خط سير المنطقة الشمالية في السعودية: أسبوع من الثقافة والمناظر الطبيعية

Highlights

• ما هي المنطقة الشمالية في السعودية؟
• اليوم 1-2: العُلا — مقابر أثرية ومساحات شاسعة
• اليوم 5-6: الجوف (سكاكا ودومة الجندل)
• التكاليف وواقع الميزانية
• الأخطاء الشائعة التي يجب تجنبها
• هل يكفي أسبوع واحد؟

Day 1: Arrive in AlUla — Hegra & Old Town

Fly into AlUla Airport from Riyadh or Jeddah. Start with the essential 6:00 AM Hegra sunrise tour (SAR 95) — 111 Nabataean tombs in golden dawn light. Qasr Al-Farid and the Diwan chamber are highlights. After 2.5-3 hours at Hegra, explore AlUla Old Town with its restored heritage quarter, cafes, and artisan workshops. Lunch at Okaz Souq Kitchen (SAR 40-70). Afternoon rest, then Elephant Rock for sunset with Arabic coffee at the open-air lounge.

Morning

• Hegra sunrise tour 6:00 AM (SAR 95, 2.5-3 hours)
• AlUla Old Town — heritage quarter, cafes, artisans
• Lunch at Okaz Souq Kitchen (SAR 40-70)

Afternoon

• Rest during midday heat
• Elephant Rock from 4:00 PM — sunset lounge
• Arabic coffee and dates

Evening

• Dinner at Suhail Restaurant (SAR 70-120)
• Stargazing at Elephant Rock
• Overnight in AlUla

Day 2: AlUla Deep — Dadan, Ikmah & Maraya

Explore AlUla's pre-Nabataean layers. Dadan (SAR 50) was the capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms with cliff-face lion tombs. Walk 15 minutes to Jabal Ikmah, the 'open library' with ancient inscriptions in multiple scripts. See Maraya Concert Hall, the world's largest mirrored building (interior only via booked tour, event, or restaurant). Afternoon Gharameel geological walk (SAR 65) through wind-sculpted formations. Heritage Oasis walk in the late afternoon through 7,000-year-old palm groves. Harrat Viewpoint for volcanic landscape sunset.

Morning

• Dadan archaeological site (SAR 50) — lion tombs, ancient kingdoms
• Jabal Ikmah — inscriptions in Dadanitic, Nabataean, Arabic
• Maraya Concert Hall — mirrored building reflecting desert

Afternoon

• Gharameel geological walk (SAR 65)
• Heritage Oasis — palm groves, springs, falaj irrigation
• Harrat Viewpoint sunset

Evening

• Dinner in AlUla (SAR 50-100)
• Overnight in AlUla

Day 3: AlUla to Tabuk — Hisma Desert Crossing

Drive 350 km northwest to Tabuk (4 hours). The landscape transforms from AlUla's canyons into the Hisma Desert — red-orange sand and weathered rocks related to Jordan's Wadi Rum. Photo stops along the highway reveal bizarre wind-sculpted formations. Arrive Tabuk by early afternoon. Visit Tabuk Castle (free) — Ottoman-era fortress associated with the Prophet's Tabuk expedition. Explore Al-Tayyeb Market for local produce and herbs. Tabuk at 800m elevation is greener and cooler than expected. Dinner: marqooq with lamb stew (SAR 30-50).

Morning

• Depart AlUla on Highway 375 toward Tabuk
• Hisma Desert — red sands, wind-sculpted rocks, Wadi Rum connection
• Photo stops along the highway

Afternoon

• Arrive Tabuk — Tabuk Castle, Ottoman fortress (free)
• Al-Tayyeb Market — local produce, herbs, sweets
• Green oasis city at 800m elevation

Evening

• Dinner: marqooq with lamb (SAR 30-50)
• Evening in relaxed northern city
• Overnight in Tabuk (SAR 200-500/night)

Day 4: Wadi Al-Disah — Canyon of Wonders

Full day at Wadi Al-Disah (200 km south of Tabuk, 2.5 hours, 4x4 required). This grand canyon features 300-metre sandstone walls, palm groves on the canyon floor, and freshwater streams. Hike 3-4 hours through the canyon, wading through shallow stream crossings. The microclimate supports lush vegetation including tropical-feeling palms in the midst of arid terrain. Birdwatching: rock doves, desert larks, raptors above the rim. Bring packed lunch and 4L water. Return to Tabuk by evening.

Morning

• Drive to Wadi Al-Disah (200 km, 2.5 hours, 4x4)
• Enter canyon — 300m walls, palm groves, streams
• Hike through canyon (3-4 hours total)

Afternoon

• Wade through stream crossings — wear water-ready shoes
• Birdwatching — endemic species above canyon rim
• Packed lunch in canyon shade

Evening

• Return to Tabuk (2.5 hours)
• Dinner in Tabuk (SAR 40-70)
• Overnight in Tabuk

Day 5: Tabuk to Magna — Ancient Springs & Gulf of Aqaba

Drive 200 km northwest to Magna (2.5 hours), at the edge of the NEOM zone on the Gulf of Aqaba. Magna is believed to be ancient Midian, and the springs of Ain Musa are a palm-tree oasis in barren terrain. The coastline has 30m+ visibility — among the clearest in the Red Sea. Coral walls, reef sharks, and dramatic underwater drop-offs. Continue 80 km north to Haql for the famous Georgios G shipwreck sitting in shallow water — iconic at sunset with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula visible across the gulf.

Morning

• Drive to Magna (200 km, 2.5 hours) — dramatic mountain-sea scenery
• Ain Musa springs — palm-tree oasis, ancient Midian site
• Coastline snorkelling — 30m+ visibility

Afternoon

• Drive 80 km north to Haql — Saudi Arabia's northernmost Red Sea town
• Georgios G shipwreck — Greek vessel in shallow water
• Views across Gulf of Aqaba to Sinai Peninsula and Jordan

Evening

• Sunset at shipwreck — silhouette against mountains
• Seafood dinner in Haql (SAR 30-50)
• Overnight in Haql or return to Tabuk

Day 6: Ha'il — Jubbah Rock Art & Heritage

Drive from Tabuk to Ha'il (450 km, 5 hours southeast on Highway 65). Ha'il is the gateway to the Jubbah rock art site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years. The rock face at Jebel Umm Sinman shows animals, humans, and hunting scenes from a time when this desert was a lush savannah. The detail and preservation are remarkable. Ha'il itself is a pleasant northern city with a mild climate and friendly locals. Visit A'arif Fort overlooking the city, then the traditional Qishlah Palace. The local souq sells crafts, dates, and the region's famous olive oil. Dinner: Ha'il-style makmoura (baked chicken with rice).

Morning

• Drive Tabuk to Ha'il (450 km, 5 hours SE)
• Arrive Ha'il — lunch at local restaurant (SAR 30-50)
• A'arif Fort — panoramic city views

Afternoon

• Jubbah rock art (30 km NW) — UNESCO, 10,000-year-old petroglyphs
• Jebel Umm Sinman — animals, hunters, ancient savannah scenes
• Qishlah Palace — traditional Ha'il heritage

Evening

• Ha'il souq — crafts, dates, olive oil
• Dinner: makmoura (baked chicken, SAR 35-55)
• Overnight in Ha'il (SAR 150-350/night)

Day 7: Ha'il to Riyadh — Final Desert Drive & Departure

Drive 650 km south from Ha'il to Riyadh (approximately 6 hours on Highway 65). This is the great desert drive through the Nafud — Saudi Arabia's second-largest sand desert with distinctive red dunes. The highway is excellent and the scenery, while monotonous in stretches, has moments of stark beauty as the terrain shifts from red sand to rocky plateau to flat gravel plains. Break at Buraydah (halfway) for the famous date market — the world's largest during harvest season (Aug-Oct) — and the nearby camel market. Arrive in Riyadh by late afternoon for a farewell dinner and departure, or stay overnight for a morning flight.

Morning

• Depart Ha'il south on Highway 65 — through the Nafud Desert
• Red dune landscapes — Saudi Arabia's second-largest sand desert
• Break at Buraydah — date market, camel market

Afternoon

• Continue to Riyadh (total 6 hours from Ha'il)
• Arrive Riyadh by late afternoon
• Optional: Boulevard Riyadh City if energy permits

Evening

• Farewell dinner in Riyadh
• Depart from King Khalid Airport or overnight for morning flight

الأسئلة الشائعة

How do I get to the Northern Region?

Fly to AlUla or Tabuk from Riyadh or Jeddah (1-1.5 hours). Regional airports connect both cities. A 4x4 rental is recommended for exploring between sites as distances are significant.

Is the Northern Region safe to visit?

Yes, the region is safe for tourists. The main highways are well-maintained. Always inform someone of your route when exploring remote desert areas and carry ample water and fuel.

What is the best time to visit Northern Saudi Arabia?

October through March is ideal with daytime temperatures of 15-25 C. Northern Saudi Arabia can drop to near freezing at night in December-January, so pack warm layers.

How much should I budget?

SAR 10,000-22,000 per person for 7 days. Accommodation outside AlUla is basic but affordable (SAR 200-500/night). 4x4 rental runs SAR 300-500/day. Guided tours at Hegra and Dadan are SAR 95-250.