So when I suggested to my friend in Jordan, Talat, that I wanted to go in from Jordan after sending my tour group home to Melbourne, Talat asked if he could join me.
It was opportune, as he wished to drive in from Petra, so we set off for 4 days of exploration of the North-Western part of Saudi. It didn't disappoint!
We explored Tabuk and AlUla. AlUla is amazing! There are Nabatean tombs in Hegra, similar to those in Petra, a Guinness World Record mirrored building (Maraya), Elephant Rock, and so much more!
The locals are very friendly and welcoming and everyone is happy to see tourists there.
Driving is harder than you'd expect, as roads are being closed, detoured or rebuilt, with little or no signage, so I strongly recommend you travel on an organised tour with a professional guide. There is no public transport (buses, trains, etc) and taxis are unreliable and expensive. Distances are also an issue, it's a HUGE country, with nothing - literally nothing - between the sites and towns! Closures and last-minute cancellations are also rife, so if you are travelling independently, it will be a problem to change your plans at the last minute.
Would I go back? In the blink of an eye! There are some awesome new tours available to help you discover this fascinating country, from women-only tours to private and group tours.
Get in touch for assistance matching the best of these tour options to your needs and holiday preferences. If you're looking for something different, this is it.
