Trip Type:Independent Travelers (Leisure & Business)
Activities
Pick-up at 8:30AM:
Your English-speaking guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Begin your full-day tour in a private vehicle to explore the historical treasures of Al-Jouf.
Tour Description:
Start your day at Al-Dhala District, the historic heart of Sakaka, where traditional stone alleys and centuries-old homes reveal the region’s authentic architectural identity. Continue to Zaabal Castle, perched on a hilltop with commanding views of the surrounding oasis and desert plains.
Visit Sisar Well (Bir Sisra), an ancient Nabatean rock-cut well renowned for its early engineering and importance to trade caravans. Nearby, stop at the Camel Rock Carving, a remarkable example of prehistoric petroglyph art etched into sandstone cliffs.
Enjoy a break at Ta’leel Café, then explore the Al-Rajajil Columns, one of the region’s oldest archaeological sites featuring upright stone pillars dating back more than 6,000 years.
Your next stop is Marid Castle, a majestic mud-brick fortress overlooking Dumat Al-Jandal, offering sweeping desert views and insight into the region’s ancient defensive systems.
Afterward, visit the nearby Omar Bin Al-Khattab Mosque, considered one of the earliest mosques in Islamic history and noted for its simple yet enduring architectural style.
Continue through the historic Al-Dir‘ District, where traditional stone houses and narrow alleys offer insight into early settlement history in the region.
Before concluding the tour, enjoy a stop at Dumat Al-Jandal Lake, a scenic freshwater lake surrounded by greenery, providing a refreshing contrast to the surrounding desert landscape.
Drop-off by 4:30PM:
At the end of the tour, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
Pick-up at 8:30AM:
Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby after breakfast for a half-day private tour of Dumat Al-Jandal.
Tour Description:
Begin at Marid Castle, one of the oldest surviving fortresses in northern Arabia, standing atop a rocky hill with views over palm groves and the old city.
Descend to the historic Omar Bin Al-Khattab Mosque, considered one of the earliest mosques in Islamic history, known for its simple yet enduring architecture.
Stroll through the Old Quarter of Dumat Al-Jandal, exploring mud-brick alleys, traditional homes, and pathways that reflect the region’s long-standing oasis culture. Continue to Qasr Za’bal and nearby wells, where you’ll gain insight into how water systems supported settlement across different eras.
Before returning, enjoy a relaxed walk along Dumat Lakes Park, a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by greenery, a beautiful contrast to the desert landscapes.
Drop-off by 1:30PM:
Return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and depart by 8:30AM in a private vehicle toward the Shuwayhitya archaeological area.
Explore Wadi Shuwayhitya, one of the oldest known prehistoric sites in the Arabian Peninsula, where early human settlements dating back over one million years were discovered. The site is renowned for its scattered stone tools, including hand-axes and blades, offering insight into the daily life and survival strategies of early humans.
Continue through the surrounding desert landscape, where ancient rock carvings depicting animals and hunting scenes can still be found, adding cultural and historical depth to the visit. Pause at a scenic elevated point overlooking the valley, highlighting the vast scale and isolation that once shaped early human habitation in this region.
After the visit, return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Pick-up at 8:30AM:
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for a full-day private tour of Al-Qurayyat.
Tour Description:
Start your exploration at Al-Qurayyat Castle and its surrounding archaeological area, a historic fortification that offers insight into the city’s coastal history and early settlement patterns. Wander through the site to admire its defensive architecture and ancient ruins.
Continue to Kaf Palace, a nearby heritage residence where you can explore traditional architecture and learn about the city’s administrative and cultural past.
Next, visit Al Saeedi Castle, another historic fortress in the area, offering panoramic views and an understanding of the region’s tribal and defensive history.
Head to Al Hawas Springs, a natural oasis in the desert where you can enjoy scenic views, shaded areas, and a moment of relaxation amidst the tranquil surroundings.
Conclude your cultural journey at Ithrah Palace, a historic royal residence reflecting the region’s architectural style and providing insight into local governance and heritage.
Drop-off by 4:30PM:
Return to your hotel after the tour, with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Pick-up at 8:30AM:
Your English-speaking guide will meet you after breakfast. Depart by private car to the Beseita Agricultural Farm, one of Al-Jouf’s most charming green oases.
Tour Description:
Begin with a guided walk through the farm’s expansive groves of palm trees, olives, figs, and pomegranates, learning about the region’s rich agricultural traditions. Explore the irrigation systems that have sustained the oasis for generations and enjoy the peaceful scenery of shaded pathways and cultivated fields.
Visit the processing and production areas, where you can learn about date harvesting, olive pressing, and traditional farming methods still preserved today. Your guide will share insights into how the fertile soils of Al-Jouf make it one of Saudi Arabia’s most productive farming regions.
Enjoy a short break in a shaded seating area, where you may be offered fresh dates, Arabic coffee, or seasonal fruit.
Drop-off by 4:30PM:
Return to your hotel after the tour.
Pick-up at 8:30AM:
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and depart by private vehicle toward the Shuwayhitya archaeological area.
Tour Description:
Explore Wadi Shuwayhitya, one of the oldest known prehistoric sites in the Arabian Peninsula, where early human settlements dating back over one million years were discovered. The site is renowned for its scattered stone tools, including hand-axes and blades, offering insight into the daily life and survival strategies of early humans.
Continue through the surrounding desert landscape, where ancient rock carvings depicting animals and hunting scenes can still be found, adding cultural and historical depth to the visit. Pause at a scenic elevated point overlooking the valley, highlighting the vast scale and isolation that once shaped early human habitation in this region.
Drop-off by 1:30PM:
After the visit, return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
