Transport

We will be travelling in a custom-built Madventure overland vehicle 100% of the time on this tour. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people. Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery. Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe. Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to. There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board our overland truck. We usually carry at least 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots, pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. for when we prepare meals on the vehicle. Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days. We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas. Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the campsites we stay at. We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Accommodation

You will spend 60% of your time on this expedition staying in 3 & 4 star hotels.The other 40% of the time you will be in your tent camping. We always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders. There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense. On this tour when we camp we will usually be wild camping by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert as campgrounds generally don’t exist in Arabia. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a sand dune in the desert, on a beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot. From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

Others

Services of your expedition leader and driver Transportation in custom-built Madventure overland truck Use of all equipment on overland truck Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle 58 breakfasts & 25 evening meals. All accommodation costs (60% 3 & 4 star hotels, 40% wild camping). National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle. Local transportation costs (if required)

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas. When staying in hotels (usually in cities) we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive. 58 breakfasts and 25 evening meals are provided during this tour. When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size). Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes. Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice. Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

Guide

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media. Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the odd optional excursion that needs to be organised in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay. Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through. Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Madventure and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK. Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. As this is a budget tour we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $100 each at the end of the tour. Thank you.

Not included:

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/ Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Mleiha Archaeological Site £6 Sharjah museum £3 Burj Khalifa entry and elevator to viewing platform £50 Jubail Mangrove Park £4 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Free Louvre Art Gallery Abu Dhabi £13 Emirates National Auto Museum £12 Al Ain fort Free Al Ain Palace museum Free Al Ain camel market £8 OMAN Sulaif Castle Free Al Ayn Beehive Tombs Free Jabreen Castle £7 Bahla Fort £1 Wadi Ghul Balcony Walk Free Al Hootah Cave £16 Nizwa Fort £11 Frankincense grove Free Wadi Darbat Free Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve £17 Sur dhow boat building yard £2 Wadi Shab ferry £2 Sultan Qaboos Mosque Free National museum £10 Nakhal Fort £3 QATAR Souk Waqif Free Museum of Islamic Art Free National Museum of Qatar £11 BAHRAIN National museum £2 Beit Al Quran Free KUWAIT Grand Mosque Free Kuwait Towers £1 Tareq Rajab Museum £1 Scientific Centre and Aquarium £20 SAUDI ARABIA Al-Qarah Hill £11 Buraidah camel market Free Ushaiger Heritage Village Free Edge of the World £70 At-Turaif open-air museum £12 Riyadh National Museum £2 Masmak Fortress Free Murabba Palace £2 Kingdom Tower elevator to viewing platform £15 Al Habala village Free Al Yanfa village Free Mt Soudah Free Rijal Almaa £5 Farasan Islands return ferry Free Al Balad old town Free Wahba Crater Free Medina hop-on hop-off bus £18 Elephant Rock, AlUla Free Lion Tombs of Dedan, AlUla £14 Old Town, AlUla £16 Madain Saleh, AlUla £22 Jubbah Rock Art Free JORDAN Wadi Rum £6 Petra £60 Wadi Rum jeep tour £15 Jerash £10 Roman Theatre £2 Amman Citadel £3

Others

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour) Airport transfers Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended) Visas and Letters of Invitation (approximately £300 depending on nationality) Lunch and evening meals when in hotels Lunch when camping Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks Any optional activities and excursions Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow Tips (USD $100 per crew member recommended)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 United Arab Emirates
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

United Arab Emirates

This tour begins in Dubai, a glamorous start to the trip where you can take an elevator up Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), visit palm-shaped islands, wander through city-sized malls and marvel at the engineering wonders within The Museum of the Future. Please note that this tour departs Dubai at 0800 on the first morning of the tour so if you would like to see the highlights of Dubai we recommend you arrive a few days early.

On our way into Abu Dhabi we first visit the idyllic Jubail Mangrove Park where a meandering boardwalk allows you to learn about the ecological importance of this beautiful sanctuary. Later in the day we visit the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a triumph of Islamic architecture. The following day is free for you to wander the corniche, marvel at the Emirates Palace and soak up some culture at the world-class Louvre Art Gallery.

We now head inland and visit the quirky Emirates National Auto Museum which houses Sheikh Hamad’s collection of over 200 vehicles including the world’s largest truck.

Our next destination is Liwa Oasis on the fringes of the Rub al Khali Desert (the Empty Quarter) where we find an endless landscape of undulating sand dunes dotted with traditional adobe forts. Here you can climb the Moreeb Dune, the tallest sand dune in the UAE, and enjoy a stunning sunset over a sea of sand.

Our final stop in UAE is at Al Ain, a laid-back cultural hub set amid date-palm plantations with a selection of UNESCO heritage sites including forts and palaces. Here you will also have the option to visit a bustling camel market and Al-Ain’s famous oasis. We end the day at our hotel set atop Jebel Hafeet, the 2nd highest mountain in the UAE offering fantastic views over the region.
Day 2 Oman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Oman

Our first destination in Oman is Ibri where we visit the enormous Sulaif Castle which has been sensitively restored to give you a flavour of life here 600 years ago.

We continue to the Al Ayn Beehive Tombs, a 4000 year old burial site dramatically silhouetted against the backdrop of the towering Jebel Misht mountains.

At Jabreen Castle we have the opportunity to visit one of Oman’s most well preserved castles featuring elaborately painted ceilings and latticed-window courtyards.

The nearby UNESCO listed Bahla Fort is a highlight of this region looming high above the village below and offering a sweeping vista from the battlements.

A steep track now leads us into the dramatic Hajar Mountains where we get a view of Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak, but the real highlight here is Wadi Ghul where we have a few hours to hike the Balcony Walk trail with unsurpassed views over the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’.

Back down the mountain we visit Al Hootah Cave, a natural gem in the area featuring stalactites and stalagmites as well as providing a perfect habitat for blind cave fish and bats.

The historic town of Nizwa is best explored at night where the high-walled souq comes alive and the 40m tall fort tower affords us fantastic views over the old town.

A desolate road now leads us south through a gravel desert into the Dhofar province where we visit a grove of ancient Frankincense trees prized for their fragrant sap.

In Salalah you have the chance to relax for a couple of days and enjoy the coconut-fringed beaches of the area where it is not uncommon to see camels on the beach feeding off the lush vegetation.

Rated as one of the best days on the tour we now start our journey north via the dramatic coastal route with highlights including the cascading waters of Wadi Darbat, the enormous sinkhole known as Taiq Cave and the 1000m sheer drop from the Jebel Samhan viewpoint.

Further north we pass by roadside stalactites, historic castles and other-worldly rock gardens before arriving at Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve where you have the option to take a tour of the beach that turtles frequent nightly to lay their eggs.

In the town of Sur we discover its rich heritage in boat building and have the option to take a tour of one of the boatyards where traditional wooden dhows are still built by hand.

Wadi Shab is considered to be one of Oman’s most scenic destinations and rewards walkers with views of turquoise pools, waterfalls and terraced plantations. The nearby Bimmah sinkhole is also worth a stop giving us the chance to take a dip in an unusual natural feature.

Wedged between mountains and ocean, the delightful city of Muscat is filled with treasures such as the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Mutrah Souq, National Museum and Sultan’s Palace, all well worth exploring.

In the heart of the mountains of the north we now visit Nakhal Fort, an impressive sight with round towers and spiked doors all designed to keep enemies at bay.

Our last drive in Oman takes us into the Rub al Khali, the largest contiguous sand desert in the world known as the Empty Quarter, where we will cross the newly opened (2021) Ramlet Khelah border into Saudi Arabia.
Day 3 Saudi Arabia & Qatar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Saudi Arabia & Qatar

We will spend our first night in Saudi Arabia wild camping in the Rub al Khali Desert amongst the sand dunes that have made this region so naturally dramatic.

After a brief first visit to Saudi we now cross into Qatar where we have 3 days to explore an ancient land steeped in tradition. Fill one of your day’s by exploring the atmospheric Souq Waqif and learn about falconry. Fill another day by visiting Doha’s peerless Museum of Islamic Art and take a trip through time at the National Museum of Qatar housed in a magnificent structure inspired by the desert-rose.
Day 4 Saudi Arabia & Bahrain
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Saudi Arabia & Bahrain

After crossing back into Saudi we now visit the spectacular mushroom-like rock formations, narrow canyons and cool caves of Al-Qarah Hill, the summit of which also offers stupendous views over Al-Ahsa oasis, the world’s largest oasis home to over 3 million palm trees.

Crossing into Bahrain and now have 3 days to explore the famous Manama Souq, learn the history of Bahrain at the National Museum and discover a collection of Qurans dating back to the 7th century at Beit Al Quran.
Day 5 Saudi Arabia & Kuwait
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Saudi Arabia & Kuwait

We return to Saudi for a night of desert camping before continuing along the gulf coast to Kuwait where we have 3 days in Kuwait City to explore highlights such as the Souk Mubarakiya, Grand Mosque, Kuwait Towers, Tareq Rajab Museum and one of the Middle East’s best aquariums at the Scientific Centre.
Day 6 Saudi Arabia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Saudi Arabia

We now start our journey through Saudi Arabia by first visiting Buraidah, home to the world’s largest camel market where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded each morning. This lively market is an attack on the senses and a true Saudi experience!

We continue to the cultural heritage village of Ushaiger, a living museum where we can wander through the maze of twisting alleyways that lead to hundreds of yellow mud houses displaying traditional Najdi architecture.

On our way into Riyadh we stop at the mud-brick ruins of the ancient town of Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site where the At-Turaif open-air museum showcases quintessential Najdi architecture.

In Riyadh you now have time to explore the highlights of the Saudi capital including the National Museum, Masmak Fortress and Murabba Palace. Those seeking a more adrenaline fuelled activity can take a 180 kph lift up the 99th floor of the Kingdom Tower and brave a walk across the Sky Bridge for unsurpassed views over the city. From Riyadh you also have the option to take a sunset tour of Jebel Fihrayn, otherwise known as The Edge of the World, a dramatic escarpment that rises steeply out of the rocky desert floor offering uninterrupted views of the horizon.

We now travel along the fringes of the Rub al Khali desert to the Asir province in the southeastern part of the country, so named after the local Asir tribe. This is an entirely different face of the Kingdom with the area boasting big mountains and lush vegetation, a huge contrast to the desert landscapes further north.

Our first visit in Asir is to the hanging village of Al Habala which is dramatically perched on the ledge of a sheer cliff. Built nearly 400 years ago by the Qahtan tribe and only accessible by rope ladders, this village is the only one of its kind in the Kingdom.

We continue on to Al Yanfa, a village that sits atop a warren of underground tunnels which resembles something out of a fairytale. Wandering through the labyrinth of low ceilinged tunnels is an experience not to be missed.

In the town of Abha you will have the opportunity to visit the mud-walled Shada Palace, a showpiece of traditional Asir architecture, as well as stroll through the brightly muralled Al Muftaha village to discover the artistic side of town.

In Asir National Park we explore this area of outstanding natural beauty which is home to troops of Hamadryas baboons and incredible views of Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, Mt. Soudah (3000m).

After descending into the valleys we now visit Rijal Almaa, a village displaying dark block-like fortresses elegantly studded with white quartz. The men of the village wear colourful wrap-around skirts and adorn themselves with floral wreaths which give them the nickname ‘Flower Men’.

From our base in Jazan you now have the option to take a ferry to the Farasan Islands, an archipelago made up of more than 80 islands with pristine coral reefs and white sand beaches. Here a day can be enjoyed swimming in the azure waters, wandering through the Al Qassar sandstone village and exploring the historic Pearl Merchants Neighbourhood.

Continuing north along the coast we now reach the ancient port of Jeddah, the cosmopolitan hub of the country displaying a vibrant mix of new and old. Highlights include a walk along the lively corniche, Al Rahma floating mosque, King Fahd’s fountain, Tayebat City Museum and of course Al Balad, the UNESCO listed historic centre of Jeddah where narrow alleyways lead you to spice-scented souks, art galleries, quirky cafes and traditional bakeries. Some of the old coral merchants’ houses and mosques have been carefully restored and turned into living museums of which Naseef House and Al Shafee Mosque are two of the finest examples.

We now visit one of Saudi’s most dramatic natural wonders, Al Wahba crater. At 4 km wide and 250 m deep this volcanic crater offers you the chance to walk along the rim for outstanding views over the vast hollow with an opaque lake at its centre.

The holy city of Mecca is still off-limits to non-muslims so we continue to the holy city of Medina which seems to be opening up to tourism. The city centre and Prophet’s Mosque have traditionally been off-limits to tourists but this is slowly changing and we use our time here wisely to visit as many of the historic sites as possible.

We continue to AlUla, an area not only famous for its ancient tombs but also for its natural beauty where you have the options to visit the iconic Elephant Rock, the Lion Tombs of Dedan, the Old Town and of course Madain Saleh (Hegra) where we find well-preserved tombs with magnificent facades carved into the sandstone rocks by the Nabataean civilization nearly two thousand years ago. The best part about these sites is that we usually have them all to ourselves!

Our last stop in Saudi is the ancient rock art site of Jubbah. This area was once an oasis where thousands of years ago the Arab ancestors left traces of their passages in numerous petroglyphs in the rock face including representations of humans, lions, ibex, horses, camels and ostrich.

From Jubbah we now continue towards Jordan wild camping in the desert along the way.
Day 7 Jordan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Jordan

Our first destination in Jordan is the port town of Aqaba where you have a free day to snorkel or dive amongst the colourful corals and fish that make the Red Sea such a haven for water-lovers.

In Wadi Rum we find a desert landscape of melting mountains, deep canyons and rock bridges, all steeped in the history of Lawrence of Arabia. Here you can take an optional jeep excursion to visit Jordan’s quintessential desert.

Our journey now takes us to Petra, one of the new 7 wonders of the world. This ancient rock-hewn city is a magical place with narrow canyons and cavernous tombs where a day is easily spent marvelling at facades with names such as The Treasury, High Place of Sacrifice and Royal Tombs.

We now visit the crusaders castle at Kerak before winding our way downhill to the lowest point on earth for a buoyant swim in the very salty Dead Sea.

Our final destination on this tour is Amman, Jordan’s lively capital where it is definitely worth spending a day to explore the Citadel, souqs, mosques and coffee houses that make this city so memorable. The nearby Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash are also worth a few hours of your time.

On the final evening of the tour in Amman you will have the option to attend a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your crew and fellow travellers.

The tour ends in Amman after breakfast on the last day of the tour so you can make your onward travel arrangements from here

59 days tour

Arabia Group Overland Tour

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Arabia Group Overland Tour

United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia & Qatar

Saudi Arabia & Bahrain

Saudi Arabia & Kuwait

Saudi Arabia

Jordan

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