lion all of which are impressively well-preserved on their rock canvas. On returning to Ha’il we’ll have time to explore this important agricultural centre with its impressive Aarif and Qishlah forts (currently from the outside only) as well as the well-stocked souks, a popular shopping area home to a date market, clothing stalls and a women's market.

Day 8 Ha'il - Hutaymah Crater - Fayd Fort – Buraydah

With an early start today we’ll leave Ha’il and drive south to the distinctly impressive Hutaymah crater with a salt field at its centre where there is the option to circumnavigate the crater rim (5km circular trail). After our exploration we will enjoy lunch before heading to Fayd Fort to view the remains of this once important oasis city. In the afternoon we make our way to our overnight stop near to Buraydeh; time permitting we will visit another souk before checking into our boutique hotel for the night.

Day 9 Buraydah - Ushaiqer – Riyadh: Camel Market & National Museum

Today we need another early start to make the most of a truly unique Saudi experience. Buraydah’s lively camel market is located just a short distance outside modern-day Buraydah. This is the world’s largest camel market where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded every day and this morning is sure to be a feast for the senses. We then start our drive towards Riyadh. En route we will visit the heritage village of Ushaiqer, one of the oldest settlements in the region which boasts some stunning traditional Najdi architecture and considered one of the most attractive places in the country. We’ll have lunch here before our afternoon drive to the Kingdom’s sprawling capital, where we will visit the National Museum before checking into our hotel.

Day 10 Riyadh: Full Day Exploring Many Historic Sites

Today we explore the capital city and environs of Riyadh which over seven million people call home. There are a couple of key historic sites to visit including the UNESCO site of Ad Diriyah which was the location of the royal residence and the First Saudi State and one of the most historic mudbrick settlements in the world. After lunch we will then visit Masmak Fortress, Murabbah Palace (currently from the outside only), finishing the day with a local dinner.

Day 11 Tour ends in Riyadh

The tour officially ends after breakfast those on the suggested group flights will be transferred to the airport for your flight departing at lunchtime.

ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR

Centro shaheen jeddah by rotana, jeddah.

Centro Shaheen Jeddah by Rotana is a modern, stylish 252-room hotel, conveniently located on Al Madinah Road, close to Haifaa Mall and the lively Tahlia Street with its restaurants and international shops. It is only a few minutes’ drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Old City (Al Balad) and Jeddah’s Corniche. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs and complimentary toiletries. C.Taste is the hotel’s international all-day dining restaurant while its sister C.Deli is a convenient grab and go snack cafe.

Le Meridien Medina, Medina

Located just north of the central 'Haram' area, a few steps away from the Prophet's Mosque, Le Meridien Medina is a good option for those looking for a slightly quieter location. The 150 rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, and although certain aspects of the property are quite dated, the staff are attentive and the Al-Roshan Restaurant serves very popular international and Arabic cuisine. Be sure to also check out Al Multaqa which has an outdoor terrace area offering stunning views of the Prophet's Mosque. There is also a well-equipped gym and health club across the road which offers free access to hotel guests.

Shaden Desert Resort, AlUla

The Shaden Desert Resort is sited in a breath-taking desert location overlooking fabulous weathered mountains, a short drive from the spectacular Nabataean ruins of Hegra (aka Mada’in Saleh). The comfortable air-conditioned rooms are located in clusters that are spread throughout the grounds. Inside each room the décor is contemporary blended with Arabian inspiration. All rooms have wooden floors, colourful Arabian rugs, flat-screen television, Wi-Fi connection, and spacious bathrooms with hot and cold running water. Large windows open out onto individual terraces, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the eye-catching desert vistas by day and the illuminated rocks at night! 

Holiday Villa Ha'il, Ha'il

The Holiday Villa Ha’il is located just to the south of the city centre, near the Prince Sultan Park, and only a short drive away from the historic Aarif and Qishlah forts. The 4* glass-fronted international-style property has an impressive towering central atrium with an illuminated date palm at its centre. Accommodation is in a total of 228 air-conditioned en suite rooms, all decorated in a contemporary style with flat screen television, tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi, and floor to ceiling windows.

Al Malfa Resort, Buraydeh

Al Malfa Resort is a boutique property built in the local Qasimi architectural style that is set amongst the gardens and date palms of a working farm. Located a short drive from Buraydah, this charming hotel is accessed through two imposing fortress-like towers and along a palm-lined drive that leads up to the resort’s main building. The exterior of this two-story structure is surrounded by a wide portico that is lined with whitewashed columns and resembles a Saudi Arabian gingerbread house. Accommodation at Al Malfa Resort is divided between the main building and a second block built in the same style. The 39 en suite guestrooms are warmly, but simply, decorated using local inspiration and feature flat-screen satellite televisions, air-conditioning, mini-fridge, and Wi-Fi.

Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana, Riyadh

Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana is a 236-room property with a fresh contemporary feel and an enviable location in the new heart of the Saudi capital within easy walking distance of vibrant Tahlia Street with its popular boutiques, cafés and restaurants. In room amenities include a 42” LED television, digital safe box as well as tea and coffee making facilities.

Hotel Rating

Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.

PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?

All group tours can be taken on a private basis.

Additional Details

Responsible travel.

With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit. When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.  Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.

Reducing Single Use Plastic

We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)

Getting There

If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.

If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.  

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa

VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Saudi Arabia.

For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider. 

For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk Covid Testing : No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers. If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.

If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration. The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries, although given the infancy of tourism in Saudi Arabia, please be aware that the additional services we can offer are currently quite limited.

Governmental Travel Advice

Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department . Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.

Key Information

Given the extreme summer heat of the desert, October to March is considered the optimum time for visiting Saudi Arabia. At these times of year typically you can expect daytime temperatures to reach 20 - 30C with night times, especially in the midst of winter, being surprisingly cool, often in the single digits. Rain is rare although not unheard of!

IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?

It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.

KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER

Saudi society is going through some major changes at the moment so please bear in mind that any considerations raised here may alter at any time. Ultimately the Kingdom remains a deeply conservative country and is likely to be different from any other destination to which you may have travelled. In contrast to previous practices, there are no restrictions placed on adult women travelling solo and while it is expected that all foreign visitors will dress conservatively, women will not have to wear an abaya (the long black dress covering the body from shoulders to feet) and they will not have to cover their hair. Alcohol however is still currently forbidden and should not be brought into the country. Tourism (other than for religious purposes) is a new concept for the Kingdom so come expecting enthusiastic but inexperienced levels of service. Its tourist infrastructure, while growing, is still minimal and its understanding of the experiences that western visitors are generally looking for remains limited especially as it currently receives considerably far fewer tourists than neighbouring countries like Oman and Jordan. As such Saudi Arabia is likely to remain a ‘challenging’ destination for a while to come, with a high likelihood of not everything going according to plan. However for us that is half the enjoyment of travelling, especially to newly opened-up and exciting destinations. It’s also worth mentioning that sometimes sites can be closed for no foreseen reasons and without prior notice and that many of the activities in and around AlUla are controlled by the Royal Commission for AlUla which includes the times and durations allowed for visiting the sites. Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however, please note the tour involves some options for desert walks so to get the most out of the tour you will need to be fit enough to enjoy these aspects of the tour. Please also note that seating in most traditional restaurants is almost always on the floor so you will need to be able to sit on the floor comfortably for periods of time. Please also note that on this trip vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, but the selection and variety may be limited. 

THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL

We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.

TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS

As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone! Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour. Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.

Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.

General Information

All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.

A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.

PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY

For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page

This tour will earn you 5902 Wild Miles

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour. Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights Beverages & any costs of a personal nature : This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY

If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events. 

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.

• Switzerland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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There are few places in the world that could be described as outside the reaches of tourism, and Saudi Arabia may be one of them. Images of desert adventures or busy souks are only one side of this eclectic country, known as the birthplace of Islam. This trip will introduce a Saudi Arabia of high mountains, chaotic camel markets, diverse food and a history that spans prehistoric rock art, the ancient spice trade and Lawrence's Arabian deserts.

• AlUla - Discover this ancient Nabatean city, second in size only to Petra, in the middle of the desert
• Al Bahah - Experience the mountainous side of Saudi in this region of cave-dwellings, hidden villages and hairpin roads
• Red Sea - Explore the atmospheric alleyways of the UNESCO-listed old town of Jeddah, and enjoy a boat trip along the coast of Yanbu

Included meals

Breakfast: 13

Explore Tour Leader

Local Guide(s)

Accommodation

8 nights comfortable hotel

2 nights premium hotel

3 nights comfortable tented camp

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Arrive in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Once a desert trading post on the caravan route, this skyscraper-filled city is fighting a battle between the old and the new. Riyadh has a more traditional atmosphere than its red sea sister, Jeddah, and its historical significance as the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia can be seen in the contrast between the modern, gleaming buildings in the business district, and the many forts, museums and colourful souks that confirm the city's ancient past.

Due to the number of evening flights into Riyadh, the Tour Leader plans to do the welcome meeting in the morning of Day 2. There are no planned activities today, so you can arrive into Riyadh at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary transfer today, you'll need to arrive into King Khalid International Airport (RUH), which is around 40 minutes' drive.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may wish to ascend the Faisaliah Tower or the Sky Bridge for their vantage points over the city. We will visit the Sky Bridge tomorrow but not at sunset, and it gives a great view of the Riyadh skyline as the sun goes down.

Saudi Arabia is a vast country, so there will be some quite long drives with key stops along the way and a few early starts. We will use a comfortable charter bus throughout the itinerary. Please speak to your leader if you have any questions about driving times.

Accommodation:

Gloria Inn (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available, meals provided: none.

Riyadh is a chaotic, sprawling city, where ancient palaces and palm trees are found just a few traffic-laden streets away from bright, modern architecture. We'll get a feeling of both the old and new today.

Before the 1930s, Riyadh was a small, walled oasis town in what was then known as the Second Saudi State. After Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud conquered the state in the late 1920s he retook his family's ancient seat and brought together most of the Arabian Peninsula in what he went on to name 'Saudi Arabia'. We'll learn some of this history in a trip to the National Museum this morning - the museum is enormous so we will pick and choose some of the key exhibits. If you arrive to Riyadh early on day 1 it's well worth spending more time here. We'll go on to visit Masmak Fortress, the most prominent remnant of the old walled oasis town of Riyadh. At the time of writing the fort is closed for renovation, therefore we will see it from the outside. From here, we visit the modern part of the city, taking the lift up the Kingdom Tower skyscraper for impressive views. During our city tour we will also visit the unmissable mud-brick architecture of Diriyah.

In the afternoon, we will be meeting a Saudi local for a city tour with a difference. Riyadh, like most Saudi Arabian cities, is a slave to the motor vehicle. Due to a combination of the heat and the status that cars give, Saudis drive everywhere - this means that you're unlikely to find people walking around. We, however, will be exploring on foot today in one of the neighbourhoods that still enjoys some life on the streets. We'll start at the Tabya Souk, a classic market with mostly female vendors. Then we'll stroll to Tahliya Street and Suleimaniya Street, where the 70's meet modern day architecture. We'll see how the city has grown quite dramatically over the last 30-40 years, and enjoy some tea and pastries at a local bakery. We then drive to Deera, close to our hotel, where we will explore this market area and some of the vendors who have been selling here for years. This walking tour will give you the opportunity to discuss the changes that Saudi Arabia has experienced in recent years, and talk to a woman whose family has lived through many of the Kingdom's changing governments.

Note that the timings for this day may change.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Leaving Riyadh this morning, we'll drive north-west to the Ushaiqer Heritage Village, a winding maze of alleyways and mud-brick houses. Nearby springs and palm groves made this a convenient stopping point for ancient pilgrims to Mecca. The village is a glimpse into an old way of life, with some incredible examples of ancient Najdi architecture. It's still partially inhabited today, and there is a lot of protection work going on here to ensure that it retains its character for future generations.

From here we drive on to Buraidah. The area is one of the country's biggest date producers, and we have the chance to sample produce with a visit to a date shop before our arrival at the hotel.

Overall driving time: approx. 6 hours.

Best Western Plus (or similar)

Rise early this morning to drive to the dusty outskirts of Buraidah, where we find the Kingdom's famous camel market. A chaotic melee of people, sounds and smells, the daily market sees hundreds of camels, as well as sheep and goats, being bought and sold by local Saudis. A visit to the market is a glimpse at traditions that haven't changed in hundreds of years. The auctions are loud and theatrical, with the best camels going for many thousands of dollars.

In the early afternoon we set off to Ha'il, arriving in the early afternoon. This small town lies on the edge of the massive Jabal Aja protected area, and is surrounded by the red granite hills of this desert range. We'll explore the town this afternoon, including the massive A'arif fortress. This 17th-century monolith is visible on its hilltop position from anywhere in Ha'il.

Overall driving time: approx. 4 hours.

Holiday Villa (or similar)

The oasis of Jubbah was once a huge inland lake, rich in wildlife and plant life and on the edge of the windswept Nafud Desert. On a set of sandstone rocks, which pop out of the sandy floor at the western edge of this oasis town, we'll find some of the Middle East's most extensive and important ancient rock carvings. These Neolithic petroglyphs date back as early as 5500BC, and depict scenes of everyday life; hunting is widely represented, and from the images we can see the kind of animals that would have been prevalent at the watering hole, from camel to ibex. Jubbah's rock art has been a crucial link in the chain for palaeontologists to put together a picture of Neolithic human life not just in the Middle East but also spreading through North Africa.

From here we drive to AlUla, possibly Saudi Arabia's best kept secret. The Nabateans, the same civilisation that built Petra, chose Hegra as their most important city in the south of their kingdom. AlUla is renowned for its more than 100 tombs, each exquisitely carved from the area's soft sandstone and inscribed with Nabataean writings. Spending two full days here will give you plenty of time to experience and soak up the beauty of this incredible archaeological site which is still being uncovered to this day. We end our day at Elephant Rock, an instantly-recognisable geological feature that takes its name from its elephantine shape.

Dinner is included this evening at our desert accommodation. The resort is just under an hour away from the Old Town and it consists of private ensuite tents surrounded by the peace and quiet of AlUla desert.

Overall driving time: approx. 8 hours

Arch Mountain Camp (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Tented Camp

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

A short drive this morning brings us to the Lion Tombs of Dadan. Pre-dating the Nabatean Empire, the kings of Dadan, later named Lihyan, ruled from the 6th to the 2nd Century BC. At their capital, Dadan, the remains of ancient tombs have been found hewn into the rockface at different heights and of different sizes. The name 'Lions Tomb' comes from the carved lion sculptures found outside one of the necropolis entrances - denoting the importance of its owner.

From here, we continue to what may be one of the highlights of our Saudi Arabian journey - the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra. This set of ornately carved tombs was constructed in the 1st Century AD by the Nabatean people, and it would become their second-largest city after the capital, Petra, in Jordan. These magnificent tombs are eerily quiet in contrast to Petra, but as tourism grows we can expect this to change dramatically within the next few years. For the moment, what was once a thriving city at the southern-most part of the spice trade, and a key part of the Nabatean Empire, is now a deserted outpost, with many buildings partially hidden under layers of sand.

Please note, the sites around AlUla currently depend on timed tickets, so the order of our visits may change. We may also have to split the group in two depending on the maximum numbers permitted at either site.

In the morning the tour leader will guide you through AlUla's Old Town. A maze of tightly packed streets, hundreds of mudbrick buildings, and an impressive watchtower fort, Old Town was inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980s.

In the afternoon there is free time to carry on exploring Old Town's souk and its hand-made crafts which make for some amazing souvenirs.

An optional stargazing trip can be arranged locally by your tour leader. Escape to a remote area, get cosy and lay back as you gaze upon a sky full of stars. With virtually no light pollution, except on a full moon night, and with a clear sky AlUla can offer the most immersive and magnificent stargazing experience.

Driving south to Medina, the desert extends before us, with the Sarawat Mountains flanking us to the left. En route, we will stop at Khaybar, a sister oasis of AlUla. It is considered one of the natural wonders of northwest Arabia and its landscape was shaped by lava flows over the centuries.

On arrival to the holy city of Medina, we will visit Archer's Hill - an important battle site in Islamic history. Medina is the Islamic world's second holy city after Mecca, and the Prophet's Mosque, right in the centre of the city, is home to the grave of the Prophet Mohammed. This innermost part of the city is restricted to Muslims, but we will take the opportunity to visit those places that we can.

This evening, we will be having a meal with a local Saudi family, giving us a fantastic opportunity to exchange our lives with local people and discuss the importance of the Islamic faith with those living in its heart. The delicious meal will usually include a tagine, with vegetarian options, a local rice dish, salads, dessert and, of course, coffee and dates.

Overall driving time: approx. 4.5 hours

Delights Inn (or similar)

After many days inland surrounded by the beautiful red sand of the desert, today we head to the coast for a change of scenery and for a load of Vitamin Sea. Yanbu is an ancient Red Sea port town whose history date back approximately 2,500 years. As expected of virtually every Red Sea destination, Yanbu is also famous for its coral reefs and today we will enjoy a boat trip with some snorkelling opportunities. A light lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon there is free time to rest and explore Yanbu's lovely little souk. Subject to opening times, you may be able to visit T.E. Lawrence house which is walking distance from the hotel.

Overall driving time: approx. 3 hours

Canary Beach Hotel (or similar)

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

We set off early in the morning leaving the Red Sea behind us. Today will be a day of long drives with key stops for rest and refreshments along the way. We aim to reach Ta'if for a quick lunch and a wander.

Ta'if is surrounded by lush wadis and mountains that bloom with roses in April. More than 900 farms produce upwards of 300 million roses for worldwide export each year, and it's from this industry that the city takes its name, the 'City of Roses'. While in Ta'if you may like to purchase rosewater, scented rose oil or a refreshing rose tea as a souvenir of your time here..

In the afternoon we leave the city for the Al Bahah region. If Ta'if has given us a taster of life outside of the desert, Al Bahah will strip us of all illusions that Saudi Arabia is a mass of dust and sand. At 2200m altitude, the region is surrounded by forest and barren rock formations, with hairpin bends taking travellers to small mountain top villages. We'll arrive in the evening and settle in to our hotel. At the end a long day, an optional dinner can be arranged at our hotel for the night.

Overall driving time: approx. 9.5 hours

National Park Hotel (or similar)

Grade: Premium Hotel

Spend a day of adventure exploring everything that this wonderful area has to offer. We set out from our hotel onto the 25 tunnels road - a deeply dramatic road of tight hairpin bends that descends hundreds of metres in a short time. We'll visit the 600 year-old marble village of Thee Ain, a mysterious looking set of stone houses that were originally built as a citadel on top of a white marble outcrop, surrounded by banana plantations, fruit trees and mountains. The 8th-century construction is visually magnificent from afar, and fascinating close up. We'll have a delicious al fresco lunch in a calm and shady spot, in the shadow of the mountain village.

After our visit here we set off to meet our 4WD vehicles, for our adventurous drive to Shada Mountain, navigating hairpin bends on our uphill journey. At the top is a small 'resort' - a peaceful homestay that has several small rooms, a tranquil garden of fruit trees and a dramatic setting overlooking the valley below. We'll undertake an easy-to-moderate walk here among some remarkable rock formations. The walk itself is flat, but on some rocky terrain with a couple of narrow sections as we negotiate the space between rocks. These fantastical grottos and caves were, until recently, inhabited by humans - with some of the cave-dwellings going back hundreds of years. We go back to the city for dinner and our hotel.

We meet the Red Sea again today, as we journey back northwards towards the coastal city of Jeddah. It's a long day of driving, but we'll make stops en route. Jeddah is the largest commercial city in Saudi Arabia. A major port, an historical Red Sea trading point, and an important gateway for the thousands of yearly pilgrims heading to Mecca or Medina, the city has a bustling atmosphere of opportunity and growth.

We hope to arrive around 4pm, although this may depend on traffic. On arrival we'll be free to explore the city - the Islamic Museum is one of our options, a veritable showcase of Arab history and tradition. Alternatively, you may wish to go for a walk along the corniche, which is a key spot for locals to socialise, stroll and enjoy the evening air.

Overall driving time: approx. 5.5 hours

Rosemond Al Hamra (or similar)

We'll explore Jeddah today, beginning with a visit to the enormous fish market. Seafood is essential to the economy of Jeddah, and a visit to this thriving fish market puts this into perspective. We'll also explore Jeddah's corniche, which extends many miles along the Red Sea coast - this long sea front incorporates parks, mosques and playgrounds.

After lunch we drive to the UNESCO-listed old town of Al Balad. A quirk of Saudi culture, which we will have noticed throughout the trip, is that many places only come alive after 4pm, with souks, shops and cafes opening late into the night. This is no different in Al Balad. Founded in the 7th Century, Al Balad was once the city centre of Jeddah and an essential Red Sea port. This wonder of architecture is famous for its wooden 'roshans' (intricately carved facades), which provide fascinating subjects for photographers. During our guided tour of Al Balad we'll enter some of the houses for a perspective on how people lived and worked in old Arabia. We'll also have some free time to explore the maze of narrow streets that lead into the Souk Al Alawi section of Balad - in the late afternoon this area is transformed into a busy network of shops selling rugs, herbs, silver and perfume, as well as a lively street market with everything from okra and rice to meat and chilli peppers.

Our included meal this evening will give us the opportunity to sample what Jeddah is really known for - fish! We'll go to one of the city's popular fish restaurants and try the local catch. Normally the menu includes a delicious and creamy fish chowder, alongside a main of fish (grouper or parrotfish are common) and shrimp, together with hummus, vine leaves, rice and the trimmings. It's a fitting end to our Saudi Arabian journey.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Jeddah.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Jeddah at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from King Abdulasiz International Airport (JED), which is a 20 minute drive from the hotel.

Trip information

Saudi arabia.

Saudi Arabia has a predominantly desert climate, meaning that the summers are very hot and dry, and the winters are more temperate. The majority of the country's annual rainfall occurs between November and April, but aside from in the mountainous areas this is very minimal. However, there are certain regional differences that should be taken into consideration. Along the coast near Jeddah, winter and shoulder season temperatures range from approximately 22-32 degrees celsius. The desert plateau, which encompasses Riyadh, Buraidah and Medina, can range from 15-30 degrees celsius (again, in winter and the shoulder months) depending on the time of day. Ha'Il and Al Ula are also on this desert plateau but at a slightly higher elevation, so night time temperatures can drop as low as 5 degrees celsius. In the mountains around Asir, and to a lesser extent in the lowlands of Al Bahah, the climate is temperate year around. However, rainfall is at its highest particularly from January to May.

Time difference to GMT

3 Square Pin (as in the UK)

Optional activities The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Riyadh: Going to the top of the Sky Bridge - 60SR AlUla Stargazing experience: US$97

Although Saudi Arabia is going through a period of great change at the moment, it remains a deeply conservative country. Visitors are asked to dress modestly - both men and women alike - avoiding tight-fitting clothes and items with profane language or images. Women should take an abaya with them (the long robe that is worn over the top of clothes). These can be purchased before travel, or locally for around £20. Your local guides will ask you to wear one at the Buraidah camel market and in Medina. It's not necessary to wear one in the rest of the country, although it is certainly easier to throw this on over your clothing without worrying about what's underneath. Otherwise women should wear long, loose clothing - long skirts or trousers, and long-sleeved blouses or t-shirts. A scarf should be carried with you, to cover your hair when entering mosques and throughout your stay in the holy city of Medina. Headscarves are not compulsory in the rest of the Kingdom. Men should wear long trousers or long shorts, covering the knees. On a practical note, the weather will vary greatly between day and night, and between the desert and the mountains. It will also be colder in the winter months from mid-December to February. You may experience highs of 30 degrees celsius in Jeddah, whereas Al Bahah will be very cold at night. It is not unlikely to experience rain while in the mountains. Layers are essential, including warm clothing and a rain jacket for any time of year. Warm layers and a jacket are also needed for the nights in the desert.

Comfortable walking shoes or tough and sturdy trainers are recommended for Bahah. During the rest of the trip, sandals or lightweight shoes will suffice for exploring towns and sites. A bathing custome, sunscreen and a towel are needed for the boat trips.

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a day sack. Hotel porters are not always available, so don't overload yourself.

The amount of single use plastic consumed within Saudi Arabia is abysmally high, and the recycling facilities are almost non-existent. We recommend that you take a Water to Go bottle with you, which has a filtration system that allows you to drink water from any non-saline water source in the world. This means that you can drink safely from the tap in Saudi, as well as in any other country. It's a great (and low cost) investment to your travels. Find out more here: https://watertogo.eu/partnerships/explore Explore customers get a 15% discount using the code EXPLORE15

Food and drink The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Foreign exchange, transport information, accommodation notes.

During the trip you'll be accommodated in predominantly excellent 3-4* standard hotels. In some locations you'll find the hotels are located on the outskirts of town, which is appropriate for this full-on trip. In AlUla, we cannot guarantee which tented camp you will be staying in. The entire area is controlled by the Royal Commission of AlUla, which can requisition rooms or entire hotels at will, usually at short notice, for their needs. The Sahary or Arch Mountain permanent camps are just two of several options that may be used. All alternatives offer en-suite facilities. This is just one of the quirks of travelling in a country new to tourism! Swimming pools in hotels are either men-only, or operate with separate men-only and women-only timings.

Food and drink

It's worth noting that Saudi Arabia can be a challenging (but doable) location for vegetarians. Many of the dishes revolve around meat or fish, and on learning that you don't eat meat, you'll no doubt be asked, 'but chicken is OK?' It is always possible for us to work around this, but just be prepared for some locations to be limited in your choice. Side dishes are great for this - hummous, tabbouleh, fattoush salad and baba ganoush are often found. Where not, the Tour Leader will help organise something for you. Due to the nature of the trip and the distances covered, some lunch stops will be very much on the go, whether grabbing a quick shawarma or some snacks from a petrol station stop. On the other hand, where we do eat out, you'll be taken to some really local places. One memorable dish that you may have the opportunity to try is Areeka - a sweet dish commonly eaten among the savoury courses, which typically includes honeyed date paste, cream or yoghurt, mashed banana and cornflakes. Very odd, but unusually delicious!

Can you drink the water?  The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.   

Government Travel Safety Advice

Under 18 immigration guidance.

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information. Booking Conditions  

Visa and Passport Information

Saudi Arabia: British passport holders can apply for an e-visa on line at the following portal - https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports. Explore recommends obtaining an e-visa online. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All Visit Visas: The fee for the visa is SAR 535 (approx £113). This includes the base fee and health insurance. However, additional charges apply for VAT and payment processing. The validity of the visa depends on its type. A single entry visa allows you to stay for a total length of one month, while the multiple entry visa allows you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to three months. A multiple entry visa is valid for a maximum of three months, regardless of whether you leave and re-enter the country during that period of time. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination

If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846 . It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.  

Booking conditions

Minimum age restrictions, your safety and enjoyment on tour, your tour leader, find out more about trip transfer terms and conditions before you book. booking a land only package with explore.

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information.  You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.   For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Flight information.

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Is this trip for me? 

Dates, prices and booking, add a flight with explore.

• Full Explore refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
• Carbon neutral flights – Gold Standard offsetting included
• Rearranged flights and transfers in the event of delays, missed connections, or cancellations (including accommodation overseas)
• ATOL protected
• No surcharge guarantee

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Enquire Now For Umrah

Departure Date:

No of nights:

Special Hajj Packages 2024

From. £7,299 PP

Full Detail

From. £8,299 PP

Hajj packages by saudi tours.

Saudi Tours is very dedicated to provide the best Hajj Packages to their customers, assuring best set of facilities, the convenience of booking, perfect. finest administration and different affordable Hajj Package for 2024. We have designed out packages in exact accordance with accomplishing different needs and facilities during Hajj of 2024. Our Hajj Packages 2024 are better than ever.

We aim to satisfy the needs and requirements of this Holy act to make your Hajj tour the most memorable in every possible way. The special team of Saudi Tours can create the Cheap Hajj Packages for UK citizens willing to perform this holy and obligatory ritual, our motivated, skilled and highly experienced staff is completely committed to provide the best and efficient service. We eye to assure to provide perfect and affordable services to our Muslim brothers and sisters who are going to perform this holy ritual.

Hajj is a major undertaking- for most of it is a once in a lifetime journey, this is why we take the responsibility of facilitating Hajj seriously and in a better way. Everything from logistics to practical arrangements is important to ensure the journey is as comfortable and smooth as possible it can be. We feel it’s more important to help you on your spiritual journey.

We want your holy trip to be free of hassles and highly memorable, so we make our Hajj and Umrah Packages for London UK Muslims to take into account all the personal needs from flight to accommodation. Saudi Tours aims to provide you with the Affordable Packages with the perfect service.

A Brief Introduction to Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam; it is essential for every Muslim to perform it. Every year in the month of Zil Hajj, Muslims around the world begin their journey towards Makkah, the blessed city from where Islam started and spread throughout the world. It is mandatory for every other Muslim who is fit physically and financially, who is able to perform and bear the commitment of performing Hajj. Hajj takes place in the city of Makkah, where Islamic history took birth.

Hajj should not be taken so lightly; UK Muslims are advised to leave everything aside while performing Hajj in Makkah. It is just once in a lifetime opportunity given by Allah for erasing all our sins and gaining the ultimate blessings of Allah (SWT). Around two million Muslims around the world come and gather to take part in this ritual anticipated to bring about great unity and humility among Muslims.

Forms of Hajj

Al-ifrad (single):.

This means a pilgrim wears Ahram for Hajj only when he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sayi for Hajj. He remains in Ahram till he stones Jamrah Al-Aqaba on the Eid day.

Hajj Al-Tamatt’u (Interrupted):

Hajj al-qiran (combined):.

This means entering into Ahram for both Hajj and Umrah at the same time, not taking off the Ahram after Umrah until the Day of Sacrifice (10th Zilhajj). One may first enter into Ahram for the Umrah, and before beginning Tawaf may make the intention of Ahram for the Hajj as well.

Pillars of Hajj

The pillar are those rites without which Hajj cannot be considered as complete unless they are all performed. It includes

Cherish your holy journey with Saudi Tours!

UK Muslims going for Hajj for the very first time are not aware of different procedure related to Hajj performance, luggage, visa application, location and expenses.

Saudi Tours is willing to help their UK Muslims brothers and sisters with all these procedures by providing the best and affordable packages at lowest price.

Why do we claim us to be best for you?

Saudi Tours not only claim but provides you with their best services. We have a base of affordable packages, 5-star Hotel Accommodation, best location, air condition transport, visa processing, professional guidance and cheapest flight tickets included in our packages. Everything is designed at a very cheapest rate for UK Citizens . Our team is always there to assist you while Hajj, we don’t want to bring any difficulty to our customers!

Cheapest Price for 5 Star Hajj Packages in the UK

Saudi Tours wants to meet the desires of their clients by delivering the low-cost Hajj 5-star package. As Hajj is mandatory for every Muslim, we have designed our packages to be as low as possible. We want to vanish a big problem for our UK Citizens of affordability, and our 5-star Hajj Packages varies according to the need of our customers. We don’t compromise on delivering quality to you. Every single thing will be arranged in the best order by our team. We also have experts to give you lectures related to Hajj.

Make the Right Choice this year!

Saudi Tours has come up with a lot of amazing Hajj packages in order to facilitate pilgrims to visit the most beautiful and respectful place to make their spiritual journey more relaxed like never before.

Looking for cheap packages and for luxury Hajj deals? So, just step ahead. You’re at the right place. You will get everything according to your travel and will be able to avail the affordable pilgrimage tour. Saudi Tours is aspiring to make holy journey of Hajj easy for pilgrims in 2024. Our Cheap Hajj Package for UK Muslims are incomparable and there is no chance to compromise in delivering the best quality standards. Saudi Tours team lets you perform Hajj with complete commitment and dedication and our 5 Star Cheap Hajj Packages for UK Muslims allow you to perform this religious act without even worrying about a single thing.

So, let Saudi Tour make the right decision for UK Muslims, to begin with. Embark upon this journey with right people, who have planned to organize everything perfectly and properly! If you’re in need of the Best Hajj Agent in UK, do consider Saudi Tours and we won’t let you disappoint.

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Saudi Tour 2022 - Dylan Groenewegen of Team BikeExchange–Jayco wins sprint finish to take Stage 3

Updated 03/02/2022 at 16:46 GMT

Dylan Groenewegen of Team BikeExchange–Jayco came out on top in a sprint finish ahead of Britain's Dan Mclay to take stage 3 of the Saudi Tour. Santiago Buitrago retained the leader's green jersey after his win on stage 2. Friday's fourth stage is the most hotly-anticipated of the event, with a punishing climb up to the finish at Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid.

Dylan Groenewegen celebrates his win

Image credit: Getty Images

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Saudi Tour to return in 2022 after one year hiatus

The inaugural race was won by German sprinter Phil Bauhaus in early 2020

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The Saudi Tour is set to return for its second edition after a year out due to Covid-19, with the inaugural race taking place just before the pandemic.

In 2020 it was the sprinters who came out on top with German Bahrain Victorious rider Phil Bauhaus led out by Mark Cavendish to beat Nacer Bouhanni (Arkéa-Samsic), Rui Costa taking second thanks to various breakaway bonus seconds.

Race organisers ASO, also responsible for the Tour de France, have managed to get the go ahead for the event to be run in 2022, unlike others such as the Tour of Utah , Tour de Yorkshire and the Australian WorldTour races which have all been cancelled for next year.

>>> Tom Dumoulin confirms he will ride for the overall at a Grand Tour in 2022

Abdullah bin Ali Al-Wathlan, President of Saudi Cycling Federation, President of Cycling Organizing Committee of the GCC States, said: "With the unlimited support from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we are pleased to host the second edition of the Saudi Tour for 2022, which is a global cycling event and one of the most important opportunities to view the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

"On behalf of all athletes and those who love this sport, I am pleased to express my happiness that my country is hosting this event and the distinguished efforts made by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports - President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, preserving the Kingdom's position and accomplishing international achievements locally and abroad, and on the follow-up and attention from His Highness Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Olympic Committee for all sports federations."

The race is currently coming back to the calendar on Tuesday, February 1 and running until Saturday, February 5.

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It is likely that the route will have similar characteristics to the first edition, with sprinters being the main focus, but there are plenty hills and mountains in Saudi Arabia, so it is unknown if some testing ascents will be utilised or not.

The current start list has Cofidis, Team DSM, Team TotalEnergies and Bora-Hansgrohe all down to race.

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Hi, I'm one of Cycling Weekly's content writers for the web team responsible for writing stories on racing, tech, updating evergreen pages as well as the weekly email newsletter. Proud Yorkshireman from the UK's answer to Flanders, Calderdale, go check out the cobbled climbs!

I started watching cycling back in 2010, before all the hype around London 2012 and Bradley Wiggins at the Tour de France. In fact, it was Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck's battle in the fog up the Tourmalet on stage 17 of the Tour de France.

It took me a few more years to get into the journalism side of things, but I had a good idea I wanted to get into cycling journalism by the end of year nine at school and started doing voluntary work soon after. This got me a chance to go to the London Six Days, Tour de Yorkshire and the Tour of Britain to name a few before eventually joining Eurosport's online team while I was at uni, where I studied journalism. Eurosport gave me the opportunity to work at the world championships in Harrogate back in the awful weather.

After various bar jobs, I managed to get my way into Cycling Weekly in late February of 2020 where I mostly write about racing and everything around that as it's what I specialise in but don't be surprised to see my name on other news stories.

When not writing stories for the site, I don't really switch off my cycling side as I watch every race that is televised as well as being a rider myself and a regular user of the game Pro Cycling Manager. Maybe too regular.

My bike is a well used Specialized Tarmac SL4 when out on my local roads back in West Yorkshire as well as in northern Hampshire with the hills and mountains being my preferred terrain.

Van Rysel's flagship bike, as used by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, is just the start of Decathlon's super bike journey

By Adam Becket Published 25 April 24

There will be no British squads at the race for the first time in its history

By Tom Davidson Published 25 April 24

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Makkahtour   Reviews

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Reviews 4.5.

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Great Service provided by Mr Awan..

Great Service provided by Mr Awan... From transport to hotel bookings everything went smoothly! 5* service! Highly recommend Mr Awan.

Date of experience : February 24, 2024

Umrah Dec 2023

Thank you Makkah Tours for making our Umrah experience so beautiful. A special thanks to Usman for sorting all the issues with flights, getting us the hotels we wanted so close to both Harrams and travel in Saudi was also amazing - Most appreciated and in our duas!

Date of experience : December 20, 2023

Sister Warda so very helpful from start to end

Sister Warda so very helpful from the moment I started putting the package together. Even though we didn't take the full package it was still reassuring to book with a good agent like makkah tour.

Date of experience : December 21, 2023

Great service.Always so helpful in…

Great service.Always so helpful in finding out good deals specially Mr Ali Ahmed he is so co operative.Highly recommended. I have a v good experience with them,booked my tickets twice in a year for Pakistan and found v good deals.now im looking forward to go for umrah will definitely consider them again.

Date of experience : October 24, 2023

Great service from warda, but missing some bit during ticket purchase.

Great service from warda. One issue that I found is that the company doesn't include/get ticket insurance or any mean for a refund during the ticket purchase. I missed my flight due to a car accident when I was going to the airport and I had to pay extra 1200 pounds. So make sure you ask to add extra fee just in case you have same issue that I have.

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

The company seem to operate under…

The company seem to operate under different names, I did not know if I was dealing with Makkah Tours or 7Continental. .. Agents are not true to what they promise or follows through. Did not have good experience at all. Will not be using them in the future thats for sure.

Date of experience : June 03, 2023

If you want to book an amazing package…

If you want to book an amazing package with the most fantastic agency, please don't no further than Makkah Tours. The hotels are minutes away from Holly Mosques, clean rooms, helpful staff and blenty of delicious breakfast. Br Farhan, has seriously thought about us and our needs. May Allah SWT reward you for your effort. I will definitely, book with you again, in the future.

Date of experience : April 13, 2019

Ref:87443 Jazakallah for making that trip to Makkah and Madinah easy for me my brother Feroz. We hanks Allah the He has send Sister Nabila to help us all the way long. She is friendly and easy to talk and very patient in handling customers with their queries. MAy Allah grant her success and easy life in this world and the hereafter.

Date of experience : February 19, 2023

This is the second time that we have…

This is the second time that we have booked our Umrah with Farhan from Makkah Tours and, on both occasions, the professionalism and service was exceptional. We were guided through the myriad of new rules and procedures with the highest levels of respect and courtesy. Even when we had some problems with our hotel bookings, Farhan was always available at the other end of the line to sort it out. Would definitely recommend if you'd like an honest, conscientious and friendly agent for your travel needs. Thank you.

Date of experience : March 14, 2022

I found 5 star service from Makkah Tour…

I found 5 star service from Makkah Tour representative Mr Kaleem Hashmi who has tirelessly tried to get us the good package of our liking. Very good communication skills and gives personal touch and care when dealing g with customer and remembers their choices as well. Very polite but well spoken. I will give his customer service 5 stars.

Date of experience : April 22, 2019

Got a fantastic deal to saudi Arabia…

Got a fantastic deal to saudi Arabia yasir who got us the deal was excellent, his attitude and willingness to help us find the best deal was above and beyond. Asked him to change things all the time and he was very helpful and had a lot of patience. Thankyou so much yasir

Date of experience : May 23, 2023

Umrah august 2023

Had an amazing experience booking my umrah tour with makkah tours. Great service provided with best communication and fast process on umrah visa. Will deffo be booking again with makkah tour.

Date of experience : September 02, 2023

Recommended This Company!

Recommended This Company! I book my umrah for my family with makkah tours and now received my visa,flight tickets and hotel vouchers. The agent behavior is very good over the phone and also there are nice people sitting in their London office.I am satisfied with their services that's why I highly recommend them. Cheers!

Date of experience : April 25, 2019

Makkah tours great travel agent syed israr zaigham

Makkah tours great travel agent. Travel consultant syed israr zaigham I thank you so much for making mine and my family umrah dream come true with a beautiful package u made for us to cover our needs, the trip was professionally organised with the feeling of a family trip coming true. Transport,hotel accommodation was brilliantly organised ziyaret was perfectly shown and the guide explained all about the Holy sites. I personally recommend travel consultant syed israr zaigham from Makkah tours to make a great package for your haj and umrah packages. A great honest man thank you once again. I will use these services again and again and also recommend it my other family members and friends living in the UK and outside UK. 😊 thanks

Date of experience : January 17, 2023

I am go with my family Umrah package a…

I am go with my family Umrah package a book of the Mecca travel flight ticket hotel and transport very good service and also cheap I am stay Saudi Arabia 10 days Mr aqeel Khan book for me transport hotel good price and nice Mr Aqeel Khan very good arrange. thank you so much Makkah travels and Mr aqeel Khan.

Date of experience : October 13, 2022

Sam Khan- Makkah Tours

Sam Khan provided best customer services in advising me the best available options for Umrah. I bought flights & Umrah Visa and can easily say that I have been given assistance throughout the time I contacted Sam Khan at Makkah tours to the time I collected my tickets, passport & visa. Top class services. Highly recommended. Rizwan Gondal

Date of experience : April 24, 2019

Alhumdullilah my first ever Umrah….

Alhumdullilah my first ever Umrah experience was amazing thanks to Farhan at Makkah tours. From the initial enquiry i made, up to the date i travelled, Farhan made everything so perfect and explained everything in detail. No matter how many questions we had he was always happy to help. The hotel, transit and flight was as described by Farhan and our package was at a very good price. Thank you so much Makkah tours for making this an unforgettable experience. I will definitely be using this company again. Inshallah

Date of experience : January 13, 2022

Makkah Tour organized a Umrah trip for…

Makkah Tour organized a Umrah trip for a party of 8 for December 2021 for us. From the start the communication and the amount of information provided by the Makkah Tour agent (Nadeem Gill) was excellent. The trip was organized by us out of USA and Makkah Tour did an excellent job with organizing the whole trip. Their information regarding the COVID situation was up to date and very clear. We highly recommend Makkah Tour !!

Date of experience : January 19, 2022

I am happy with excellent customer…

I am happy with excellent customer service Mr. Kaleem Hashmi offered me during my booking. He’s very professional and resolve all my queries/worries in a timely manner. I am pleased with his service and recommend him for others to make booking through him as you will not be disappointed. Keep it up Kaleem

Date of experience : January 28, 2022

We had an excellent experience and all…

We had an excellent experience and all credit goes to brother Tanveer who have been helpful throughout MashaAllah Hotels were outstanding in Makkah & Medina. Brother Tanveer has chosen perfect hotels for us which were quite near to Masjidalharam & masjidan nabawi. I would highly recommend his excellence customer service to my family & friends. We have been given all those services in Makkah & Medina which he told us about here in England. Even car services were so comfortable that we had no issues at all during any stage of our umrah trip Alhamdulillah. We thought ourselves lucky that we booked our umrah trip through brother Tanveer and his company. JazakAllah

Date of experience : April 12, 2019

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• 020 3583 6089

• Saudi Arabia Holidays

Jordan & Saudi Arabia Tour

12 days / 11 nights from £4890/ $6357 per person.

• Overview & Map
• Detailed itinerary

Itinerary at a Glance

Location/route :, arrive amman international airport, jordan. meet and private transfer to your hotel., overnight :, 2 nights amman, sapphire hotel :, the house boutique suites, diamond hotel :, the st regis amman, start the day with an orientation tour of the jordanian capital amman, then visit jerash, one of the finest roman sites in the middle east., take the ancient kings highway trade route to petra visiting kerak castle, madaba’s mosaics, and mt. nebo enroute., 2 nights petra, movenpick nabatean castle, movenpick petra, a full day to discover the ‘lost’ city of ancient petra., visit little petra, then drive south to wadi rum and explore the spectacular desert scenery by jeep. overnight under canvas in a martian dome., 1 night wadi rum, wadi rum ufo luxotel, wadi rum bubble luxotel, cross into saudi arabia and visit the stunning gorge of wadi tayyib al ism, then drive via midian’s (mughair shuaib) tombs to tabuk. , 1 night tabuk, hilton garden inn, grand millennium tabuk, travel to scenic wadi al disah, where the perpendicular cliffs are framed by palm trees and pools of water, then continue to al ula., 2 nights al ula, shaden mgallery al ula, visit elephant rock, then continue to madain saleh and see the tombs of ancient hegra. after lunch on a date farm explore the magical scenery of madakhil., drive to medina via the old hijaz railway and see the ww1 period trains abandoned in the desert., 1 night medina, hotel le meridien medina, an orientation of medina (outside the haram), then take the high speed train to jeddah., 2 nights jeddah, intercontinental jeddah, park hyatt jeddah – marina, club & spa, drive along the beautiful red sea corniche and immerse yourself in jeddah’s historic unesco world heritage al balad quarter., private transfer to jeddah international airport. farewell to saudi arabia., tour highlights.

• Combine Petra and Madain Saleh (the southern Petra) on one journey.
• Follow in the footsteps of Moses’ from Mt. Nebo to the Red Sea.
• Trace T.E Lawrence and the Hijaz railway south to Medina.
• Experience epic desert adventure in Wadi Rum and Al Ula.
• Explore the towering gorges of Wadi Al Disah & Wadi Tayyib Al Ism.
• Travel along the old overland Hajj pilgrimage route.
• Wander through Jeddah’s World Heritage quarter of Al Balad.

Extend Your Stay

• 1 Night: Extend your stay in Petra. 
• 1 Night: Explore more of Wadi Rum. 
• 2 Nights: Discover Yanbu & Umluj.

Route Map:- Jordan & Saudi Arabia Tour

+447915637610

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Make Your Saudi Visit a Delightful One!

Explore a variety of saudi tour packages, get the best saudi holiday planned by experts, discover the beauty of saudi arabia.

Saudi Arabia, regarded as the epicentre of the Islam Faith is home to the holiest mosques in the world. The country is primarily known for its oil reserves but with modernization, the beautiful region is quickly becoming one of the top tourist spots for holidaymakers. From shopping to architectural marvels, rich history and delicious foods, Saudi Arabia offers a ton of amazing experiences for tourists!

Makkah & Madinah

Makkah & madinah holy religious sites.

Masjid-Al-Haram & Al-Masjid-an-Nabawi located in the twin cities of Makkah & Madinah are home to the most religious sites in the world for Muslims. The Great Mosque of Mecca surrounds the holy house of Allah and it is also the main site for holy pilgrimages like Umrah and Hajj.

Al Balad UNESCO Heritage Site

Ranked among the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Al Balad is a popular historical area which is famous for its bustling traditional shopping attractions, beautifully designed mosques, tight-knit lanes and traditionally-built houses.

Riyadh A Cultural Hub

Although many consider Riyadh to be a modern tourist destination, the place still retains its traditional charm. From royal forts to sky-touching skyscrapers, architectural marvels, shopping attractions and museums, Riyadh has something for everyone!

Edge of the World

Edge of the world uninterrupted views of the horizon.

Regarded as one of the most popular tourist attractions of Saudi Arabia, Edge of the World (also known as Jebel Fihrayn) gets its intriguing name due to the panoramic views of the horizon that it gives from a staggering 300-meter-high cliff. Trek to the top of the cliffs for unforgettable moments.

There has never been a more enjoyable time to visit.

Best umrah packages.

7 NIGHTS UMRAH PACKAGES

• 4 Nights Makkah
• 3 Nights Madinah
• Transport included

10 NIGHTS UMRAH PACKAGES

• 5 Nights Makkah
• 5 Nights Madinah

14 NIGHTS UMRAH PACKAGES

• 7 Nights Makkah
• 7 Nights Madinah

Get a Fantastic trip what you looking for

Discover saudi finest.

Experiences Taybeen Museum

Located at a 10-minute drive from the Al Khobar’s centre, the Taybeen Museum is not your typical museum. From the entrance (you’ll be greeted by chirping birds) to the exhibits – pop-culture prints, advertising memorabilia and even famous soda cans, you will find close to 10,000 exhibits at the Taybeen museum.

Shopping Souvenirs & Fashion

Saudi Arabia offers a wide range of shopping attractions for tourists and holidaymakers. You can explore a variety of markets spread across cities for food products like Dates & Date-based dishes, Camel Milk Soaps, Oud Perfumes, Dallah (Arabic Coffee) and more.

Adventure Dune Bashing & Camping

Saudi Arabia features vast areas of desert with beautiful sand dunes. Book an SUV and go dune bashing for an adventurous experience. Tired after all that dune bashing? Enjoy the Kashtah (camping activities) with your loved ones while munching on some tasty delights.

Festivals & Events

Entertainment, adventure & fun.

Saudi light and sound 2024

7th May 2024

Pro-light and Sound trade Show

Saudi Food Manufacturing 2024

30th April - 2nd May 2024

The food trade show for an immersive experience

• Official Broadcasters

• Side events
• Videos & Photos
• Sporting stakes & Rules

Simon Yates delivers at AlUla Tour

Highlights of the alula tour 2024, extended highlights - stage 5, landscape of the day - stage 5, 2024 rankings.

BORA - HANSGROHE

All news of alula tour, info with one day to go.

Simon Yates: “I’m here to win the last stage and the overall”  

Having arrived from Australia a few days ahead of schedule, after he finished seventh overall in the Tour Down Under – an indicator of his already advanced form and the advantage he will have over his main rivals in having a stage race in his legs – Simon Yates distilled...

Jayco-AlUla with their Tour de France team

Born GreenEdge in 2012, the Australian team did not wait to enter into a partnership with the historic region of AlUla to find success in Saudi Arabia since Dylan Groenewegen, in his first race in the colours of Team BikeExchange-Jayco, in February 2022, won the third and fifth stages of the Saudi Tour, as well as the points classification. Last year, the Dutchman...

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out on breakaway tour and Saudi Arabia deal

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has encouraged players to accept whatever the best offer is for them, whether that is the World Snooker Tour or other options elsewhere.

Rumours have been swirling over a rival tour springing up next season, with Barry Hearn addressing the speculation during the World Championship in Sheffield.

The Matchroom Sport chairman said he is unfazed by the threat of a potential rival and said players are welcome to leave but would have to re-qualify for the World Snooker Tour through Q School if they wanted to return.

O’Sullivan has recently signed an ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia , committing him to play in WST events in the country, so he is not set to be part of any breakaway, but has backed any players that are considering it.

‘Every player has the right to do what they want to do – you see it in other sports like golf,’ O’Sullivan told a press conference on Thursday.

‘It’s just like any other job, if you get a better offer you’re going to go. What is a better offer? For some people it might not be money, it might be a reduced schedule, everyone has to make that decision for themselves. I’m just an open book, I’m here, best offer, come speak to me, you’ll find my contact details on Instagram.

‘The bottom line for me is I just want to play and enjoy snooker but we all have families to feed. Each sportsman is a business whether you like it or not so you have to do what’s right for you, we live in a competitive world, so it’s great that there’s this choice out there.

‘Every person in the world is like that, I’ve got a friend who works for the NHS but has been offered three or four times her salary to go and work in Australia so she’s going to go and do that. She’s just going for the better pay, that’s what happens sometimes.’

On his own future, O’Sullivan said: ‘I’ll go wherever I’m looked after, wherever I feel like I’m valued. I’m valued on this tour, there are tournaments where I get looked after. I go to Asia and Saudi and have a great time.

‘I have a deal with Saudi Arabia and it’s nothing to do with World Snooker. I’m booked to play in a couple of World Snooker events. That’s my policy around the world, if you want me to play in the event, the promoter and my agent get together and we discuss, and first come first served.

‘There’s 128 players and each player has the right to decide how they operate. I’m excited by the future and the things I’m doing. There’s a lot of moving parts, who knows what it’s going to be.’

The 48-year-old says the three-year deal he signed with Saudi came about very quickly and he found the hefty financial offer difficult to refuse.

‘The Saudis are powerful outfit, same as China, they’re serious players so things get done pretty quickly and it’s hard to turn down,’ he said. ‘Look at the golfers, it’s really hard sometimes to say no.

‘For me I just want to play snooker, I want to have fun I want to be looked after, want to be pampered, anyone who wants to pamper me and look after me, I’m your man!’

Asked whether he had any second thoughts or misgivings over Saudi Arabia’s concerning human rights record, the Rocket dismissed the issue.

‘I think we’ve got really serious human rights issues going on in the UK and the US,’ he said. ‘America bombing the hell out of countries. What’s going on in Israel and Palestine, I think we need to look a bit nearer to our own western policies rather than looking to what’s going on around the world.

‘We should be looking at ourselves seriously, I don’t think we have the right to criticise anyone.’

MORE : Jackson Page on facing Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘It’s just a nightmare’

MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan conducting snooker experiment: ‘I’m probably the only player that’s able to do that’

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New golf chief puts timeline on "significant changes" amid LIV Golf saga

A deal between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is still yet to be signed, as the world of professional golf remains divided

• 16:33, 27 Apr 2024

Newly-appointed DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings has admitted than any real change at the top of the world of professional golf will not be implemented until after 2025.

The sport has been divided in two since the formation of LIV Golf in the summer of 2022, with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour taking action against players who opted to sign with the Saudi-backed league. Last summer it appeared the dispute was set to come to an end though, with the PGA Tour announcing a shock framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).

With the DP World Tour also included, it was expected that the two rivals would negotiate a deal that would see the world of professional golf reunite, but 10 months on a finalised agreement is yet to be made.

READ MORE: LIV Golf caddie knocked to floor after being hit in head by bottle launched by fan

READ MORE: Anthony Kim hits out at LIV Golf criticism after making electric start at Australia event

Kinnings - who has replaced Keith Pelley at the top of European golf - opened up on what the future holds for pro golf, but revealed changes will take time. "We know [a deal] has to be done ASAP," he said. "I don’t see too much changing in 2025. 2026 is when we will see significant changes.

"To do that we need 2025 to prepare. I’m not setting any deadlines. But to plan a new product for 2026 you really need to have it done by the end of this year. Everyone needs to be flexible and compromise. Once we have the right solution we need to move fast."

As things stand, the PGA Tour have banned all of its members that have opted to sign on the dotted line with Greg Norman and co, which has seen the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm punished. The DP World Tour have adopted a similar approach, albeit not as cut throat.

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US .

The European circuit was granted the power to fine and suspend any of its members who compete in LIV Golf events whilst a DP World Tour tournament is also taking place at the same time. This has seen a number of stars resign their memberships from the tour, including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.

In doing so though, this has seen three of Europe's greatest players give up their Ryder Cup eligibility. This has led to fears that both Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton may well have lost their chance to represent their continent in the USA next September, after the pair played an instrumental part in Team Europe's win in Rome last Autumn.

Kinnings however has reassured that as things stand, the pair remain eligible to compete. “If we look at the eligibility criteria for 2023, I think there has been a slight misconception,” the CEO added. "The reality is that, under the current system, if a player is European and is a member of the DP World Tour and abides by the rules in place, he is eligible.”

MORE ON Ian Poulter Lee Westwood Greg Norman Phil Mickelson Sergio Garcia Team Europe Ryder Cup LIV Golf Golf PGA Tour PGA Tour European Tour

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• Business and industry
• Trade and investment

UK and Saudi Arabia to host major trade expo - GREAT FUTURES - in Riyadh

The Deputy Prime Minister will lead a 300+ strong delegation to the Saudi GREAT FUTURES flagship event in Riyadh on 14 and 15 May 2024.

• This event launches a year-long campaign to drive business engagement between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
• GREAT FUTURES will encourage trade and promote UK business, education and culture to a Saudi Arabian audience of senior Government and business figures. 

In partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Government, the UK Government’s GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign is holding a major business, tourism and cultural expo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 14 and 15 May 2024.

The flagship event will host around 750 delegates for a two-day exposition in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District ( KAFD ). The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, will spearhead a 300+ strong British delegation which will showcase the best of UK excellence and innovation.

GREAT FUTURES flagship event is the launch for a 12-month campaign to highlight UK expertise and capability in sectors that support Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’. 

Vision 2030 is the Saudi government’s strategy to diversify the economy, boost productivity, and strengthen competitiveness. Its flagship programme, including five lead ‘giga projects’, will attract $3 trillion investment by 2030 to build the industries of the future, while also serving as a showcase of the nation’s geographical richness, cultural heritage, hospitality, business dynamism, and commitment to social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

The UK has advanced specialist expertise in these industries and its delegation will include senior business leaders from across the UK which represent key sectors including tourism, education, clean tech, trade, insurance, fashion, architecture, sport and culture. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, commented:

GREAT FUTURES will be an important opportunity to forge partnerships for the future between the UK’s most creative and innovative companies and their Saudi business and Government counterparts.   I’m delighted to be leading such a talented delegation to this landmark event. From emerging technologies to academia the UK has an exceptional skill base to share with the world.  Our two nations work closely on security and energy. We look forward to strengthening those connections in new areas that feed the Vision 2030 agenda.

The UK and Saudi Arabia have a deep historic relationship, based on a long history of working together diplomatically and strong economic and commercial links. 

The event will focus primarily on two areas of collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia:

• Innovation in research collaboration, disruptive technologies, emerging clean tech, finance and sustainable construction 
• Quality of Life sectors, encompassing art, fashion, media, education, sport, architecture and tourism

The government is ensuring that businesses can seize the opportunities of Brexit, which is why we’re doing trade deals around the world. Since the PM has been in office, we’ve joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and since leaving the EU, have secured trade deals with 73 countries plus the EU, accounting for £1.1 trillion of trade in 2022, and 7 US state-level MOUs, with a combined GDP of £3.3 trillion – just under the GDP of Germany.

Minister of Commerce for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi, commented:

Saudi Arabia is very proud to be hosting this major event and bringing together leading minds in business, academia and entertainment from both of our nations. This event heralds the beginning of an extended and productive partnership focused on innovation, technology and our flourishing cultural sectors. We look forward to collaborating with the UK Government and the private sector to realise the ambitions of Vision 2030.

Minister for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade, Lord Johnson, added: 

The UK has a thriving trade and investment relationship with Saudi Arabia, and this campaign will strengthen those ties further. There are huge opportunities for businesses in both countries as we look to work closer together in important sectors such as innovation and creative industries. I look forward to showcasing the best of British innovation and creativity on a global stage.

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UK launches year-long Saudi investment drive to capitalise on Vision 2030 projects

Deputy prime minister oliver dowden is set to lead a delegation of more than 300 british business executives to attend a trade summit in riyadh next month.

The Riyadh skyline. The two-day Saudi Great Futures summit will be begin in the Saudi capital on May 14. Reuters

The UK and Saudi Arabia will hold a trade expo in Riyadh next month as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launches an investment drive aimed at taking advantage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 project.

A delegation of more than 300 British business executives will join Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden at the Saudi Great Futures event on May 14-15, according to a statement from his office.

The event will mark the beginning of a year-long campaign to promote UK businesses to Saudi investors with a focus on sectors that support the country’s Vision 2030, which was established by Prince Mohammed eight years ago to diversify the economy away from oil.

British officials have sought to strengthen UK-Saudi relationships with a focus on artificial intelligence in recent months, inviting officials from Riyadh to take part in an AI summit near London hosted by Mr Sunak in November.

May’s trade expo will focus on research collaboration and emerging technologies, as well as finance, green technology, sustainable construction and cultural projects, according to the statement.

Trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia has increased to £16.5 billion ($20.4 billion) in 2022 from £12.1 billion in 2018, the statement said.

Mr Sunak invited Prince Mohammed to visit the UK last year, although a trip has yet to be agreed. The two met in Riyadh in October.

“Our two nations work closely on security and energy. We look forward to strengthening those connections in new areas that feed the Vision 2030 agenda,” Mr Dowden said.

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