The Hejaz Route: AlUla to Jeddah Self-Drive Road Trip, 6 Days

The Hejaz is where Saudi Arabia's story meets the sea. For centuries pilgrims, traders and caravans moved along this western corridor, and this road trip follows their footsteps from the sandstone canyons of AlUla all the way down to the Red Sea.

You begin in AlUla with a guided walk through the mud-brick Old Town, an afternoon by the pool at Dar Tantora and dinner at Habitas. Next morning, explore Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Elephant Rock before the desert road carries you through the lava fields of Khaybar to Madinah.

From Madinah you head for the coast by way of Yanbu Al Nakhal, where the Al Jabriyah spring feeds a valley of date palms and falconers still practise their age-old craft. Two nights on the Yanbu coast give you time to slow down: a beach day at Kaynuna, tea and dates at the JABA store and an evening walk through Old Yanbu with a local guide. The final stretch follows the coast to Shades beach club at Durrat Alrous and on to Jeddah, where you sleep in Al-Balad and explore its coral-stone houses and carved wooden balconies on a guided morning.

You drive at your own pace with Jaba's route guide in hand and our team on call 24 hours a day. We arrange the guides, tickets and reservations so you can simply enjoy the road. Choose Value if you prefer to book your own nights, or Standard for a fully hosted trip with handpicked stays every night.

Requirements

• A valid driving licence and ID or passport.
• Your itinerary and accommodation booking details.
• A mobile phone with navigation, a car charger and a power bank.
• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
• Drinking water and snacks for the journey.
• Any personal medication you may need.
• Your own car, unless you have added a rental car to your booking.

Know before you go

Driving Days 1 and 2 are long   driving days (about 6 and 9 hours). The last ~25 km to the Edge of the World   is a rough gravel track; a 4×4 is strongly advised and access is occasionally   restricted by the authorities, in which case we will suggest an alternative viewpoint.  

 Fuel Fuel stations are   scarce between Hail and AlUla. Fill up in Hail and at every station after it;   there can be 100 km between pumps.   

On the road Camels often cross   the Qassim–Hail highway at dusk. Avoid driving after dark where possible.   

Timings Times are indicative   and confirmed in your travel documents once every visit is reserved for your   dates. The trip ends at 14:00 on day 4.   

Car rental If you rent with   Theeb: one-way drop-off in AlUla and an additional driver carry a surcharge,   payable to Theeb.  

 What to bring Comfortable walking   shoes, sun protection, a hat and plenty of water. Modest clothing is   recommended at heritage sites.   

How booking works Choose your rate and  extras and confirm. Our reservations team then checks every guide and venue   for your dates and sends your confirmation by email.

Additional information