Specialist operator Regent Holidays has launched its first small group tour to Saudi Arabia, featuring many of the kingdom’s cultural, historic and geological highlights.
The destination only opened to non-religious tourists in 2019 and the operator expects the chance to explore one of the Middle East’s least known destinations to be popular.
A recce tour last autumn sold out in days, said Regent Holidays, “reflecting demand for adventures to new and interesting destinations post-pandemic”.
The two-week Inside Saudi Arabia tour will be led by Regent’s regional specialist, Marianne Grimshaw, alongside a local tour leader with in-depth knowledge of the region.
It will visit the cities of Jeddah and capital Riyadh, and feature a 4×4 journey through the desert to Tabuk, near the Jordanian border.
The itinerary will also include the archaeological site of Hegra; the mud-brick ruins of the old city at AlUla; the Unesco site at the rock art gallery of Jubbah; and Medina, home to the first mosque and the second holiest site in Islam.
Clients will stay in three and four-star hotels popular with Saudi and Middle Eastern travellers.
In Riyadh, they can spend time with a local resident who will talk about the changes taking place in the kingdom.
The tour costs from £5,670, based on two sharing and departing on March 11. It includes return flights and transfers.
Picture of AlUla by Visit Saudi