In the northwest of Saudi Arabia, the ancient oasis city of AlUla preserves one of the most remarkable concentrations of human history on earth. At its heart lies Hegra — formerly known as Mada'in Salih — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest preserved Nabataean city south of Petra. Here, more than 130 monumental rock-cut tombs stand in near-perfect condition against sheer sandstone cliffs, their carved facades still bearing the names and titles of merchants and rulers who lived and died more than 2,000 years ago.
Beyond Hegra, AlUla unfolds across a 200-kilometre valley rich with further discovery. The ruins of ancient Dadan, capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, reveal inscriptions dating back 3,000 years, while Jabal Ikmah — an outdoor library of rock art and inscriptions — stands as one of Arabia's most significant epigraphic sites. Elephant Rock, the oasis palm groves, and the winding lanes of AlUla Old Town complete a journey that moves easily between deep antiquity and the sensory pleasures of the present.
Enquire About AlUlaWalk among the 94 decorated tombs of Hegra, carved by the Nabataean civilisation between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE. As Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 2008, Hegra stands alongside Petra as one of antiquity's most astonishing achievements — yet receives a fraction of the visitors, offering a genuinely intimate encounter with the ancient world.
Explore the ruins of Dadan, once the prosperous capital of the Dadanite kingdom dating to at least the 9th century BCE, and later of the Lihyanite civilisation. A short distance away, the open-air site of Jabal Ikmah contains thousands of rock inscriptions in Ancient North Arabian, Aramaic, and Minaic scripts — an extraordinary archive of a world long vanished.
Thread through the narrow alleyways of AlUla Old Town, a mud-brick settlement abandoned only in the 1980s after more than 900 years of continuous habitation. Nearly 900 houses, a mosque, and a souq built from local stone and mud-brick remain largely intact, forming one of the Arabian Peninsula's most evocative deserted urban landscapes.
Stand before Jabal Al-Fil — Elephant Rock — a freestanding 52-metre sandstone monolith sculpted by millennia of wind erosion into the unmistakable profile of an elephant drinking from the earth. At sunset, the rock glows amber and ochre against the desert sky, offering one of AlUla's most photographed and deeply atmospheric moments.
Rise silently above the AlUla valley at dawn in a private hot air balloon, watching the golden light fill the sandstone canyons below. By night, AlUla's remote desert location and near-zero light pollution reveal a sky dense with stars — a private astronomer-led stargazing session turns the heavens into a second ancient library.
Spend a night under canvas in a luxury desert camp positioned within the landscape itself — a far remove from standard accommodation. Private candlelit dinners set among the dunes or at the foot of the tombs, prepared with local Hejazi ingredients, bring the sensory pleasures of the journey into sharp, memorable focus.
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7 DaysRiyadh → Diriyah → AlUla → Hegra
From €5,500 per person
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10 DaysJeddah Al-Balad → AlUla → Hegra → Red Sea Coast
From €8,200 per person
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5 DaysAlUla → Hegra → Desert Camp
From €5,000 per person
View Full ItineraryOur private tour of Hegra was the highlight of a lifetime. Standing before 2,000-year-old Nabataean tombs with our own archaeologist guide, we felt like we had stepped back in time. Nia personally ensured every detail was perfect, from the luxury camp to the candlelit desert dinner.
As a history professor, I had high expectations for AlUla, and Nia Travels exceeded every one. The private access to Dadan and the Lihyanite tombs was extraordinary. I have visited Petra twice, but Hegra, without the crowds, felt infinitely more intimate and powerful.
I travelled solo and was nervous about visiting Saudi Arabia on my own. Nia put me completely at ease. The stargazing evening in the AlUla desert was magical, and exploring Jeddah Al-Balad's coral stone alleyways with a local historian made the heritage come alive.
Having explored forty countries, I can say that the level of care Nia Travels provides is rare. The private desert camp was pure luxury, and waking up to the AlUla landscape at sunrise, with complete silence around us, was profoundly moving.
The Hegra tombs at sunset were breathtaking. Our guide explained the Nabataean inscriptions in such vivid detail that the ancient trade routes felt real. The following evening, a private dinner in the desert under a canopy of stars was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
We booked the AlUla and Diriyah itinerary for our anniversary. Every transfer, every hotel, every experience was seamless. Nia herself checked in with us throughout the trip. The private picnic among the sandstone formations of AlUla was a moment of pure magic.
I came for the heritage and left with a completely new understanding of Arabia. The guided walk through Diriyah's At-Turaif district was like a living history lesson, and the stargazing experience in the AlUla desert, with an astronomer pointing out constellations the Nabataeans would have navigated by, was absolutely extraordinary.
From the moment we landed, everything was taken care of. The AlUla heritage trail, the private evening at Hegra, the desert camp with traditional cuisine, it all flowed effortlessly. Nia Travels understands that luxury is not just about comfort, but about access and authenticity.
We came for adventure and Nia delivered beyond anything we imagined. Rock climbing through AlUla's sandstone canyons, a sunrise hike above the desert valley, and zip-lining over ancient landscapes. Every day felt like a film set. This is adventure travel at its finest.
The desert safari through the dunes near AlUla was exhilarating. Our guide handled the terrain expertly, and stopping to explore hidden rock art sites along the way gave the adventure real depth. The overnight glamping under a sky full of stars was something I will never forget.
Our ten-day journey through Saudi Arabia with Nia was transformative. From the ancient tombs of Hegra to the turquoise waters of the Red Sea coast, every destination was a revelation. Nia curated each day with such care that we never once felt rushed. Arabia has become our favourite destination in the world.
UNESCO HeritageStep into the birthplace of the Saudi state. Explore the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district with its striking mud-brick architecture, stroll through the beautifully restored Bujairi Terrace, and uncover centuries of Arabian history in one of the region's most significant heritage destinations.
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UNESCO HeritageWander through a living heritage quarter where 400-year-old coral stone houses with intricately carved wooden balconies line narrow alleyways. Browse traditional souqs, discover centuries-old merchant history, and experience the vibrant culture of Jeddah's UNESCO-listed historic district.
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Luxury RetreatEscape to pristine coral reefs and crystal-clear waters along Saudi Arabia's untouched coastline. Stay at luxury island resorts, snorkel among vibrant marine life, and relax on secluded beaches in one of the world's last undiscovered coastal paradises.
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