Jeddah To Riyadh (11 Days) Oasis Caravan
Jeddah To Riyadh (11 Days) Oasis Caravan
11 Days Starting in Jeddah Saudi Arabia and ending in Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Visiting: Jeddah, Taif, Abha, Aseer National Park, Farasan Islands, Riyadh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
457
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 24
Physical rating:
All Ages / Not applicable
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as both a tourist and a traveller! Immerse yourself in the largest souq in the country and see a different side to the regime in laidback Jeddah. Discover the bohemian nature of the Saudis in Abha, and explore the beautiful Aseer National Park with its famous hanging villages. Take a trip to the spectacular Farasan Islands, before crossing into the ominously named "Abode of Silence": the largest sand desert in the world, the Rub' al-Khali. Your trip ends with a contrast in one of the richest cities in all the world, Riyadh.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Jeddah
Location: Jeddah
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Saudi Arabia. Your first day is a free day for you to arrive, check in to your hotel and introduce yourself to the local area. You can meet your Tour Leader and your group this evening, when they arrive into the city.
On Day 2, you will have your Pre-Departure Meeting in the morning, after which you have a free day to explore Jeddah, one of the more cosmopolitan and relatively liberal cities in the Kingdom. The city's architecture takes inspiration from the Rea Sea's spectacular underwater coral, and you can spend your time here exploring a more laid-back Saudi, the maze-like markets, or perhaps you might fancy some scuba diving - use your free time as you choose!
Day 3 - 6 : Jeddah To Abha
Location: Jeddah, Taif, Abha, Aseer National Park, Farasan Islands
Our next stop is Taif, where we head up into the hills and into the cooler climate. Keep a look out for the wild baboons that populate the roadsides; visit the largest souq in Saudi Arabia and sample the fresh fruits the region is famous for. We climb higher still as we travel to Abha, our base for a few nights. Described as being the country's most bohemian town, it's a world away from the Saudi we've experienced so far. You can visit Al Muftaha village, a cultural gem famous for its calligraphy graffiti, and head out to explore the hanging villages of Aseer National Park. You might like to use your other free day to head South to the stunning Farasan Islands, visiting pearl merchants on land or the incredible marine life under the sea.
Day 7 - 10 : Abha To Riyadh
Location: Riyadh
Accommodation: Camp
It's a long drive inland to Saudi Arabia's capital, so we'll break up the journey with a camp in the desert - a chance to break out those sleeping bags again!
From a mud-brick walled oasis town along desert trading routes, Riyadh - which means "garden" in Arabic - is now one of the richest cities in the world. You can explore the world-class museums, travel up the sky bridge or enjoy the many great cafes and restaurants.
From here, we take a 4 x 4 desert safari trip into the Empty Quarter, where you can gaze at the awe-inspiring dunes and strain your eyes for the elusive Arabian leopard. A harsh yet romantic landscape, it's like nowhere else on earth.
We'll have a final night in Riyadh before we continue our journey.
Day 11 : Riyadh
Location: Riyadh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation - approx. 85% simple hostels/hotels & 15% camping
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Airport Transfer on arrival
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Jeddah
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Aseer National Park Entrance
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Overnight trip to The Empty Quarter
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Riyadh
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Meals - approx. 40%
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All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck
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Camping and Cooking equipment
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Services of Oasis Crew
What's Not Included
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Visas
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Optional Excursions
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Flights
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Airport Taxes & Transfers
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Travel Insurance
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Meals - approx. 60%
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Drinks
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Tips
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Local payment from US$500
Local Payment (LP) is in the addition to the Trip Price and is paid to your Tour Leader at the start of your Trip.
It covers some of the trip's day to day expenses such as food and accommodation which your tour leader pays direct to local people.
More Info
Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as both a tourist and a traveller! Immerse yourself in the largest souq in the country and see a different side to the regime in laidback Jeddah. Discover the bohemian nature of the Saudis in Abha, and explore the beautiful Aseer National Park with its famous hanging villages. Take a trip to the spectacular Farasan Islands, before crossing into the ominously named "Abode of Silence": the largest sand desert in the world, the Rub' al-Khali. Your trip ends with a contrast in one of the richest cities in all the world, Riyadh.
Mode of Transport
The Oasis truck will be your new home giving you a comfortable, secure base with which to experience your trip. As part of the adventure you will be expected to have an active involvement in the day to day running of the trip, be part of the group and get stuck in and help with various tasks, whether it's cooking meals over open fires, pitching your tent or keeping the truck clean & tidy.
Seatbelts
All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seat belts. For your own safety and security we recommend that travellers wear these at all times whilst the vehicle is moving.
Accommodation
Camping - Oasis provides tents for those nights you will be camping. Tents are shared (between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple). We spend some nights bush or desert camping, and on some occasions it is necessary to camp at overnight services, which are basic but equipped with showers and other facilities; the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, some are well equipped and managed and some are very basic. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities! At certain campsites there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.
Simple Hotels/Hostels - At some locations we will stay at small locally owned hostels/hotels. These are usually basic places, and often the accommodation will be mixed sex dormitory style. Upgrades may be available on arrival, but cannot be reliably pre- booked. Please be aware that the quality of accommodation can vary quite a lot from area to area and sometimes in a small hotel the standard of rooms can vary even from one room to the next - so there needs to be a level of understanding within the group that your Oasis Crew does not often have power over room allocation or services provided by various hotels and it is unavoidable that they have to rely on the local staff. Please note if you choose to participate on an overnight optional activity, then you will not receive reimbursement for any accommodation or meals that you are missing out on with the rest of the group.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What to expect at meal times?
When 'on the road' or camping, we usually cook using gas or over open fires in a rota system and you can expect to cook in a group of two or three people approximately once every ten days depending on the number of people on trip and whereabouts you are. Your cook group will have to decide on what to cook, utilise stocks from the truck stores and locally obtain ingredients from markets, shops etc. and rustle up a meal. But don't worry if you're not a Gordon Ramsay, as the rest of the group and the Tour Leader usually lend a helping hand. Here is an idea of what to expect at meal times: Breakfasts: Usually simple - we help ourselves to cereal, toast, hot drinks and on occasion we will splurge with a cooked breakfast. Lunch: Cold and usually quick. The cook group will put out bread, tinned supplies and maybe make a salad. Dinner: Cooks come into their own in the evening, and will always attempt to cook up some delights. When staying in hotels in towns or cities we do not include meals. This is your chance to go out and explore and try local cuisine in local restaurants.
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What is the maximum group size?
Maximum 24 people.
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Are flights included in this tour?
You can arrive at your departure city either on Day one of your trip, or a day or two beforehand. Return flights must be booked for at least the day AFTER the trip is due to end. You may wish to allow some extra time to explore your arrival and departure cities. One way ticket: If you intend to travel on a one way ticket to meet up with one of our trips, without possessing an onward flight ticket - we recommend that you have a copy of your payment confirmation/receipt (that you will be sent at time of your balance payment) available at immigration to assist easy entry. Departure Taxes: Please check with your Travel Agent or Airline if your flight ticket already includes a departure tax payment out of the country. If it does not - please budget for approx. US$30 to $70 USD - to be paid in US$ only.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Oasis Overland requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oasis overland charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 33% of booking price.
At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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