The day is built around Hegra, the site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008 and the first World Heritage property in Saudi Arabia. Hegra, also known as Madain Salih, was a city on the ancient incense trade route, and more than 110 preserved burial tombs are carved into the rock outcrops across the site. Visits run as a guided tour led by an AlUla Rawi, with travel between the tomb groups by vehicle rather than on foot.
You are collected from your hotel in AlUla and the site booking is arranged ahead of the day, which matters here because tour numbers at Hegra are limited each day and pre-booking is recommended. The Hegra Visitor Centre is part of the visit, including the reconstruction of Hinat, a Nabataean woman whose tomb was excavated in 2008. On the way back there is time to stop at AlUla Old Town, whose shops stay open until 11pm.
Day by day
Morning
Pick-up from your hotel and the drive out to the Hegra Visitor Centre. Your guided tour begins here, and the reconstruction of Hinat is on display in the centre. From there the group moves through the site by vehicle, stopping at the main tomb groups so you can walk up to the carved facades and see the detail on the doorways and the weathering in the sandstone.
Afternoon
The rest of the guided route through the site, with time at the larger standalone tombs and the inscriptions cut beside the entrances. Once the tour ends there is a break for lunch, then the drive back into town with an optional stop at AlUla Old Town before drop-off at your hotel.
What is included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in AlUla
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the day
- Hegra site tour booked and confirmed in advance
- English-speaking driver for the day
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- All fuel, parking and road charges
- Assistance with timings and the meeting point
What is not
- Meals and drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
The places on this trip
Send us your dates
We come back with the itinerary written out and one clear cost.