Riyadh and Diriyah, the camel market of Buraidah, the petroglyphs of Hail, the Nabataean tombs of AlUla, sacred Madinah and Red Sea Jeddah – an 11-day self-drive journey across Saudi Arabia, arranged by Noor Voyages in Montreal.
Explore Saudi Arabia is an 11-day self-drive adventure across a country only recently opened to travellers. From the museums and palaces of Riyadh and the UNESCO mud-brick city of Diriyah, you drive north to the great camel market of Buraidah, the fortresses and desert petroglyphs of Hail, and the show-stopping oasis of AlUla with the Nabataean tombs of Hegra and the natural sculpture of Elephant Rock. The road then leads to sacred Madinah and finishes on the Red Sea in old Jeddah. You drive yourself at your own pace, with a rental car, hand-picked hotels and Noor Voyages support at every step.
Met at King Khalid airport with help to collect your rental car, then check in to your hotel with the evening free to explore the capital.
The National Museum and Arabian history, the Al Murabba and Al Masmak palaces, shopping at Souk Al Zal, and the UNESCO mud-brick city of Diriyah – with optional Saudi fine dining in the evening.
A scenic drive north through desert and rolling dunes to Buraidah, with the evening at leisure.
An early morning at the bustling camel market, the Al Qassim Grand Mosque and a date-farm experience, then an afternoon drive to Hail.
The Qishlah Palace and the hilltop A'arif Fortress, then the ancient petroglyphs of the Jubbah Oasis and an evening of desert stargazing.
A long, rugged desert drive to AlUla. Check in and, if you like, an optional stargazing experience under some of the clearest skies in Arabia.
A guided tour of Hegra (Madain Saleh) and its Nabataean tombs, the Oasis Trail walk, the AlUla old town, and Elephant Rock for sunset photography.
A scenic drive with picnic stops in the desert, arriving in the spiritual city of Madinah in the afternoon.
Time in Madinah – the Prophet's Mosque, Mount Uhud and the Quba Mosque – then an evening drive to Jeddah on the Red Sea.
The Jeddah marina, the Taybat Museum in Hijazi style, the Floating Mosque over the Red Sea and the coral-stone souks of Al-Balad old town, with a seafood dinner.
A leisurely breakfast, then return your rental car and transfer to the airport for your flight home – or ask us to add the Red Sea coast or a Umrah extension.
| City | Nights | Hotel (or similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 2 | Al Mashreq Riyadh |
| Buraidah | 1 | Radisson Qassim |
| Hail | 2 | Millennium Hail |
| AlUla | 2 | Habitas AlUla |
| Madinah | 1 | Dar Iman InterContinental |
| Jeddah | 2 | Sheraton Jeddah |
An International Driving Permit alongside your home licence is recommended. Saudi Arabia's main highways are modern and well-signed; we provide a detailed route plan, and long desert legs are broken with stops.
Entirely. Saudi Arabia is the heart of the Muslim world, so halal food and prayer facilities are everywhere, and the itinerary is easy to combine with an Umrah extension.
The Prophet's Mosque and the central sanctuary of Madinah are for Muslims only. For non-Muslim travellers we adjust the Madinah portion to the sites that are open to all, and advise on the current rules before you go.
November to March is ideal, with mild days for AlUla, Hail and the desert drives. Summers are extremely hot inland. We arrange this route year-round on your own dates.
Reach us at 450-600-1616 or info@noorvoyages.ca, or send an enquiry through this page. A Noor Voyages advisor will confirm dates, availability and your final quote.
Tell us your dates and we will tailor this Saudi Arabia self-drive adventure around you – flights, hotels and all.
