Where the Desert Holds Civilisations: Riyadh, AlUla and the Red Sea
Duration: 9 days
Countries: Saudi Arabia
Cities: Riyadh, AlUla, The Red Sea
Valid Travel Dates: 1 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
From
$23,760
Trip Summary
Overview
Saudi Arabia is one of the most surprising travel destinations on earth right now, and this eight-day journey moves through its finest registers. Riyadh opens the trip — the Fairmont towers, the scent of oud drifting through Diriyah, a city rebuilding its relationship with visitors in real time. Then the landscape changes completely. AlUla sits in a sandstone valley carved over millennia: the Nabataean rock tombs of Hegra, the ancient faces of Dadan, the Elephant Rock catching the first light of morning in ways that stop conversation. The Banyan Tree provides stillness and space between the days. The journey ends at the Red Sea, at the St. Regis — coastline that most of the world has yet to discover, and the particular quiet of being somewhere that few have been.
Accommodations
Banyan Tree - AlUla
The St. Regis - Red Sea
Fairmont - Riyadh
Inclusions
- ✓Daily gourmet breakfast and select signature dining experiences
- ✓Private airport transfers and all intercity ground transfers
- ✓Exclusive private tours with English-speaking expert guides
- ✓Access to UNESCO World Heritage sites and thoughtfully chosen cultural experiences
- ✓Desert stargazing, dune experiences, and traditional majlis encounters
- ✓Personalized trip planning and 24/7 in-country support
- ✓VIP meet & greet service on arrival
- ✓All scheduled activities and excursions noted in the itinerary
- ✓8 nights of luxury accommodations at top-tier resorts
Exclusions
- ✗Meals and beverages not explicitly listed in the itinerary
- ✗Optional enhancements (helicopter tours, spa add-ons, etc.)
- ✗Personal expenses, gratuities, or souvenirs
- ✗Visa services and fees
- ✗Travel insurance (recommended but not included)
- ✗Early check-in or late check-out, unless pre-arranged
- ✗International airfare to/from Saudi Arabia
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Riyadh
Touch down in Saudi Arabia’s vibrant capital, where you're met with VIP arrival services and whisked away to Fairmont. Settle into opulent surroundings and relax before your journey begins. Enjoy the hotel's palatial architecture, tranquil gardens, and refined Arabian hospitality. This evening, unwind or opt for a quiet cocktail in the velvet lounges.
Accommodation: Fairmont, Riyadh
Heritage & Glamour of the Capital: Explore the cultural heart of Riyadh with a private guide. Visit Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi Kingdom, now reimagined as a luxury heritage destination. Wander the National Museum and old souks. In the evening, dine at one of Riyadh’s most acclaimed restaurants, sampling modern Saudi cuisine with skyline views.
Accommodation: Fairmont, Saudi Arabia
Journey to AlUla. Board a seamless flight to AlUla, the kingdom’s open-air museum. On arrival, you're transferred in style to your private villa at the Banyan Tree, nestled among sandstone cliffs. That evening, enjoy a serene desert welcome, perhaps a candlelit dinner under the stars or a traditional Bedouin storytelling session.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree Resort, Saudi Arabia
Discover AlUla’s awe-inspiring heritage: a private tour of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, unveils Nabatean tombs carved into rose-hued rock. Visit Dadan, the capital of ancient kingdoms, and gaze over Elephant Rock at sunset with curated drinks and canapés.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree Resort, Saudi Arabia
Desert Adventure & Wellness Balance adventure with serenity. Begin with an early morning hike through desert canyons or take a scenic helicopter ride over AlUla’s surreal landscape. Return to Banyan Tree for a rejuvenating spa ritual inspired by regional healing traditions. Tonight, enjoy a curated chef’s tasting menu beneath the stars.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree Resort, Saudi Arabia
The Red Sea
Transfer to The Red Sea. A short domestic flight brings you to the Red Sea, where you check into Six Senses Southern Dunes, a sanctuary of sustainability and style. Spend the afternoon exploring the desert-fringed coast or take in the vastness of the dunes from your villa's private terrace.
Accommodation: St. Regis Red Sea, The Red Sea
The Red Sea
Seaside Indulgence. Your day is yours to tailor: snorkel vibrant coral reefs, explore the surrounding dunes on camelback, or enjoy a signature hammam at the Six Senses Spa. Later, indulge in a sunset aperitivo followed by dinner at the resort’s farm-to-table restaurant, showcasing flavors of the Arabian Peninsula.
Accommodation: St. Regis Red Sea, The Red Sea
Tranquility & Private Moments. Awake to ocean breezes and a private beach breakfast. Choose to relax poolside, book a personalized wellness consultation, or embark on a nature walk with a conservation expert. Your final evening is a celebration of your journey, with an elegant farewell dinner curated exclusively for your party.
Accommodation: St. Regis Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Bid farewell to the Red Sea with a private transfer to the airport. Whether heading home or onward to your next destination, depart with curated memories, cultural connections, and the serenity of Arabia still lingering in your soul.
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This journey is subject to our Traveler Terms and Conditions, which explain how bookings, pricing, payment, cancellation and travel protection work. Please read them before you book.
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