Saudi Arabia Tour – Walking in the Footsteps of Moses

Day 1: Welcome to Saudi Arabia!

Upon arrival, you will be picked up from King Khaled International Airport and transferred to the starting hotel. The city of Riyadh is one of the most captivating cities, where modern life harmonizes with a rich historical background. We will enjoy our first meal together this evening and get to know our fellow travel companions.

Day 2: Riyadh City Tour

Today, we embark on a cultural journey through Riyadh, starting with Historical Diriyah, nestled about 12 miles northwest of the city. It holds profound historical significance as the birthplace of the first Saudi state, founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud. At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage site within Diriyah, features landmarks like Salwa Palace and offers a glimpse into the region’s heritage.

Our exploration continues at the Masmak Museum, where we can delve into Saudi Arabia’s past, including a dramatic re-enactment of King Abdul Aziz’s capture of the fortress. Dira Souq awaits with its array of antique treasures, from copper and brass items to traditional attire, offering a sensory journey infused with sandalwood.

We’ll also visit the Rajhi Grand Mosque, Riyadh’s largest, offering insights into Islam and its cultural significance within Saudi society. Visitors can engage in immersive experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of the mosque’s role and the integration of Islam into daily life.

Day 3: Riyadh – Tabuk “flight” – Desi Oasis

Today, we venture to Tabuk, a historic haven for pilgrims, featuring the bustling Souq Twaheen with its famed rugs and tent covers. Tabuk’s ancient sites mark the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s stunning coastline, offering pristine beaches and clear waters. Embracing both past and future, Tabuk showcases the Neom project and a restored 1559 castle turned museum, once a vital stop along the Levant-Medina Hajj Road.

Our journey includes a visit to Wadi Qaraqir, also known as Wadi Deise or “Desi Oasis”. This 9-mile canyon reveals a palm oasis amid Jebel Qaraqir, now more accessible thanks to roads and satellite imagery. Its grandeur astounds, with cliffs towering up to 328 feet at the east entrance and 1640 feet at the west. Wadi Qaraqir stands as a captivating destination in Saudi Arabia.

Day 4: Grand Canyon – Hisma Desert

Tabuk Province in Saudi Arabia boasts remarkable natural wonders, including Al Shaq, dubbed the “Grand Canyon.” Shaped by tectonic forces, it offers a captivating journey from arid valleys to deep fissures, with a trail providing access to its northern section. Visitors can marvel at its grandeur, but caution is advised due to falling rocks.

Hidden within the canyon’s valley is a mushroom rock, awaiting adventurous explorers. Beyond Tabuk lies Jebal Hisma, adorned with ancient rock art and inscriptions. Wadi Dham, with its sandy formations spanning 12 miles, leads to Jebal Hisma’s surreal landscape, rivaling its Jordanian counterpart. Camping amidst this wilderness promises an immersive experience in Tabuk’s natural wonders.

Day 5: Hisma Desert – Golden Calf – Alagan Desert – Footsteps of Moses

Today, we delve into Moses’ story. As Moses lingered atop the mountain, the people, anxious and uncertain, turned to Aaron, pleading for gods to lead them in Moses’ absence. Aaron fashioned an idol from their gold earrings, shaping it into a calf. The people proclaimed it as their savior from Egypt. This narrative from Exodus 32 vividly illustrates the Israelites’ impatience and transgression, as they turned away from God’s commandments.

The biblical account highlights specific features expected at the historical site:

1. A flowing stream.
2. A prominent altar to the golden calf.
3. Ample space for two million people’s encampment.
4. Evidence of a burial site for 23,000.
5. Remnants of idol worship with the golden calf.
6. Indications of burnt offerings.
7. Traces of gold.
8. Remains of manna.

Remarkably, all these elements are found near Jabal Maqla. Petroglyphs depicting the golden calf and celebratory dances adorn the area. The intact altar, adorned with petroglyphs, stands as a testament. Access to the site requires permission due to Saudi government restrictions, with a stream still active during rainy seasons.

Altars for sacrifices lie beneath Mount Sinai, possibly where 12 altars once stood. Roughly 3.7 miles away, an area resembling an ancient tomb site exists, historically attracting gold-seeking Bedouins during rainy seasons.

These findings remarkably parallel the biblical narrative. Alagan, a stunning desert locale, boasts vibrant mountains, lush vegetation, and quaint villages inhabited by shepherds and camels. Journeying through winding mountain roads and red-yellow sands leads to Haqil city, offering breathtaking views of Eilat and Aqaba across the Red Sea.

Day 6: Alagan Desert – Split Rock – Footsteps of Moses – Haqil

In Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Province lies Rephidim, home to the Split Rock of Horeb. Many believe it’s the rock Moses struck, bringing forth water for the Bani Israel. Traces of water erosion beneath it attest to the miraculous event. Facing desperation, Moses struck the rock, releasing water in the desert, as Exodus 17:6 recounts. Located near Jebel Al Lawz, the rock’s name, “Meribah,” hints at strife, witnessed during the battle against the Amalekites.

The Haqil Shipwreck, dubbed the ‘Saudi Titanic,’ met its end off the coast south of Haqil. Originating from Britain in 1949, it burned during a voyage from Greece to Aqaba, becoming a local tourist attraction within a scenic bay with stunning beaches.

Day 7: Medyan Land – Neom – Tabuk – Footsteps of Moses

Dating back to the end of the 2nd millennium BCE, Medyan sheltered Prophet Moses after his escape from Egypt. There, he met Prophet Jethro, who recognized his virtue and offered him his daughter, Zipporah, in marriage. After ten years in Medyan, Moses returned to Egypt to free its people from Pharaoh Ramses II. He encountered Zipporah at the Well of Moses in Midian, where aiding the daughters of a Midianite priest led to their marriage. Moses likely chose a wilderness route to avoid detection during his roughly 525km journey from Goshen to Midian.

NEOM, a visionary tourism project in Tabuk Province, epitomizes global ambition. Spanning 26,500 km2, north of the Red Sea, east of Egypt, and south of Jordan, NEOM integrates innovative design and digital experiences. With a budget exceeding $500 billion, primarily funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, NEOM aims for completion by 2039. Preserving 95% of its natural landscape, NEOM offers diverse climates, pristine beaches, and mountains, emerging as a unique GCC destination.

Day 8: Tabuk – Tayma – AlUla

Tayma, also recognized as The Land of Kings, undergoes ongoing excavations uncovering remarkable artifacts and monuments. These findings offer valuable insights into the diverse and intricate culture of ancient inhabitants. The discoveries at Tayma have significantly reshaped the historical narrative of ancient Arabia, dispelling misconceptions about the Bronze Age as a “dark age” in northwest Arabia’s history. The Ancient Temple of Salm, dating over 3000 years back, lay buried until its rediscovery in the 1970s. Its excavation has unearthed numerous artifacts of historical significance. Bir Haddaj, a hydraulic marvel built in the 6th century, has been a vital community hub for generations, sustaining the surrounding oasis. Souq Al Najm, an oasis trail and marketplace, symbolizes Tayma’s significance along the Incense Road, preserving local customs and traditions. Qasr Ibn Rumman, constructed in the 1700s with a main palace added in 1916 and 1919, served as both the Governor’s workplace and family home. This castle holds a rich history and stands to this day. Continue the journey to AlUla.

Day 9: AlUla & Hegra

‘Uwayrid, near Jebal Al Thumayid, holds vital underground water resources, shaping the Arabian Peninsula’s history along the frankincense road. AlUla, birthplace of Ancient Arabian Kingdoms, saw the rise of Dadan in the 1st millennium BCE, serving as capital for Dadan and Lihyan. Later, the Nabateans established Hegra “Madain Saleh,” 20 kilometers north. Explore AlUla, cradle of two ancient Arabian kingdoms, with landmarks like Musa Ibn Nusayr Fort, believed to date back to Dadanite or Lihyanite times, and AlUla Heritage Village, strategically built atop a valley elevation. Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the Nabatean capital under King Arêtes IV Philopatries, flourishing in the frankincense trade. The Ottomans later constructed a railway station at Madain Saleh. Experience the serene sunset at Elephant Rock.

Day 10: AlUla – Khaybar – Medina

Khaybar, nestled in northwest Arabia, showcases unique geological formations shaped by volcanic activity. Its lush oasis, dotted with freshwater springs and ‘wadis,’ teems with diverse plant and animal life, steeped in rich human history. Once a haven for a significant Jewish community fleeing the Jewish-Roman wars, Khaybar lies approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Medina. Tensions between Muslim and Jewish communities during the rise of Islam led to conflicts and the eventual expulsion of Jews from Medina. Though Khaybar’s Old Town was inhabited until the 1980s, remnants of its cultural heritage endure, preserving generations’ memories.

Medina, one of Islam’s holiest cities, welcomes millions of pilgrims annually for Hajj or Umrah. Centered around Al Masjid an Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, constructed by Prophet Muhammad, Medina holds deep significance as his final resting place. Its pivotal role in Islamic history, marked by the migration from Makkah in 622 A.D., known as Hijrah, makes it a lifelong aspiration for Muslims worldwide. Our journey continues to Jeddah by train this afternoon.

Day 11: Medina – Jeddah “train”

Nestled in Medina’s meticulously restored Ottoman railway station lies a segment of the original track and a train shed that once accommodated four tracks along the historic Hejaz railway line. Initially designed to expedite the pilgrimage journey from Damascus to Makkah and Medina, the Hejaz Railway faced demise within two decades. Today, scattered remnants of this railway, including sand-covered tracks and abandoned stations, serve as poignant reminders of its once vibrant presence. Nearby Mount Uhud, Prophet Muhammad strategically positioned archers during the Battle of Uhud, a decision that significantly impacted the battle’s outcome. Al Madinah’s premier museum showcases the city’s rich heritage, with around 2,000 exhibits offering insights into its cultural evolution, including significant events like the Hijrah. Notable artifacts include a bow associated with Saad Ibn Abi-Waqas, a renowned archer in Islam. Additionally, the museum features an exhibition on the history of Masjid al-Nabawi. Jeddah, the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia, has long been the gateway for pilgrims en route to Mecca and Medina. Explore its vibrant Red Sea corniche adorned with statues by renowned artists.

Day 12: Jeddah Historical Tour

Discover Jeddah’s captivating old Ottoman residences, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their coral-built houses. The meticulously restored Nassif house now serves as a museum, offering a glimpse into the city’s history. Stroll through historic streets to Al Alawi Souq, a bustling market offering a variety of goods. Explore the Islamic Art Museum’s diverse collection, showcasing artifacts from pre-Islamic times and traditional clothing. Experience the vibrant Fish Market at the Red Sea, indulging in fresh catches amid colorful surroundings. Marvel at the architectural brilliance of the Floating Mosque, known as the “Al Rahmah Mosque,” gracefully standing on the water’s surface since 1985. Witness the fusion of Islamic and traditional architecture in this mesmerizing masterpiece.

Day 13: Farewell

After breakfast this morning, there will be a group transfer to the Jeddah Airport.