Unlock the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia with us! Take an exciting journey aboard a hot air balloon offering a bird’s-eye view of impressive landscapes. Balloon Festival is returning to AlUla that is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world for hot air ballooning. You will drift gently over the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hegra, around unique rock formations and over lush farmlands. The diverse colors and breathtaking views of the flight will make for beautiful photographs and unforgettable memories. Moreover you will experience an amazing on the road trip through iconic site such as the ancient Medina, the vibrant Jeddah on the red sea and the conservative capital of Riyadh. Get ready for an unforgettable journey off the beaten path!
Saudi Arabia Tour
Unlock the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia with us! Take an exciting journey aboard a hot air balloon offering a bird’s-eye view of impressive landscapes. Balloon Festival is returning to AlUla that is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world for hot air ballooning. You will drift gently over the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hegra, around unique rock formations and over lush farmlands. The diverse colors and breathtaking views of the flight will make for beautiful photographs and unforgettable memories. Moreover you will experience an amazing on the road trip through iconic site such as the ancient Medina, the vibrant Jeddah on the red sea and the conservative capital of Riyadh. Get ready for an unforgettable journey off the beaten path!
Highlights
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Date: Customizable dates on request
Duration: 9 Days - 8 nights
Tour Price: On request
Mood: On the road, Nature, History, Culture
Participants: 4-12
Best Season: From October to March
Suggestions: Easy hiking and city walking, suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility
Additional: In order to abide by traditional customs, it is recommended to have a modest dress code.
Tour Description
Discover Saudi Arabia's Wonders and Fly Over Unesco Heritage Sites
Please note that we suggest to purchase your inbound flight to Riyadh and outbound flight from Jeddah.
Entering visa is mandatory for Saudi Arabia. You will have to apply on own for your E-Visa.
Special Departures for:
- AlUla Skies Festival (Hot Air Balloon Festival): April 18-27, 2025
- Winter at Tantora Festival: 2026 dates to come out soon
Contact us to check availability and ask for a quotation for families and private groups based on your special needs.
Passport with at least six months of validity is mandatory; One Life Journeys does not provide any service and assistance related visa requirements and processing.
We highly recommend purchasing a personal travel insurance at the time of booking.
Flexibility: Possibility to change dates, name of participant or tour until 75 days before departure (a supplement cost might be requested during high season, or for flight quotations if requested)
Reservation: 40%deposit at confirmation.Full payment is due 75 days prior departure.*
This is our first day in Saudi Arabia where history and heritage come alive in the most contemporary of ways. Upon arrival in Riyadh a private driver transfer you to your centrally located hotel. After some free time to rest, we will visit at sunset the ancient capital of Diriyah. Dinner in the city center of Riyadh. After our arabian dinner we will enjoy the exciting view of the city from the rooftop of Kingdom Tower. Nightin Riyadh
Day 2 – Riyadh Grand Mosque
This morning you will enjoy a half-day historical tour of Riyadh at Murabba Palace and the Historical museum of Saudi Arabia. In the afternoon, after a delightful lunch, we will discover the beauty and secrets of Grand Mosque of Riyadh and the Masmak Fortress. Dinner in a very authentic local restaurant the city center of Riyadh. Nightin Riyadh
Day 3 – Flight to AlUla
In the morning we will fly to AlUla airport to reach an amazing rocky desert in the northern Saudi Arabia. In the afternoon we will visit the old Nabatean village and its fort, and we will enjoy a breathtaking view at the sunset from a unique viewpoint. Dinner in AlUla. Nightin AlUla Desert
Day 4 – Hot Air Balloon Flight
Today you will be transferred in the middle of AlUla desert to takeoff aboard of a colorful Air Balloon for an unbelievable flight over a truly special landscape to admire the Arabian World Heritage Site from a unique point of view. Afterwards, we will have the chance for an external visit of the biggest mirrored building in the world in the middle of AlUla desert! In late afternoon we will enjoy a particular sunset view among the iconic shaped rock of AlUla desert. Nightin AlUla Desert
Day 5 – Hegra, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located in the heart of Saudi Arabia desert, we will visit the ancient archaeological site of Mada’in Salih also Known as Hegra and recognized Unesco World Heritage on board a private 4×4 vintage Land Rover! In the afternoon we will visit the ancient city of Dadan and its rock carvings. We will spend our last evening in AlUla village for our special Arabic taste dinner. Night in AlUla Desert
Day 6 – Medina
This morning we will move to holy city of Medina (Madinah) by our private car to visit the ancient old city center, the Prophet Mohammad Mosque (Outside visit only) and the holy mount of Uhud. Dinner in Medina. Night in Medina
Day 7 – Jeddah
In the early morning we have a long transfer on the road to approach the cosmopolitan city of Jeddah on the red sea, where at the arrival we will visit the lovely Corniche seaside and the iconic floating Mosque. Dinner in an original Saudi restaurant at Jeddah city center. Night in Jeddah
Day 8 – Jeddah
In the early morning we have a long transfer on the road to approach the cosmopolitan city of Jeddah on the red sea, where at the arrival we will visit the lovely Corniche seaside and the iconic floating Mosque. Dinner in an original Saudi restaurant at Jeddah city center. Night in Jeddah
Day 9 – Flight Back Home
In the morning we transferred to Jeddah Airport for our Flight back home.
*The program of activities and excursions might be subject to changes. In case, alternatives will be offered.
⇒ Arrival transfer at arrival and departure
⇒ Flight from Riyadh to AlUla
⇒ Accommodations in carefully selected high rated hotels/resorts
⇒ All breakfasts and dinners
⇒ Flight with hot air Balloon in AlUla (1h – available only during the festival)
⇒ All transportation by private car/van
⇒ Private driver/tour leader
⇒ Guided Tour of old city of Diriyah
⇒ Guided Tour of Grand Mosque of Riyadh
⇒ Entrance fee at Kingdom Tower
⇒ Half Day Historical Guided Tour of Jeddah
⇒ Visit of Murabba palace and Museum of Riyadh
⇒ Tour of old village of AlUla
⇒ Tour of old city of Dadan
⇒ Tour of Hegra with private Off road Land Rover
⇒ Guided Tour of Riyadh
⇒ Entrance fee to Al-Tabayet Palace
⇒ All entrances and experiences as per itinerary
⇒ Professional travel consulting before and throughout the trip
Χ International Flight (book your flight INTO Riyadh and OUT OF Jeddah)
Χ Travel Insurance
ΧMeals and transfers NOT mentioned
Χ Entering Visa
Χ Personal expenses
ΧTips for your tour leader, driver, and local guides
ΧAll that is not mentioned in “Included”
Tour Map
Photo Gallery
What Our Fellow Travelers Said
" Since 2014 I have worked and travelled on 4 different tours with Betta, they have all been amazing, all customized to what my group enjoys to do. I don’t have to tell her our preferences any more, they are just understood.
On each trip we are treated to special tours that you would not see with a large tour company. She personally makes each trip a pleasure and we all feel that we are with a family member when we get together with her. Can’t wait for our next trip."
Jayne Meissell Washington, NC, USA
Jayne Meissell Washington, NC, USA
" Having been on group trips to Northern & Southern Italy, Sicily, Portugal & Spain led by Benedetta, we can recommend her enthusiastically.
For our private trips, she made all our rail, air, private car & hotel arrangements, chosen based on the quality we requested; selected knowledgeable and informative guides to assist us at multiple locations; & stitched it all together into a cohesive itinerary from beginning to end. The trip was a delight. Besides her professional side, Benedetta is an upbeat “foodie” with a mind for fun, & she’s flexible, on the client’s side & doesn’t push an agenda. Finally, as we’ve traveled abroad, we’ve known she’s had our back should help be needed while away."
Mark and Vicki Hyde Wailea, Hawaii, USA
Mark and Vicki Hyde
Wailea, Hawaii, USA
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Arash Malekzadeh, Sydney Australia
Arash Malekzadeh Sydney, Australia
" Your professionalism and attention to every and each single details was above and beyond any expectations. Betta and Ray tailored the trip based our personal agenda and preferences, it was the best travel experience we have ever had. Looking forward to our next trip with you.
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Asia Spilotros, USA
Asia Spilotros
USA
"Betta was our Tour Manager on my trip to Croatia and Slovenia and I can’t say enough wonderful things about her! She was outstanding in every way – professional, prepared, passionate, friendly, approachable, and informative. Our journey was a stress-free experience and she made us feel completely safe and well taken care of throughout the entire trip.
Betta was very organized and a great manager of our schedule but was flexible and accommodating enough to balance the prescribed schedule against different things members of the group wanted to see or experience. She went out of her way to make sure we saw not only the tourist sites, but also several that were off the beaten track as well. Betta was always there for us if we had any questions, and the group engaged in many interesting conversations. You cannot go wrong if Betta is your Tour Manager!"
Karen, Chicago
"When traveling, you’ll need a generous amount of good humor, patience and flexibility while expecting the unexpected. There will always be a need to alter plans on the fly. The key to success when traveling is managing these usually stressful surprises. And this is where Betta shines. After three separate tours with Betta, I can cite numerous occasions where I saw her planning and attention to detail in evidence. Daily schedules were well communicated and, always with smiles, Betta kept the tour group together for our various comings and goings. However, Betta’s real talents were displayed when needed to improvise. More important than simply planning, Betta would easily “roll with the punches” when required or asked to deviate from her original plans. She could do this based on her intimate knowledge of several options she could utilize to meet the needs of the moment. Betta’s personality to be much more than pleasant."
Carl Robbins - USA
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Anna, Milan, Italy
Anna, Milan, Italy
"Hi, my name is Bob, and my wife Elizabeth and I want to highly recommend Betta. We traveled with Betta as our tour director on two Italian tours. She is wonderful, always upbeat, and very professional, a pleasure to be with. An excellent communicator, Benedetta was always well prepared and very knowledgeable about the areas we visited.
Every day she provided us with extraordinary experiences. Betta was able to adjust the day’s schedule and activities to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. She also managed special dietary requests with patience. We both look forward to traveling with Betta again soon."
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