Saudi Arabia: Women's Expedition

Intrepid Travel · 12 days

4.4

8 Reviews

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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

On this women-only adventure through Saudi Arabia’s dramatic landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage sites, you’ll spend 12 days learning about the country’s deep history, sampling local cuisine and connecting with local women.

Highlights

See the remarkable rock formations and giant Nabatean era-tombs of Hegra, visit a family-owned citrus farm and explore the world’s largest mirrored building in AlUla.
Visit Madinah – the second holiest site in Islam, after Mecca – and tuck into a Saudi-style picnic of local bread and peppermint tea with views over the Holy City.
Take a bullet train to Jeddah’s Al Balad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and wander the narrow streets, meet friendly vendors and sample local delicacies.
Cruise the Red Sea on a boat trip. Jump in and float in the salty water, maybe go for a snorkel and end it all at a private women-only beach club for sunset.
This trip is designed to support local women and entrepreneurs. You’ll travel with a female leader and guides, join a local cook for a cooking demonstration, share a home-cooked meal with a family and stay in a female-owned boutique hotel.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Metro,High-Speed Train,Boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Finishes

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Women Only

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Riyadh

Salam! Welcome to Riyadh – the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia. Once a walled, mud-brick way along desert trading routes, this capital is now a contemporary metropolis with more than 4000 mosques, shopping centres, palaces, museums and traditional souks. When you arrive at Riyadh International Airport, an Intrepid representative will meet you and take you to your hotel, ready for your adventure to begin at 6 pm with a welcome meeting. Get to know your local leader – women are making significant contributions to the tourism sector here and represent around 30% of the workforce – over a traditional meal in a heritage restaurant. Saudi Arabian cuisine blends traditional Arabian and Middle Eastern flavours with influences from Africa and South Asia. You’ll sample local breads, fresh salads, sambosas (a triangle pastry often filled with beef, onions and spices), taheena and kabsa (a mixed rice dish).

Included Activities:

Riyadh – Traditional Saudi Dinner
Riyadh – Complimentary Airport arrival transfer

Optional Activities:

Riyadh – Kingdom Tower (19 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Riyadh

After breakfast, take the world’s longest driverless metro system – spanning 176 km across 85 stations – to the National Museum to journey through the ages of Saudi Arabia’s history. Then jump back on the metro to Souq Al Zal, one of the city’s oldest markets. From there, take a private transfer to a local home to share lunch with a family and get to know the local culture. After, drive to Diriyah – the birthplace of the first Saudi state – to explore the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district. It holds great historical weight and is known for its well-preserved adobe structures that showcase traditional Najdi architecture. Learn how mud-brick houses were built, how homes were cooled during summer and how people lived without electricity. You might like to hang around for dinner here – things liven up of an evening in Saudi Arabia, making it a great time for people watching. Your leader can also provide dinner recommendations closer to your hotel.

Included Activities:

Riyadh - National museum
Riyadh - Traditional Home cooked meal with female hosts
Diriyah – UNESCO Site
Riyadh - Souq Al-Zal Market visit

Optional Activities:

Riyadh - Al Masmak Fortress - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Unayzah

Head to Unayzah this morning, stopping in the heritage village of Ushaiger where you’ll glimpse into a traditional, slow-paced Saudi society. Bedouins settled here 1500 years ago and Ushaiger quickly became a popular rest stop for pilgrims crossing to Makkah, thanks to its springs and olive groves. Continue to Buraydah, where you’ll join a local cook in her home to learn about the dishes the Najd area is famous for. Influenced by the region’s topography and desert climates, Najd food is hearty and wholesome – think rich stews, wheat and rice dishes with fragrant spices. After lunch, head to your Qasimi-style lodge on a working farm among gardens and date palms to enjoy some downtime. Regroup in the evening to explore Al Musakwaf Traditional market and eat dinner at a local spot. You might also get to sample Kleija made by local women – these biscuits hail from the date-rich province of Qassim and are filled with date molasses or honey.

Included Activities:

Ushaiger - Heritage Village
Buraydah - Cooking demonstration with female chef
Unayzah – Al Musoawkaf Traditional market

Accommodation:

Heritage Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Hail

On your way to Hail today, stop at Buraydah – home to the world’s largest date market. Known as the Date City, this is where farmers come for the seasonal market in August and September. Buraydah has more than 11 million date palm trees – the highest concentration in Saudi Arabia. Learn why dates are a cornerstone of Saudi culture and why they’re considered one of the best gifts. Continue to Hail, where you’ll have free time for the afternoon. Regroup in the early evening to check out Hail Market and visit an Abaya shop, where you’ll learn how this staple piece has evolved and how many Saudi women still choose to wear it, even since it became optional in 2018. This is the perfect place to buy an abaya (as a foreigner, the use of an abaya is completely optional, but you’ll need one to visit Madinah).

Included Activities:

Buraydah - Date market
Hail – Barzan Market & Abaya shop

Optional Activities:

Hail - Visit A'arif Fort - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Hail

Make your way to Jubbah this morning to explore the area with a local guide. One of Saudi Arabia's five UNESCO World Heritage sites, Jubbah is home to the country’s most famous rock art, with petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years. Return to Hail in the afternoon, where the rest of the day is free to explore. Hail was once the capital of the entire Arabian Desert and a historic stop for those travelling to Mecca from the north. This evening, you might like to head to the city outskirts for a Bedouin picnic dinner known as kishta, complete with a traditional tent, rugs, cushions and a meal cooked over coals.

Included Activities:

Hail - Jubbah Rock art with local guide

Optional Activities:

Hail - Traditional Market - Free
Hail - Kishta (Picnic) Dinner (400 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: AlUla

Today is a long travel day to AlUla – a city deep in the desert and home to Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rock formations and canyons here feature pre-Islamic rock art and immaculately preserved tombs built more than 2000 years ago by the Nabataeans. Upon arrival, head to a family-run citrus farm and learn how they turned their father’s labour of love into a multi-generational business. Sample fresh produce, then sit under the trees for a farm-to-table lunch prepared by the sisters. You’ll then check into your lodge before heading to Elephant Rock for sunset. The rock (also known as Jabal Alfil) was carved by millions of years of wind and water erosion and now stands 52 m high. As dusk falls, there’ll be food trucks and music, so you can hang out on the deck chairs and enjoy the view. Dinner tonight is at the lodge.

Included Activities:

AlUla – Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
AlUla - Citrus Farm Tour & Lunch

Accommodation:

Desert Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: AlUla

Start the day touring the Nabataean site of Hegra. Tours here are guided by local rawees (storytellers), who are predominantly women. Hegra dates back to the first century BCE and was the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom that extended as far as Petra in present-day Jordan. Explore several of the 100 well-preserved tombs and see their elaborate facades carved from desert rocks. The smallest tomb is only 2.7 m tall, but the largest is 21.5 m! Then, visit Maraya Theatre – the world's largest mirrored building and a spectacular example of Saudi's architectural innovation. After, head to AlUla Oasis – cultivated for millennia and still an integral food source, with over 2.3 million date palms and 29 varieties of citrus fruit. Have lunch, then return to the lodge. You might also like to walk part of the 6 km Oasis Heritage Trail on your own or with a local guide and make your way back to the lodge later.

Included Activities:

AlUla - Madain Saleh (Hegra) Tour with local guide
AlUla – Maraya concert Hall Guided Tour & Entry
AlUla - Oasis visit

Optional Activities:

AlUla - Harra View point (transport cost per group of 4) (66 USD)

Accommodation:

Desert Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: AlUla

This morning is free to rest or explore the area. Maybe head up the mountain to the Harrat Viewpoint where you can see Hegra in the distance. If you’d like some tips, just ask your leader! When it cools down in the late afternoon, head to AlUla’s Old Town where you can take in the sights and browse many local artisans and handicraft stalls. There'll be plenty of time to peruse at your own pace and grab dinner before returning to the lodge.

Included Activities:

AlUla - Historical Old town and Al Jadidah Area

Accommodation:

Desert Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Madinah

Travel through the desert and mountains along an ancient pilgrimage route to Madinah. This volcanic area is rich with black lava stone, mountain landscapes and religious history. You’ll then arrive in Madinah – one of the two holiest cities in Islam. In the centre of the city sits Al Masjid an Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) – a 10-minaret giant that can accommodate one million people. Meet with a local female guide and join the masses of pilgrims in the heart of the city. Have lunch in a local market, then stop at the terminus station of the Hijaz (or Ottoman railway) – which once brought pilgrims to Madinah from as far away as Damascus in Syria. At sunset, head to a viewpoint across the Holy City and enjoy a picnic of local bread, duggah (spice) and tea.

Included Activities:

Madinah - City Tour with local female guide
Madinah - Sunset Saudi Picnic with female local guide
Madinah - Market visit & lunch
Madinah - Hijaz Railway Terminus Station

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Jeddah

Today, take a state-of-the-art Haramain High Speed Train to Jeddah. Home to the Middle East’s second busiest seaport, Jeddah is also the main gateway to Mecca – Islam’s holiest city – which welcomes up to two million pilgrims every year during Hajj. It’s also considered one of Saudi Arabia’s most liberal cities. Upon arrival, you have a free afternoon to rest or cool off in the hotel pool. Later this evening, visit Al Rahma Mosque – a ‘floating’ mosque that sits on the Red Sea and blends traditional and modern Islamic architecture. Then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed district of Al Balad. Take a walking tour with a local female guide and learn about the district’s cultural significance. You'll also sample a few delicacies like sobia (a sweet bread-based drink) or beans and pickles. After, there'll be plenty of time to continue exploring Al Balad on your own and grab dinner before returning to the hotel.

Included Activities:

Al Balad - UNESCO Heritage walking tour with female guide
Jeddah - Floating Mosque

Accommodation:

Boutique Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Jeddah

Make your way to the marina where you’ll board a private boat and spend the day soaking up the sunshine on the Red Sea. The water temperature never drops below 21 degrees Celsius here, and the high salinity is known for its health benefits. There’ll be plenty of time to float, swim or snorkel (gear provided). Raise a toast to an incredible trip with snacks and refreshments on board, then round off the day at a private women-only beach club – chill out on the sand, listen to local music with a mocktail and watch the sunset over the Red Sea. Later, you might like to gather your group for a final dinner and continue the celebration of an amazing journey.

Included Activities:

Jeddah - Ladies only Beach Club
Jeddah - Red Sea Boat trip

Accommodation:

Boutique Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Jeddah

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $10,580

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 07 Dec 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Lukas

Traveled, May 2024

05/17/2024

Lukas· May 17th, 2024 Great tour with the most friendly Tourguide you can get! We went on the River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms tour in may 2024 and we loved the insights we received! Our Tourguide, Nai, has been so kind and knowledgeable and really made our experience worth. After a very interesting stop in ayutthaya, where you can experience the summer residence of the King as well as the ancient temples from the old capital the tour moved on to Kanchanaburi where we stayed for two nights. There we were able to experience and swim in the beautiful Erawan Waterfalls, see the Kwai bridge and ride along the infamous Burma Siam Railway. You will also learn a lot about the constructions of the railway during world war 2 where many local workers and Prisoners of War built the railway in 1 year with many casualties due to the difficult terrain and working conditions - the cemetery and the museum a very well kept and very informative. Last but not least, you will also experience the night market where Nai showed us a lot of local specialities that we were eager to taste. Overall and amazing experience that was a perfect way to spend three days around Bangkok. 5/5 well deserved!

5.0

Claudia

Traveled, April 2024

05/03/2024

Sehr gut ausgewählte Ziele! In der Kleingruppe hatte man das Glück, trotzdem individuelle Erlebnisse und Freiraum zu haben.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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