Saudi Arabia: Madain Saleh Tour

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Discover the popular destinations in Medina, Saudi Arabia, during this comprehensive & personalized full-day tour. Your guide will take care of all the arrangements, ensuring and enjoyable experience.

Our Top Experiences and Tours in Saudi Arabia:

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Highlights

Discover the Ancient Marvels of Hegra: A Guide to AlUla's Hidden Gem
Step Back in Time: Uncovering the Mysteries of AlUla's Nabataean Civilization
Explore the Enchanting Ruins of Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) in Saudi Arabia

Description

The tour leader or driver will be ready for you, Begin your journey by visiting Hegra, which is also called Madain Saleh or Al-Ḥijr. It is an archaeological site situated in the AlUla area in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. Most of the ruins can be traced back to the Nabatean kingdom and this site is considered to be the southernmost and biggest settlement of the kingdom after Petra, the capital. Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) is an archaeological site in Saudi Arabia that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage property. Formerly known as Hegra, it is the largest preserved site of the Nabataean civilization, located south of Petra in Jordan. The site showcases well-preserved tombs with ornate designs that date back to the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. Additionally, there are around 50 inscriptions from the pre-Nabataean era and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr is a remarkable testament to the civilization of the Nabataeans, featuring 111 large tombs, 94 of which are adorned, as well as water wells, showcasing their architectural and hydraulic expertise. Next, experience the beauty of Elephant Rock. This stunning natural formation, which bears a striking resemblance to an elephant with its trunk grazing the earth, has become one of AlUla's most celebrated landmarks due to its unique geological features.Elephant Rock, also called Jabal AlFil, is one of the numerous fascinating geological wonders found in AlUla. Afterwards, you can explore Jabal Ikmah, an outdoor library located throughout the Valley of AlUla. This site contains numerous ancient inscriptions in languages such as Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic, and Nabataean. Notably, it also showcases one of the earliest inscriptions from the Islamic era, dating all the way back to 24 AH (644 CE). AlUla is a significant place for studying the Arabic language due to the presence of thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions scattered across many sites. One such site is AlAqra'a, a mountain located north of the AlUla Valley, which boasts over 450 early Arabic inscriptions. Another site, Naqsh Zuhayr, situated to the east, is known for housing one of the oldest Islamic era inscriptions, dating back to 24AH (644 CE). Located in a secluded canyon valley, the biggest 'open library' in Saudi Arabia is nestled in a stunning desert landscape, delightfully soaked in the sunlight. Dadan served as a rest stop for various groups of people traveling by caravan, and one piece of evidence that confirms AlUla's status as a meeting point for different cultures is Jabal Ikmah. Those who passed through AlUla would visit Jabal Ikmah to leave their inscriptions and offerings. The numerous inscriptions and carvings on the cliff faces and rocks at Jabal Ikmah ensured that it would be remembered for generations to come. Please be aware that for sightseeing tours on Herga and Dadan & ikmah, you will be accompanied by a local tour guide and a small group of locals.