Kathryn Nathanson, Indagare Productions Director
“Many of our travelers on the September 2022 Insider Journey said it was a 15/10 trip. It is incredible to be able to visit a country on the precipice of such seismic change.”
After spending centuries shrouded behind a veil of mystery, Saudi Arabia has revealed itself to be a destination eager to welcome visitors. What awaits within the kingdom’s sun-drenched deserts, glimmering oases and busy urban centers defies all expectations. Will you see it for yourself?
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to travel to the kingdom now in this three-part video series.
Saudi Arabia is a kingdom governed by Islamic law, and certain cultural norms and policies may conflict with Western perspectives. These are a few key points to consider before deciding to travel.
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Perfect forTrailblazers | Adventurers | Intellectuals
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When to goDecember-February | September-November
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Ideal length of stay1 Week
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
7 Days in Saudi Arabia
Experience the best of Saudi Arabia with a customized itinerary that includes special access, guided touring and adventure activities. Here’s just one example of what our travel specialists can arrange for you.
Day 1 - 2: Jeddah
Begin in seaside Jeddah, a vibrant port city lauded for its multicultural atmosphere and exquisite, well-preserved architecture and contemporary art. Enjoy the Jeddah coastline with a boat trip on the Red Sea—and take a history- and architecture-focused tour of Al-Balad, Jeddah’s old town, which dates back to the 7th century and is now a designated World Heritage site beloved for its winding, cobbled streets, souks and carved-wood tower homes.
Day 3 - 5: AlUla
Spend three nights in AlUla, Saudi’s undisputed—and rapidly growing—culture hub, with accommodations at a desert-chic luxury tented camp. In addition to sampling the crafts and internationally competitive cuisine of the charming Old Town, you will also get to tour some of Middle East’s most impressive archaeological sites, particularly UNESCO Site Hegra—which rivals Petra, the Parthenon or Machu Picchu, but has none of the crowds.
Day 6 - 7: Riyadh
Visit Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and get a behind-the-scenes preview of the tourism development boom that is underway in the city—and beyond—as part of Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to transition the kingdom into a top travel destination. Along the way, dine at international restaurants and meet with locals for a deeper, cross-cultural perspective, with a special focus on the stories of women who are shaping the future of Saudi Arabia.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
Courtesy Habitas AlUlaRead MoreHabitas AlUla
Arriving at Habitas AlUla is quite similar to what one might expect when landing on Mars: suddenly, out of vast hills of golden-amber sands, you find yourself encircled by imposing marbled rock canyons—and into this surreal landscape winds a long,...
Photo by Kathryn Nathanson, courtesy IndagareRead MoreShirvan Hotel, City Yard Jeddah
Sleek and boutique, Shirvan Hotel, City Yard Jeddah is in the upscale Al Rawdah district at the center of what is quickly becoming a new lifestyle hub in Jeddah.
