Global Travel Experience · Saudi Arabia Women’s Cultural Journey
This document is the practical pre-departure reference for the Global Travel Experience journey from Riyadh to Jeddah. It brings together the itinerary, arrival and departure arrangements, accommodation, transport, entry information, insurance, baggage, meals, safety, conduct and contact information. Read it together with your booking confirmation and final travel documents.
This is a women-only journey led by a female tour leader. English-speaking local guides provide guiding services at relevant sites in accordance with the itinerary.
The joining point is the confirmed Riyadh hotel shown in your final travel documents. The proposal contains two accommodation categories, so one hotel cannot be fixed until the selected category and availability are confirmed.
Airport meet and greet and an arrival transfer are included. The local operating representative will hold an 88 Destinations sign. An arrival transfer can also be included for an earlier arrival, provided Global Travel Experience is informed in advance and the arrangement is confirmed in writing.
If your flight changes or you cannot find the driver: contact the emergency number below immediately.
Tell your female tour leader or local representative immediately if a problem occurs so there is an opportunity to resolve it during the journey. Use the approved emergency contact for a genuine emergency.
A local operating representative will meet travellers at the airport holding an 88 Destinations sign, followed by a transfer to the hotel. Dinner is served at Najd Village in the evening.
Accommodation: Riyadh
Meals: Dinner at Najd Village
Included activities: Airport meet and greet, hotel transfer, Najd Village dinner
Travel by metro from the hotel to the National Museum, then visit Al Masmak, Souq Al Zal and the National Museum. Spend approximately three hours in a local home with a traditional lunch or dinner, followed by Diriyah and the historic At-Turaif district.
Accommodation: Riyadh
Meals: Breakfast and a home-cooked lunch or dinner
Included activities: Metro, Al Masmak, Souq Al Zal, National Museum, local home visit, Diriyah and At-Turaif
Stop for 30 minutes in Ushaiger Heritage Village, then continue to Buraydah and Unayzah for Al Bassam Heritage House and Al Musawkaf Traditional Market. Ushaiger to Buraydah is approximately 1 hour 59 minutes and 185 km.
Accommodation: Buraydah or Al Qassim
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Ushaiger, Al Bassam Heritage House, Al Musawkaf Traditional Market
Travel from Buraydah to Hail and continue to Jabal Umm Sinman in Jubbah for rock art with a guide. The day includes camel riding at Aliadh Museum in Jubbah. A’arif Fort and Aja & Salma Coffee and Museum may be passed if time allows; closed sites may be replaced by a local museum.
Accommodation: Hail
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Jubbah rock art, local guide, camel riding at Aliadh Museum, time-permitting additional stops
The road journey to AlUla takes about 5 hours 5 minutes over 433 km and may take up to 6 hours with short stops. Visit Elephant Rock at sunset after arrival.
Accommodation: AlUla
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Drive to AlUla, Elephant Rock at sunset
Explore Hegra in a classic Land Rover, followed by lunch and a visit at a local farm. Continue to Harrat Uwayrid viewpoint before sunset and take an evening walk through Old Town and Al Jadidah.
Accommodation: AlUla
Meals: Breakfast and lunch at a local farm
Included activities: Hegra, local farm, Harrat Uwayrid, Old Town and Al Jadidah
Visit Dadan archaeological site, the Lion Tombs and Jabal Ikmah. The Maraya tour is subject to availability and may be affected by an event or concert. The rest of the day is free.
Accommodation: AlUla
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Dadan, Lion Tombs, Jabal Ikmah, availability-dependent Maraya tour, free time
Travel approximately 3 hours 37 minutes over 331 km. Visit the Prophet’s Mosque, make a photo stop at the Hijaz Railway, visit Quba Mosque and the museum at The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy.
Accommodation: Madinah
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Prophet’s Mosque, Hijaz Railway photo stop, Quba Mosque, Arabic Calligraphy Museum
Take the high-speed train to Jeddah, a journey of approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Visit a non-profit women’s organisation or female college, then spend the remainder of the day at a private women-only beach.
Accommodation: Jeddah
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Standard-class train, women’s organisation or female college, women-only beach
Begin with a traditional breakfast, then visit Al Rahma Floating Mosque and Tayebat Museum. Join a cooking class and lunch with a Saudi female cook. At 4 pm, explore Historic Jeddah (Al Balad) and sample local food and drinks.
Accommodation: Jeddah
Meals: Traditional breakfast and cooking-class lunch
Included activities: Floating Mosque, Tayebat Museum, cooking class, Historic Jeddah
After breakfast, each traveller is transferred to the airport according to her flight schedule.
Accommodation: No overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Airport departure transfer
The trip finishes at the confirmed Jeddah hotel. The hotel name and address will be issued in the final travel documents after accommodation category and availability are confirmed.
A departure transfer to the airport is included for every traveller. Pick-up is scheduled according to each traveller’s departing flight.
The itinerary depends on site opening hours, transport schedules and supplier availability. Timing or visits may change because of weather, development work, weekends, prayer times, government decisions or other operational factors. The tour leader will advise the group of necessary changes. The group may return to the hotel for free time or a visit may be replaced when sites are closed.
Each traveller is responsible for holding a valid passport, obtaining the correct visa and meeting all entry and exit requirements for her nationality. Check official requirements early because visa rules can change.
Official portal referenced in the trip proposal: https://ksavisa.sa/
Travel insurance is mandatory. It must reasonably cover medical treatment, personal accident, emergency evacuation and repatriation. Cover for trip cancellation or interruption, baggage, personal belongings and personal liability is also strongly recommended.
Accommodation includes breakfast, together with the meals stated in the itinerary: dinner at Najd Village, a lunch or dinner in a Riyadh home, lunch at an AlUla farm, a traditional breakfast in Jeddah, and lunch as part of the cooking class with a Saudi female cook.
Notification deadline: food allergies, diets and other dietary requirements must be provided at least 60 days before departure. The company and suppliers will make reasonable efforts, but choices may be limited in some locations.
The following hotels are listed or similar and remain subject to availability. Final hotel names will be issued before travel.
| Destination | 4-star option | 5-star option |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Grand Plaza Gulf Riyadh | Hyatt Regency Olaya |
| Buraydah / Al Qassim | Al Malfa Resort | Movenpick Qassim |
| Hail | Holiday Villa Hail | Millennium Hail |
| AlUla | Almazham Camp AlUla - not rated | Shaden Resort - Deluxe Rooms |
| Madinah | DoubleTree by Hilton Madinah | Gate Millennium Madinah Airport |
| Jeddah | Hyatt House Jeddah | Shirvan Hotel Jeddah City Yard |
A bag must not exceed 25 kg on the train. Heavier luggage will be transported by bus and may arrive 4-6 hours after the train; an additional charge applies per bag.
The local currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR). Carry a suitable payment method and some local cash for small purchases, and check with your bank that your card will work internationally. Travellers are responsible for non-included meals, shopping, laundry and personal expenses.
Gratuities: Global Travel Experience does not set or collect gratuities and no recommended amount applies.
Madinah: the trip proposal requires modest clothing and states that women must cover their hair and wear an abaya in Madinah.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited and must not be brought into Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has a predominantly desert climate. Days may be hot and dry, while evenings and winter periods can be cooler. Check the forecast before departure. Site and restaurant hours may change during Ramadan and public holidays, and the final itinerary will reflect actual operating conditions.
An English-speaking female tour leader accompanies the group and coordinates daily operations. English-speaking local guides join at relevant sites. Follow reasonable instructions from the leader, guides, drivers and activity providers, particularly instructions concerning safety, timing and religious sites.
Report a problem to the female tour leader or local representative as soon as it occurs so there is an opportunity to resolve it during the trip. If it remains unresolved, contact Global Travel Experience by phone or email as soon as possible.