Has Saudi Arabia been on your list ever since the Kingdom opened to tourism? Corinthian Travel’s new Saudi program brings this unique destination to life.
Corinthian Travel has launched a comprehensive program to Saudi Arabia, with 13 itineraries from 8 to 17 days in length. The luxury tours lift the veil on a country that is arguably the greatest travel destination in the Middle East.
Until recently, this beacon of remote tourism, a treasure trove of adventure and culture, was a secret known only to Saudis, pilgrims, and oilmen. For non-Muslims, the two-thousand-year-old Nabataean tombs at Hegra (known as ‘the Second Petra’) are undoubtedly the brightest star in Saudi Arabia’s tourism crown, but as you delve further, it becomes apparent that this is just the tip of the palm tree. From the misty mountains of Asir to the deserts of Al Ula and the giant oasis of Al Ahsa, the landscapes are strikingly diverse. Saudi’s culture and architecture are as varied as the scenery: troglodytic dwellings on Shada mountain contrast sharply with the towering coral stone houses of Jeddah and the gleaming skyscrapers of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia is a destination that almost defines adventure and is where you can cross belts of blood-red sand, climb volcanoes, island hop through pristine sub-tropical atolls, and scuba dive to discover the astonishing, colorful coral and fish of the Red Sea.
Corinthian’s itineraries include Saudi Self-Drive: Road Trip to Madain Saleh, an 11-day journey through the heart of the Arabian Peninsula and along its Red Sea coast. The journey combines the freedom to explore at your own pace, with many of the benefits of a private tour. Highlights include going off-road to locations including the Edge of the World, Elephant Rock, and the Great Nefud Desert.
Unlike the ‘jeep infested’ roads of Jordan, Saudi Arabia’s well-maintained and often empty roads (bar the odd camel) are lined with strikingly varied landscapes ranging from vast swathes of golden sand dunes to great green oases of date palms, and irresistible turquoise seas. The itinerary also includes a visit to the world’s largest camel market at Buraidah, where as many as 2,000 camels are traded six days a week. Five days of the hybrid trip are spent with a chauffeur/guide.
Another extraordinary adventure is the Saudi Explorer: Deserts & Volcanoes, a journey through one of the world’s last untamed frontiers and a chance to explore some of the most inhospitable and wild landscapes on Earth. From the Edge of the World to the blood-red sands of Jabal Bajdah, and the dramatic canyon of Wadi Al Disah where the giant columns of rock are framed by palm trees, this privately guided tour delivers jaw-dropping panoramas at nearly every turn. You’ll tackle several sectors of the Dakar Rally, experience an electrifying dune buggy ride through Al Ula’s striking landscapes, and hike the Al-Fil trail through a desert of limestone monoliths.
Continue to the Harrat Khaybar, to explore a fabulous volcanic landscape that is swathed in lava flows and studded by white and black volcanoes. On arrival, gaze on the dark cone of Jabal Qidr; admire the ‘jellyfish’ volcano of Jabal Abyiad; and climb the extinct white volcano of Jabal Baydah. You’ll also travel south by high-speed train to Jeddah where the journey concludes by the Red Sea.
All Corinthian Travel holidays include chauffeurs/private transportation, car hire (self-drive itinerary), activities/entrance fees, and accommodation/meals, as per each itinerary and guides.
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