The landscapes that hold Saudi Arabia's greatest heritage sites — the sandstone valleys of AlUla, the Red Sea coast off Jeddah, the volcanic fields of Harrat Uwayrid — are themselves extraordinary natural environments. The same valley that contains Hegra's Nabataean tombs opens onto vast desert dune fields. The coral reefs off the Hejazi coast are among the healthiest on earth. Adventure here is not separate from heritage — it is heritage experienced through the body rather than the eye alone.
Nia Travels designs adventure as a complement to the cultural core of every journey. A morning walking among 2,000-year-old tombs gives way to an afternoon camel trek through the same valley those ancient merchants once crossed. A day exploring Jeddah's coral-stone alleyways ends with a sunrise dive over pristine reef the following morning. Every adventure element is woven into the heritage narrative, creating a journey that engages both the mind and the senses.
Enquire About AdventuresGuided 4x4 excursions through AlUla's wind-carved sandstone canyons and the golden dune fields of the Empty Quarter — the largest continuous sand desert on earth. Routes are chosen for their geological drama and their proximity to ancient sites, so the landscape tells its own story as you traverse it.
Retrace the paths of Nabataean merchants on multi-hour camel journeys through the AlUla valley. Moving at the pace the Incense Road demanded — slow, deliberate, attentive to the terrain — reveals details that faster transport conceals: rock inscriptions at eye level, fossil beds in the canyon walls, and the shifting light on sandstone that changes the landscape every hour.
Rise silently above the AlUla valley at dawn, watching the first light fill the sandstone canyons and illuminate the Nabataean tomb facades from above. The flight follows the valley's natural contours, offering perspectives on the ancient city's relationship to its landscape that no ground-level visit can match. Early morning light and desert stillness make this one of the most atmospheric balloon flights anywhere.
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline holds some of the healthiest coral reef systems remaining anywhere on earth — vast, vibrant, and almost entirely free of other divers. Paired with a Jeddah Al-Balad heritage programme, the Red Sea experience creates one of the most striking contrasts in travel: 400-year-old coral stone architecture above the waterline, 10,000-year-old living coral below it.
The Hejaz Mountains south of AlUla offer trails through juniper forests and volcanic landscapes with views stretching to the Red Sea. Near Riyadh, the Edge of the World escarpment — a 300-metre cliff face overlooking an ancient seabed — provides one of the Arabian Peninsula's most dramatic natural viewpoints. All hikes are guided, graded for comfort, and scheduled for the coolest hours of the day.
Luxury tented camps set within the AlUla landscape itself — close enough to the ancient sites to walk to them at dawn, remote enough that the only sound after dark is the wind moving across the sand. Astronomer-led stargazing sessions reveal a sky so dense with stars it feels like a second landscape above your head. AlUla's near-zero light pollution makes it one of the finest dark sky sites in the Middle East.
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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 ItineraryThe Red Sea coastline took our breath away. We spent three days snorkelling over coral reefs that felt completely untouched, then retreated to our beachfront suite each evening. Nia arranged a private sunset cruise that was the most peaceful experience of our lives. Saudi Arabia's coast is the Mediterranean's best-kept secret.
I had no idea the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia had such extraordinary marine life. The diving was world-class, vibrant coral gardens and sea turtles just metres away. Our guide knew every hidden cove along the coast. Nia made an adventurous trip feel effortlessly luxurious.
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 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.
UNESCO HeritageDiscover Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk among 2,000-year-old Nabataean tombs carved into golden sandstone cliffs, explore the ancient oasis city of Dadan, and experience the vast desert landscapes of one of the world's most remarkable open-air museums.
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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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